Kinsale recently topped Ireland Before You Die’s List of 10 Most Colourful Towns and Villages in Ireland and the bright colours are sure to brighten your spirits. Walking around the town the town soaking up all the vibrant colours is an experience and is a must-do for your Kinsale day trip and these colourful buildings create the perfect backdrop to capture those Instagramable Moments you never want to forget!

Live in the moment and take time to disconnect. We highly recommend grabbing a coffee or some munch to go and heading to Kinsale’s Stunning Harbour, sitting on the wall to simply breathe in the fresh sea air and listen to the sea gulls while staring out across the water. Grabbing a bag of salt and vinegar chips is also a very popular thing to do while taking in the harbour views. Just be mindful of the greedy gulls above!

While wandering around the colourful narrow windy streets, Shopping is another must-do while visiting the town, Kinsale has a collection of unique boutiques and galleries that bring together a curated selection of global brands as well as local and Irish designs. A shopping destination offering a friendly, vibrant, and unique experience for every taste and budget.

The wonderful thing about Kinsale is many of the location sites and excursions can be accessed by foot. There are so many walking routes nearby and here are some of the ones that we love!

Take a stroll around Compass Hill, a looped walk above the town that has lovely views of Kinsale from above. 

If you would prefer a walk along the sea’s edge, there is the popular Scilly Walk that wraps around Kinsale harbour. The walk offers beautiful views of the harbour and the historic sites of James Fort and Charles Fort and you can spot sea birds, seals and sometimes even pods of dolphins! Doing the Scilly Walk Loop will also lead you to Charles Fort or back to town via Higher Roads which has some of the most stunning views of the town. Scilly Walk is certainly somewhere not to be missed during your trip.

What more can we say? Kinsale has been recognised for many years as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland and our food options within the town speak for themselves. When COVID hit, many of the eateries in Kinsale adapted themselves and continued to provide great food that could simply be taken away to enjoy. From light bites and snacks to something a little more substantial, Kinsale offers a wide range of take away options so that there is something to suit every palette. 

Al Fresco Dining will resume from June 7th, and the cafes and restaurants in Kinsale are humming with excitement to be able to welcome customers back again to properly experience what gourmet dining in Kinsale is all about. It is not only the quality of food that sets us apart but the overall customer service experience, which is what makes Kinsale, one of Ireland’s Best Foodie Towns. 

Find Out All About Al Fresco Dining Here

Having fun in Kinsale is easy! Explore the wild landscapes and seascapes, immerse yourself in our rich history, take time to re-charge in the breath-taking setting of Kinsale Harbour. Whatever you choose, make memories that you will never forget!

Events

There’s always something exciting going on in Kinsale, whenever you visit make sure you check out our Events page – https://www.kinsale.ie/events/

Sea

Perched on the harbour’s edge, Kinsale is the perfect place to explore the outdoors! Set sail for the day, explore caves by kayak, spend an afternoon surfing or relax beach-side!

‘Sea’ our list of water-based activities to start booking your activities on the sea: https://www.kinsale.ie/explore/sea-activities/

Land

From self-made fun to adventure activities and group excursions there is a host of land-based activities for all ages and abilities to be found in Kinsale. 

‘Stroll’ through the land-based activities available while you visit: https://www.kinsale.ie/explore/land/

Wellness

Take the time to replenish, invigorate and recentre, Kinsale has an abundance of services available to help you look after you.

‘Reconnect’ with yourself and visit our wellness options available in Kinsale: https://www.kinsale.ie/play/wellness/