Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kilkenny?

Q: Is one day enough time in Kilkenny?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the active town of Kilkenny, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, taste delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kilkenny?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Kilkenny, Ireland? Most people spend one to two days in Kilkenny during their visit. After all, the active town will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, taste delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out.

Kilkenny is home to the Kilkenny Castle. The town dates back 1,500 years and it has a medieval old town that is filled with churches, alleyways, and old city walls. There's also a number of outdoor adventures that make for a fun visit for kids and adults alike.

Do you have one or two days to visit Kilkenny? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Kilkenny?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the active town of Kilkenny, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, taste delicious cuisine, and enjoy an evening out. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around one to two days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Kilkenny

Don't miss the Kilkenny Castle during your trip to Kilkenny, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Kilkenny is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kilkenny?

Many visitors choose to spend around a weekend in Kilkenny. This would give you the chance to experience the town's most popular activities such as the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the cuisine. Since many visitors prefer to spend around one to two days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the active destination.

How to spend 2 days in Kilkenny

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Kilkenny will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Kilkenny, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

A few tour suggestions include:

The Medieval Mile Museum Guided Tour ($13)
Medieval Mile Museum Self Guided Audio Tour ($10)
Kilkenny Romance: Castles, Legends & Love Tour ($218)

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

The public transit in Kilkenny is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. There are city buses through town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Kilkenny, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.