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Cork hostels offer some of the best values for accommodations in Ireland. That is, if you can get a room.

Cork is a charming city of 274,000 with ample tourist destinations and accommodations. Split in two by the river Lee, which flows out into the harbor, the most central area of Cork is actually on an island with the river on all sides. This hardly hinders transportation however, the river is crossed by many bridges.

Historically, Cork was a city often pillaged and burned by Vikings. Today however, they have reclaimed mastery over the sea and sea-faring people and it is one of the busiest seaports in Europe and home to the second largest natural harbor in the world. Only Sydney, Australia's harbor is bigger.

Cork's hostels are numerous and spread throughout the city. The price difference between Cork's hostels and hotels is quite large however, there is a greater gap between the two types of lodging in Cork than in most European cities.

In Cork, a room in a hostel will run about 14 or 15 Euros for a shared room and 20 or so for a private room for the night. Comparable hotel prices are usually 5-10 Euros more expensive than a private room in a hostel, but in Cork, the average price for a hotel is closer to 45 Euros per night.

Cork's status as the economic capital of Ireland is probably to blame for this discrepancy. Business travelers are a steady, secure source of income for most hotels and business travelers do not often stay in hostels. More than most, the market is separated in Cork and you will not have much luck trying to upgrade from a hostel to a hotel.

Cork's hostels see a fair number of travelers and it is important to book your room ahead of time before you show up in Cork. The price gap between accommodation types is big enough that failing to reserve a room and getting pushed out to a hotel could be an expensive mistake.

The nightlife in Cork revolves around the local pub. The Irish love nothing better than to stop in for a pint after work—in fact, some say that that is the only reason they go to work in the first place.

Cork's hostel's are a great way to establish a base for the many day trips you'll want to take. Maybe the islands off the coast of Sherkin, Cape Clear and Garnish Island, maybe Killarney National Park where the land is just about as green as it gets, or perhaps the early Christian settlement out on the Skellig rocks. But not all of Cork's attractions are outside of the city, Cork is also home to notable medieval buildings and St. Patrick's Street, a recently renovated street with walking paths and a wide selection of shops.

There are also many architecturally significant buildings to see such as the County Tower, the tallest building in Ireland, and St. Finbarre's cathedral, an ornate and towering church.

Hostels in Ireland (Cork)