It’s a massive coup.

Cork has been honoured with a spot on National Geographic’s Best of the World 2025 list, the famous travel brand’s annual round-up of the most intriguing spot to see in the coming year.

Cork is the only Irish city to make the list.

Speaking to CNN ahead of the big reveal, National Geographic editor-in-chief Nathan Lump highlighted that Cork is undergoing something of an urban renaissance and has “always been a fun city with a vibrant culture … and an incredibly warm local population,”

 

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“The Cork City Development Plan, part of the $128 billion Project Ireland initiative, is funding ambitious and innovative improvements to be completed by 2028 that will redevelop the port and docklands, refurbish the Crawford Art Gallery, and enhance the Cork Event Centre so it can host new concerts, festivals, and exhibitions.” the magazine said in its glowing tribute to Leeside.

“In September 2025, ​​Ireland’s second city shines during Sounds from a Safe Harbour, a biennial festival of music, dance, and conversation that was cofounded by Oscar-winning Oppenheimer actor and Cork native Cillian Murphy.”

Cork joins big hitters such as Bangkok and Los Angeles on the list, as well as Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Kanazawa in Japan, Boise Idaho and Greenland. Check out the list here.

Main image: Bell’s Field by Bishopstown-based photographer Cian Wong