Fly to Europe from Cork with Aer Lingus this summer
Cork has much more going for it than being a former European Capital of Culture, or being the ‘real’ capital of Ireland as it also is home to one of Ireland’s busiest airports with many Aer Lingus flights to some of Europe’s most delightful destinations.
From spiritual Santiago De Compostela in Spain to picturesque Prague in Czechia, there are so many wonderfully varied places for passengers across the South of Ireland to visit from Cork Airport this summer.
Here we showcase two of everyone’s favourites destinations, Nice and Santiago de Compostela, as well as explore some of the other locations that would make the perfect European breaks for you all to enjoy.
Join the jet set in Nice
As the saying goes ‘it’s good to be good and it’s nice to be nice’. But we think it’s even nicer to be in Nice, the Cote D’Azur’s most welcoming city on the French Riveria. Nice oozes both charm and sophistication, while also being an accessible gateway to some of the Provence region’s more exotic locations.
What can I do in Nice?
There’s lots to do in this sunny city, from people watching along the Promenade Des Anglais, to art admiration in the Musée Matisse, or getting lost in the narrow streets of Vieux Nice (the Old Town). And, of course, there’s always time to sip on a spritz at a local Beach Club or sample a Salad Nicoise at one of Nice’s many top restaurants.
If you have a car, you can drive further along the Cote D’Azur for a bit of celebrity spotting in St Tropez, or travel inland along the breathtaking Route Napolean if mountain scenery is more your thing.
Aer Lingus flies from Cork to Nice (every Wednesday, Saturday) until 30 September.
Go your own way to Santiago De Compostela
If you’re looking for different kind of vibe then look no further than the verdant hills of Galicia and the spiritual capital of Spain, Santiago de Compostela. This cathedral city of St James welcomes pilgrims and lovers of seafood alike and is a fitting end to the many ‘ways’ of the Camino de Santiago. When you’re done kissing the statue and climbing the cathedral tower, it’s the ultimate reward to get lost on a cañas (tapas) crawl down Rúa de Franco seeking out a cold Galician beer and some local Pulpo a la Gallega (octopus).
Apart from using the local airport as a way to do the final legs of the Camino, there’s lots of other things to do in this part of Celtic Spain.
The North Coast of Galicia has Finisterre, the ancient Roman ‘end of the world.’ Here, you’ll find picturesque lighthouses on stunning cliff walks, as well as the lively port city of A Coruña.
The south coast has Galicia’s wine region, the Rías Baixas, where you can sample delicious zamburiñas (scallops) with a glass of Albariño white on the Illas Cíes, a stretch of beautiful Caribbean-like islands.
The centre of this historic region is not to be missed either, with the hot springs of Ourense being the perfect way to convalesce post-Camino, while a more unique walk awaits you around the 2km of Roman walls in Lugo. They are the only fully intact Roman walls to be found in the world!
Aer Lingus flies from Cork to Santiago De Compostela (every Monday, Thursday) until 17 September.
Where else can I fly to from Cork Airport?
These are not the only European destinations you will love exploring from Cork
Below is a quick guide to some of the other gems:
Fly to Bordeaux from Cork
The wine capital of France sits on the River Garonne near France’s Atlantic coast and is the perfect location to experience ‘la belle vie’ in its charming gallic streets. Outside of it’s must-visit wine museum, it’s not far from the impressive Dune De Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune; Saint Emilion, a beautiful medieval town in the heart of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s wine region; and the ancient cave art and rocky outcrops of the scenic Dordogne valley.
Aer Lingus flies from Cork to Bordeaux (every Tuesday, Saturday) until 12 September.
Fly to Bilbao from Cork
The capital of the Basque region in Spain is most famous for two delightful things, it’s tasty pintxos (or tapas), and the impressive Guggenheim museum. But it’s also a fun and vibrant city that comes to life every evening along the banks of the Nervion river. Nearby, you’ll find the glitzier cities of the region; with beachside San Sebastián and it’s Michelin star restaurants to the east, and the port of Santander to the west where the Spanish royal family once kept a summer palace. Also on the coast, and a super day trip from Bilbao, is the stunning San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, which doubled as the location of ‘Dragonstone’ on TV’s Game of Thrones.
Aer Lingus flies from Cork to Bilbao (every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) until 13 September.
Fly to Prague from Cork
Take a step back in time in the pristine city of Prague, the wonderful medieval capital of Czechia. If it’s sturdy bridges and strong beer you’re after, then you’ve come to the right place, as this perfectly preserved city hugs the Vltava River. See the famous astronomical clock chime in the Old Town Square, take a stroll up to the castle across Charles Bridge, and soak up the party atmosphere of Wenceslas Square. Nearby, the charming town of Český Krumlov and spa city of Karlovy Vary make for wonderful day trips.
