# Kilkenny > Discover the best things to do in Kilkenny: castle and city walks, cycling, river boat trips and hurling, plus day trips from Dublin and hotels to book. - URL: https://dublin-360.com/kilkenny - Published: 2025-05-15 - Updated: 2026-10-19 - Author: Dermot --- # Things to Do in Kilkenny: Tours, Day Trips & Hotels Ireland's medieval city is an easy trip from Dublin. Walk the Medieval Mile, see Kilkenny Castle, cycle the River Nore or try hurling, then stay the night. - Local tours - Day trips from Dublin - Book online Things to doDay tripsGetting thereHotelsFAQs ## Top things to do in Kilkenny Kilkenny city is small enough to walk, but the best way to get its stories is with a local guide. [Walking tour**The Kilkenny City Walk**Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, the Round Tower and the tale of Alice the witch.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/the-kilkenny-city-walk) [Cycling**Guided Cycling Tour of Kilkenny**A 10km ride along river paths past the main sights. Bike included.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/guided-cycling-tour-of-kilkenny) [On the river**Kilkenny Boat Trip**See the castle, the cathedral and river wildlife from the water.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-boat-trip) [Food & drink**Kilkenny Culinary Tour**Irish coffee, award-winning cheese and chocolate, and a Smithwick's.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-culinary-tour) [Sport**Kilkenny City Hurling Experience**Learn hurling skills and drills with local coaches.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-city-hurling-experience) [Families**Kilkenny City Detective Mystery**A 4km self-guided murder mystery trail past the major sights.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-city-detective-mystery) [Rothe House guided tour](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/rothe-house-guided-tour) [Sunset cycling tour](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/guided-cycling-sunset-tour-of-kilkenny) [Bike 'n' hike to Bennettsbridge](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/self-guided-bike-n-hike-tour-in-kilkenny) [Private boat trip](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-boat-trip-private-tour) [The Big Escape](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/the-big-escape-kilkenny) ## Book Kilkenny tours and tickets Hurling, cycling, St Canice's Cathedral and Kyteler's Inn, with live availability. ## Kilkenny day trips from Dublin No car? These guided tours leave from Dublin and handle the transport for you. [From Dublin**Kilkenny, Wicklow & Glendalough**Medieval Kilkenny, the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough in one day.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-wicklow-glendalough-tour) [By train**Kilkenny & Waterford Crystal by Train**Leave Heuston Station by train for Kilkenny, then on to Waterford Crystal.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/kilkenny-city-waterford-crystal-day-tour-by-train) [From Dublin**Rock of Cashel & Medieval Kilkenny**Pair the Rock of Cashel with an afternoon in Kilkenny's medieval streets.See tour →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/tour/the-rock-of-cashel-medieval-kilkenny) Planning more? See our guide to [day tours from Dublin](https://dublin-360.com/guide/day-tours-from-dublin). ## More Kilkenny tours and activities Powered by [GetYourGuide](https://www.getyourguide.com/kilkenny-l1585/) ## Getting to Kilkenny from Dublin ### By bus Express coaches run from Dublin to Kilkenny. Book ahead for a seat. [Book a bus ticket](https://busbud.tpx.lt/DFp1elhs) ### By train Trains to Kilkenny leave from Dublin's Heuston Station. ### By car Drive south on the M9. Need wheels? [Compare car hire in Dublin](https://dublin-360.com/rent-a-car). ## Hotels in Kilkenny Stay over to see the city after the day-trippers leave. These are some of the best-rated hotels in our Kilkenny listings. [Hotel**Pembroke Hotel**Rated 4.6 on Google · 84 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/pembroke-hotel) [Hotel**Lyrath Estate**Rated 4.5 on Google · 141 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/lyrath-estate) [Hotel**Newpark Hotel**Rated 4.4 on Google · 131 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/newpark-hotel) [Hotel**Langton House**Rated 4.4 on Google · 34 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/langton-house) [Hotel**Kilkenny River Court Hotel**Rated 4.3 on Google · 133 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/kilkenny-river-court-hotel) [Hotel**The Hoban Hotel Kilkenny**Rated 4.3 on Google · 80 rooms.View hotel →](https://dublin-360.com/accommodation/the-hoban-hotel-kilkenny) [See all places to stay in County Kilkenny →](https://dublin-360.com/guide/county/kilkenny) ## Kilkenny FAQs How do I get to Kilkenny from Dublin? Take the train from Heuston Station, an express bus, or drive via the M9. You can also join a guided day tour from Dublin that handles the transport. Can I visit Kilkenny as a day trip from Dublin? Yes. Day tours from Dublin pair Kilkenny with Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains, Waterford Crystal or the Rock of Cashel. What are the best things to do in Kilkenny? Visit Kilkenny Castle, take a guided city walk, cycle along the River Nore, take a river boat trip, try hurling or tour Rothe House, a 17th-century merchant's townhouse. Can visitors try hurling in Kilkenny? Yes. Hurling Tours Ireland runs hands-on hurling experiences in Kilkenny city, where local coaches teach the skills and drills. Where should I stay in Kilkenny? Staying in the city centre puts the castle, the Medieval Mile and the pubs within walking distance. Compare Kilkenny hotels and prices on this page. ## Plan your Kilkenny trip Castles, river walks, hurling and medieval streets, all a short trip from Dublin. See things to do --- Site index for agents: https://dublin-360.com/llms.txt