National Geographic says its readers should visit to "immerse themselves in an emerging urban renaissance".
The magazine's editor-in-chief Nathan Lump says Cork has always been a fun city, with a vibrant culture and an incredibly warm local population.
Other places making the top 25 include Stockholm Archipelago in Sweden, Brasov in Romania, and Murray River in Australia.
“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.
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.”
