Historic Waterford is one of the oldest cities in Ireland. This is where a fleet of Viking ships landed in 917 and first built a fort on the banks of the Suir River. From these Viking foundations, the city has grown into a vibrant waterfront center that has received international recognition for its famous Waterford Crystal designs.
The downtown area has a historical section that includes world-class history museums, virtual reality experiences, lively bars and restaurants, and charming churches. Just beyond the city center, beautiful gardens and picturesque seaside towns await the intrepid explorer. Ready to experience the Irish destination for yourself? Here are the best things to do in Waterford City.
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Stroll through the Viking triangle
It is said that you can cover 1,000 years of history in Waterford by walking 1,000 steps around the Viking Triangle. The downtown area covers the oldest part of the city and includes the city’s main museums, two cathedrals, the Waterford Crystal House, and numerous cafes and pubs. This is where the Vikings first landed at Waterford in 914 and today it remains the heart of the Irish city.
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Experience history at the Medieval Museum
Direction
Cathedral Square, Waterford, IrelandGet directions
Telephone
+353 76 110 2501
Web
Visit the website
Located next to Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford’s Medieval Museum tells the fascinating history of the city’s past. This is the only museum in Ireland that is completely dedicated to medieval history. Behind the modern curves of the stone exterior are two fully preserved medieval chambers dating from the 13th century, as well as numerous artifacts. Most famous of all is Waterford’s Great Charter Roll, a 12-foot-long scroll covered with illustrations and portraits of English kings. Tours can be scheduled to include tours by guides recreating medieval scenes, and then you can wander through the exhibits at your leisure.
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Climb Reginald’s tower
Direction
The Pier, Waterford, IrelandGet directions
Telephone
+353 51 304 220
Web
Visit the website
The rounded stone exterior of Reginald’s Tower is such an important landmark that it is almost a symbol of the city of Waterford. The tower was built by the Anglo-Normans around the 13th century and was built on the same site as a previous Viking fort. It is probably named after one of the most important Viking rulers to hold power in Waterford, Reginald. The tower is 43 feet tall and was once part of a much larger wall that surrounded Waterford. Throughout the centuries, it has been a prison, a mint, a private home, and a bomb shelter. Today it is home to the Waterford Viking Museum and includes displays of artifacts found in the area. You can climb the wide spiral staircase inside the tower to a video exhibit on the upper floor.
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Be dazzled at the Crystal Waterford home
Direction
28 The Mall , Waterford , IrlandaGet directions
Telephone
+353 51 317 000
Web
Visit the website
Although most of the manufacturing has moved outside of Ireland, it is still possible to visit the site where the brilliant craftsmanship of the coveted Waterford Crystal began. The cut glass goblets and incredibly detailed figures are obvious works of art, but you can gain a new appreciation for the amount of skill it takes to develop each piece by taking a tour of the factory. The tour guides guests from the furnaces that produce the molten glass, to the manufacture of wooden molds, to the workshops where detailed hand-engraving is carried out, resulting in the distinctive appearance of this carved glass. famous irish brand. The old factory is also a place to learn about the history of Waterford Crystal and to pick up some special items in its shop that will be passed down through the generations.
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Experience 18th-century elegance at the Bishop’s Palace
Direction
The Shopping Center, Waterford, IrelandGet directions
Telephone
+353 76 110 2650
Web
Visit the website
Reginald’s Tower is the place to be for Viking history, and the Medieval Museum is a dream for 12th-century artifacts, but for slightly more recent history, head to the Bishop’s Palace Museum, with collections covering the past. of Waterford from the seventeenth to the seventeenth century. Present. The 250-year-old house was the bishop’s residence and is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the city of Waterford. The ground floor and the first floors have been furnished in the style of the 18th century to give an idea of the past elegance of the building. The museum also has the oldest piece of Waterford Crystal in the world, as well as some historic Irish landscape paintings.
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Eat a blaa
Direction
Unit 1 Block 5, Lacken Road Business Park , Kilbarry , Waterford , Co. Waterford , X91 H046 , IrlandaGet directions
Telephone
+353 51 378 080
Web
Visit the website
While there are Irish specialties throughout the city, Waterford’s signature food is a soft roll known as a blaa. The flour roll has been part of the city’s culinary offering since the Irish Huguenots made their way to Waterford in the early 18th century. Fill it with a few slices of bacon and enjoy Waterford’s favorite morning snack. Try one at Walsh’s Bakehouse, a bakery run by two brothers who make the best blaa in town.
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Stroll through the gardens of Mount Congreve
Direction
Mount Congreve, Mountcongreve , Kilmeaden , Co. Waterford , X91 PX05 , IrlandaGet directions
Telephone
+353 51 384 115
Web
Visit the website
Located just a short drive from the heart of Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is a beautiful green getaway in Kilmeaden. The famous gardens are part of the larger estate that surrounds this 18th century Georgian mansion. The manor house is impressive, but it is the 30 acres of gardens, known as one of the best gardens in the world, that attract the most visitors. As you wander through the gardens, you will discover over 6,000 trees and shrubs, as well as thousands of flowers that bloom in spring, covering the estate in color.
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Take a virtual reality tour with King of the Vikings
Waterford has wonderful history museums, but there is nothing like being able to go back in time and experience the past for yourself. A new virtual reality tour now makes it possible to join Reginald, King of the Vikings, as he fights for control of Ireland. The Viking leader will guide you 1,100 through time to show the impact of Viking heritage at Waterford, or Vadrafjord, as it would have been known then.
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Being mesmerized by street art
Waterford transforms from a medieval city into a bustling urban cultural center every year during the first weekend of August (Ireland’s August bank holiday). The Spraoi Street International Arts Fair is a show that culminates in a parade featuring more than 200 costumed performers and fantastic floats centered around an annual theme. The organizers also invite street artists from around the world to create murals on the sides of the city’s buildings and have a full program of theatrical and musical performances.
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Get into the Christmas spirit at the Winterval Festival
If you plan to visit the city of Waterford in December, you will find that Ireland’s largest Christmas festival extends to the center of the city. Winterval organizes horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, visits to Santa Claus and many winter decorations for the whole family to enjoy.
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Explore the charming town of Dunmore East
Direction
Nymphhall , Dunmore East , Co. Waterford , IrlandaGet directions
Waterford town center has a lot to offer, but the charming fishing village of Dunmore East is also only a 20 minute drive away. With the brightly colored boats floating in the harbor, the small town is an ideal stop for a seafood lunch just outside the city center. If you visit in August, be sure to stop by during the famous bluegrass music festival.
