The scenic harbor town is one of 25 small towns and villages throughout Europe that have been recognized and recommended to travelers by the prestigious publication.

"Europe is known for its busy, culture-driven cities like Rome and Paris,” wrote Caitlin Morton for Condé Nast, in 2019.

"But between all the landmarks and selfie-taking tourists, you'll find literally hundreds of charming little towns with populations smaller than the line for the Eiffel Tower.

Cobh, Co Cork. Credit: Getty Images/fallbrook

Cobh, Co Cork. Credit: Getty Images/fallbrook

"Whether it's a lakeside hamlet in Austria or an eerily beautiful village in Romania, these storybook towns are the stuff European vacations dream about."

Praising the Irish town, Morton wrote: “Cobh redefines charming with its rows of candy-colored homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbor.”

She mentions that Cobh, which was the final port of call for the Titanic and has a commemorative museum in the town, is a popular cruise destination.

Cobh, Co Cork. Credit: Getty Images/ Walter Bibikow

Cobh, Co Cork. Credit: Getty Images/ Walter Bibikow

Situated on the south coast in County Cork, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. These included Annie Moore and her two brothers – the first immigrants to be processed on Ellis Island in New York. On 11 April 1912 Queenstown was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage. 

Cobh is a pretty town built on a steep hill on Great Island in Cork Harbour. It is just 20 minutes from Cork city and there are hourly rail and bus connections to and from the city. The town’s architecture and streetscape is distinctly Victorian. St. Colman’s Cathedral dominates the town.

Cobh Tourism chairman, Jack Walsh told the Irish Examiner: “We are always championing Cobh as a visitor destination, so to see our beautiful small town featured in a prestigious publication like Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, in 2019, is a fantastic endorsement.

"Condé Nast is globally recognized as one of the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voices in all things travel and its recommendations are known to be very influential."

Other small towns recognized by Condé Nast include Ronda, Spain; Ribe, Denmark; and Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, among others. You can find the full list here.

* Originally published in June 2019. Updated May 2021.