The 15 Tours in Waterford That Earn Their Price

1.House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,303 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $22Our pick

Tour the House of Waterford Crystal with a guide such as Amy or Mary, seeing wooden mold making, 1300-degree furnaces, cutting, engraving, and strict quality checks. The guided visit takes about 50 minutes, followed by a vast showroom and café. It is wheelchair accessible and limited to 10 people.

“We all loved seeing in person how the beautiful crystal is made! Fascinating!!! BE SURE TO GO THERE AND SEE THIS AMAZING PLACE!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Skip the Line: Hook Lighthouse Entrance Ticket and Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 470 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $16Top rated

Tour Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford with a guide such as John, Noel, Jason, or Tracey. Climb 115 spiral steps, hear 800 years of light-keeping stories, and step onto the balcony for wide sea views. Your ticket also covers the visitor center, exhibits, shop, and café.

“This is my highlight of ireland. Our tour guide..John...was so knowledgeable and interesting. Who knew all this history???? Of course the scenery is amazing. We had breakfast in the Cafe.. also amazing and great service. Everyone working there seemed genuinely happy. We loved it”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.House of Waterford Factory Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 256 reviews · from $20

Watch master craftsmen blow, cut, sculpt, and engrave Waterford crystal on a guided one-hour tour in Waterford City. You’ll begin with the company’s history, then move through the mold, blowing, cutting, sculpting, and engraving rooms before browsing the large retail shop. English tours are wheelchair accessible.

“Fine, though one website said fully booked, other had free places. Ended up paying twice :(”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Waterford Treasures: Epic Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $16

Walk through Waterford’s Viking Triangle with a local guide in English. In about 45 minutes, you’ll see a Viking tower and longboat, visit the Bishop’s Palace reception hall, hear 1,000 years of local history, and possibly step inside the cathedral. Guides such as Anna, Jamie, Laura, Deirdre, and Teresa are known for clear storytelling and humor.

“Guide was excellent she brought the story of the city to life. Great balance of fact and rumour about famous Waterford citizens!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $16

Visit Waterford’s Medieval Museum in the Viking Triangle, built over two national monuments. See the rare Cloth of Gold vestments, Henry VIII’s Cap of Maintenance, and the Great Charter Roll. Choose a short guided tour when available, or explore independently with a handheld guide in English, French, or German.

“Definitely worth a stop if you’re in Waterford. So much history and a neat collection of items! We did the self guided tour and it took about 45 minutes as stated! I highly recommend the Viking VR experience as well. It’s right down the street from the museum but tickets can be purchased inside the museum.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Irish Wake Museum Tour Rituals of Death and Celebration of Life

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $17

Visit Waterford’s Irish Wake Museum with a professional guide such as Tobie or Deirdre. In about 45 minutes, you’ll explore a 15th-century almshouse, hear folklore about Irish wakes, and see artifacts and realistic displays linked to death, mourning, and celebration of life. The subject matter is serious and may not suit young children.

“Great insight on history. Well done I formative. The guide was delightful.We had fun and recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Osprey Viking Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $62

Join Osprey Viking Cruises from Clyde Wharf in Waterford for a small-group cruise on the River Suir. Guides such as Jonathan and Johnny connect Reginald’s Tower, Little Island, Mount Congreve Gardens, and Grannagh Castle with Viking, Norman, Butler, and wartime stories. Expect English commentary, tea, snacks, and a relaxed trip lasting about one to three hours.

“Great tour. It could be longer a bit. But it was great experience. ...... ........... dhdhdhdj djdjfjdj jdjfjfjfjd euririfj”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Waterford Treasures: Bishop’s Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $16

Visit Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace for about an hour, choosing a self-guided visit or an hourly reenactor-led tour with the housekeeper while the bishop is away. See ornate Georgian rooms, the 1789 Penrose Decanter, Napoleon’s Mourning Cross, and a 3D presentation. English tours, mobile tickets, and free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

“The museum is absolutely beautiful!! It was fun learning about all of the different stories in each room. The gift shop was great too!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Waterford Treasures: Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 43 reviews · from $15Best value

Walk through Waterford’s Viking Triangle with guides such as Anna, Deirdre, Jamie, or Laura. In about 45 minutes and roughly 1,000 paces, you’ll see Bishop’s Palace, Reginald’s Tower, Greyfriars Friary, and other landmarks while hearing clear, lively stories from the Viking age through the Victorian era. Museum admission is not included.

“1000 years in a thousand steps or thereabouts. A great informative little adventure with a great guide in Jamie. Highly recommended - it was the highlight of my stay in Waterford.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $15

Visit Waterford’s purpose-built Medieval Museum for a 45-minute look at the 1270 Choristers Hall, 1440 wine vault, Great Charter Roll, and cloth-of-gold church vestments. Start at reception, where you can join a guided tour if available or explore at your own pace. The museum is wheelchair accessible.

“We paid for a guide and never saw one we paid for a guided tour and did not receive one . I would like a refund less the cost of admission to the museum”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Irelands Ancient East Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours & Bike Hire

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 16 reviews · from $31

Hire a bike and helmet at Waterford, Kilmacthomas, or Dungarvan, then ride the 29-mile Waterford Greenway at your own pace. You receive route information, a map, breakdown assistance, and a shuttle back to your starting point. Allow about five hours and confirm the shop location before setting out.

“The shop is small, the number of bikes very liimited (there was only one women bike and it was actually too small). In the beginning they havn't found our booking and send us to other shop. So, we realized that this shop is s kind of chip copy of another, larger bike shop. We Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Full day Private Tour from Waterford

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews

Build an 8 to 9 hour private tour from Waterford with a local guide such as Brian or Richard. Travel by air-conditioned minivan, choose historic sites, coastal stops, outdoor activities, or a route toward Dublin, and set the pace for your group of up to six.

“We had a great tour of Waterford. Our tour guide took us to all the best sites including sites we had requested. His vehicle was very clean and comfortable. Our tour was extremely knowledgeable and was able to give any degree of background Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Waterford, Kilkenny and House of Waterford Crystal

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 12 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $615

Travel privately between Waterford and Kilkenny with hotel or port pickup, a local guide, and admission to Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, and House of Waterford Crystal. Guides such as Brian, Brede, Bianka, and Michael tailor the day, add Irish history, and can adjust the pace for your group.

“Very informative, entertaining, and enjoyable. Tour guide was great! I would highly recommend this tour, especially for first time visitors.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Semi Private tour Rock of Cashel – Cahir castle & Kilkenny

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $223

Travel from Dunmore East to three of Ireland’s most rewarding historic sights: the Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, and Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile. Expect a shared group of up to 20, adjustable timing for cruise schedules, included admission to the Rock and castle, and free time in Kilkenny. Guides such as Marisol and Brian have led this route.

“Excellent!!! Kilkenny was a great town!!! Loved it all! Great experience!!! Would do it again! Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Mount Congreve Gardens Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $16

Enter Mount Congreve House, built in 1760, then explore one of the world’s great private plant collections, with species from every continent. You can visit the Temple, Pagoda, and Georgian Glasshouse, use the English audio guide, eat at the Stables Café, and browse FOXFORD. Guided garden tours and forest bathing cost extra.

Check availability →Read our full review