After the overindulgence of December, it’s not only our bodies and minds that are feeling stretched! It might feel like a bleak month but there is no reason not to enjoy a great value stay in Waterford, one of Ireland’s most colourful and exciting cities. Viking Hotel Waterford offers excellent value and the lowest available rate when you book using our website or with one of our team. Enjoy free activities all around Waterford using our handy guide and make the most of a memorable visit to Ireland’s Ancient East.
Waterford Greenway
Many New Year’s resolutions involve healthy choices and increased fitness. Instead of gruelling gym routines, why not take up a fun activity like cycling and get outdoors a little more? Waterford Greenway is one of Ireland’s most beautiful cycle routes right here in Waterford. Challenge yourself with 46km of greenway which takes 6 hours from start to finish – or you can start and stop at any point!
Enjoy sights like hills and valleys, bridges and mines, architecture, and ancient history on this beautiful route, seeing parts of Ireland inaccessible by car. Bring your own bike and lock it in our secure storage facility or we can lend you a bike! This is on a first come first served basis and best of all it’s totally free!
Explore The Waterford Art Scene
Sometimes the best part of a visit to a new place is just wandering around and enjoying the atmosphere and that’s one thing Waterford City has in abundance. The city is colourful in its own right with an artistic population and bright store fronts. The street art scene is unlike any other in Ireland. Look above street level and you’ll find some of the most impressive and meaningful art completed by local artists and visitors.
There are over 179 street art masterpieces to discover on the side of shops, disused buildings, and places you wouldn’t expect. See how many you can photograph on a self-guided tour of Waterford. There is a street art festival called Waterford Walls in August if you can wait that long for a visit.
Waterford Architecture
As Ireland’s oldest city, it’s not surprising that we have some of the oldest and most impressive ancient architecture in the country. One of the highlights of any trip is a visit to some of the city’s churches, the most imposing and beautiful buildings in Waterford.
Make time to visit the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Christchurch Cathedral and St Saviour’s Dominican Priory. Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, The Clock Tower and the statue of Thomas Francis Meagher are other notable spots to explore in Waterford.
Picnic in Peoples Park Waterford
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a warm day, Waterford comes alive in the sunshine. You’ll see locals walking their dogs, children playing in the sunshine and students and workers enjoying lunch al fresco on the city streets. Peoples Park is a lovely place to bask in the sunshine on a warm day, a short walk from the centre of the city on Newtown Road.
The park dates from the 19th century and is the largest public green space in Waterford City at 6.6 Hectares. The park contains a children’s playground, a cycle track, a Victorian-era bandstand, and a spherical monument and water feature. Grab lunch or a picnic and spend an afternoon exploring this beautiful space for free.
Beach Walk in Tramore
Tramore is one of the premier seaside destinations in Ireland and is located on the southeast coast of Ireland in Waterford. A former fishing village, the town benefitted greatly from the addition of a railway in 1853 which helped it grow as a tourist destination. The town offers a traditional seaside experience of ice cream, fairgrounds, amusements, and beachfront as well as many local monuments and beautiful sculptures.
Spending a day on Tramore beach is part of childhood for many Irish people. The drive from Viking Hotel Waterford to Tramore takes about 15 minutes or 30 minutes by public transport. Take a picnic and have a cheap day out by the sea.
Enjoy exploring Waterford through the new digital story trail. This offers audio and visual clips of Waterford inhabitants dating back as far as the Viking age.
This is the perfect experience for all the family with 15 stages full of cultural and historic stories.
Book your stay in Viking Hotel Waterford and enjoy the best of the city’s free activities as possible. Always book directly for our best available rates, guaranteed.
