The 13 Best Waterford Tours & Tickets

1.House of Waterford Crystal Guided Factory Tour

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

Visit the House of Waterford Crystal in Waterford for a guided factory tour lasting about 50 minutes. Watch master blowers shape molten crystal with wooden molds, then see cutting, sculpting, and engraving in action. Guides such as Amy and Mary have earned praise for clear explanations. Finish in the 12,000-square-foot showroom and café.

“Excellent tour. Highly recommend. It was fascinating to see the experts at work and to see the end gorgeous results!”

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

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

Join a small guided tour inside Hook Lighthouse, the world’s oldest operational lighthouse. Guides such as John, Noel, Jason, and Tracey bring its 800-year story to life as you climb 115 steps to the balcony. Your ticket also covers the visitor center, exhibits, shop, café, toilets, and outdoor grounds.

“Great tour, very knowledgeable guide, lots to learn about an important part of Ireland's history. Learn and enjoy.”

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3.House of Waterford Factory Tour

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

Follow a one-hour guided visit through the House of Waterford, beginning with its history room and continuing through the mold, blowing, cutting, sculpting, and engraving areas. Watch master craftsmen work at close range, ask questions, then browse the world’s largest Waterford crystal shop. English tours cost $20 per person.

“This was incredibly fascinating. James was remarkable... enthusiastic man with lots of passion...kept the details interesting. Amazing to watch this craft in the making. Definitely worth a see!!”

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4.Waterford Treasures: Epic Walking Tour

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

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

“The tour was excellent, but my complaint is with Viator. 1.) aviator’s directions to the tour start are inaccurate. The tour starts at the door to the Bishop’s Palace, not where Viator sends you if you tap their map. We missed the beginning of the tour. 2.) In Waterford, you can buy the Freedom of Waterford Tour at the Medieval Music. It includes the Epic Viking AND 4 museums. We paid Viator for nothing.”

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5.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Admission Ticket

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

Spend about 45 minutes inside Waterford’s Medieval Museum, built over the 13th-century Choristers Hall and 15th-century Mayor’s Wine Vault. See the complete Cloth of Gold vestments, Henry VIII’s Cap of Maintenance, and the Great Charter Roll. Choose a costumed guide or a handheld tour in English, French, or German.

“Fabulous and informative guide. She was so knowledgeable. Some of the artefacts held at the museum are so impressive and unexpected. It was good value for money and I would recommend”

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

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

Enter a 15th-century almshouse in Waterford for a 45-minute guided look at Irish wakes, mourning customs, folklore, and funeral objects. Guides such as Tobie and Deirdre bring the subject to life with clear storytelling and humor. Expect a small-group visit, realistic depictions of death, and a thoughtful link to Waterford’s past.

“The guide called Toby was excellent, brilliant humour & very informative. It was history of Waterford too. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommend. Thank you”

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7.Osprey Viking Cruises

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

Cruise the Suir River from Waterford with Captain Andy McDermott and guides such as Jonathan or Johnny. Hear stories of Vikings, castles, Cromwell, wartime history, and Little Island while passing Mount Congreve and Grannagh Castle. Expect an English-language boat trip, usually about an hour, with longer private journeys possible by arrangement.

“Warm welcome aboard.. interesting historical information about the area and Little Island. An enjoyable afternoon cruise with a much appreciated cup of tea and biscuits!”

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8.Waterford Treasures: Bishop’s Palace

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

Explore Waterford’s Bishop’s Palace, an elegant Georgian house filled with period furniture, the 1789 Penrose Decanter, and Napoleon Bonaparte’s Mourning Cross. Choose a self-guided visit or join the hourly housekeeper-led tour, subject to availability. Allow about one hour, and prebook if you want a confirmed place.

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

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9.Waterford Treasures: Walking Tour of the Viking Triangle

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

Follow an English-speaking guide through Waterford’s Viking Triangle in a small group of up to 10. In about 45 minutes, you’ll pass Bishop’s Palace, 33 The Mall, Reginald’s Tower, and Greyfriars Friary while hearing stories from the Viking age through the Victorian era. Guides including Anna, Deirdre, Jamie, and Laura are known for clear, witty storytelling.

“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.”

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10.Hook Peninsula Sea Cave Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · from $96

Paddle a double kayak along County Wexford’s Hook Peninsula with local guides Jody and Sam. You’ll receive a wetsuit, safety gear, tuition, a chocolate snack, and a hot drink while exploring sea caves, arches, beaches, and Baginbun Head. Expect a friendly, active three-hour trip with possible seal and seabird sightings.

“The whole team were friendly, informative & fun. When on the water, they were watchful and took great care to station themselves in front of obstructions and sources of potential danger to keep the group. They were full of fun and energy as they shared fascinating facts and history of the area.”

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11.Courtown Woodland Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Join Lorraine of Gallivanting Tours for a gentle 2.5-hour walk through Courtown Woods in County Wexford. You’ll learn about edible and medicinal plants, tree communication, Irish folklore, Celtic festivals, an Iron Age road, a fifth-century High Cross, and the woodland’s famous chestnut walk.

“Lorraine is an amazing guide, the experience was wonderful, she has such a wealth of knowledge. My sister came with me for company and kept saying thank you for bringing her. We loved every minute. I will be back. Thanks Lorainne.”

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12.Waterford Treasures: Medieval Museum Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $15

Start at the Medieval Museum reception in Waterford’s Viking Triangle. Choose a self-guided visit or ask about a guided tour, subject to availability. See the 1270 Choristers Hall, 1440 wine vault, Great Charter Roll, and rare cloth-of-gold church vestments in about 45 minutes to an hour.

“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”

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

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 16 reviews · from $31

You collect a fitted bike, helmet, map, and route advice at Waterford, Kilmacthomas, or Dungarvan. This self-guided ride follows the 29-mile Waterford Greenway over bridges and viaducts, with the River Suir and Comeragh Mountains nearby. A shuttle returns you to your starting point, and breakdown assistance is included.

“We followed the direction to the shop as given, only to find that store was clock locked, and sealed up tight. The owner did not return messages. Found another bike company with a very similar name and inquired with them. They advised this company is very unreliable and dies not show up half the time. They use names and logos very similar to the other bicycle companies. Do not recommend.”

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