Waterford City Top 10 Highlights Walking Tour
Description
Visit the oldest city in Ireland and discover the Top 10 major highlights on this engaging and interactive tour led by an expert English speaking local guide. Founded by the Vikings in AD 914, this tour offers the best opportunity to explore Waterford's must-see highlights, including Reginald's Tower, and the Bishop's Palace as well as the 10th century Viking Quarter and see so much more than any visitor could, on their own.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Exterior visit to one of the cultural icons of Ireland and Waterford City at the House of Waterford Crystal. This famous landmark is how Waterford became one of the best known cities in the 20th century.The House of Waterford Crystal is located close to the Viking Quarter dated back to the 9th century. This esteemed factory is the beating heart of the world’s luxury crystal manufacture and is where the most intricate, authentic and masterful crystal pieces are crafted.
Reginald’s Tower is Waterford’s landmark monument and Ireland’s oldest civic building. It has been in continuous use for over 800 years. The first tower on the site was built by Vikings after 914 and formed the apex of the triangular settlement, an area known to this day as the Viking Triangle. Re-built by the Anglo Normans in the 12th century the top two floors were added in the 15th century. Until about 1700 the tower was the strongpoint of the medieval defensive walls that enclosed the city. The tower now houses an exhibition on Viking Waterford and is managed by the Office of Public Works.
Discover Thomas Francis Meagher - no other Irishman this side of St. Patrick led a more colorful life, a life that reads like a movie script and epitomizes the label "fighting Irish. A mayor's son in Waterford, student in England, revolutionary in Tipperary, outcast in Tasmania, writer in Costa Rica, Union officer in New York, and governor of Montana. This stop will include enthralling narration about this Waterford hero.
Enjoy an incredible exterior visit to the Bishop's Palace - a magnificent Georgian residence and a must-see attraction in Waterford. It is rated the #3 attraction in Waterford on TripAdvisor. The Bishop’s Palace charts the history of Waterford from 1700 to 1970. The expert local guide at this stop will give a wonderful insight into the history of the Bishop's Palace & Waterford what was from the 1750s to the present.
Visit a replica of a Viking longboat, modeled on one of the famous Viking ships found at Roskilde, in Denmark. The 33ft keel and planks of the longboat are of Irish oak and the sailcloth is a canvas weave and offer the perfect backdrop to the guides incredible narration on the 9th century Viking invasion of Ireland. Continue on to the Giant ‘Dragonslayer’ Viking Sword.The world’s longest wooden sword sculpture is now in place at its new home in the heart of the Viking Triangle in Waterford City.
Visit this wonderful Church located near the Viking Triangle with a beautiful blue colonnades interior leading to a lovely altar with an extremely interesting religious art and iconography collection. This must-see architectural highlight dates back to 1793.
Sit in the very seats that commemorate one of th most important historical events that occurred in Ireland. This pair of bronze sculptures celebrates the marriage of Strongbow to Aoife MacMurrough. The arranged wedding occurred in 1170. Strongbow was a Norman conqueror of Waterford and other parts of Ireland and she was an Irish Princess, the daughter of King Dermot MacMurrough. Learn about the importance of this marriage and how it changed the course of Irish history.
Visit the very site where the Vikings built their first church in 914. The church dedicated to Holy Trinity was built on the site of Christ Church Cathedral in 1050 by Reginald, son of Sigtryg (Sitric), who also gave his name to Reginald’s Tower on the quays. This historical location is one of the most important in Ireland and is a must-do when visiting Waterford.
Visit this poignant memorial dedicated to John Cordon from Waterford, the youngest recorded casualty on the Allied side in the first World War, who died in Flanders at the age of just 14.
Visit the Harbor area to visit the 19th century Clock tower made in Gothic Revival style completed in 1863. This architecturally interesting structure located on the Waterford City quayside boasts intricate design features. Originally the Clock Tower had troughs for working horses to drink from. This intriguing stop will explain the unique mechanisms of the clock and about the importance of the the port of Waterford from the 10th century to the present day it's role as port of departure during the great famine to the New World.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please wear comfortable shoes as this tour involves a fair amount of walking, including over uneven surfaces, cobblestones, hills, inclines, declines and stairs.
- Participants should be in good health - consult first with your doctor if you have any medical condition or are not used to regular exercise.
- Wheelchairs, motorised scooters or any other device to assist mobility are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee: that all footpaths/sidewalks/curbs will have suitable ramps.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Anybody under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by somebody aged 18 years or older.
- Note for guests who booked Sainte-Chappelle entry. Please bring: Photo ID, Comfortable shoes and water (we will be waiting in the sun), Church dress code: A scarf or jumper to cover your shoulders
- Not recommended for travellers with limited mobility
Reviews(16)
We were on a two hour walking tour; however, it went by rather quickly. Tobie was an excellent guide, he was patient and very knowledgeable. He even helped us locate a store to purchase a stroller! I wish I could remember half of the stuff he told us...
Dear Lorys, Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable time exploring Waterford with Tobie. It's fantastic to know that his knowledge, patience, and willingness to go the extra mile—even helping you find a store to purchase a stroller—made such a positive impression. The best guides don't just share the history of a city; they also help guests make the most of their visit, and we're so pleased Tobie was able to do both. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. Thank you for choosing LetzGo City Tours. We hope to welcome you back on another tour with us soon! Warm regards, The LetzGo City Tours Team
The tour was informative, entertaining with plenty of fun anecdotes along the way. Tobie was an outstanding guide. His animated way of story telling was the best!
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable experience with us. Our team is passionate about sharing the history, culture and hidden stories of each destination, so it's incredibly rewarding to know that our guide helped make your visit truly memorable. We sincerely appreciate you choosing LetzGo City Tours and taking the time to share your experience with fellow travellers. Your recommendation means a great deal to our entire team and helps future visitors discover our award-winning tours. We hope to welcome you again on another LetzGo City Tours experience. We proudly operate premium guided tours across Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Hungary and Spain—including Palma and Barcelona—as well as other destinations throughout Europe and the USA. We would be delighted to show you another incredible city with the same passion, storytelling and authentic local hospitality. Until then, thank you once again for your fantastic review, and safe travels!
Our guide Tobie was incredibly knowledgeable and informative. A lot of Waterford’s heritage and history was covered, as well as that of Ireland itself.
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable experience with us. Our team is passionate about sharing the history, culture and hidden stories of each destination, so it's incredibly rewarding to know that our guide helped make your visit truly memorable. We sincerely appreciate you choosing LetzGo City Tours and taking the time to share your experience with fellow travellers. Your recommendation means a great deal to our entire team and helps future visitors discover our award-winning tours. We hope to welcome you again on another LetzGo City Tours experience. We proudly operate premium guided tours across Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Hungary and Spain—including Palma and Barcelona—as well as other destinations throughout Europe and the USA. We would be delighted to show you another incredible city with the same passion, storytelling and authentic local hospitality. Until then, thank you once again for your fantastic review, and safe travels!
Was advised a couple of days before this that the date I had selected was now cancelled ( No explanations given) and could I change the day. Unable to do this due to other plans. Message to my phone was from a Switzerland phone number and was told to contact Viator re refund and to give person my details. Did not do this as I did not book with Viator. Was also advised to cancel booking. I did not cancel so should have been done from Tripadvisor end. Awaiting refund.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you found the tour very informative and that you recognised the knowledge and expertise of your guide. Our guides are incredibly passionate about sharing the history, stories, and hidden details that bring these incredible places to life, and we are always happy when guests appreciate the depth of information provided. We are sorry to hear that you felt the pace of walking and delivery was a little faster than expected. Our guides always try to balance covering all of the amazing highlights included in the experience while also ensuring everyone has time to enjoy and absorb the stories along the way. Your comments are genuinely appreciated and will be shared with the team as a reminder of the importance of pacing, checking in with guests, and allowing everyone to fully enjoy the experience. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope you left with wonderful memories from your visit.
Excellent walking tour! Our tour guide was amazing! She made Waterford feel like we were visiting family and friends. Lots of history and an enjoyable walk around the town.
Katina, thank you so much for your excellent 5-star review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your walking tour of Waterford and that your guide made the experience feel so warm and personal — just like visiting family and friends. That’s exactly the kind of atmosphere we aim to create on all our tours. Our first-class professional guides are chosen for their ability to blend deep historical knowledge with genuine friendliness and authentic storytelling, helping guests connect with the rich history and charm of each city. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again soon on another LetzGo City Tour — perhaps one of our cultural or food tours across Europe or the USA! Warm regards, The LetzGo City Tours Team
This was an excellent tour. Our guide Bernadette, was very knowledgable about the history of Waterford and she was extremely engaging. Highly recommend this tour if you are in Waterford!!
My wife and I joined Bernadette’s tour hoping for general knowledge on the city, and what we got was a knowledgeable and impassioned local guide who sparked inside of us a want to see a city continue to reinvest in itself through its fascinating histories and museums. We ended up staying a bit longer and supporting local artisans because of Bernadette’s excellent direction and great love for her city. She also clearly knows people as we were able get inside scoops on certain things that only a well-esteemed local could. Highly recommend!
This was a very informative and engaging tour. Derek was a wealth of knowledge and encouraged questions from the group. I would recommend this to anyone stopping in Waterford.
Derek was our tour guide. His knowledge of the history of Ireland and in particular, Waterford, was amazing. When he showed us the various historical buildings, streets, memorials, etc. he gave us an historical context that explained the importance to local, national and even world events.
Derek was very knowledgeable and well spoken. Highly recommend him to others! The Waterford City tour was excellent!!!
