Cork city centre sits on an island between two channels of the River Lee. The historic core is small enough that almost everything of interest is within a 15-minute walk, but the hills on either bank are steep — St Anne's in Shandon means a real climb.
Bus Éireann runs city services from St Patrick's Street and Parnell Place to the surrounding suburbs and to Cork Airport. Taxis are widely available; Free Now and Bolt both operate. The Cork Bike Share scheme has stations around the centre, and the Cork Greenway towards Passage West makes a pleasant car-free cycle.
Driving in the centre is rarely worth it. Use one of the multi-storey car parks (Paul Street, Carroll's Quay, North Main Street) and walk.