A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Galway for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Aalborg or Galway?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Aalborg and Galway. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a historic, charming, and local town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a historical, vibrant, and lively city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Galway?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Galway than Aalborg. While Aalborg is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Galway is more popular for its big city activities, while Aalborg is known for its food, historical sights, and small town charm. Aalborg is more touristy than Galway and is known for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also home to The Galway Market.

How is Aalborg different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Galway and Aalborg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Galway?

Both Aalborg and Galway have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Aalborg is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aalborg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Aalborg makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aalborg or Galway has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aalborg know how to have a good time. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

The nightlife in Galway has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Aalborg is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Aalborg to see the historical old town. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Galway?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Galway and Aalborg.

Aalborg is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Families?

Both Aalborg and Galway are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aalborg. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Galway offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Couples?

Aalborg and Galway both good destinations for a couple.

Aalborg is a nice destination for couples. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Students?

Aalborg and Galway are good places to visit for students.

Aalborg is popular with students. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Is Aalborg or Galway Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Aalborg and Galway.

You'll find some public transit in Aalborg, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system around town.

While Galway offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Aalborg or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Galway. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Aalborg than Galway. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Aalborg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Aalborg than Galway. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Aalborg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Aalborg if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Galway.

One day in Aalborg or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Aalborg. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Galway, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Aalborg or Galway?

Aalborg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Galway, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Galway has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Galway is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Aalborg. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Galway. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Aalborg and Galway, we can see that Aalborg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aalborg Expensive? and Is Galway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Galway?

Aalborg has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Galway, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Aalborg or Galway?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Aalborg or Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Galway. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Aalborg is around the same temperature as Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives more rain than Galway. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Galway. The autumn months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In the autumn, Aalborg is cooler than Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Aalborg in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Galway averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Galway. Aalborg usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Aalborg in the winter. In January, Aalborg is generally much colder than Galway. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around -1°C (31°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Galway. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Aalborg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Aalborg for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city.

Aalborg is much colder than Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Aalborg