A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belfast vs. Cork for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Belfast or Cork?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Cork, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and shopping.

Cork

Cork is a youthful, energetic, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Belfast and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Cork?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cork than Belfast. While Belfast is larger than Cork, Cork has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Cork is popular for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. It is also home to The Blarney Castle and Stone.

How is Belfast different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Belfast or Cork?

Cork is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cork can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Belfast or Cork? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cork is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cork makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Nightlife?

Cork is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Cork offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Cork?

Cork is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cork is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Families?

Belfast and Cork are both good destinations for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Couples?

Cork is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Cork is a very popular place to visit for couples. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cork is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Students?

Cork is a well-known place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Cork is a great city to visit as a student. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Is Belfast or Cork Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Belfast and Cork offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Belfast or Cork a more walkable city?

Belfast and Cork both are good when exploring on foot.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Belfast Worth Visiting? and Is Cork Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cork or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Cork?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Cork. In our opinion, Cork has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cork than Belfast. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cork than Belfast 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 Cork.

One day in Belfast or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Cork, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Belfast or Cork?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Cork, 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 Cork has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Cork?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cork 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 Belfast or Cork?

The authentic city of Belfast offers nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cork. 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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Cork, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast than you might in Cork.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Cork?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Cork, 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 Belfast or Cork?

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 Belfast or Cork in the Summer?

Both Cork and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Belfast is around the same temperature as Cork in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Cork during summer. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Belfast usually receives more rain than Cork. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Belfast during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cork in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Belfast often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cork. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets less rain in October than Cork. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Cork in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Cork. Many visitors come to Belfast in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Belfast can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Belfast is generally much colder than Cork. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Cork during winter. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cork receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Belfast usually receives less rain than Cork. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Cork in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Cork. Most visitors come to Belfast for the activities around the city during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Cork because of the activities around the city.

Belfast is around the same temperature as Cork in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Belfast often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cork. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets less rain in April than Cork. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cork and Belfast