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

Should you visit Belfast or Lille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Lille, 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 under-rated, authentic, and affordable city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a historic, under-rated, and fascinating city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Belfast and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Lille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille. Although Belfast and Lille are about the same size, Lille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lille is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Belfast attracts visitors for its big city activities. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle).

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Belfast different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lille 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 Lille?

Lille is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Lille offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lille is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille 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.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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 Belfast or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Lille to see the historical old town. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Lille?

Lille is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Lille is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Belfast is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Belfast or Lille Better for Couples?

Lille is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

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 Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille 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 Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

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 Lille Better for Students?

Lille 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.

Lille is a great city to visit as a student. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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 Lille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lille is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Lille. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Belfast or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Lille?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille 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 Lille.

One day in Belfast or Lille?

In Belfast, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Lille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Belfast or Lille?

Belfast is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the destination of Belfast. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the authentic destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Lille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Lille, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In the summer, Belfast is cooler than Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belfast in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Lille during summer. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Belfast during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Belfast is generally cooler than Lille. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 9°C (48°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Lille. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in October than Lille. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Lille. Many travelers come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lille in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lille can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. Belfast is a little warmer than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Belfast usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during winter. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Belfast usually receives more rain than Lille. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Lille. Many visitors come to Belfast in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Lille for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Belfast is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belfast in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Belfast often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Belfast