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

Should you visit Belfast or Reykjavik?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Reykjavik, 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. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Belfast and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Belfast than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Belfast is more popular for its big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". It is also home to Belfast Castle.

How is Belfast different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Belfast and Reykjavik can be an enjoyable experience.

Belfast offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Belfast or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Both Belfast and Reykjavik are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Belfast or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Reykjavik?

Both Belfast and Reykjavik are good shopping destinations.

Belfast is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Reykjavik. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Belfast or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Belfast or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

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

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

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 Reykjavik Better for Students?

Belfast and Reykjavik are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

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

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Reykjavik is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Reykjavik has a few public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

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

Is Belfast or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Reykjavik?

In either Belfast or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Belfast because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Belfast, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Belfast or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Belfast. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Belfast has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Reykjavik, you'll find nightlife and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Reykjavik, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the affordable city of Belfast. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Reykjavik?

Belfast is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Reykjavik. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Belfast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belfast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belfast 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Belfast.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Reykjavik?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Belfast and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Belfast or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

Belfast is a little warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Reykjavik. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the autumn, Belfast is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belfast in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Belfast usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as Reykjavik. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. In January, Belfast is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 4°C (39°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Reykjavik. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Belfast in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. Belfast is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Belfast usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Belfast