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

Should you visit Belfast or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Seattle, 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 authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Belfast and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Seattle?

You'll generally find more things to do in Seattle than Belfast. Seattle is bigger than Belfast, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Seattle is more touristy than Belfast and is known for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. Also, Seattle is famous for The Space Needle. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Seattle 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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Belfast or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Belfast is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Belfast is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle 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, Seattle makes for a great culinary experience. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle 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.

Seattle offers plenty to do in the evening. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for live music. However, Belfast is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Belfast is not a live music destination.

Is Belfast or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast is not a beach destination.

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Belfast or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Seattle is a popular spot for hiking. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Seattle?

Both Belfast and Seattle are notable 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 Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Belfast or Seattle Better for Families?

Belfast and Seattle are both notable 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Belfast or Seattle Better for Couples?

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

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle 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 Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young 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 Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

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

Seattle 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.

Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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

Is Belfast or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle 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.

Seattle is very walkable. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Seattle. In our opinion, Seattle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Seattle than Belfast. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Belfast, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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

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

One day in Belfast or Seattle?

In Belfast, you'll find nightlife and shopping. 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.

Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Belfast or Seattle?

In Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. 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 Belfast has to offer.

Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Seattle has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Seattle?

Belfast 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.

Seattle is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Seattle. 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 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Belfast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belfast is in Europe and Seattle is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Seattle?

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

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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle 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 beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In July, Belfast is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 15°C (59°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Belfast usually receives more rain than Seattle. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Belfast or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Belfast is cooler than Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in October than Seattle. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Seattle in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. In the winter, Belfast is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belfast in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).

Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during winter. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Belfast usually receives less rain than Seattle. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Belfast or Seattle in the Spring?

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

In April, Belfast is generally cooler than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 8°C (46°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In the spring, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Belfast gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Belfast