A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Kilkenny for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Birmingham or Kilkenny?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Kilkenny can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, fun-filled, and bustling city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a active, ancient, and medieval town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham. Although Birmingham and Kilkenny are popular destinations, Birmingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Birmingham is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Kilkenny attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square. Kilkenny is famous for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Birmingham different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Birmingham or Kilkenny.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kilkenny can be an interesting and educational experience. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Kilkenny is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Kilkenny is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Birmingham or Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kilkenny is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Birmingham know how to have a good time. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

If you're looking for night time activities Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for its live music scene. However, Kilkenny is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Birmingham The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Kilkenny is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Birmingham is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Kilkenny.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Kilkenny is a very kid-friendly city. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Kilkenny are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Kilkenny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for students. However, Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Birmingham and Kilkenny both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Kilkenny has a few public transit options. There are city buses through town.

Is Birmingham or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Kilkenny are very good when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

Kilkenny is a very walkable city. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Kilkenny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Kilkenny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Kilkenny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kilkenny.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Birmingham 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

The city of Birmingham offers shopping and museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating town of Kilkenny, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kilkenny, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Birmingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Kilkenny, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kilkenny, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Kilkenny is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Kilkenny?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Kilkenny, 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 Birmingham or Kilkenny?

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 Birmingham or Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Kilkenny. The summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

In the summer, Birmingham is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 15°C (60°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Kilkenny in the Winter?

Both Kilkenny and Birmingham during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. Birmingham is much colder than Kilkenny in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Kilkenny. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Kilkenny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Birmingham