A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Galway for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Bucharest or Galway?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Galway. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a less touristy, undiscovered, 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. See Bucharest travel costs.

Galway

Galway is a historical, vibrant, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Galway travel costs.

Bucharest and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bucharest is very popular for its historical sights, while Galway attracts visitors for its nightlife. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also well known for The Palace of Parliament. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Bucharest different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Galway?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Bucharest and Galway.

Bucharest offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Galway. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Bucharest and Galway.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Galway is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Galway is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Bucharest to see the historical old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Galway?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Galway and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Galway has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Families?

Galway is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Galway. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Couples?

Galway is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Galway Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Bucharest. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Bucharest or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Galway?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Bucharest 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 Galway.

One day in Bucharest or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bucharest. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Galway. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Galway?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Galway. 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.

Five days in Bucharest or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bucharest. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Galway. 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.

A week in Bucharest or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bucharest. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Galway 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Galway, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Galway?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Galway, 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 Bucharest or Galway?

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 Bucharest or Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Galway. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Galway. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bucharest or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Galway. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

Bucharest is a little warmer than Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Galway. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Galway during winter. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Galway. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bucharest or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Galway. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Bucharest