A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Cambridge vs. Belfast for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cambridge or Belfast?

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 Cambridge and Belfast. 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.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a beautiful, collegiate, and scholarly university town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Cambridge and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Belfast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Belfast than Cambridge, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Belfast is more popular for its big city activities, while Cambridge is known for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cambridge is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. 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 Cambridge different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cambridge or Belfast?

Cambridge 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 Cambridge can be an interesting and educational experience. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cambridge 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, Cambridge makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

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 Cambridge or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Belfast have good vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cambridge. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Belfast has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Belfast?

Cambridge is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cambridge is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Cambridge or Belfast Better for Families?

Both Cambridge and Belfast are good family-friendly destinations.

Cambridge is a family-friendly university town. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Belfast. 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 Cambridge or Belfast Better for Couples?

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

Cambridge is a very popular place to visit for couples. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

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 Cambridge or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge 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 Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

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 Cambridge or Belfast Better for Students?

Cambridge is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Cambridge is a great destination for students. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

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

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

Cambridge 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.

Cambridge has a few public transit options. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

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

Is Cambridge or Belfast a more walkable city?

Cambridge 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 Cambridge on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cambridge and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Belfast than in Cambridge. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cambridge, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

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

One day in Cambridge or Belfast?

In Cambridge, you'll find nightlife and food. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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.

A weekend in Cambridge or Belfast?

In Cambridge, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Cambridge has to offer.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the under-rated 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.

Five days in Cambridge or Belfast?

Cambridge 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the authentic 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.

A week in Cambridge or Belfast?

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

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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Cambridge and Belfast, we can see that Cambridge 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 Cambridge Expensive? and Is Belfast Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Belfast?

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