A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cambridge vs. Connemara for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Cambridge or Connemara?

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 Connemara. 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 charming, historic, and beautiful university town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Connemara

Connemara is a natural, remote, and dramatic region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Cambridge and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Connemara?

Both Connemara and Cambridge have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Cambridge is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Connemara is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Cambridge is more touristy than Connemara and is popular for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Connemara is well known for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves.

How is Cambridge different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cambridge is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Connemara is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its museums and history.

Cambridge offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Connemara is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

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

Both Cambridge and Connemara offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cambridge. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Connemara. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Cambridge is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Cambridge is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Connemara for it's beautiful beaches. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Cambridge is not a beach destination.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Cambridge is not a hiking destination.

Connemara is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Cambridge is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Connemara?

Cambridge is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cambridge. 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.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Families?

Cambridge is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

Cambridge is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Connemara both superb destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Couples visit Connemara frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge is a popular place for backpackers. However, Connemara is not a good region for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Connemara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in the area, you really need a car to explore the area in depth. This turns off a lot of backpackers.

Is Cambridge or Connemara Better for Students?

Cambridge is terrific for students. However, Connemara is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Cambridge. 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.

Connemara is not popular with students.

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

Cambridge is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region 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 quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Cambridge or Connemara a more walkable city?

Cambridge is terrific for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Cambridge on foot. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Connemara is not a very walkable university town. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Connemara?

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

Families should spend more time in Cambridge than Connemara. 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 Connemara. 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 Connemara 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 Connemara?

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

You'll find food and museums around the region of Connemara. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Cambridge or Connemara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the scholarly destination of Cambridge. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find museums and food around the natural destination of Connemara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this region has to offer. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cambridge or Connemara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic university town of Cambridge. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the breathtaking region of Connemara. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cambridge or Connemara?

Cambridge 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.

Connemara is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

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