A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cardiff vs. Howth for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cardiff or Howth?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Howth? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Cardiff and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Howth?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cardiff than Howth, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cardiff is better known for its nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Howth is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Cardiff and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. Also, Cardiff is famous for The Cardiff Castle.

How is Cardiff different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cardiff or Howth?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Cardiff and Howth.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

Is the Food Better in Cardiff or Howth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Howth is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Howth. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Cardiff is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Cardiff has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is a great destination for the beache. However, Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Cardiff is not a beach destination.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Cardiff is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Howth?

Cardiff is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Cardiff offers some nice shopping areas. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Howth.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cardiff. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Couples?

Howth is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

Howth makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Students?

Cardiff is a popular place for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

Cardiff is popular with students. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Howth is not popular with students.

Is Cardiff or Howth Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Howth is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Howth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Cardiff or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth is a great destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

For even more information, also check out Is Cardiff Worth Visiting? and Is Howth Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Howth or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cardiff or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cardiff than Howth because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cardiff, and 1-2 days is enough time in Howth.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Howth than Cardiff 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 Howth.

One day in Cardiff or Howth?

In Cardiff, many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping that this up-and-coming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Howth, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This fishing village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Cardiff or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Howth, you'll find museums and food. 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 Howth has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Howth?

Cardiff is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cardiff. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Howth is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Cardiff or Howth?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the industrial destination of Cardiff. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Howth. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Howth. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Coach Bus Tours 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 Cardiff and Howth, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Howth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Howth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Howth 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff than you might in Howth.

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

When is the best time to visit Cardiff or Howth?

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 Cardiff or Howth in the Summer?

Both Howth and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

Cardiff is a little warmer than Howth in the summer. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Howth during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Howth. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cardiff or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Cardiff during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cardiff in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Howth averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Cardiff often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually gets more rain in October than Howth. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Howth in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Howth. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Howth in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cardiff. In January, Cardiff is generally much colder than Howth. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 3°C (38°F), and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Cardiff usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Howth during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Howth. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cardiff or Howth in the Spring?

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

Cardiff is around the same temperature as Howth in the spring. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Howth. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets less rain in April than Howth. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Howth and Cardiff