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

Should you visit Cardiff or Limerick?

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

Should I visit Cardiff or Limerick? 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 up-and-coming, green, and industrial city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Limerick

Limerick is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff and Limerick: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cardiff or Limerick?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cardiff than Limerick, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Cardiff is more popular for its big city activities, while Limerick is known for its food. Cardiff is popular for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. It is also home to The Cardiff Castle. Limerick is popular for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities.

How is Cardiff different from Limerick?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Cardiff and Limerick.

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 Limerick. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

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

Limerick 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 Limerick. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

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 Limerick Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Cardiff or Limerick has a better nightlife 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Limerick has a few options to choose from. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

Is the Shopping Better in Cardiff or Limerick?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Limerick and Cardiff.

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.

Limerick has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Is Cardiff or Limerick Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Cardiff or Limerick.

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.

Limerick offers lots of family activities. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

Is Cardiff or Limerick Better for Couples?

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

Limerick makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

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 Limerick Better for Students?

Cardiff and Limerick are good places to visit for students.

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

It's common for students to visit Limerick. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

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

Limerick 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 Limerick, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

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

Is Cardiff or Limerick a more walkable city?

Cardiff and Limerick both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Limerick is a somewhat walkable city. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Limerick or Cardiff?

How long in Cardiff or Limerick?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cardiff or Limerick to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cardiff than Limerick 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 Limerick.

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

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

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

One day in Cardiff or Limerick?

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

In Limerick, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Limerick?

Cardiff 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 Cardiff, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Limerick, 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 Limerick has to offer.

Five days in Cardiff or Limerick?

Cardiff is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Limerick 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.

A week in Cardiff or Limerick?

Cardiff is a great place to explore. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Limerick. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Limerick. 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 from Dublin, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cardiff and Limerick, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Limerick much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Limerick would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Limerick 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 Limerick.

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

Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Limerick?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff and Limerick, 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 Cardiff or Limerick?

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 Cardiff or Limerick in the Summer?

Both Limerick and Cardiff during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Limerick for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cardiff is around the same temperature as Limerick. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Limerick averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Cardiff. In the summer, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Limerick. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Limerick receives 142 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets more rain in July than Limerick. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Limerick in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Limerick. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Limerick in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Limerick during autumn. Cardiff gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Limerick receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Limerick. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cardiff or Limerick in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Limerick. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Limerick for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cardiff can get quite cold in the winter. Cardiff is much colder than Limerick in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Limerick fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Cardiff often gets more sunshine than Limerick. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Limerick receives 49 hours of full sun.

Cardiff usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Limerick. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cardiff or Limerick in the Spring?

Both Limerick and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Limerick because of the natural beauty.

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

Cardiff usually receives more sunshine than Limerick during spring. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Limerick receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cardiff usually receives less rain than Limerick. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Limerick receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Limerick and Cardiff