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

Should you visit Connemara or Calais?

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

Should I visit Connemara or Calais? 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.

Connemara

Connemara is a remote, dramatic, and breathtaking region. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Connemara and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Connemara or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Calais. Although Connemara and Calais are popular destinations, Calais has more sights and attractions for tourists. Calais is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Connemara attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Connemara is famous for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also well known for The Town Hall.

How is Connemara different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Connemara or Calais?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Connemara or Calais.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Connemara. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Connemara is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Connemara is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Connemara or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais 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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

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 Connemara or Calais Better for Beaches?

Connemara is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Connemara is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Connemara or Calais Better for Hiking?

Connemara is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

People visit Connemara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Connemara or Calais?

Calais is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Calais to go shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Connemara or Calais Better for Families?

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

Calais is a family-friendly place to visit. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

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 Connemara or Calais Better for Couples?

Connemara is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

Calais is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

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 Connemara or Calais a more walkable city?

Calais is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

Calais is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Connemara?

How long in Connemara or Calais?

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

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

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

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

One day in Connemara or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Connemara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Connemara or Calais?

Connemara is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 coastal destination of Calais. 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 Connemara or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Connemara. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 authentic city of Calais. 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 Connemara or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the natural destination of Connemara. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Connemara and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Connemara Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Connemara or Calais?

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 Connemara or Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Connemara and Calais. The summer months attract visitors to Connemara because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Connemara is around the same temperature as Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Connemara averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. Connemara usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Connemara gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Connemara usually receives more rain than Calais. Connemara gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Connemara or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Connemara as well as Calais. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Connemara this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Connemara is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Connemara in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Connemara often gets less sunshine than Calais. Connemara gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Connemara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Connemara usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Connemara gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Connemara or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Connemara are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Connemara for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Connemara is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Connemara average around 6°C (42°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Connemara usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Connemara gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Connemara. In January, Connemara usually receives more rain than Calais. Connemara gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Connemara or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Connemara during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Connemara in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

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

In the spring, Connemara often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Connemara gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Connemara usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Connemara gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Connemara