A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dingle vs. Arles for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Dingle or Arles?

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

Should I visit Dingle or Arles? 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.

Dingle

Dingle is a rustic, picturesque, and serene peninsula. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dingle and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dingle or Arles?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Arles. Although Dingle and Arles are popular destinations, Arles has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arles is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dingle attracts visitors for its beaches and hiking. Dingle is more touristy than Arles and is known for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also well known for L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Dingle different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dingle or Arles?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

Is the Food Better in Dingle or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Arles is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Arles is an experience not to be missed. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Arles is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

Arles has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Beaches?

Dingle is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Dingle is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Dingle does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Arles offers plenty to see. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Dingle does not have a historic old town.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Hiking?

Dingle is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dingle. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dingle or Arles?

Arles is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Families?

Dingle is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Dingle. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dingle and Arles make for a great place to visit.

Couples visit Dingle frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

Arles is a great peninsula if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dingle is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dingle is a very popular peninsula for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Dingle or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arles is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Dingle or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its walkability.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Dingle is generally not a very walkable peninsula. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

For even more information, also check out Is Dingle Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Dingle?

How long in Dingle or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dingle or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dingle than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dingle, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arles than Dingle 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 Arles.

One day in Dingle or Arles?

In Dingle, many people enjoy the food that this natural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This peninsula offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dingle or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dingle. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, 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.

Five days in Dingle or Arles?

Dingle is a fun place to experience. In Dingle, many people enjoy the food that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

A week in Dingle or Arles?

You'll find food around the serene destination of Dingle. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the compact destination of Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dingle or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Dingle and Arles, 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 Dingle or Arles?

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 Dingle or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Dingle are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dingle this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences.

Dingle is much colder than Arles in the summer. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Dingle gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dingle usually receives more rain than Arles. Dingle gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dingle or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Dingle during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dingle for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dingle is cooler than Arles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dingle in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Arles averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Arles. Dingle gets 79 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Dingle. Dingle usually gets more rain in October than Arles. Dingle gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dingle and Arles. Many visitors come to Dingle in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Dingle is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 7°C (44°F), and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Dingle gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dingle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Dingle usually receives more rain than Arles. Dingle gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dingle or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dingle as well as Arles. Most visitors come to Dingle for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Arles because of the natural beauty.

Dingle is cooler than Arles in the spring. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Arles. Dingle gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Dingle usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Dingle gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Dingle