A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dingle vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Dingle or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Dingle or Reykjavik? 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 picturesque, serene, and natural peninsula. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Dingle and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dingle or Reykjavik?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dingle than Reykjavik, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dingle is better known for its museums, food, and beaches, while Reykjavik is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Dingle is well known for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. Also, Dingle is famous for The Gallarus Oratory. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Dingle different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dingle is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dingle is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

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 Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Dingle. 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Many visitors go to Dingle for the hiking trails. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Dingle or Reykjavik?

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

Many visitors go to Reykjavik to go shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Dingle offers lots of family activities. 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.

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dingle and Reykjavik make for a very good 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.

Reykjavik is a great peninsula if you're traveling as a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dingle is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Dingle is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Reykjavik is a good peninsula to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Dingle or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Reykjavik is a popular place for students. However, Dingle is not popular with students.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

Dingle is not popular with students.

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

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around 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 Reykjavik a more walkable city?

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

Reykjavik is a very walkable destination. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Dingle?

How long in Dingle or Reykjavik?

In either Dingle or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Reykjavik has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Reykjavik than Dingle. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Dingle, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Dingle or Reykjavik?

You'll find food around the peninsula of Dingle. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dingle or Reykjavik?

You'll find food around the serene destination of Dingle. 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 peninsula has to offer. This peninsula offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik 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.

Five days in Dingle or Reykjavik?

You'll find food around the picturesque peninsula of Dingle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this peninsula makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this peninsula has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dingle or Reykjavik?

Dingle 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the safe destination of Reykjavik. This city 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.

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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

Which is Bigger, Dingle or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Dingle and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Dingle or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dingle as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Dingle for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dingle is a little warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dingle in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dingle usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Dingle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dingle in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In October, Dingle is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 12°C (53°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Dingle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during autumn. Dingle gets 79 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. In October, Dingle usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dingle or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Dingle during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dingle for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Dingle is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Dingle often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dingle. Dingle usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dingle and Reykjavik. The spring months attract visitors to Dingle because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In the spring, Dingle is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dingle in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Dingle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during spring. Dingle gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dingle usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Dingle gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Dingle