A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dover vs. Kilkenny for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Dover or Kilkenny?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dover and Kilkenny can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a breathtaking, iconic, and rustic town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a ancient, medieval, and fascinating town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dover and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Kilkenny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kilkenny. Although Dover and Kilkenny are both popular with visitors, Kilkenny has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kilkenny is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Dover is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dover is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe. Kilkenny is popular for its medieval castle and long running history. It is also home to The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Dover different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dover or Kilkenny?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Kilkenny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Dover is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Is the Food Better in Dover or Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Kilkenny is an experience not to be missed. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dover. The town has a growing food scene that includes waterfront restaurants and local dishes. Find a restaurant with a view to make sure you take full advantage of the setting.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Kilkenny is very good for its evening party scene. However, Dover is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Dover. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Dover does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Hiking?

Dover is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Kilkenny is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dover. There are many beautiful countryside walks that take you through the rolling hills and along the iconic white cliffs. Some of the best hikes in the area include The England Coast Path, The North Downs Way Saxon Shore Way.

Kilkenny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Kilkenny?

Kilkenny is very good for its shopping areas. However, Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Kilkenny to go shopping. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Dover is a family-friendly town. There are a few kid-friendly museums like the Dover Transport Museum and the Dover Castle. Also make sure you check out the South Foreland Lighthouse.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Both Dover and Kilkenny are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Dover is a very popular place to visit for couples. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic sight and perfect for a romantic trip away. Also make sure you check out St. Margaret's Bay Beach and the Kearsney Abbey Gardens.

Kilkenny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dover and Kilkenny are good destinations for backpackers.

Dover is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find several nice hostels to choose from in the town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Dover or Kilkenny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Kilkenny is very good for its public transit. However, Dover is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Kilkenny has a few public transit options. There are city buses through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dover. There are public buses through the district.

Is Dover or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

Dover is somewhat walkable. You can wander around the countryside, but prepare for rolling hills and great views.

For even more information, also check out Is Dover Worth Visiting? and Is Kilkenny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Dover?

How long in Dover or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dover or Kilkenny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Dover than Kilkenny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Dover, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kilkenny.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Dover 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Dover or Kilkenny?

The beautiful town of Dover offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kilkenny, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this ancient destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Dover or Kilkenny?

Dover is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dover, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Five days in Dover or Kilkenny?

Dover 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.

Kilkenny is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dover or Kilkenny?

Dover is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the ancient destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle 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 Dover and Kilkenny, we can see that Dover is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Dover would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dover than you might in Kilkenny.

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Kilkenny?

Dover has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Dover and Kilkenny, 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 Dover or Kilkenny?

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 Dover or Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Kilkenny. The summer months attract visitors to Dover because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

In July, Dover is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 17°C (63°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Dover, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dover usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during summer. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dover usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dover or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dover as well as Kilkenny. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dover this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Dover is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Dover often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in October than Kilkenny. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Kilkenny in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dover. In the winter, Dover is cooler than Kilkenny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dover in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Dover usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during winter. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dover usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dover or Kilkenny in the Spring?

Both Kilkenny and Dover during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dover in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 9°C (47°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Dover often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in April than Kilkenny. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Dover