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

Should you visit Dover or Kinsale?

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 Kinsale can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dover

Dover is a rustic, stunning, and natural town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a colorful, charming, and quaint seaside town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Dover and Kinsale: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dover or Kinsale?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kinsale. Although Dover and Kinsale are both popular with visitors, Kinsale has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kinsale is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and small town charm, while Dover is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Kinsale is more touristy than Dover and is popular for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. It is also home to Charles Fort. Dover is popular for the famous White Cliffs of Dover as well as the ferry connection to mainland Europe.

How is Dover different from Kinsale?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Dover or Kinsale.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dover. Aside from the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, there is the Dover Castle, the South Foreland Lighthouse, and the Grand Shaft.

Kinsale is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

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

Kinsale is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dover is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Kinsale has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

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 Kinsale Better for Nightlife?

Both Dover and Kinsale are decent when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Dover specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The nightlife has a relaxed atmosphere with wine bars and microbreweries.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Kinsale. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for Beaches?

Kinsale is a moderate seaside town for the beach. However, Dover is not a beach destination.

The beach in Kinsale is worth checking out. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Dover is not a beach destination.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for its Old Town?

Kinsale 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 Kinsale. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Dover does not have a historic old town.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for Hiking?

Dover is great for hiking. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Dover for the hiking trails. 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.

Kinsale offers some nice hiking trails. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dover or Kinsale?

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

Many visitors go to Kinsale to go shopping. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Dover is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Dover or Kinsale.

Dover is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kinsale is a family-friendly town. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for Couples?

Dover is great for its romantic activities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for couples.

Dover is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Kinsale is a good town for couples to visit. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Is Dover or Kinsale Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Dover and Kinsale 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 Kinsale. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

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

Both Dover and Kinsale offer decent public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Dover or Kinsale a more walkable city?

Dover and Kinsale both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Kinsale is somewhat walkable. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Kinsale or Dover?

How long in Dover or Kinsale?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dover or Kinsale?

In Dover, you'll find food and museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Even though Kinsale is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This seaside 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 Kinsale?

In Dover, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dover has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kinsale. 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 Kinsale?

Dover is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Kinsale is a fun place to experience. Kinsale is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Kinsale?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dover. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Dover. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Kinsale is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Tours for Seniors to Ireland, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin.

When comparing the travel costs between Dover and Kinsale, we can see that Dover is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Dover or Kinsale?

Dover has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Dover and Kinsale, 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 Kinsale?

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 Dover or Kinsale in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dover as well as Kinsale. Many travelers come to Dover for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kinsale in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Kinsale. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 17°C (63°F), and Kinsale fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dover this time of the year. In the summer, Dover often gets more sunshine than Kinsale. Dover gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 178 hours of full sun.

Dover usually gets less rain in July than Kinsale. Dover gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Kinsale in the Autumn?

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

Dover is around the same temperature as Kinsale in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dover averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Kinsale fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Dover usually receives more sunshine than Kinsale during autumn. Dover gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dover usually receives less rain than Kinsale. Dover gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dover or Kinsale in the Winter?

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

Dover can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dover is cooler than Kinsale. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dover in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Kinsale averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Dover often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale. Dover gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kinsale receives 60 hours of full sun.

Kinsale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dover usually gets less rain in January than Kinsale. Dover gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dover or Kinsale in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dover and Kinsale. The spring months attract visitors to Dover because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kinsale this time of year.

In April, Dover is generally around the same temperature as Kinsale. Daily temperatures in Dover average around 9°C (47°F), and Kinsale fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dover usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kinsale during spring. Dover gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Kinsale receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dover usually receives less rain than Kinsale. Dover gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kinsale receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kinsale and Dover