A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dublin vs. Reykjavik for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Dublin or Reykjavik?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Reykjavik, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a safe, friendly, and clean city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Dublin and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse. Reykjavik is famous for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Dublin different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dublin or Reykjavik?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dublin 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 Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

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 Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Music?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Dublin has diverse options. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Reykjavik?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Dublin and Reykjavik are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Reykjavik. 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.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Dublin and Reykjavik are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Reykjavik is a great city 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 Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Reykjavik is a good city 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 Dublin or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Dublin and Reykjavik are nice places to visit for students.

Dublin is popular with students. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

It's common for students to visit Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Dublin and Reykjavik.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

While Reykjavik offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dublin or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Dublin Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Reykjavik?

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

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

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

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

One day in Dublin or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dublin or Reykjavik?

You'll find live music and food around the laid-back destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

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 Dublin or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and shopping around the fun city of Dublin. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city 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 Dublin or Reykjavik?

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 clean 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to 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 Dublin and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Dublin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dublin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dublin 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 Dublin.

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

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Reykjavik?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Reykjavik in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Reykjavik. The summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In July, Dublin is generally a little warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 16°C (60°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Dublin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Reykjavik. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Dublin is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Dublin usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dublin usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dublin or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik and Dublin during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dublin is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dublin in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Dublin often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Dublin is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 8°C (47°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Dublin usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dublin usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Dublin