A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dundee vs. Connemara for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Connemara?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Connemara? 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.

Dundee

Dundee is a historic, coastal, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Connemara

Connemara is a remote, dramatic, and breathtaking region. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Dundee and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Dundee or Connemara?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dundee than Connemara, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dundee is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Connemara is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Dundee is well known for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. Also, Dundee is famous for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery. Connemara is well known for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves.

How is Dundee different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dundee or Connemara?

Dundee
Connemara

Both Dundee and Connemara have notable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dundee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Connemara offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.


Is the Food Better in Dundee or Connemara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dundee
Connemara

Connemara is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Connemara makes for a great culinary experience. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Dundee
Connemara

Connemara is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Dundee is not a beach destination.

Connemara is considered a top beach destination. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Dundee is not a beach destination.


Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Dundee
Connemara

Connemara is an amazing region to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

People visit Connemara specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Connemara?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a moderate city for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Dundee has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Families?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

Dundee is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.


Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Couples?

Dundee
Connemara

Connemara is a well-known place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Connemara is a very popular place to visit for couples. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Students?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a popular place for students. However, Connemara is not popular with students.

Dundee is a good city to visit for students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Connemara is not popular with students.

Is Dundee or Connemara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.


Is Dundee or Connemara a more walkable city?

Dundee
Connemara

Dundee is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

Dundee is a somewhat walkable city. There are a number of walks through the town.

Connemara is not a very walkable city. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

For even more information, also check out Is Dundee Worth Visiting? and Is Connemara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Connemara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dundee and Connemara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Connemara than in Dundee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Dundee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Connemara.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Connemara than Dundee 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 Connemara.


  • How many days in Dundee or Connemara? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dundee 1-2 
    Connemara 2-3

One day in Dundee or Connemara?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Dundee. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Connemara. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Dundee or Connemara?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dundee. 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.

Connemara 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 Dundee or Connemara?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Dundee. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Connemara. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Dundee or Connemara?

Dundee is a popular choice for travelers. 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 food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Connemara. This region 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.


Which place is cheaper, Connemara or Dundee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dundee is £234, while the average daily cost in Connemara is £101. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dundee and Connemara in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dundee £149
    Connemara £46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dundee £298
    Connemara £92
Compare Hotels in Dundee and Connemara

Looking for a hotel in Dundee or Connemara? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dundee


Hotels in Connemara


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dundee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dundee £16
    Connemara £35

Is it cheaper to fly into Dundee or Connemara?

Prices for flights to both Connemara and Dundee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dundee £47
    Connemara £32
Typical Food Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dundee are as follows:


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dundee £106
    Connemara £22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dundee are as follows:

  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.36
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $83

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dundee £13
    Connemara £11


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

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



When is the best time to visit Dundee or Connemara?

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 Dundee or Connemara in the Summer?

Both Connemara and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Connemara this time of year.

In July, Dundee is generally around the same temperature as Connemara. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 14°C (58°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Connemara during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Connemara. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dundee 14°C (58°F) 
    Connemara 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Connemara in the Autumn?

Both Connemara and Dundee during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Connemara for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

Dundee is cooler than Connemara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Connemara fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun.

Connemara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dundee usually gets less rain in October than Connemara. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dundee 10°C (49°F) 
    Connemara 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Connemara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Connemara. Many travelers come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Connemara in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dundee. In the winter, Dundee is much colder than Connemara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dundee in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Connemara averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Dundee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

Connemara receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dundee usually receives less rain than Connemara. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dundee 3°C (38°F) 
    Connemara 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Connemara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Connemara. Many visitors come to Dundee in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Connemara for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Dundee is generally cooler than Connemara. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 7°C (45°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Connemara. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dundee 7°C (45°F) 
    Connemara 9°C (48°F)

Typical Weather for Connemara and Dundee

Dundee Connemara
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 6°C (42°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 14°C (57°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 6°C (44°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)


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