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

Should you visit Dundee or Howth?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Howth? 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 cultural, historic, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Dundee and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Howth?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dundee. Although Dundee and Howth are popular destinations, Dundee has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dundee is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Dundee and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. It is also well known for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Dundee different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Dundee and Howth have nice 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.

Howth offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Dundee and Howth can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Dundee offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Howth has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Dundee or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Dundee is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Dundee has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Dundee or Howth Better for Beaches?

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

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Dundee is not a beach destination.

Is Dundee or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Howth is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Howth?

Dundee is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dundee or Howth Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Howth.

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.

Howth is a family-friendly city. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Dundee or Howth Better for Couples?

Howth is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Howth is a nice destination for couples. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

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 Howth Better for Students?

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

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

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Both Dundee and Howth offer nice public transit options.

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

Howth has some public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Dundee or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Howth is very walkable. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Dundee or Howth to fill your time. In our opinion, Howth has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Howth than Dundee. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Dundee or Howth?

In Dundee, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this coastal destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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

A weekend in Dundee or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dundee. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Howth is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Howth?

Dundee is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dundee. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal destination of Dundee. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Howth. This fishing village 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Howth, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Howth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Howth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Howth 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 Howth.

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

When is the best time to visit Dundee or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Howth. The summer months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

In the summer, Dundee is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dundee in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Howth averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Howth during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Howth. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dundee or Howth in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Howth. 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 Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Dundee is generally cooler than Howth. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 10°C (49°F), and Howth fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in October than Howth. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Howth in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dundee. Dundee is much colder than Howth in the winter. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Dundee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Howth during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dundee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Howth. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dundee or Howth in the Spring?

Both Howth and Dundee during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dundee in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

In the spring, Dundee is cooler than Howth. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dundee in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Howth averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Howth. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Howth and Dundee