A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Dingle for Attractions, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or Dingle?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Dingle can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and theater.

Dingle

Dingle is a serene, natural, and scenic peninsula. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and food.

Edinburgh and Dingle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Dingle are both popular with visitors, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Dingle is known for its food, beaches, and hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Dingle and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Dingle is popular for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs.

How is Edinburgh different from Dingle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shows and theatre. However, Dingle is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Dingle is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Dingle? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dingle is a peninsula with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Dingle has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Edinburgh know how to have a good time. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Dingle is not a live music destination.

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Dingle is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Beaches?

Dingle is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Dingle attract visitors from all over. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Dingle does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Dingle does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Hiking?

Dingle is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dingle. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Dingle offers lots of family activities. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Dingle are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Couples visit Dingle frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Dingle is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great destination for students. However, Dingle is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Dingle is not popular with students.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Edinburgh is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Edinburgh or Dingle a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its walkability.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Dingle is generally not a very walkable city. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Dingle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dingle or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Dingle?

In either Edinburgh or Dingle, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Edinburgh has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Edinburgh than Dingle. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Dingle 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find food around the peninsula of Dingle. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find food around the serene destination of Dingle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this peninsula has to offer. This peninsula offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Dingle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food around the serene peninsula of Dingle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this peninsula makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this peninsula has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Dingle?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ancient destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dingle is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Dingle?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Dingle, 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 Edinburgh or Dingle?

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 Edinburgh or Dingle in the Summer?

Both Dingle and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dingle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Dingle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Dingle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Edinburgh often gets more sunshine than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 140 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dingle in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Dingle. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dingle for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Dingle. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Dingle fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Edinburgh usually receives more sunshine than Dingle during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Dingle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dingle in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Dingle. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Dingle because of the museums and the cuisine.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh is much colder than Dingle in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dingle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets more sunshine than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 44 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dingle in the Spring?

Both Dingle and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Dingle this time of year.

In the spring, Edinburgh is cooler than Dingle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Dingle averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Dingle during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Dingle. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dingle and Edinburgh