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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik 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 gothic, ancient, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include theater, nightlife, and live music.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Reykjavik. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is more touristy than Reykjavik and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. 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 Edinburgh different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for theatre. However, Reykjavik is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Reykjavik is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Edinburgh and Reykjavik.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edinburgh. 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.

Reykjavik may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Edinburgh has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Around Reykjavik visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

Edinburgh 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 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.

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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Reykjavik are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. 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.

Reykjavik is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Reykjavik are high quality 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 Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Edinburgh. 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.

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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Reykjavik is popular with students. 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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Edinburgh and Reykjavik.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

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

Is Edinburgh or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

In either Edinburgh or Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik. 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 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

You'll find live music and shopping around the vibrant destination of Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the character-filled city of Edinburgh. 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the clean city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

Edinburgh 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.

Reykjavik is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik?

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 Edinburgh or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally a little warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. Edinburgh is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Reykjavik. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

Edinburgh usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Reykjavik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Edinburgh is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Edinburgh