A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Galway vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Galway or Annecy?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Galway and Annecy 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.

Galway

Galway is a lively, friendly, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a stunning, breathtaking, and quaint alpine town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Galway and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Annecy. Although Galway and Annecy are popular destinations, Annecy has more sights and attractions for tourists. Annecy is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Galway attracts visitors for its nightlife and big city activities. Annecy is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also well known for Palais de l'Isle. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Galway or Annecy?

Both Galway and Annecy have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Galway or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Annecy have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Galway has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Annecy offers plenty to see. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Annecy is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Annecy?

Both Galway and Annecy are nice shopping destinations.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Annecy. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Annecy is a great alpine town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Students?

Galway is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Galway or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Galway and Annecy offer nice public transit options.

Galway has a few public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Annecy has some public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Galway or Annecy a more walkable city?

Galway and Annecy both are superb when exploring on foot.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Annecy is a very walkable city. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Galway?

How long in Galway or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Galway or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Annecy 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 Galway.

One day in Galway or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Galway. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Galway or Annecy?

Galway 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.

Annecy is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, 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 Galway or Annecy?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. Don't miss the food, 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 Galway or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Galway. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This alpine town 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Annecy?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Annecy, 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 Galway or Annecy?

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 Galway or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Annecy. Many visitors come to Galway in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Galway is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Annecy. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in July than Annecy. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Galway is generally cooler than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Annecy. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

It's quite cold in Annecy in the winter. Galway is a little warmer than Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Annecy. The activities around the city are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Galway is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Annecy. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Galway