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

Should you visit Galway or Bari?

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 Bari 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 historical, vibrant, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bari

Bari is a authentic, local, and cultural port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Galway and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Bari?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bari than Galway. Bari is bigger than Galway, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. Bari is well known for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. Also, Bari is famous for San Nicola.

How is Galway different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bari is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Bari. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Bari 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 Bari have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Galway and Bari.

Galway has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Bari has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Galway or Bari Better for Beaches?

Bari is a port city with good options for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Bari. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Bari is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Bari?

Both Galway and Bari are notable 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 Bari. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Galway or Bari Better for Families?

Bari 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.

Bari is a very family-friendly place to visit. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

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 Bari Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Bari are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Bari makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Galway or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Galway and Bari are very good destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Many backpackers visit Bari. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

Is Galway or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over to stay in Bari. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Both Galway and Bari offer notable public transit options.

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

Bari has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Galway or Bari a more walkable city?

Galway and Bari both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Bari is a very walkable city. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Galway?

How long in Galway or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Galway and Bari. In our opinion, Bari has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bari than Galway. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

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

One day in Galway or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Galway or Bari?

Galway is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bari 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 Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Galway. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Bari?

The friendly city of Galway offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Bari. This port 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.

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 Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Bari, we can see that Galway is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Bari, 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 Bari?

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 Bari in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Galway as well as Bari. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Galway is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 16°C (60°F), and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Bari. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than Bari. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bari in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Galway is much colder than Bari in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Bari during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Galway. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Bari. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Bari in the Winter?

Both Bari and Galway during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Galway in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Galway is much colder than Bari. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galway in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Bari averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than Bari. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Bari. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Bari in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Bari. Most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bari because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Galway is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 9°C (48°F), and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Bari during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives more rain than Bari. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Galway