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

Should you visit Galway or Cannes?

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 Cannes 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Galway and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Cannes?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cannes than Galway, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cannes is better known for its food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Cannes is more touristy than Galway and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. Also, Cannes is famous for Boulevard de la Croisette. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Galway is very good for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Galway. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes 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 Cannes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

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 Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are superb in both Galway and Cannes.

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.

Cannes has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Galway is not a live music destination.

Cannes is a world class music destination. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Galway is not a resort destination.

Cannes is a world class resort vacation destination. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a resort city with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Cannes. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is notable for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Cannes attract visitors from all over. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

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

Cannes is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Cannes?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Cannes is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. 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.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Families?

Both Galway and Cannes are notable to visit with kids.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Cannes is a family-friendly city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Couples?

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

Cannes is a great resort city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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 Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Galway or Cannes Better for Students?

Galway is very good for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Galway is a good city to visit for students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Both Galway and Cannes offer notable public transit options.

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

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Galway or Cannes a more walkable city?

Galway and Cannes both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Cannes is a very walkable city. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Galway?

How long in Galway or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Galway or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cannes 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 Cannes.

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

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

One day in Galway or Cannes?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cannes. 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.

A weekend in Galway or Cannes?

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.

Cannes 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 Galway or Cannes?

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 Cannes. 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 Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the glitzy destination of Cannes. This resort 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 Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Cannes, we can see that Cannes 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 Cannes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Cannes?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Cannes, 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 Cannes?

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 Galway or Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Galway in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Galway is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 16°C (60°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Cannes. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Galway is much colder than Cannes in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Cannes. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Cannes. The winter months attract visitors to Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In the winter, Galway is much colder than Cannes. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galway in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Cannes averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Cannes. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Cannes. The activities around the city are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Galway is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 9°C (48°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Cannes. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Galway