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

Should you visit Galway or Lille?

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 Lille 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 friendly, cultural, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lille

Lille is a historic, under-rated, and fascinating city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Lille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Galway than Lille. While Lille is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Galway is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Lille attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Lille is more touristy than Galway and is known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Galway is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille 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 Lille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are high quality in both Galway and Lille.

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.

Lille has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Galway or Lille Better for its Old Town?

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

Lille is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Lille?

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

Lille is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Galway is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Galway or Lille Better for Couples?

Both Galway and Lille are nice 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.

Lille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Galway or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is notable for backpackers. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Lille is a good city to visit for backpackers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Galway or Lille Better for Students?

Lille 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 Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

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

Lille is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Lille. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Galway or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Galway?

How long in Galway or Lille?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille 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 Lille.

One day in Galway or Lille?

In Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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 Lille?

Galway is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Galway. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Galway. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Lille. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Galway and Lille, 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 Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Lille?

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

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 Lille in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Galway is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Lille. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Lille during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives less rain than Lille. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Galway during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In October, Galway is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Lille. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Lille. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Lille. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lille. Galway is much warmer than Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Galway usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Galway usually receives more rain than Lille. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Galway as well as Lille. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Galway is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in April than Lille. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Galway