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

Should you visit Galway 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 Galway 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.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Galway and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Reykjavik?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Galway than Reykjavik. While Reykjavik is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also home to The Galway Market.

How is Galway different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Galway is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Galway is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Galway. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. 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 Galway or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

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

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

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 Galway or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Reykjavik?

Both Galway and Reykjavik are good 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 Reykjavik. 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 Galway or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is 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.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Galway is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Galway and Reykjavik are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

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

Plenty of students visit Reykjavik. 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 Galway or Reykjavik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Galway and Reykjavik offer good public transit options.

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

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Galway or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Galway and Reykjavik both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

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 Galway Worth Visiting? and Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Galway?

How long in Galway or Reykjavik?

In either Galway or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Galway because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

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

One day in Galway or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Galway. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Galway or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively destination of Galway. 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.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Galway. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Galway or Reykjavik?

Galway is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the clean destination of Reykjavik. This city 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galway and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 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 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Galway or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway 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 Galway or Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Galway during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Galway for the city activities 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.

Galway is a little warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Reykjavik. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Reykjavik. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Reykjavik. The autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, 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. In the autumn, Galway is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galway in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Galway usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Galway usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Galway as well as Reykjavik. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In January, Galway is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 6°C (42°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the winter. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Reykjavik. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. Galway is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Galway usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Galway