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

Should you visit Galway or Siena?

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 Siena 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena

Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Galway is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Siena is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Galway and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. 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 Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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 Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Siena is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Galway is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Galway or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

With a famous historical old-town, Siena offers plenty to see. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Siena?

Both Galway and Siena 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 Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Galway or Siena Better for Families?

Galway is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Galway or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Backpackers come from all over to 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 Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Galway or Siena Better for Students?

Siena 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 Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

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

Both Galway and Siena offer good public transit options.

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

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Galway or Siena a more walkable city?

Galway and Siena both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Galway?

How long in Galway or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Galway or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Galway than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Galway, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Siena 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 Siena?

In Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly 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 museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. 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 Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Siena?

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 Siena. 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 Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly 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 shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Siena. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Siena?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena 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 Siena for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Galway is cooler than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Galway usually receives more rain than Siena. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Galway or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Siena because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Galway is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Galway in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Galway often gets less sunshine than Siena. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. Galway usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Siena in the Winter?

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

In January, Galway is generally cooler than Siena. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 6°C (42°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Galway usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 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 Siena. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Galway or Siena in the Spring?

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

Galway is cooler than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Galway often gets less sunshine than Siena. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Galway