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

Should you visit Galway or Split?

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 Split 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Split

Split is a historic, active, and touristy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Galway and Split: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Galway or Split?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Split than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Split is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. It is also well known for Diocletian's Palace. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Galway different from Split?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Split 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 Split. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.

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 Split? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Split 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, Split makes for a great culinary experience. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.

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 Split Better for Nightlife?

Split is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Split is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.

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.

Is Galway or Split Better for Resorts?

Split is notable for its resorts. However, Galway is not a resort destination.

In Split, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Galway or Split Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Split is notable for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Split is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Galway or Split Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Split attract visitors from all over. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Galway or Split Better for its Old Town?

Split is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Split to see the historical old town. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Galway or Split?

Split is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Split is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.

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 Split Better for Families?

Split 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.

Split is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun 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 Split Better for Couples?

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

Split is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.

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 Split Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Split is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Split is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Galway or Split Better for Students?

Split 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 Split. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.

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

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

Both Galway and Split offer nice public transit options.

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

Split has some public transit options. There are bus services that will help you get around town.

Is Galway or Split a more walkable city?

Galway and Split 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.

Split is a very walkable city. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.

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

Should I spend more time in Split or Galway?

How long in Galway or Split?

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

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

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

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

One day in Galway or Split?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Split. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Galway or Split?

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.

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

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 Split. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Split?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of Split. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galway and Split, we can see that Galway is more expensive. And not only is Split much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Split would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Split 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 Galway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galway than you might in Split.

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

Which is Bigger, Galway or Split?

Split has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Galway and Split, 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 Split?

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 Split in the Summer?

Both Split and Galway during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Split for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Galway is much colder than Split. Typically, the summer temperatures in Galway in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Split averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Galway often gets less sunshine than Split. Galway gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.

Galway usually gets more rain in July than Split. Galway gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Split in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galway and Split. Many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Split in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Galway is generally much colder than Split. Daily temperatures in Galway average around 11°C (52°F), and Split fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Split during autumn. Galway gets 96 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 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 Split. Galway gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Galway or Split in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Galway as well as Split. Many visitors come to Galway in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Galway is much colder than Split in the winter. The daily temperature in Galway averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Galway often gets less sunshine than Split. Galway gets 59 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the winter. Galway usually gets more rain in January than Split. Galway gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Galway or Split in the Spring?

Both Split and Galway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Galway is much colder than Split. Typically, the spring temperatures in Galway in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Split averages at about 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Split. Galway usually receives less sunshine than Split during spring. Galway gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Galway usually receives less rain than Split. Galway gets 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Split and Galway