A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Kilkenny for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Geneva or Kilkenny?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Kilkenny. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a professional, classy, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a fascinating, active, and ancient town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Geneva and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Kilkenny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Geneva. Although Geneva and Kilkenny are popular destinations, Geneva has more sights and attractions for tourists. Geneva is very popular for its shopping and big city activities, while Kilkenny attracts visitors for its historical sights. Geneva is famous for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization. It is also well known for The Geneva Water Fountain (The Jet d'Eau). Kilkenny is famous for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Geneva different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kilkenny and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Kilkenny?

Both Geneva and Kilkenny have high quality landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Kilkenny can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Kilkenny has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Geneva or Kilkenny has a better nightlife scene.

Geneva has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Geneva make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is a very family-friendly place to visit. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Geneva offers lots of family activities. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is a great destination for romance. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Geneva makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is a good destination for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Students?

Geneva is a great destination for students. However, Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Geneva is very popular with students. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is terrific for its public transit. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Geneva can take you anywhere. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

While Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Geneva or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Geneva and Kilkenny both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Kilkenny is a very walkable city. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Kilkenny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Kilkenny?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Geneva 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva is a big city with plenty to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Geneva, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kilkenny 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 Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. 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 Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fascinating destination of Kilkenny. This town 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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Kilkenny?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Kilkenny, 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 Geneva or Kilkenny?

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 Geneva or Kilkenny in the Summer?

Both Kilkenny and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Geneva is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Geneva in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Geneva in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Geneva is generally a little warmer than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 14°C (56°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kilkenny. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Kilkenny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Geneva can be very cold during winter. Geneva is cooler than Kilkenny in the winter. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Kilkenny. The spring months attract visitors to Geneva because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

In the spring, Geneva is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Geneva in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Geneva often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Kilkenny. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Geneva