A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Howth vs. Calais for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Howth or Calais?

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

Should I visit Howth or Calais? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Howth

Howth is a peaceful, coastal, and beautiful fishing village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Howth and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Howth and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Calais and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Howth different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Howth or Calais?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Howth and Calais.

Howth offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Howth or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Howth and Calais can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Howth. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Calais is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Calais has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Beaches?

Howth is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Howth is considered a top beach destination. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Hiking?

Howth is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Calais?

Calais is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Calais offers some nice shopping areas. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Calais.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Howth. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Howth and Calais make for a good place to visit.

Howth makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Calais is a good fishing village for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Howth or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Howth and Calais.

You'll find some public transit in Howth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Howth or Calais a more walkable city?

Howth is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Howth is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Howth Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Howth?

How long in Howth or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Howth and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Howth. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Howth, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Howth 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 Calais.

One day in Howth or Calais?

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

In Calais, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Howth or Calais?

Howth 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.

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

Five days in Howth or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Howth. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

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

A week in Howth or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Howth. This fishing village 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Howth and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Howth Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Howth or Calais?

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 Howth or Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

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

It's quite sunny in Calais. Howth usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Howth usually receives more rain than Calais. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Howth or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Howth during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Howth often gets less sunshine than Calais. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Calais. Many travelers come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Howth is a little warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Howth usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Howth usually receives more rain than Calais. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Howth or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Howth as well as Calais. Many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

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

In the spring, Howth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Howth