A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Howth vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Howth or Carcassonne?

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

Should I visit Howth or Carcassonne? 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 scenic, peaceful, and coastal fishing village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Howth and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Howth. Although Howth and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Howth has more sights and attractions for tourists. Howth is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Howth is famous for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. It is also well known for The Baily Lighthouse. Carcassonne is famous for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

How is Howth different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. 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.

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

Carcassonne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Howth is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Howth. 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Howth is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Howth for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is a popular place for its old town. However, Howth does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Hiking?

Howth is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting 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.

Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Carcassonne.

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.

Carcassonne offers lots of family activities. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Howth and Carcassonne make for a nice 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.

Carcassonne is a good fishing village for couples to visit. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Howth or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is well known for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Howth or Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Howth or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Howth?

How long in Howth or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Howth or Carcassonne to fill your time. In our opinion, Carcassonne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Carcassonne than Howth. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Howth or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful fishing village of Howth. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this fishing village has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this historical destination offers. This town 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the scenic destination of Howth. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This fishing village offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

The picturesque fishing village of Howth offers food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

A week in Howth or Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Howth. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and food around the fairytale destination of Carcassonne. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Howth or Carcassonne?

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 Howth or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Howth as well as Carcassonne. Most visitors come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Howth is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 16°C (60°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Carcassonne. In the summer, Howth often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Howth because of the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere. Also, the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Howth is cooler than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Howth usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Howth or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Howth during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Howth is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Howth in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Howth often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Carcassonne. Many travelers come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Howth is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 8°C (47°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Howth usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Howth