A Travel Price Comparison for Ireland Howth vs. Galway for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Howth or Galway?

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

Should I visit Howth or Galway? 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 picturesque, scenic, and peaceful fishing village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Galway

Galway is a vibrant, lively, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Howth and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Galway?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway. Although Howth and Galway are popular destinations, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Galway and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Howth different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Howth and Galway.

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 Galway. 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 Howth or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Howth and Galway can be difficult as they are each nice 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.

Galway is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Howth or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Galway is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

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 Galway Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Howth attract visitors from all over. 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Howth or Galway Better for Hiking?

Howth is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway is not a hiking destination.

Howth is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Galway?

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

Galway offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Galway Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Galway.

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.

Galway offers lots of family activities. 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 Howth or Galway Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Howth and Galway 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.

Galway is a good fishing village for couples to visit. 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 Howth or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a popular place for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

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

Howth is not popular with students.

Is Howth or Galway 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 Galway.

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 Galway offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Howth or Galway a more walkable city?

Howth and Galway both are excellent when exploring on foot.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Howth?

How long in Howth or Galway?

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

Families should spend more time in Howth than Galway. 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.

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

One day in Howth or Galway?

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 Galway, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant 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.

A weekend in Howth or Galway?

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 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.

Five days in Howth or Galway?

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.

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.

A week in Howth or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful 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 cultural 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Ireland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ireland.

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

When is the best time to visit Howth or Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Galway. Many visitors come to Howth in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Howth is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 16°C (60°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Howth usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Howth usually receives less rain than Galway. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Howth or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Howth as well as Galway. Most visitors come to Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Galway because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Howth is around the same temperature as Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Howth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Howth usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Howth because of the museums and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In the winter, Howth is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Howth in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Howth usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during winter. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Howth usually receives less rain than Galway. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Howth or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Howth during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the small town charm are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Galway for the activities around the city.

In April, Howth is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 8°C (47°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Howth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Galway. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Howth