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

Should you visit Howth or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Howth or Giverny? 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Howth and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Home and Gardens of Claude Monet
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Howth or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Howth, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is better known for its museums and impressive beauty, while Howth is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, and hiking. Giverny is more touristy than Howth and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Howth is well known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin.

How is Howth different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Howth
Giverny

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

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

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 Giverny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Howth
Giverny

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

Giverny is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Howth or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Howth
Giverny

Howth is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Howth or Giverny Better for Beaches?

Howth
Giverny

Howth is great for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

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.

Giverny is not a beach destination.


Is Howth or Giverny Better for Hiking?

Howth
Giverny

Howth is great for hiking. However, Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. 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.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is Howth or Giverny Better for Families?

Howth
Giverny

Howth is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Howth or Giverny Better for Couples?

Howth
Giverny

Giverny is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Howth is a good fishing village for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.


Is Howth or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Howth
Giverny

Giverny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

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 Giverny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Howth
Giverny

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

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 Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Howth or Giverny a more walkable city?

Howth
Giverny

Howth is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable fishing village. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).


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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Howth?

How long in Howth or Giverny?

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

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

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


  • How many days in Howth or Giverny? Ideal Length of Stay
    Howth 1-2 
    Giverny 1-2

One day in Howth or Giverny?

In Howth, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This fishing village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Giverny, many people enjoy the food and museums that this picturesque 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 Giverny?

In Howth, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Howth has to offer.

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

Howth is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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


A week in Howth or Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Howth. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Howth. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the inspiring destination of Giverny. 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 France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Giverny or Howth?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Howth is €135, while the average daily cost in Giverny is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Howth and Giverny in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Howth 64
    Giverny 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Howth 128
    Giverny 120
Compare Hotels in Howth and Giverny

Looking for a hotel in Howth or Giverny? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Howth


Hotels in Giverny


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Howth 41
    Giverny 48

Is it cheaper to fly into Howth or Giverny?

Prices for flights to both Giverny and Howth change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Howth 44
    Giverny 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Howth 25
    Giverny 26

Tours and Activities in Howth

Here are a few actual costs in Howth for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dublin: Full-Day Howth and Malahide Castle Tour: $52

Tours and Activities in Giverny

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Giverny.

  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $37
  • Monet’s House and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: $59
  • Giverny Monet House and Gardens Skip the line Walking tour: $60
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $62
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $63
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $64
  • Trip from Paris to Monet's house in Giverny Skip the Line: $96
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $256
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $278
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $294

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Howth 21
    Giverny 6.64


When comparing the travel costs between Howth and Giverny, 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 Giverny Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Howth or Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Howth during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

Howth is cooler than Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Giverny, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Howth often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets less rain in July than Giverny. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Howth 16°C (60°F) 
    Giverny 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Howth or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Giverny. The hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Howth is cooler than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Howth in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during autumn. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Howth usually receives more rain than Giverny. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Howth 11°C (52°F) 
    Giverny 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Howth or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Howth as well as Giverny. Many travelers come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Howth is generally a little warmer than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 6°C (42°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Howth often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in January than Giverny. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Howth 6°C (42°F) 
    Giverny 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Howth or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Howth is cooler than Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during spring. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Howth usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Howth 8°C (47°F) 
    Giverny 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Giverny and Howth

Howth Giverny
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (42°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 50 mm (2 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 51 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 16°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 15°C (60°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 14°C (56°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.7 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 6°C (44°F) 76 mm (3 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)


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