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

Should you visit Howth or Honfleur?

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

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

Honfleur

Honfleur is a picturesque, scenic, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Howth and Honfleur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Honfleur?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Howth. Although Howth and Honfleur are popular destinations, Howth has more sights and attractions for tourists. Howth is very popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Honfleur attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Howth is more touristy than Honfleur and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. It is also well known for The Baily Lighthouse. Honfleur is famous for its influence over Impressionist art, its stunning harbor, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Howth different from Honfleur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Honfleur. Some of the most notable sights around the town include Saint Catherine's Church, Le Vieux Bassin, Notre-Dame de Grace, and the Normandy Bridge.

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

Honfleur is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Honfleur is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Located on the coast of Normandy along the English Channel, seafood is a defining element for most dishes here. Foodies flock to this town for its Michelin starred restaurants as well as its local cafes and quaint eateries. For land-lovers, there's a popular local cider-braised pork that you must-try. And for dessert make sure you try the Tarte Tatin.

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 Honfleur Better for Nightlife?

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

Honfleur has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Restaurants come to life at night when music flows out onto the streets. The town is not known for its partying, but that doesn't mean that it's a sleepy place that shuts down when the sun sets.

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 Honfleur Better for Beaches?

Howth is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for the beache.

Howth is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

You can check out the beach in Honfleur. The town sits by the estuary of the Seine and there are two beaches not far from town. Butin Beach is the closest to town and the most popular, but Vasouy Beach is more relaxed and natural.

Is Howth or Honfleur Better for Hiking?

Howth is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Honfleur 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.

Honfleur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Honfleur?

Honfleur is a city with a few options for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Honfleur has some nice offerings. It's a charming town with boutique shops, chocolate shops, and the standard tourist places that sell souvenirs and t-shirts.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Honfleur Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Honfleur.

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.

Honfleur offers lots of family activities. Located on the coast of Normandy, the town has boat rides, quirky museums, and Vieux Bassin, which is a beautiful and lively harbor. For kids who need to stretch their legs, there are many parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

Is Howth or Honfleur Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Honfleur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It has, arguably, one of the area's most beautiful harbors. There are also many great seafood restaurants, relaxing gardens, and spas that are perfect for couples.

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

Howth is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its public transit.

Howth has some public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Public transit is generally limited in Honfleur. HO Buses travel from the outskirts or town into the center and are used mainly by locals. If you plan to head into Normandy to see the countryside, you'll want to have a car.

Is Howth or Honfleur a more walkable city?

Howth and Honfleur both are great 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.

Honfleur is a very walkable destination. The city center is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are also many coastal walks leading out of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Honfleur or Howth?

How long in Howth or Honfleur?

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

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

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

One day in Howth or Honfleur?

The fishing village of Howth offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Honfleur, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this serene destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Honfleur?

Howth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this fishing village makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Howth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Howth is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

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

A week in Howth or Honfleur?

Howth is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This fishing village offers something for everyone.

You'll find nightlife and food around the peaceful destination of Honfleur. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

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