A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Howth vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Hiking, and Food

Should you visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Howth and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Howth than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Howth is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Howth and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Howth is well known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Also, Howth is famous for The Baily Lighthouse.

How is Howth different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Howth and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Howth is a fishing village with a few options for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Howth is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Howth is a great destination for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Howth is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Howth is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Howth and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Howth Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Howth?

How long in Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

One day in Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and museums around the destination of Howth, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, many people enjoy the food and museums that this iconic destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and food around the peaceful fishing village of Howth, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the coastal destination of Howth. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Howth is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This fishing village offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Howth and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Howth is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

It's quite sunny in Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Howth usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Howth during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Howth is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Howth in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Howth often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Mont-Saint-Michel. Many visitors come to Howth in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Howth is generally around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 6°C (42°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Howth usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Howth or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Howth as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Howth is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Howth often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Howth