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

Should you visit Howth or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Howth and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Saint-Etienne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Howth than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Howth is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Howth is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Also, Howth is famous for The Baily Lighthouse. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Howth different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Howth and Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Howth or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Howth is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Howth has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

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

Saint-Etienne has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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 Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Howth is great for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Howth is great for hiking. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne 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, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Howth is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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 Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Howth or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Howth is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable fishing village. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Howth?

How long in Howth or Saint-Etienne?

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

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

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

One day in Howth or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Howth. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this park-filled destination offers. 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 Saint-Etienne?

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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Howth. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This fishing village offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

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

A week in Howth or Saint-Etienne?

You'll find museums and food around the fishing village of Howth. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Howth and Saint-Etienne, we can see that Howth is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

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

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Howth during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Howth is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the summer. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Howth often gets less sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Saint-Etienne. The autumn months attract visitors to Howth because of the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the autumn, Howth is cooler than Saint-Etienne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Howth in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 14°C (56°F).

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

In October, Howth usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Howth or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Howth as well as Saint-Etienne. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint-Etienne. In January, Howth is generally much warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 6°C (42°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

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

Howth usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

Both Saint-Etienne and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the spring for the natural beauty.

Howth is cooler than Saint-Etienne in the spring. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Howth usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Howth