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

Should you visit Howth or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Howth or Toulon? 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. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Howth and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Toulon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulon. Although Howth and Toulon are popular destinations, Toulon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Toulon is very popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Howth attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Howth different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Toulon. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Howth and Toulon 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.

Toulon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

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

Toulon has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

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 Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Howth is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Howth is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Howth is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its old town. However, Howth does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Hiking?

Howth is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Toulon?

Toulon is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Howth or Toulon.

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.

Toulon offers lots of family activities. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Howth and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a good fishing village for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Howth or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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 Toulon 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 Toulon.

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 Toulon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Howth or Toulon a more walkable city?

Howth and Toulon 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.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Howth?

How long in Howth or Toulon?

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

Families should spend more time in Toulon than Howth. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Toulon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Howth or Toulon?

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 Toulon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this industrial destination offers. This port 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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.

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

A week in Howth or Toulon?

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 off-the-beaten-path destination of Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

When is the best time to visit Howth or Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Toulon. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Howth this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Howth is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 16°C (60°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Howth usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Howth usually receives more rain than Toulon. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Howth or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Howth as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Howth for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere. Additionally, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Howth is cooler than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the autumn, Howth often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Howth in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Howth is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Howth in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Howth usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Howth usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Howth or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Howth during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Howth is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 8°C (47°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Howth often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Toulon and Howth