A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Inner Hebrides vs. Belfast for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

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

Should I visit Inner Hebrides or Belfast? 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.

Inner Hebrides

Inner Hebrides is a stunning, natural, and peaceful islands. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping.

Inner Hebrides and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Belfast. Although Inner Hebrides and Belfast are both popular with visitors, Belfast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Belfast is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Inner Hebrides is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Belfast is more touristy than Inner Hebrides and is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". It is also home to Belfast Castle. Inner Hebrides is popular for its rugged landscape, beautiful coastline, and local whisky.

How is Inner Hebrides different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Belfast and Inner Hebrides. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Inner Hebrides or Belfast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inner Hebrides is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Inner Hebrides offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It wasn't long ago that there was a limited selection of restaurants on the islands, but these days you shouldn't have much trouble finding some Scottish classics. The area continues to grow its restaurant scene, which highlights regional ingredients and the local whisky distilleries.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Belfast is a popular place for nightlife. However, Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Inner Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Beaches?

Inner Hebrides is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Belfast is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Inner Hebrides. The islands offer a truly unexpected sight, with white sand beaches and blue waters. Some of the best beaches to visit include Calgary Beach on the Isle of Mull, Machir Bay on the Isle of Islay, and Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Hiking?

Inner Hebrides is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Inner Hebrides is a popular spot for hiking. To fully experience the area's natural beauty, you really should go on a few hikes. The hikes are varied in landscape, length, and skill level. Some of the favorites include Beinn an Òir, Coire Dubh, and Ben More.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

Belfast is a popular place for shopping. However, Inner Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Inner Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Inner Hebrides or Belfast.

Inner Hebrides is a family-friendly islands. Beaches, wildlife spotting, and boat tours all make for a fun adventure for the whole family. These islands offer a unique and truly rewarding experience that is fun for everyone.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Belfast. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Couples?

Inner Hebrides is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Inner Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who want to move at a slower pace and soak up natural beauty will appreciate these islands. There are sandy beaches, welcoming communities, and spectacular views that offer both romance and a little adventure.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inner Hebrides is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Inner Hebrides. The islands have some campsites that let you fully enjoy the area's stunning natural beauty.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Students?

Belfast is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Inner Hebrides is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Inner Hebrides is not popular with students.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Inner Hebrides and Belfast.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inner Hebrides. Ferries and some local buses are available. It's also possible to find there-and-back day cruises to the islands.

Public transit is generally limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Inner Hebrides or Belfast a more walkable city?

Belfast is a popular place for its walkability. However, Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

Inner Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Inner Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Belfast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Inner Hebrides?

How long in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Inner Hebrides and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Inner Hebrides than in Belfast. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Inner Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Inner Hebrides than Belfast 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 Inner Hebrides.

One day in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

In Inner Hebrides, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This islands offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

In Inner Hebrides, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Belfast is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

Inner Hebrides is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Inner Hebrides has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inner Hebrides or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inner Hebrides. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Inner Hebrides. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Belfast. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Inner Hebrides and Belfast, we can see that Inner Hebrides 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 Inner Hebrides Expensive? and Is Belfast Expensive?.