A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Isle of Skye vs. Belfast for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Belfast?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isle of Skye and Belfast. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a picturesque, stunning, and diverse island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. 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.

Isle of Skye and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Belfast. Although Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Belfast 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.

How is Isle of Skye different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Belfast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isle of Skye is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Isle of Skye makes for a great culinary experience. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

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 Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Belfast is a good destination for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Isle of Skye is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You can find a place for a glass of wine of a craft beer and relax with friends.

Is Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Belfast is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Isle of Skye. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Isle of Skye draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

Belfast is a good destination for shopping. However, Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Families?

Both Isle of Skye and Belfast are good family-friendly destinations.

Isle of Skye is a family-friendly island. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

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 Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Isle of Skye is a very popular place to visit for couples. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

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 Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Isle of Skye. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

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 Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Students?

Belfast is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Isle of Skye 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.

Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

Is Isle of Skye or Belfast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Belfast is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

Is Isle of Skye or Belfast a more walkable city?

Belfast is a good destination for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable island. It's nice to explore on foot, but you need a vehicle to cover the long distances.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Belfast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Isle of Skye and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Isle of Skye than in Belfast. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye.

One day in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

In Isle of Skye, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Belfast, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this affordable city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

In Isle of Skye, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Isle of Skye has to offer.

Belfast is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

Isle of Skye 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 Isle of Skye has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isle of Skye or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Isle of Skye. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

Belfast is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Isle of Skye and Belfast, we can see that Belfast 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 Isle of Skye Expensive? and Is Belfast Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Belfast?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye and Belfast, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Isle of Skye or Belfast?

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 Isle of Skye or Belfast in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Belfast. Many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Belfast in the summer. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Belfast in the Autumn?

Both Belfast and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Isle of Skye is around the same temperature as Belfast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isle of Skye in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Belfast averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Belfast during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Belfast in the Winter?

Both Belfast and Isle of Skye during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

It's quite cold in Belfast in the winter. The weather in Isle of Skye can be very cold. In January, Isle of Skye is generally around the same temperature as Belfast. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 4°C (40°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Isle of Skye or Belfast in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Belfast. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the activities around the city.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Belfast in the spring. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Belfast. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Isle of Skye