A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Isle of Skye vs. Galway for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Galway?

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 Galway. 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 stunning, diverse, and dramatic island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Galway

Galway is a historical, vibrant, and lively city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Isle of Skye and Galway: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Galway. Although Isle of Skye and Galway are both popular with visitors, Galway has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Galway is more popular for its museums, 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 Galway and is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also home to The Galway Market.

How is Isle of Skye different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Isle of Skye or Galway?

Galway is a good destination for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Isle of Skye is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Galway has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is notable for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Isle of Skye attract visitors from all over. 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Hiking?

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

Around Isle of Skye visitors will find world-class hiking 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isle of Skye or Galway?

Galway is a good destination for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Families?

Both Isle of Skye and Galway 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 Galway. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye and Galway are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Isle of Skye is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Galway is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Isle of Skye or Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Isle of Skye is not popular with students.

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

Galway is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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 Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is a very popular place for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

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

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

How long in Isle of Skye or Galway?

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

Couples should spend more time in Isle of Skye than Galway. 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 Galway than Isle of Skye 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 Galway.

One day in Isle of Skye or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Isle of Skye. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Galway, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this vibrant city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Galway?

Isle of Skye is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Galway 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 Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Galway. 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the diverse destination of Isle of Skye. This island 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.

Galway 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Isle of Skye or Galway?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of Isle of Skye and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Isle of Skye as well as Galway. Most visitors come to Isle of Skye for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Isle of Skye often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Isle of Skye gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in July than Galway. Isle of Skye gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Galway and Isle of Skye are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In the autumn, Isle of Skye is cooler than Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isle of Skye in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Galway averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives less sunshine than Galway during autumn. Isle of Skye gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. In October, Isle of Skye usually receives around the same amount of rain as Galway. Isle of Skye gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Galway and Isle of Skye during the winter are popular places to visit. The cuisine are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Isle of Skye in the winter. In January, Isle of Skye is generally cooler than Galway. Daily temperatures in Isle of Skye average around 4°C (40°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Isle of Skye often gets less sunshine than Galway. Isle of Skye gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye usually gets more rain in January than Galway. Isle of Skye gets 127 mm (5 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isle of Skye and Galway. Many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city.

Isle of Skye is cooler than Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Isle of Skye averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Isle of Skye usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Isle of Skye gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Isle of Skye usually receives more rain than Galway. Isle of Skye gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Isle of Skye