A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kilkenny vs. Arles for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Families

Should you visit Kilkenny or Arles?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kilkenny and Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a fascinating, active, and ancient town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Arles. Although Kilkenny and Arles are both popular with visitors, Arles has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kilkenny is popular for its medieval castle and long running history. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh. It is also home to L'Amphithéâtre Romain.

How is Kilkenny different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kilkenny or Arles?

Arles is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Kilkenny can be an interesting and educational experience. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Is the Food Better in Kilkenny or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Kilkenny and Arles.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Arles has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kilkenny or Arles has a better nightlife scene.

Kilkenny has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is terrific for its old town. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

Many visitors go to Kilkenny to see the historical old town. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles and Kilkenny.

Kilkenny offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for Families?

Kilkenny is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Kilkenny and Arles are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kilkenny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Kilkenny or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Kilkenny and Arles.

You'll find some public transit in Kilkenny, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses through town.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Kilkenny or Arles a more walkable city?

Kilkenny and Arles both are very good when exploring on foot.

Kilkenny is a very walkable town. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Kilkenny Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kilkenny or Arles to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Arles 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Kilkenny or Arles?

In Kilkenny, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this ancient destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful town of Arles offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kilkenny or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Arles, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kilkenny or Arles?

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

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Kilkenny or Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the fascinating destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kilkenny and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles than you might in Kilkenny.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Kilkenny and Arles, 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 Kilkenny or Arles?

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 Kilkenny or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the summer, Kilkenny is much colder than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kilkenny in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Arles during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Arles. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Kilkenny during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kilkenny is generally much colder than Arles. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 11°C (51°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kilkenny usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Arles. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kilkenny is cooler than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Arles during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Arles. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Arles. Many visitors come to Kilkenny in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kilkenny is much colder than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kilkenny in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Kilkenny