A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kilkenny vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kilkenny or Calais?

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 Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Kilkenny and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Kilkenny is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Kilkenny is more touristy than Calais and is known for its medieval castle and long running history. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Kilkenny different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Kilkenny is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Kilkenny is an experience not to be missed. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kilkenny or Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is very good for the beache. However, Kilkenny is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Kilkenny is not a beach destination.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Calais?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Calais 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.

Calais has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for Families?

Kilkenny is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Kilkenny or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Kilkenny or Calais 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 Calais.

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 Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Kilkenny or Calais a more walkable city?

Kilkenny is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Calais?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Calais 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 Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The city of Calais offers food and shopping. 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 Calais?

Kilkenny 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.

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

Five days in Kilkenny or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Kilkenny. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kilkenny and Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Kilkenny and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kilkenny is cooler than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kilkenny in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Calais. Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Calais. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Kilkenny during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In October, Kilkenny is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 11°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Calais. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Calais in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Calais. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. Kilkenny is a little warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Calais during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Calais. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Calais in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Calais. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kilkenny in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Calais. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Kilkenny