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

Should you visit Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval, fascinating, and active town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Kilkenny and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kilkenny. Although Kilkenny and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Kilkenny has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kilkenny is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Kilkenny and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Kilkenny is famous for its medieval castle and long running history. It is also well known for The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Kilkenny different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Kilkenny and Carcassonne.

Many visitors head to Kilkenny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

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

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.

Carcassonne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Kilkenny is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

Kilkenny is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Kilkenny. 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Kilkenny is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Kilkenny makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

It's common for backpackers to visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Kilkenny or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Kilkenny or Carcassonne to fill your time. In our opinion, Kilkenny has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Kilkenny than Carcassonne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Kilkenny than Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne than Kilkenny 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 Carcassonne.

One day in Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the medieval town of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Kilkenny. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Carcassonne 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carcassonne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

The ancient town of Kilkenny offers shopping and museums. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kilkenny. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Carcassonne 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 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Carcassonne?

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

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 Kilkenny or Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Carcassonne. Many visitors come to Kilkenny in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kilkenny is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 15°C (60°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Carcassonne. In the summer, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in July than Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kilkenny for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Kilkenny is much colder than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kilkenny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Kilkenny during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the winter, Kilkenny is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kilkenny in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Carcassonne. The natural beauty are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Kilkenny is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 8°C (47°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kilkenny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Kilkenny