A Travel Price Comparison for Ireland Kilkenny vs. Galway for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kilkenny or Galway?

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

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a ancient, medieval, and fascinating town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a lively, friendly, and cultural 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Galway?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway. Although Kilkenny and Galway are popular destinations, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Kilkenny attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Kilkenny is more touristy than Galway and is known for its medieval castle and long running history. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Kilkenny different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kilkenny. 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.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Kilkenny 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, Kilkenny makes for a great culinary experience. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

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 Kilkenny or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The people in Galway know how to have a good time. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Kilkenny or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Kilkenny is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Galway?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Galway 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.

Galway has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Kilkenny or Galway Better for Families?

Kilkenny is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is 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.

Galway is a family-friendly town. 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 Kilkenny or Galway Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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 Kilkenny or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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

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 Galway Better for Students?

Galway is very good for students. However, Kilkenny is not popular with students.

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

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Is Kilkenny or Galway 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 Galway.

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 Galway offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Kilkenny or Galway a more walkable city?

Kilkenny and Galway both are superb 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Galway?

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

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

One day in Kilkenny or Galway?

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 Galway offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Kilkenny or Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kilkenny or Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active 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.

Galway 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 Coach Bus Tours in Ireland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Galway?

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

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Galway. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galway in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kilkenny is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 15°C (60°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Galway during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Galway. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Galway. Many visitors come to Kilkenny in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Galway. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Kilkenny usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Galway because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kilkenny in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Kilkenny usually receives less rain than Galway. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Kilkenny during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In April, Kilkenny is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 8°C (47°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Galway. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Galway. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Kilkenny