A Travel Price Comparison for Ireland Kilkenny vs. Howth for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Kilkenny or Howth?

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

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a fascinating, active, and ancient town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Howth

Howth is a coastal, beautiful, and picturesque fishing village. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Kilkenny and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Howth?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kilkenny than Howth, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kilkenny is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Howth is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Kilkenny and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Kilkenny is well known for its medieval castle and long running history. Also, Kilkenny is famous for The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Kilkenny different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

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

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.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Kilkenny is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party 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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is a great destination for the beache. However, Kilkenny is not a beach destination.

Howth is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Kilkenny is not a beach destination.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is well known for its old town. However, Howth 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.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Kilkenny is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Kilkenny is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Howth?

Kilkenny is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Families?

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

Kilkenny is a very kid-friendly town. 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.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Howth is a good town for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Kilkenny or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth 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.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Kilkenny or Howth 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 Howth.

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 Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Kilkenny or Howth a more walkable city?

Kilkenny and Howth both are great 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.

Howth is a very walkable destination. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Howth?

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

Families should spend more time in Kilkenny than Howth. 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 Howth. 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 Howth 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 Howth?

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 fishing village of Howth offers museums and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Howth?

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.

Howth is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this fishing village makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Howth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Kilkenny or Howth?

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.

Howth 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 Howth?

You'll find food and shopping around the medieval 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.

Howth is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This fishing village 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 Howth, we can see that Howth 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 Howth would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Howth 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 Howth Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Kilkenny or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

Both Howth 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 Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Howth in the summer. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Howth during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Howth. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth 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 hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

In the autumn, Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kilkenny in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Howth averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Howth. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in October than Howth. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Howth in the Winter?

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

In January, Kilkenny is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 5°C (41°F), and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Howth during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Howth. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Howth in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Howth. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Kilkenny is around the same temperature as Howth in the spring. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Howth. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Howth. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Howth and Kilkenny