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

Should you visit Kilkenny or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Kilkenny

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

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the nightlife and museums.

Kilkenny and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kilkenny. Although Kilkenny and Le Mans are popular destinations, Kilkenny has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kilkenny is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans attracts visitors for its small town charm. Kilkenny is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its medieval castle and long running history. It is also well known for The Kilkenny Castle. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Kilkenny different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Kilkenny is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kilkenny or Le Mans 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 Le Mans has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is great for its historic old town. However, Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Le Mans?

Kilkenny is very good for shopping. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans Better for Families?

Kilkenny is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Kilkenny is a great town if you're traveling as 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny and Le Mans are nice places to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans 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 Le Mans.

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 Le Mans offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Kilkenny or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Kilkenny is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Kilkenny than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

In Kilkenny, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The town of Le Mans offers museums and nightlife. 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 Le Mans?

In Kilkenny, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kilkenny has to offer.

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

Five days in Kilkenny or Le Mans?

Kilkenny is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kilkenny. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Le Mans 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Kilkenny and Le Mans, we can see that Kilkenny is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Kilkenny and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

Both Le Mans and Kilkenny during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

In July, Kilkenny is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 15°C (60°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Le Mans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Le Mans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Le Mans. 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 Le Mans for the small town atmosphere.

Kilkenny is cooler than Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Le Mans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Le Mans. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kilkenny is a little warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kilkenny in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Le Mans in the Spring?

Both Le Mans and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kilkenny in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Le Mans for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Kilkenny is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 8°C (47°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kilkenny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Kilkenny