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

Should you visit Kilkenny or Toulon?

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 Toulon 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.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kilkenny or Toulon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulon. Although Kilkenny and Toulon are popular destinations, Toulon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Toulon is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Kilkenny attracts visitors for its museums, food, and historical sights. Kilkenny is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its medieval castle and long running history. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Kilkenny different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Kilkenny or Toulon 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 Toulon has a few options to choose from. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kilkenny is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Kilkenny is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Kilkenny is not a beach destination.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Kilkenny or Toulon?

Toulon is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Families?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly town. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Couples?

Kilkenny is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny and Toulon 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 Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon 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 Toulon.

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 Toulon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Kilkenny or Toulon a more walkable city?

Kilkenny and Toulon both are very good 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.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Kilkenny?

How long in Kilkenny or Toulon?

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

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

One day in Kilkenny or Toulon?

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 port city of Toulon 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 Toulon?

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.

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

Five days in Kilkenny or Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

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.

Toulon 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 port 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Kilkenny or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Kilkenny and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kilkenny and Toulon. The summer months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Kilkenny gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kilkenny usually receives more rain than Toulon. Kilkenny gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kilkenny as well as Toulon. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Kilkenny is much colder than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kilkenny averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the autumn, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Kilkenny gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Toulon. Kilkenny gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Kilkenny are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Kilkenny is cooler than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kilkenny in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Kilkenny usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Kilkenny gets 50 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kilkenny usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Kilkenny gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kilkenny or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Kilkenny during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kilkenny in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Kilkenny is generally much colder than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Kilkenny average around 8°C (47°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Kilkenny often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Kilkenny gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Kilkenny usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Toulon. Kilkenny gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Kilkenny