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

Should you visit Kinsale or Arles?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kinsale and Arles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kinsale

Kinsale is a quaint, picturesque, and colorful seaside town. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.

Arles

Arles is a quaint, historic, and charming town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Kinsale and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kinsale or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kinsale. Although Kinsale and Arles are both popular with visitors, Kinsale has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kinsale is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Arles is known for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights. Kinsale is more touristy than Arles and is popular for its colorful houses, excellent restaurants, and beautiful seaside walks. It is also home to Charles Fort. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Kinsale different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles and Kinsale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kinsale or Arles?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historical sights. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Arles are world-renowned. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kinsale. In addition to the colorful old town, you can check out Charles Fort, James Fort, and Old Head Signal Tower. The town is filled with history and many unique landmarks that are worth exploring.

Is the Food Better in Kinsale or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kinsale is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Kinsale has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. For such a small town, it really has an impressive food scene and many people consider it to be the culinary capital of Ireland. The food scene includes Michelin starred restaurants and local cafes.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Arles is a town with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Most people don't head to Kinsale specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town that's not known for its nightlife scene. There are a couple of traditional Irish pubs in town.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Beaches?

Kinsale is a seaside town with a few options for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

The beach in Kinsale is worth checking out. You'll find a number of beaches within about 20 minutes of town. The closest is Kinsale Beach, which is about 3 kilometers from the center of town. For a more peaceful setting, head out of town and check out Sandycove Beach, Garrylucas Blue Flag Beach, and Coolmain Beach.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its old town. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its historic old town charm.

Arles offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Kinsale. The old town is filled with brightly colored houses, and it offers a unique setting that's different from many of Europe's more standard old towns.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Hiking?

Kinsale is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Arles is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kinsale. There are many seaside walks just outside of town.

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kinsale or Arles?

If you're looking to go shopping, Kinsale and Arles both offer plenty of good spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kinsale. There are a number of shops around town that highlight Irish designers and local brands.

Many visitors go to Arles to go shopping. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Families?

Kinsale is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kinsale. If your kids need a break from the tourist circuit, there are a couple of playgrounds and outdoor centers around town. There's also one hour pony treks available at the Kinsale Equestrian Centre.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles is great for its romantic activities. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for couples.

Arles is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Kinsale is a good seaside town for couples to visit. From coastal walks to quaint streets, there are many picturesque places that a couple can explore. The town also has an impressive restaurant scene where couples can enjoy a great meal.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kinsale is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kinsale is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels around town where you can meet other backpackers.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Kinsale or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arles is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Kinsale is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Public transit is generally limited in Kinsale. The town has buses that pass through.

Is Kinsale or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Kinsale is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its ease of walking around.

Arles is a very walkable town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

Kinsale is a somewhat walkable seaside town. The town itself is relatively compact and walkable. There are also many seaside walks just outside of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Kinsale Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Kinsale?

How long in Kinsale or Arles?

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

Families should spend more time in Kinsale than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kinsale, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arles than Kinsale. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kinsale than Arles 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 Kinsale.

One day in Kinsale or Arles?

Even though Kinsale is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Arles, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.

A weekend in Kinsale or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kinsale. 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.

In Arles, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Arles has to offer.

Five days in Kinsale or Arles?

Kinsale is a fun place to experience. Kinsale is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles 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.

A week in Kinsale or Arles?

Kinsale is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arles. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland, The Best 3-Day Tours from Dublin, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Kinsale and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Kinsale Expensive? and Is Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kinsale or Arles?

Arles has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kinsale. When comparing the sizes of Kinsale and Arles, 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 Kinsale or Arles?

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 Kinsale or Arles in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kinsale as well as Arles. Many visitors come to Kinsale in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Arles for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kinsale is much colder than Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kinsale in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. In the summer, Kinsale often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kinsale gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Kinsale usually gets more rain in July than Arles. Kinsale gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kinsale or Arles in the Autumn?

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

In October, Kinsale is generally cooler than Arles. Daily temperatures in Kinsale average around 11°C (52°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Kinsale usually receives less sunshine than Arles during autumn. Kinsale gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. In October, Kinsale usually receives less rain than Arles. Kinsale gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kinsale or Arles in the Winter?

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

Kinsale is around the same temperature as Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Kinsale averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Kinsale often gets less sunshine than Arles. Kinsale gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kinsale. Kinsale usually gets more rain in January than Arles. Kinsale gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kinsale or Arles in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kinsale and Arles. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kinsale this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kinsale is cooler than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kinsale in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. Kinsale usually receives less sunshine than Arles during spring. Kinsale gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kinsale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arles. Kinsale gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Kinsale