A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Limerick vs. Bologna for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Limerick or Bologna?

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 Limerick and Bologna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Limerick

Limerick is a fun-filled, historic, and outdoorsy city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a fun, historical, and culinary city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Limerick and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Limerick or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bologna than Limerick. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Limerick is famous for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also well known for Piazza Maggiore.

How is Limerick different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Limerick or Bologna?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bologna and Limerick.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Limerick. The town is famous for King John's Castle as well as St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. John's Square and Cathedral.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Is the Food Better in Limerick or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Bologna has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

Limerick offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a mix of traditional Irish restaurants and more modern international cuisine. Local specialties to try include Limerick Ham, Cahill's Whiskey Cheese, and Walnut Cheddar.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Bologna has something for everybody. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Limerick. It's a student town so much of the nightlife scene centers around the student population. There are lively pubs and clubs around town so it's not hard to have a fun night out.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Limerick does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Limerick does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Limerick or Bologna?

Bologna is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Limerick is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of brand name chains and independent boutiques in the city center. There are several major shopping streets in town including O'Connell Street, and the pedestrian streets of Bedford Row and Cruises Street.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Limerick or Bologna.

Limerick offers lots of family activities. Families will enjoy visiting King John's Castle but for kids who need a break from the sightseeing, there are kid-friendly activities around town like Curraghchase Forest Park and the Peoples Park. Families should also check out the Dreamland Fun Center. Museums like Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum are also fun for the whole family.

Bologna is a family-friendly place to visit. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Couples?

Both Limerick and Bologna are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Limerick is a good city for couples to visit. There are river cruises, kayaking, and nature to explore. Head to the Curraghchase Forest Park or any of the many beautiful parks around town. Couples can combine history with nature and enjoy a nice, romantic trip through Limerick.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Limerick is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Limerick is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in the area so it can be hard to find other likeminded travelers.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Bologna. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Limerick is a good city to visit for students. The city has a nice student scene with plenty of areas to explore.

Is Limerick or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Limerick and Bologna both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Limerick offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a city bus service that travels around town.

Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Limerick or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Limerick is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

Limerick is somewhat walkable. There are compact and walkable parts to the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Limerick Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Limerick?

How long in Limerick or Bologna?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Limerick 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 Bologna.

One day in Limerick or Bologna?

In Limerick, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The beautiful city of Bologna offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Limerick or Bologna?

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

Bologna 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bologna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Limerick or Bologna?

Limerick is a great place to explore. 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.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 Limerick or Bologna?

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

Bologna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 from Dublin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Limerick and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Limerick much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Limerick would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Limerick 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Limerick.

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

Which is Bigger, Limerick or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Limerick. When comparing the sizes of Limerick and Bologna, 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 Limerick or Bologna?

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 Limerick or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Limerick during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Limerick because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

Limerick is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Limerick averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Limerick gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Limerick gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Limerick and Bologna. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Limerick this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Limerick is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Limerick in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Limerick gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Limerick usually receives less rain than Bologna. Limerick gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Limerick or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Limerick as well as Bologna. Many travelers come to Limerick for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bologna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Limerick is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 6°C (42°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Limerick gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in January than Bologna. Limerick gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Limerick are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Limerick in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the natural beauty during these months.

Limerick is cooler than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Limerick averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Limerick gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Limerick usually receives less rain than Bologna. Limerick gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Limerick