A Travel Price Comparison for Ireland Limerick vs. Howth for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Limerick 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 Limerick and Howth can help you decide which place is right for you.

Limerick

Limerick is a outdoorsy, fun-filled, and historic city. 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. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Limerick and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Limerick or Howth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Howth. Although Limerick and Howth are both popular with visitors, Howth has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Howth is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Limerick is known for its nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Howth is more touristy than Limerick and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. It is also home to The Baily Lighthouse. Limerick is popular for its castle, old town, and outdoor activities.

How is Limerick different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Howth 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.

Howth is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Limerick or Howth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Limerick and Howth.

Limerick is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Howth offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Limerick or Howth Better for Nightlife?

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

Limerick has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

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 Limerick or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is a great fishing village for the beach. However, Limerick 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.

Limerick is not a beach destination.

Is Limerick or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is a great fishing village for hiking. However, Limerick is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. 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.

Limerick is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Limerick or Howth?

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

Limerick offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Limerick or Howth Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Limerick or Howth.

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.

Howth is a family-friendly place to visit. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Limerick or Howth Better for Couples?

Both Limerick and Howth are good 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.

Howth is a nice destination for couples. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Limerick or Howth Better for Students?

Limerick is a popular place for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

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

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Limerick and Howth both offer good 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.

Howth has a few public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Limerick or Howth a more walkable city?

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

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.

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 Howth Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Howth or Limerick?

How long in Limerick or Howth?

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

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

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

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

One day in Limerick or Howth?

In Limerick, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun-filled destination offers. This city 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 Limerick or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Limerick. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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 Limerick or Howth?

Limerick is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Limerick. 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 Limerick or Howth?

You'll find food and shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Limerick. 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 from Dublin, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Limerick and Howth, we can see that Howth 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 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 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 Howth Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Limerick or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Limerick as well as Howth. Most visitors come to Limerick 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.

In July, Limerick is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 16°C (60°F), and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Howth. Limerick gets 142 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in July than Howth. Limerick gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Limerick are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Limerick because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

Limerick is around the same temperature as Howth in the autumn. The daily temperature in Limerick averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Howth fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Limerick usually receives less sunshine than Howth during autumn. Limerick gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Limerick usually receives more rain than Howth. Limerick gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Limerick or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth and Limerick during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Limerick this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Limerick is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the winter temperatures in Limerick in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Howth averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Limerick often gets less sunshine than Howth. Limerick gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun.

Limerick usually gets more rain in January than Howth. Limerick gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Limerick or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Limerick and Howth. Many travelers come to Limerick for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Limerick is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Limerick average around 9°C (48°F), and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Limerick usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Howth during spring. Limerick gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Limerick usually receives more rain than Howth. Limerick gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Howth and Limerick