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

Should you visit Mainz or Dublin?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and Dublin 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Mainz and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Mainz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Mainz attracts visitors for its food and impressive beauty. Mainz is famous for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse.

How is Mainz different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Mainz or Dublin?

Dublin is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Mainz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Is the Food Better in Mainz or Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Mainz is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is terrific for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a very popular place for live music. However, Mainz is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Dublin while you're in town. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Mainz is not a live music destination.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Both Mainz and Dublin have high quality historic old towns worth visiting.

Mainz is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Dublin?

Dublin is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Dublin is a very family-friendly destination. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Dublin are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Students?

Mainz is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Mainz is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Is Mainz or Dublin Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Mainz is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Mainz can get you around easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

While Dublin offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Mainz or Dublin a more walkable city?

Mainz and Dublin are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

Getting around Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Dublin?

In either Mainz or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin than Mainz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Mainz 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 Dublin.

One day in Mainz or Dublin?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Mainz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dublin, many people enjoy the live music and food that this friendly destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Mainz or Dublin?

Mainz 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.

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

Five days in Mainz or Dublin?

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

Dublin is a fun place to experience. In Dublin, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Mainz or Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Mainz. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Dublin. 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 nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Dublin, 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 Mainz or Dublin?

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 Mainz or Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Mainz during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. In the summer, Mainz often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Dublin. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In October, Mainz is generally around the same temperature as Dublin. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Dublin. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Dublin in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Dublin. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. Mainz is much colder than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Mainz for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Mainz is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mainz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Mainz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Mainz