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

Should you visit Mainz or Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny 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 charming, beautiful, and peaceful 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.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval, fascinating, and active town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Kilkenny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kilkenny. Although Mainz and Kilkenny are popular destinations, Kilkenny has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kilkenny is very popular for its museums and nightlife, while Mainz attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Mainz is more touristy than Kilkenny and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Kilkenny is famous for its medieval castle and long running history. It is also well known for The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Mainz different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. 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.

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 Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Mainz and Kilkenny.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Is Mainz or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Kilkenny is a town with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

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 Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Both Mainz and Kilkenny have superb 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 Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Kilkenny?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Mainz and Kilkenny.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. 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.

Kilkenny offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Mainz or Kilkenny Better for Families?

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

Kilkenny is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

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 Kilkenny Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Kilkenny are superb 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 Kilkenny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Mainz or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Kilkenny are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Mainz or Kilkenny Better for Students?

Mainz is a great destination for students. However, Kilkenny is not popular with students.

Mainz is very popular with students. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

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

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

Public transit in Mainz can get you to some places 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 Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Mainz or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Mainz is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Mainz on foot is easy. The town is easily explored on foot.

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Kilkenny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Kilkenny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kilkenny.

Families should spend more time in Kilkenny than Mainz. 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.

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

One day in Mainz or Kilkenny?

The beautiful town of Mainz offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kilkenny, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this active destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Mainz or Kilkenny?

Mainz is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Mainz, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Mainz 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.

Kilkenny is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Kilkenny?

Mainz is a great place to explore. 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 town offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the fascinating destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Kilkenny?

Mainz has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Mainz and Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny in the Summer?

Both Kilkenny and Mainz during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Mainz in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Mainz is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Mainz. In the summer, Mainz often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kilkenny. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mainz and Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Mainz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Mainz usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Kilkenny in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Kilkenny. The winter months attract visitors to Mainz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

The weather in Mainz can be very cold. Mainz is much colder than Kilkenny in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Kilkenny. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Kilkenny. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Kilkenny in the Spring?

Both Kilkenny and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Mainz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the natural beauty.

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

Mainz usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Mainz