A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Howth for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

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

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Howth

Howth is a coastal, beautiful, and picturesque fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Manchester and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Howth?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Manchester and Howth are popular destinations, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Howth?

Manchester is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Manchester offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. 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 Manchester or Howth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Manchester is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is well known for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Manchester is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

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 Manchester or Howth Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for its live music scene. However, Howth is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Howth is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth is great for its beaches. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is great for hiking. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Howth?

Manchester is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Families?

Manchester is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Howth offers lots of family activities. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Couples?

Manchester is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Howth is a good city for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Manchester is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Manchester or Howth Better for Students?

Manchester is well known for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

Manchester is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is well known for its public transit. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

While Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Manchester or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Howth is very walkable. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Howth Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Howth or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Howth?

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

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

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

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

One day in Manchester or Howth?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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.

With museums and food around the picturesque fishing village of Howth, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Howth, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Howth?

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

With food and museums around the destination of Howth, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this fishing village.

Five days in Manchester or Howth?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Howth, a popular fishing village, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Howth?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant big city of Manchester. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Howth, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Howth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Howth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Howth 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Howth.

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

When is the best time to visit Manchester 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 Manchester or Howth in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Howth. Most visitors come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Manchester is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Howth averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Howth. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

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

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

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Howth. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Howth in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Manchester in the winter. Manchester is much colder than Howth in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Howth. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Howth. Many travelers come to Manchester for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

In the spring, Manchester is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Howth averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Howth during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Manchester