A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Cork for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Cork?

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 Orkney Islands and Cork can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a serene, tranquil, and natural archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

Cork

Cork is a seaside, youthful, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Orkney Islands and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Cork than Orkney Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cork is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Cork is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. Also, Cork is famous for The Blarney Castle and Stone. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Cork is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Cork specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Is the Food Better in Orkney Islands or Cork? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at superb restaurants in both Orkney Islands and Cork.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cork makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Nightlife?

Cork is great for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Cork for the nightlife scene. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is notable for its beaches. However, Cork is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Orkney Islands attract visitors from all over. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Cork is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Cork is not a hiking destination.

Orkney Islands is a popular spot for hiking. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Cork is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Cork is great for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cork. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Cork.

Orkney Islands offers lots of family activities. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Cork is a family-friendly place to visit. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Couples?

Both Orkney Islands and Cork are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Cork is a very popular place to visit for couples. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is notable for backpackers. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Orkney Islands. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Students?

Cork is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

Cork is very popular with students. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Orkney Islands is a archipelago with good options for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Orkney Islands has a few public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Orkney Islands or Cork a more walkable city?

Cork is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

Cork is a somewhat walkable city. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Orkney Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Cork Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cork or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Orkney Islands and Cork. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than in Cork. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cork.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Cork 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Cork, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Orkney Islands is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cork is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Orkney Islands or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the tranquil archipelago of Orkney Islands. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Cork. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands or Cork?

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 Orkney Islands or Cork in the Summer?

Both Cork and Orkney Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is cooler than Cork. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Cork averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Cork. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cork. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cork in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Cork. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Cork. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Cork during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Cork. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cork in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Cork. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cork because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Orkney Islands can be very cold during winter. Orkney Islands is much colder than Cork in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Cork. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cork. Orkney Islands receives a lot of rain in the winter. Orkney Islands usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Cork. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Cork in the Spring?

Both Cork and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is cooler than Cork. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Cork averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Cork during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cork. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cork and Orkney Islands