A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Orkney Islands vs. Dingle for Food, Beaches, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Dingle?

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 Dingle can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a natural, pristine, and remote archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, museums, and food.

Dingle

Dingle is a rustic, picturesque, and serene peninsula. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Orkney Islands and Dingle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Dingle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dingle. Although Orkney Islands and Dingle are popular destinations, Dingle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dingle is very popular for its nightlife, while Orkney Islands attracts visitors for its museums and food. Dingle is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. It is also well known for The Gallarus Oratory. Orkney Islands is famous for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Dingle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Orkney Islands is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its historical sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Orkney Islands. 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.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

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

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

Dining out in Orkney Islands is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle Better for Nightlife?

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

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands and Dingle are great choices for a beach vacation.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Dingle. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle Better for Hiking?

You'll find great hiking in both Orkney Islands and Dingle.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. 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.

Dingle is a popular spot for hiking. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Dingle.

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.

Dingle is a family-friendly place to visit. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle Better for Couples?

Both Orkney Islands and Dingle are great 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.

Dingle is a very popular place to visit for couples. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

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

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Dingle are great places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Dingle. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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

Orkney Islands is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Orkney Islands, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Orkney Islands or Dingle a more walkable city?

Dingle is adequate for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

Dingle is generally not a very walkable peninsula. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Dingle or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Dingle?

In either Orkney Islands or Dingle, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than Dingle because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dingle.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Dingle 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 Dingle?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Orkney Islands. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dingle, you'll find food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Dingle?

Orkney Islands is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Dingle is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Dingle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dingle. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Dingle?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. This archipelago offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the peninsula of Dingle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Orkney Islands and Dingle, we can see that Orkney Islands is more expensive. And not only is Dingle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dingle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dingle 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 Dingle.

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 Dingle Expensive?.

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

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 Dingle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Dingle. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dingle because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Dingle in the summer. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Dingle fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 140 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in July than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dingle in the Autumn?

Both Dingle and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dingle this time of year.

In the autumn, Orkney Islands is cooler than Dingle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Orkney Islands in October average around 9°C (48°F), and Dingle averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dingle during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 79 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dingle. It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dingle in the Winter?

Both Dingle and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dingle for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Orkney Islands in the winter. In January, Orkney Islands is generally much colder than Dingle. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 4°C (39°F), and Dingle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 44 hours of full sun.

Dingle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets less rain in January than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dingle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Dingle. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dingle in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Dingle in the spring. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Dingle fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Dingle during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives less rain than Dingle. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dingle and Orkney Islands