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

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Dublin?

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

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a remote, serene, and tranquil archipelago. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Orkney Islands and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Dublin?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin. Although Orkney Islands and Dublin are both popular with visitors, Dublin has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dublin is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Dublin is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also home to The Guinness Storehouse. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dublin 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 Dublin specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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 Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. 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.

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 Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

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

Dublin is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is great for its music scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin draws a good crowd. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Orkney Islands. 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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is great for its historic old town charm. However, Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Orkney Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Orkney Islands. 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.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Dublin?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dublin. 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.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Couples?

Both Orkney Islands and Dublin are excellent 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.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

For backpackers, both Orkney Islands and Dublin are excellent 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 Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin Better for Students?

Dublin is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

Orkney Islands and Dublin both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Orkney Islands or Dublin a more walkable city?

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

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Dublin?

In either Orkney Islands or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than Dublin 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 Dublin.

Families should spend more time in Dublin than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Dublin?

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 Dublin, you'll find nightlife and live music. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Dublin?

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.

Dublin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Dublin?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the tranquil 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 shopping and museums when visiting the city of Dublin. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Dublin. The beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 12°C (54°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Orkney Islands is cooler than Dublin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Orkney Islands can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Orkney Islands is cooler than Dublin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Orkney Islands in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Dublin averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in January than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Dublin. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dublin because of the activities around the city.

In April, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 6°C (43°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Dublin. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Orkney Islands