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

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

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a natural, pristine, and remote 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.

Howth

Howth is a coastal, beautiful, and picturesque fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Orkney Islands and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Howth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Howth. Although Orkney Islands and Howth are both popular with visitors, Howth has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Howth is more popular for its nightlife and small town charm, while Orkney Islands is known for its food and impressive beauty. Howth is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. It is also home to The Baily Lighthouse. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Howth and Orkney Islands.

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.

Howth is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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 Orkney Islands or Howth? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Orkney Islands 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 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.

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 Orkney Islands or Howth Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Howth Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands and Howth 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 Howth. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Howth Better for Hiking?

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

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.

Howth is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Is Orkney Islands or Howth Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Orkney Islands or Howth.

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.

Howth is a family-friendly place to visit. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Orkney Islands or Howth Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Orkney Islands frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

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

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

Orkney Islands is well known for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago to visit for backpackers. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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

Orkney Islands and Howth 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.

Howth has a few public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Orkney Islands or Howth a more walkable city?

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

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Orkney Islands or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Orkney Islands than Howth because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Howth.

Couples should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Howth. 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 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Howth?

In Orkney Islands, many people enjoy the food and museums that this natural destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This archipelago 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.

In Howth, you'll find museums and food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Howth 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 Howth?

Orkney Islands is a fun place to experience. In Orkney Islands, many people enjoy the food and museums that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Howth. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Howth?

In Orkney Islands, many people enjoy the museums and food that this pristine destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the fishing village of Howth. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands and Howth, 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 Howth Expensive?.

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

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Howth. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, 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 July, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Howth. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 12°C (54°F), and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

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

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

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth 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 small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

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

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Howth during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Howth 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 Howth. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth 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. Also, many travelers come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Howth. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth 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 Howth. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Howth. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Orkney Islands