A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Orkney Islands vs. Nottingham for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Nottingham?

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 Nottingham 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 hiking, museums, and food.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a authentic, dynamic, and livable 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 Nottingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Nottingham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nottingham than Orkney Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nottingham is better known for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Orkney Islands is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Nottingham is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its authenticity and local cuisine. Also, Nottingham is famous for Old Market Square. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Nottingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Nottingham 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.

Nottingham is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

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

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

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Orkney Islands makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Nottingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Nightlife?

Nottingham is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Nottingham has a few options to choose from. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Music?

Nottingham is very good for its music scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Nottingham. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is well known for its beaches. However, Nottingham 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.

Nottingham is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Nottingham 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.

Nottingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Nottingham?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nottingham. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Families?

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

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.

Nottingham is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham Better for Couples?

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

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.

Nottingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

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

Orkney Islands is well known for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Nottingham is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its public transit.

The public transit in Nottingham can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

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

Is Orkney Islands or Nottingham a more walkable city?

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

Nottingham is a very walkable destination. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Nottingham or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Nottingham?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Orkney Islands or Nottingham to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Orkney Islands than Nottingham 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 Nottingham.

Families should spend more time in Orkney Islands than Nottingham. 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 Nottingham. 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham?

With museums and food around the serene archipelago of Orkney Islands, 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. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Nottingham?

With food and museums around the destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Nottingham 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 Nottingham?

Orkney Islands, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Orkney Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Nottingham. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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

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 Nottingham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Nottingham. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Nottingham in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is cooler than Nottingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Nottingham averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the summer, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nottingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in July than Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Nottingham in the Autumn?

Both Nottingham and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Nottingham for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

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

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Nottingham during autumn. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies, while Nottingham receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Orkney Islands. In October, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Nottingham in the Winter?

Both Nottingham and Orkney Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Nottingham can be very cold. Orkney Islands can be very cold during winter. Orkney Islands is around the same temperature as Nottingham in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nottingham fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nottingham receives 61 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 Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Nottingham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Nottingham. 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 Nottingham this time of year.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is cooler than Nottingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Nottingham averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Nottingham during spring. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Nottingham receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Nottingham. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nottingham and Orkney Islands