A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Outer Hebrides vs. Grindelwald for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Outer Hebrides and Grindelwald. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a remote, stunning, and spectacular archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a adventure-filled, high adrenaline, and breathtaking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Outer Hebrides and Grindelwald: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Grindelwald than Outer Hebrides, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Grindelwald is better known for its skiing, museums, nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Outer Hebrides is more popular for its food and beaches. Grindelwald is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is popular for its stunning views, beautiful hikes, and breathtaking scenery. Also, Grindelwald is famous for the beautiful mountain scenery. Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

The beautiful mountain scenery

How is Outer Hebrides different from Grindelwald?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Skiing?

Grindelwald is a very popular place for skiing and snowboarding. However, Outer Hebrides is not a skiing destination.

Grindelwald offers world-class skiing that is fun for everyone. Most of the skiing in the area is best for intermediate level skiers. There are also some places for beginners to ski, but not a lot of options for advanced skiers. The resort is relatively large with 30 lifts and some cross country skiing options as well.

Outer Hebrides is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Grindelwald is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Grindelwald. If you happen to have poor weather, there are very few indoor activities around town. The area is all about the views and the outdoor setting, so weather is key when visiting.

Outer Hebrides does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Outer Hebrides is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Grindelwald is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Outer Hebrides is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Grindelwald. You'll find a casual pizza joint, a cafe, fine dining, and a handful of other restaurants in town.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Nightlife?

Grindelwald is a good destination for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Grindelwald. You'll find the most bars of any of the Jungfrau ski resorts in town. Most are attached to a hotel and offer a nice place to enjoy a drink in a laid back setting.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is well known for the beach. However, Grindelwald is not a beach destination.

Outer Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Grindelwald is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Outer Hebrides and Grindelwald, and they are first-rate.

Outer Hebrides is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

People visit Grindelwald specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hiking in the area offers spectacular views of the Bernese Alps including Wetterhorn, Eiger, Jungfrau, and Breithorn. There are trails that cater to all levels and hiking is the best way to explore the countryside.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Grindelwald is a decent place to visit for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Grindelwald is a good destination for shopping. There are places to pick up sporting equipment that you may have forgotten. Many shops are seasonal and the turnover is frequent as the tourist season ebbs and flows.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Families?

Grindelwald is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Grindelwald is a very family-friendly destination. The area is filled with outdoor adventures like hiking, ziplining, and cog railways. There are hikes for every age and skill level and older kids will enjoy the ropes courses and other outdoor activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Outer Hebrides. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides and Grindelwald both high quality destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Couples visit Grindelwald frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Most people don't visit for the town itself, but instead for the many outdoor adventures in the area. Couples that enjoy hiking and skiing will appreciate a visit to this beautiful alpine setting.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Grindelwald is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Grindelwald is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a decent number of hostels in the area, so the town makes a good base for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Grindelwald is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Grindelwald has some public transit options. There are local buses that travel around the region.

Public transit is generally limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Is Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald a more walkable city?

Grindelwald is a good destination for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

Grindelwald is somewhat walkable. Most places in town can be reached on foot but there can be a lot of traffic on the main thoroughfares.

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Outer Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Grindelwald Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Grindelwald or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Outer Hebrides than Grindelwald because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-2 days is enough time in Grindelwald.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Grindelwald than Outer Hebrides 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 Grindelwald.

One day in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the remote archipelago of Outer Hebrides. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Grindelwald might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular destination of Outer Hebrides. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Grindelwald is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this 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 Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the spectacular archipelago of Outer Hebrides. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Grindelwald. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Outer Hebrides. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the hiking. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago.

Grindelwald is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours in Switzerland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald?

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 Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald in the Summer?

Both Grindelwald and Outer Hebrides during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Outer Hebrides for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Grindelwald in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Outer Hebrides is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 13°C (55°F), and Grindelwald fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Grindelwald, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 250 hours of full sun.

Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Outer Hebrides usually gets less rain in July than Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Grindelwald. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Grindelwald for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Outer Hebrides is much colder than Grindelwald in the autumn. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during autumn. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Outer Hebrides gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Outer Hebrides usually receives around the same amount of rain as Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Grindelwald. Most visitors come to Outer Hebrides for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Grindelwald can be very cold. Outer Hebrides can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Outer Hebrides is cooler than Grindelwald. Typically, the winter temperatures in Outer Hebrides in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Grindelwald averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 119 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides receives a lot of rain in the winter. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in January than Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Grindelwald in the Spring?

Both Grindelwald and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year.

In April, Outer Hebrides is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 7°C (44°F), and Grindelwald fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during spring. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Grindelwald. In April, Outer Hebrides usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Grindelwald and Outer Hebrides