A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Galway for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Salzburg or Galway?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Galway, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a historic, beautiful, and musical city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Galway?

You'll generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Galway. Salzburg is bigger than Galway, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Salzburg is better known for its museums, food, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Galway is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Galway and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Also, Salzburg is famous for The Salzburg Old Town. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salzburg or Galway?

Salzburg is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Is the Food Better in Salzburg or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Salzburg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Salzburg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Galway offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Music?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Galway is not a live music destination.

Salzburg is a world class music destination. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Salzburg offers plenty to see. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Galway?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Salzburg is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Families?

Salzburg is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Galway is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Couples?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Salzburg is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Galway are high quality destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Galway is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Students?

Salzburg is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Salzburg is a very popular city for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Is Salzburg or Galway Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salzburg is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Salzburg. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Salzburg or Galway a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Galway both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Salzburg and Galway. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salzburg than in Galway. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Galway 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Galway offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Galway?

Salzburg 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.

Galway is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Galway, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Galway?

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

Galway is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the recognizable destination of Salzburg. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Galway is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Galway?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Galway, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Salzburg or Galway?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Salzburg or Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Salzburg is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Salzburg in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Galway averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. Salzburg usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Galway. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Galway in the Autumn?

Both Galway and Salzburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Salzburg is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (52°F), and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets more sunshine than Galway. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Galway in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Galway. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Salzburg can get quite cold in the winter. Salzburg is much colder than Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Galway. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Galway in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Galway. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Salzburg is a little warmer than Galway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Salzburg in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Galway averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Galway. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Salzburg