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

Should you visit Stockholm or Galway?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Stockholm and Galway can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Stockholm

Stockholm is a clean, coastal, and safe city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Galway

Galway is a cultural, historical, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Stockholm and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stockholm or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stockholm than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Stockholm is more touristy than Galway and is known for its many bridges and water culture, its open air museum, and its colorful old town. It is also well known for Gamla Stan (the old town). Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

Gamla Stan (the old town)

How is Stockholm different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Stockholm 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 Stockholm. Famous sights and museums include the Vasa Museum, the Skansen Open-Air Museum, and the Royal Palace.

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 Stockholm or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Stockholm and Galway offer a number of nice restaurants to choose from.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Stockholm. Most famous for its Swedish meatballs, there is so much more to the food scene in this city. Although they're expensive, the restaurants often have a relaxed atmosphere with dishes that take advantage of local, fresh ingredients. Seafood is obviously popular as well.

Galway is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Stockholm or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Stockholm and Galway.

Stockholm is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is a particularly fun place to visit during the summer months when clubs open outdoor areas and parties happen day and night.

Many people head to Galway for the nightlife scene. 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.

Is Stockholm or Galway Better for Music?

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

Stockholm is a world class music destination. The city has an amazing music scene that includes international groups and DJs, local venues, and popular festivals.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Stockholm or Galway Better for its Old Town?

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

With a famous historical old-town, Stockholm offers plenty to see. Right in the middle of the city is Gamla Stan. It's spread out over a hill and filled with character, cobblestone streets, cafes, and historical sights.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stockholm or Galway?

Stockholm is notable for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Stockholm is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Right by Gamla Stan, you'll find the city's main shopping street of Drottninggatan. The city has great jewelry and artisan crafts.

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 Stockholm or Galway Better for Families?

Stockholm is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Stockholm is an extremely popular city to visit for families. As cities go, this is among the most child-friendly in Europe. There are many unique activities like Junibacken, which is a Pippi Longstocking themed kid's museum. There's also Tom Tits Experiment, which is a hands on science and technology museum, the swimming pools at Eriksdalsbadet, and the amusement park Gröna Lund.

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 Stockholm or Galway Better for Couples?

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

Stockholm is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The city is filled with romance, from wandering around Gamla Stan to taking a dinner cruise or exploring a rose garden. During the winter months, the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere bring the city to life.

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 Stockholm or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is well known for backpackers. Also, Stockholm is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Galway is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Stockholm. While the city has a lot to offer, many backpackers avoid the area because it is so expensive. There are some hostels, but in general food and entertainment are all going to cost a lot.

Is Stockholm or Galway Better for Students?

Stockholm and Galway are nice places to visit for students.

Stockholm is popular with students. The cost of the city scares off many international students, but those that come here will find a clean, safe, and fun city with excellent academics.

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Stockholm is an unbeatable place 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.

Visitors in Stockholm can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system is efficient with bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams and ferries.

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

Is Stockholm or Galway a more walkable city?

Stockholm is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Stockholm on foot. The city has actively worked to create a walkable environment that is safe and pleasant. There are restrictions on vehicles as well as pedestrian-only areas.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Stockholm?

How long in Stockholm or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stockholm and Galway. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stockholm than in Galway. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Stockholm, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Stockholm 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 Stockholm.

One day in Stockholm or Galway?

Stockholm is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Galway. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Stockholm or Galway?

Stockholm is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Galway. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Stockholm or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stockholm. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Galway. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stockholm or Galway?

Stockholm is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Galway is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Sweden, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stockholm and Galway, we can see that Stockholm 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 Stockholm would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stockholm 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 Stockholm Expensive? and Is Galway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stockholm or Galway?

Stockholm has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Stockholm 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 Stockholm 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 Stockholm or Galway in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Stockholm and Galway. The summer months attract visitors to Stockholm because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

In July, Stockholm is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Stockholm average around 18°C (64°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Stockholm, it's very sunny this time of the year. Stockholm usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Stockholm gets 260 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Stockholm usually receives more rain than Galway. Stockholm gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Stockholm or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Stockholm as well as Galway. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Stockholm this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Stockholm is cooler than Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stockholm averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Stockholm often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Stockholm gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Stockholm usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Stockholm gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stockholm or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Stockholm are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stockholm for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Stockholm. In the winter, Stockholm is much colder than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stockholm in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Stockholm usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Stockholm gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In January, Stockholm usually receives less rain than Galway. Stockholm gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Stockholm or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Stockholm during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stockholm in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Stockholm is generally much colder than Galway. Daily temperatures in Stockholm average around 5°C (41°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Stockholm often gets more sunshine than Galway. Stockholm gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Stockholm usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Stockholm gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Stockholm