A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Connemara for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon and Connemara can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a quaint, idyllic, and peaceful town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Other popular activities here include food and theater.

Connemara

Connemara is a dramatic, breathtaking, and scenic region. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Connemara. Although Stratford-upon-Avon and Connemara are both popular with visitors, Connemara has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Connemara is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is known for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm. Stratford-upon-Avon is popular for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Connemara is popular for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves. It is also home to Connemara National Park.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Connemara and Stratford-upon-Avon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Connemara is very good for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Connemara offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is terrific for its shows and theatre. However, Connemara is not a theatre destination.

The theater and performance venues in Stratford-upon-Avon draw crowds from around the world. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Connemara is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Connemara is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Connemara has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Connemara is not a good area for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara is a very popular place for the beache. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Connemara is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for its Old Town?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Connemara does not have a historic old town.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a nice historic old town area. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Connemara does not have a historic old town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Connemara specifically for its hiking. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a hiking destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Families?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly place to visit. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Couples?

Connemara is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Connemara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a moderate town for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara a more walkable city?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable town. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

Connemara is not a very walkable town. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Connemara Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Connemara. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Connemara than in Stratford-upon-Avon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Stratford-upon-Avon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Connemara.

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

Couples should spend more time in Connemara than Stratford-upon-Avon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Connemara that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Connemara than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Connemara.

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Even though Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Stratford-upon-Avon has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Connemara, many people enjoy the food and museums that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Lots of people come for the hiking. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town where visitors enjoy the theater and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Connemara for a weekend. Lots of people come for the hiking. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. Hikers are also drawn to this area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Connemara, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the theater. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The beautiful destination of Connemara offers food and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Connemara. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This region offers something for everyone. 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 Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Stratford-upon-Avon Expensive? and Is Connemara Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Connemara. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Connemara because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Connemara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Connemara averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets more sunshine than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara in the Autumn?

Both Connemara and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Connemara this time of year.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Connemara. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 11°C (52°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more sunshine than Connemara during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Connemara. In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara in the Winter?

Both Connemara and Stratford-upon-Avon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Connemara for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. Stratford-upon-Avon is much colder than Connemara in the winter. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Connemara fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun.

Connemara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Connemara in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Connemara. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Connemara in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Connemara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Connemara averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Connemara. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Connemara and Stratford-upon-Avon