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

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

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 Cork can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a charming, historic, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It's also known for food and theater.

Cork

Cork is a energetic, cultural, and seaside city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cork. Although Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork are popular destinations, Cork has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cork is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Stratford-upon-Avon attracts visitors for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm. Cork is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. It is also well known for The Blarney Castle and Stone. Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cork is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Cork specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

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 Cork Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-visit destination for theatre. However, Cork is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in Stratford-upon-Avon that are not to be missed. 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.

Cork is not a theatre destination.

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

Cork 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.

Cork has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

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 Cork Better for Nightlife?

Cork is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Cork has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

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

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

Stratford-upon-Avon is a town with good options for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Stratford-upon-Avon to see the historical old town. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Cork is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Cork is well-known for its shopping. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cork. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

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

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

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

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 Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cork is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Cork is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. Most backpackers skip this town for the more lively cities. There are affordable places to stay, but no real hostels in town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork Better for Students?

Cork is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

Cork is very popular with students. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork.

Public transit is mostly 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 generally limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

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

Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork are nice when it comes to walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. 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.

Cork is a somewhat walkable town. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

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

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

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

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

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town where visitors enjoy the theater and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Cork, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the theater. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people visit Cork for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cork, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The destination of Cork offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Because Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cork. This city 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork, we can see that Stratford-upon-Avon is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Cork.

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 Cork Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

Cork has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Stratford-upon-Avon. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork, 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Cork?

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 Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Cork. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 17°C (63°F), and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets more sunshine than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Cork and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the autumn for the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Cork in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Cork and Stratford-upon-Avon during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cork because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Stratford-upon-Avon can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon is much colder than Cork. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Cork averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

Cork gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Cork. The spring months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town charm. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Cork this time of year.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 9°C (48°F), and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during spring. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Cork. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cork and Stratford-upon-Avon