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

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth?

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

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

Howth

Howth is a coastal, beautiful, and picturesque fishing village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Stratford-upon-Avon and Howth: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will usually find more to do in Howth than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Howth is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and hiking, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions, historical sights, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Also, Howth is famous for The Baily Lighthouse. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Howth offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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 Howth Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is an amazing town to visit for its theatre productions. However, Howth 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.

Howth is not a theatre destination.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Stratford-upon-Avon and Howth can be an enjoyable experience.

Stratford-upon-Avon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Howth area. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

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

Howth is a decent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Howth. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

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

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

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

Howth is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

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

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

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

Howth does not have a historic old town.

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

Howth is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a hiking destination.

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

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth.

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 Howth. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

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

Both Stratford-upon-Avon and Howth are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Stratford-upon-Avon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Howth is a good town for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

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

Howth is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Howth has some public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

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.

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

Howth is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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.

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

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

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth to fill your time. In our opinion, Howth has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Howth than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth?

Even though Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Lots of people come for the theater. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Howth, many people enjoy the food and museums that this destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Many people visit Howth for a weekend. 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 Howth, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Howth?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a fun place to experience. Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Lots of people come for the theater. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The destination of Howth 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 Howth?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the theater. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Howth. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This fishing village 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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 Howth Expensive?.

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

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 Howth in the Summer?

Both Howth and Stratford-upon-Avon during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a little warmer than Howth in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets more sunshine than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Howth. The autumn months attract visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Howth. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Howth averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more sunshine than Howth during autumn. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Howth. 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 Howth for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally much colder than Howth. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Howth and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Howth in the spring for the beaches and the small town charm.

Stratford-upon-Avon is around the same temperature as Howth in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

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

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives less rain than Howth. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Howth receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Howth and Stratford-upon-Avon