A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tallinn vs. Cork for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Tallinn or Cork?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Cork, 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.

Tallinn

Tallinn is a historical, charming, and quaint 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, food, and shopping.

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.

Tallinn and Cork: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Cork?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cork than Tallinn. While Tallinn is larger than Cork, Cork has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cork is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Tallinn attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Cork and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Cork is famous for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer. It is also well known for The Blarney Castle and Stone.

How is Tallinn different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallinn or Cork?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Tallinn and Cork.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cork. 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.

Is the Food Better in Tallinn or Cork? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cork is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn 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 Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for Nightlife?

The high quality nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tallinn and Cork.

Tallinn has a large number of nightlife venues. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

Cork is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for its Old Town?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Tallinn can be explored in its historical center. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Cork?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Tallinn and Cork.

Tallinn is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Cork. 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.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for Families?

Tallinn and Cork are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Tallinn is a family-friendly city. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

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 Tallinn or Cork Better for Couples?

Tallinn and Cork are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

Couples visit Cork frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tallinn is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for Students?

Cork is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Cork is a great city to visit as a student. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Is Tallinn or Cork Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tallinn is notable for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Tallinn can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

Public transit is mostly 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 Tallinn or Cork a more walkable city?

Tallinn is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Tallinn on foot. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Cork Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cork or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Cork?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallinn and Cork. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Tallinn than in Cork. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Tallinn, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cork.

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

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

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

One day in Tallinn or Cork?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Tallinn. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Cork, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Tallinn or Cork?

Tallinn is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

In Cork, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cork has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Cork?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Tallinn. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cork is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Cork?

The historical city of Tallinn offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cork. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cork. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Tallinn and Cork, we can see that Cork is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Cork?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Cork. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tallinn is generally around the same temperature as Cork. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallinn this time of the year. In the summer, Tallinn often gets more sunshine than Cork. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Cork. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Cork in the Autumn?

Both Cork and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Tallinn is much colder than Cork in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 7°C (44°F) in October, and Cork fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cork during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Cork. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Cork in the Winter?

Both Cork and Tallinn during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Tallinn can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Tallinn is much colder than Cork. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Cork averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Cork. Tallinn gets 25 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. Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Cork in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Cork. Most visitors come to Tallinn for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cork because of the activities around the city.

Tallinn can be very cold during spring. In April, Tallinn is generally much colder than Cork. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 4°C (39°F), and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Cork during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Cork. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cork receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cork and Tallinn