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

Should you visit Tallinn or Galway?

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

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

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tallinn than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Tallinn is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Galway attracts visitors for its big city activities. Tallinn is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Old Town. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

The Old Town

How is Tallinn different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. 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.

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 Tallinn or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Tallinn has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Galway area. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Tallinn or Galway Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Galway is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Tallinn or Galway Better for its Old Town?

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

With a famous historical old-town, Tallinn offers plenty to see. 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallinn or Galway?

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

Tallinn is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

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 Tallinn or Galway Better for Families?

Tallinn and Galway 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 Galway. 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 Tallinn or Galway Better for Couples?

Tallinn is notable for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Tallinn is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

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 Tallinn or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Galway 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.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Tallinn or Galway Better for Students?

Both Tallinn and Galway are nice destinations for students.

Plenty of students visit Tallinn. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

Galway is popular with students. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Tallinn is notable 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.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Tallinn. There are buses trolleys and trams around town.

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

Is Tallinn or Galway a more walkable city?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn on foot. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy 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 Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Galway?

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

Families should spend more time in Tallinn than Galway. 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 Galway. 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 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 Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Tallinn. 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.

In Galway, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Tallinn or Galway?

Tallinn is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Galway, 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 Galway has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallinn. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Galway 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 Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Tallinn. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Galway. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Galway?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

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

In July, Tallinn is generally around the same temperature as Galway. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 17°C (62°F), and Galway 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 Galway. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets more rain in July than Galway. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Galway in the Autumn?

Both Galway 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 Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Galway during autumn. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In October, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Galway. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tallinn or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway 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 Galway 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 Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tallinn in January average around -5°C (22°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Galway. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tallinn usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Galway in the Spring?

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

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

Tallinn usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tallinn usually receives less rain than Galway. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Tallinn