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

Should you visit Vilnius or Galway?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Galway. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Vilnius

Vilnius is a undiscovered, authentic, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Galway

Galway is a historical, vibrant, and lively city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Vilnius and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vilnius or Galway?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Galway than Vilnius. While Vilnius is larger than Galway, Galway has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Galway is very popular for its big city activities, while Vilnius attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Vilnius is famous for its authentic old town and long running history. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music. It is also well known for The Galway Market.

How is Vilnius different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Vilnius or Galway?

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Vilnius and Galway.

Vilnius offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city has fascinating museums relating to Soviet times. These include the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights and the Lithuanian Diaspora Art Museum. Other notable sights include the Three Crosses Monument and the St. Anne's and Bernardine Church Complex.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Galway. 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 Vilnius or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Vilnius and Galway can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Vilnius. The food is hearty with plenty of meat and potatoes. There are also soups and herring dishes as well as great desserts. Popular dishes in the area include cepelinai (meat filled potato dumplings), kibinai (a pastry), and potato pancakes.

Galway is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Vilnius or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are very good in both Vilnius and Galway.

Vilnius has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene. You'll find most of the activity centered around three streets - Vilniaus, Islandijos and Vokiečių. These areas have a number of bars and clubs, and they draw the biggest crowds.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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 Vilnius or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Vilnius is notable for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Vilnius is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with history, architecture, and churches. It's also where you'll find Vilnius University. At the heart of the area is Pilies Gatve (Castle Street), which has shopping, cafes, and restaurants.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Vilnius or Galway?

Both Vilnius and Galway are nice shopping destinations.

Vilnius offers some nice shopping areas. For quaint shops, head to old town, particularly around Pilies Gatve. The city also has an open air market, Kalvarijų Turgus, that is popular on Saturdays. There are also a few shopping malls around town.

Galway has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Vilnius or Galway Better for Families?

Both Vilnius and Galway are nice family-friendly destinations.

Vilnius is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of historic sights, but once your kids have had their fill, you can head to one of the outdoor or indoor play areas in the city center. There's also a toy museum and an Energy and Technology Museum that kids will enjoy. After a busy day, make sure you grab some ice cream to lift everyone's spirits.

Galway is a family-friendly city. 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 Vilnius or Galway Better for Couples?

Vilnius and Galway both nice destinations for a couple.

Vilnius makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with viewpoints, from hill tops to towers, where you can enjoy romantic views over the landscape. You can also dine in a local restaurant or enjoy a picnic in one of the outdoor settings.

Galway is a good city for couples to visit. 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 Vilnius or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Vilnius and Galway are very good destinations for backpackers.

Vilnius is a great city to visit for backpackers. For backpackers who want to escape the crowds, this off-the-beaten path European capital is a great option. It has history, charm, and an authenticity that is hard to find in a more touristy area. It's also an affordable city, with hostels and plenty of cheap places to eat.

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

Is Vilnius or Galway Better for Students?

Vilnius and Galway are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Vilnius is a good city to visit for students. The city is small but charming with a number of places where international students can study. It's an affordable city with a lively atmosphere and an authenticate and genuine personality.

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

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

Both Vilnius and Galway offer nice public transit options.

Vilnius has a few public transit options. Bus and trolleybuses are available.

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

Is Vilnius or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Vilnius is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

Galway is a very walkable city. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

Vilnius is a somewhat walkable city. The old town is the most walkable part of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Vilnius Worth Visiting? and Is Galway Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Galway or Vilnius?

How long in Vilnius or Galway?

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

One day in Vilnius or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Vilnius. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Vilnius or Galway?

Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Vilnius. 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 Vilnius or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the religious destination of Vilnius. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Galway?

Vilnius has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Galway?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Vilnius or Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Galway because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Vilnius is generally a little warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 18°C (65°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives more sunshine than Galway during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Galway. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vilnius or Galway in the Autumn?

Both Galway and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Galway this time of year.

Vilnius is cooler than Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Vilnius often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vilnius usually gets less rain in October than Galway. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vilnius or Galway in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Galway. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Vilnius in the winter. In the winter, Vilnius is much colder than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vilnius in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Galway during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Galway. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vilnius or Galway in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Galway. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Vilnius is generally cooler than Galway. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 7°C (45°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Vilnius often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Galway. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets less rain in April than Galway. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Galway and Vilnius