A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Windsor vs. Kilkenny for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Windsor or Kilkenny?

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

Should I visit Windsor or Kilkenny? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Windsor

Windsor is a traditional, touristy, and beautiful town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a fascinating, active, and ancient town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Windsor and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Windsor or Kilkenny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kilkenny than Windsor, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kilkenny is better known for its food, historical sights, and shopping, while Windsor is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Windsor is more touristy than Kilkenny and is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. Kilkenny is well known for its medieval castle and long running history. Also, Kilkenny is famous for The Kilkenny Castle.

The Kilkenny Castle

How is Windsor different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Windsor or Kilkenny?

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Windsor and Kilkenny.

Windsor offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The main draw is the Windsor Castle, which many people explore in a few hours. Then you can pass some time wandering around the town.

Many visitors head to Kilkenny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

Is the Food Better in Windsor or Kilkenny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kilkenny is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

Windsor is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are cafes, pubs, and local restaurants that let you sample regional dishes. There are also chain restaurants and international options including Japanese and Thai food.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Windsor and Kilkenny.

Windsor has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There's a low key nightlife scene with local pubs and a theater. Dinner cruises are also a fun activity.

If you're looking for night time activities Kilkenny has a few options to choose from. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is well known for its old town. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Kilkenny. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Windsor has an old town worth visiting. The old town is opposite the castle and caters specifically to tourists with its restaurants, pubs, and a few shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Windsor or Kilkenny?

Kilkenny is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Kilkenny offers some nice shopping areas. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Windsor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Windsor is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Kilkenny is a very kid-friendly town. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Windsor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy seeing a working castle when they visit Windsor Castle. While a visit to Windsor Castle is the obvious draw to the town, there are also river cruises, parks, and even the Royal Windsor Maze at the Goswells Park that the whole family will enjoy. There is also a Legoland in the area for those who have more time.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Windsor and Kilkenny make for a great place to visit.

Couples visit Windsor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Exploring the Windsor Castle, taking a river cruise, and wandering the parks and gardens hand in hand make this a great place for a couples retreat.

Kilkenny is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kilkenny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kilkenny. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Windsor is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Windsor and Kilkenny.

You'll find some public transit in Windsor, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system around town.

While Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Windsor or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Windsor and Kilkenny both are great when exploring on foot.

Windsor is a very walkable town. The town is compact and relatively easy to walk around. There are also several walking routes in the area.

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Windsor Worth Visiting? and Is Kilkenny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Windsor?

How long in Windsor or Kilkenny?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kilkenny than Windsor 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 Kilkenny.

One day in Windsor or Kilkenny?

Windsor is a small town where visitors enjoy the nightlife and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kilkenny, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town 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 Windsor or Kilkenny?

Windsor is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Windsor, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Windsor or Kilkenny?

Windsor is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kilkenny is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Windsor or Kilkenny?

Windsor is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kilkenny. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Windsor and Kilkenny, we can see that Windsor is more expensive. And not only is Kilkenny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kilkenny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kilkenny 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 Windsor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Windsor than you might in Kilkenny.

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

Which is Bigger, Windsor or Kilkenny?

Windsor has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Windsor and Kilkenny, 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 Windsor or Kilkenny?

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 Windsor or Kilkenny in the Summer?

Both Kilkenny and Windsor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Windsor this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences.

Windsor is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the summer. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Windsor usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during summer. Windsor gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Windsor usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Windsor gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Windsor or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Windsor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Windsor for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Windsor is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Windsor in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Windsor often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Windsor gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in October than Kilkenny. Windsor gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Windsor or Kilkenny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Windsor and Kilkenny. Many visitors come to Windsor in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Windsor can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Windsor is generally cooler than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Windsor average around 4°C (40°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Windsor usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny during winter. Windsor gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Windsor usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Windsor gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Windsor or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Windsor as well as Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Windsor for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the natural beauty.

Windsor is around the same temperature as Kilkenny in the spring. The daily temperature in Windsor averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Windsor often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny. Windsor gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun.

Windsor usually gets less rain in April than Kilkenny. Windsor gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Windsor