London vs Dublin: Which one is better for my next vacation
Are you planning a trip to Europe and wondering if London or Dublin is the better city to visit? In this guide we do a side by side comparison on everything you need to know including costs, attractions, safety, and much more. So here is a complete guide to London vs Dublin.
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Contents
- London vs Dublin: Some background
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for accommodation
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for attractions
- London vs Dublin: which one is prettier
- London vs Dublin: which one has the better vibe
- London vs Dublin: which one is easier to get to
- London vs Dublin: which one is easier to get around
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for food
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for nightlife
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for culture
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for safety
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for couples
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for families
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for solo travel
- London vs Dublin: which one is cheaper
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for day trips
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for nature
- London vs Dublin: which one is better for shopping
- London vs Dublin: which one is better in summer
- London vs Dublin: which one is better in winter
- London vs Dublin: which one is for me
London vs Dublin: Some background
Before we get into the whole London vs Dublin debate, here is some background on each city.
LONDON
London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. The city itself plays an important part in shaping the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country.
The population of London sits at nearly 9 million. That being said the city of London itself is only 1.2 square miles with a population of around 9000 people. The remainder of London is actually ‘Greater London’.
London is famous for its architecture, big red buses, royal family, and so much more.
Wondering is London worth visiting – here is a handy guide.
DUBLIN
Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and also the largest city on the island of Ireland. There are over 2 million people living in the Greater Dublin area.
It’s name comes from the Irish Dubh Linn which essentially translates to Black Pool. This referred to a black murky pool/lake that Vikings would dock at after sailing up the Liffey, which is the main river running through the city.
Dublin is famous for making a cultural mark on the world with many writers and entertainers. In fact in 2010 it was named the UNESCO city of literature.
Wondering is Dublin worth visiting – here is a handy guide.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for accommodation
Choosing your accommodation is an important part of any trip. Here we look at London and Dublin to determine which one has the better accommodation options.
LONDON
London has some great accommodation options to suit all budgets. From hostels to luxury hotels, you will find something to suit your needs in London.
Accommodation in London can be expensive, and the closer you are to Central London the more expensive things become. Rooms also tend to be pretty small, and there is limited space for luggage.
For a 4 star hotel you can expect to pay anything between £130 – £220 per night. Prices depend on the days of the week you intend to stay, how far in advance you book, and the time of year you visit.
No matter where you stay in London, make sure you are close to public transport. This will make getting around during your trip so much easier.
DUBLIN
Accommodation in Dublin is notoriously expensive. Hotels are known to jack up the prices particularly at weekends, or when there are big events on. And when I say jack up the prices I mean to the point where it’s just ridiculous.
We have recently returned from a trip to Dublin and the hotel cost us €260 per night. This was the absolute cheapest we could find for a 4 star hotel located in the centre. The hotel was clean, but the room was tiny. In fact it was so small we had to climb over each other in the night to use the bathroom. Accommodation is a bit cheaper the further you go out, but honestly not by much.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
There is a lot more choice when it comes to accommodation in London. Plus the prices are way more reasonable. The accommodation prices in Dublin are honestly just so disappointing.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for attractions
If you are wondering if London or Dublin is better for attractions here are some of the top things to do in each location.
LONDON
There is so much to do in London, we cannot possibly go through everything. Here are some of the best things to do to give you a bit of a flavour with what to expect when visiting.
For a more detailed London itinerary you can go here.
WESTMINSTER
Westminster is the classic touristy part of London. You have the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster Bridge all within close proximity to each other. And that is only the start. It is perfect for first time visitors to London and gives you a real taste of the city.
THE LONDON EYE
This is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. It takes 30 minutes to do a full rotation, and ticket prices start at £25 with advance tickets being slightly cheaper.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
There are a number of really good museums and galleries to visit in London, many of which are free. Some of the best include the Natural History Museum, The British Museum and The National Gallery.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
The Palace is the official headquarters and residence of the British Royal Family. One of my favourite things has to be the Changing of the Guard, which if you do get the chance to witness it actually pretty cool.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE
One of London’s most photographed public squares has to be Trafalgar Square. It was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar that took place in 1805. These days it is swarming with tourists all trying to get those iconic shots of the fountains and the lions.
HYDE PARK
London, for a big city, has a lot of green spaces. Hyde Park is one of the most popular to visit.
It spans 350 acres, there is a lot to see and do in the grounds. Some of the more popular areas have to be speakers corner, a place where to this day people gather to debate and speak to the masses. Famous speakers are George Orwell and Karl Marx.
There is also a large lake where in the summer months you can swim, or rent a paddle boat in the London sun.
ST PAULS CATHEDRAL
The cathedral is one of the most famous sights in London and has been the location for a number of Royal weddings and funerals, much like Westminster Abbey. The interior is worth a look, and if you are brave enough you can actually climb to the viewing platform for some incredible sights over London.
VISIT THE NEIGHBOURHOODS
There are a number of neighbourhoods that you have to explore in London. If you are into music then Camden is a must, whilst photographers will enjoy the streets of Notting Hill or Chelsea.
TOWER BRIDGE & THE TOWER OF LONDON
Another of London’s most famous monuments that often gets confused with London Bridge, is Tower Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1894 which makes it nearly 123 years old. You can pay for entry into the Tower Bridge Exhibition, and more information can be found here.
Located next to Tower Bridge is the Tower of London a historic castle founded in 1066. If you are into history this is a fascinating place to visit as you get a full understanding of the history of the castle. This includes its time as a Royal residence and even a prison.
DUBLIN
Here are some of the highlights for things to do in Dublin.
THE GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
A visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin is a must. It’s a really interesting tour even if you aren’t a big drinker because you learn about the history of the drink, the marketing campaigns, and much more. Also you get to sample a pint of the good stuff at the end of the tour.
TRINITY COLLEGE
Trinity College is one of the top universities in Europe and kind of conjures up this mix of Hogwarts and Dead Poets Society vibe. It’s a beautiful place to visit if you like history and architecture.
THE BOOK OF KELLS
And whilst we are discussing Trinity College, another really cool thing to do here is see the Book of Kells and Old College Library. It’s honestly a book lovers dream.
TEMPLE BAR
Sometimes known as Dublin’s cultural quarter is Temple Bar. The area has cobbled streets, and a number of atmospheric pubs and restaurants. One of the most visited places is of course the ‘Temple Bar’ pub. If you can find a seat it’s great for live music and pints. It’s also one of the best photo spots in Dublin.
KILMAINHAM GAOL
History buffs will definitely be interested in visiting Kilmainham Gaol. It’s about 3.5 km out of Dublin centre, and such an important part of Irish history. Many Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed here by order of the UK government. This is a great place to brush up on Irish history.
PHOENIX PARK
The park is a stones throw away from Dublin centre, and is essentially a 7km green space that has a zoo, wild deer, and some beautiful gardens.
IRISH WHISKEY MUSEUM
Apart from Guinness, Ireland is of course very much known for its Whiskey. The museum will teach you all about how whiskey is made, but most importantly gives you the chance to do some tasting.
DUBLIN CASTLE
Dublin Castle until 1922 was the centre of UK government rule in Ireland. Since then it has become a major tourist attraction and is used for state dinners as well as the inauguration of presidents in Ireland.
HA’PENNY BRIDGE
Built in 1816 over the River Liffey, this scenic bridge is not only a symbol of the city, but also one of the first pedestrian bridges over the River Liffey.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London is a lot bigger than Dublin, so there is a lot more to see and do. That being said, a lot of Dublin’s main attractions are in the city centre, so they are much easier to see, particularly when you only have a short trip.
London vs Dublin: which one is prettier
If you are into aesthetics, this section is for you. Here we compare London and Dublin to determine which one is prettier.
LONDON
London has some really picturesque places that you can spend days exploring. Some of our favourites are Hyde Park, St James Park, as well as neighbourhoods like Camden, Chelsea, and Covent Garden.
There are also lots of quirky little hidden gems in the city, particularly the little gardens and nooks you might stumble across. St Dunstan in the East, a quaint garden and site of a former church is a great example of this.
DUBLIN
Dublin is pretty standard when it comes to being picturesque. You do get some lovely spaces like St Stephen’s Green, but the prettiest part of the city is around temple Bar. There are tons of bars and cobbled streets to explore, and the atmosphere is great too.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London has more quirky and picturesque places. The buildings and architecture are also more impressive making it the more picturesque city.
London vs Dublin: which one has the better vibe
Wondering if London or Dublin has the better overall vibe. Here are our thoughts.
LONDON
London has a past paced urban vibe. People aren’t as open and friendly as maybe some of the smaller cities in the UK. People also tend to be very reserved.
On the plus side, there is some excellent nightlife, which adds to the youthful, playful vibe in certain parts of the city.
DUBLIN
Dublin is a little bit more friendly, and a lot more laid back. It’s not as big as London, so this might be one of the reasons for this. Dublin is all about the ‘craic’, which isn’t a drug before you ask. Craic is all about having fun, and it’s very easy to see people doing that in the city.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Personally we prefer the vibe in Dublin. It’s a lot friendlier and way less fast paced than London.
London vs Dublin: which one is easier to get to
Getting to a city will obviously play a large part in your decision to visit. But is London or Dublin easier to get to?
LONDON
London is a major travel hub into the rest of the UK. There are a number of ways to get here.
If you are travelling from other parts of the UK you are probably best off getting the train which will arrive at one of the below stations. All of these are centrally located, making it easy for you to get around.
- Paddington
- King’s Cross
- St Pancras
- Euston
You also have the option of getting the Eurostar, which arrives into London St Pancras station. There is a tube station nearby that will help you get to your onward destination.
There are also 3 major airports in London, Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. All airports are easy to get to via train. Heathrow is the closest to central London. The quickest way is to get the Heathrow Express, which operates every 15 minutes between Heathrow and Paddington Station. The train trip takes 15 minutes.
DUBLIN
Dublin is also really easy to get to. From UK airports there are several flights a day on the likes of Ryanair. Most large cities in Europe have direct flights to Dublin, and Ryanair is headquarted in Dublin which means lots of cheap flights, and travel routes.
You also get a lot of international flights from the US, Middle East, and Asia that fly directly to Dublin as well.
You have a few options for getting into the centre from the airport. You can get a taxi, which will cost you around €30 on average. You also have the option of getting the Aircoach. It departs every 15 minutes and takes you straight to the centre of Dublin for half the price of a taxi.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London is the bigger city, so is the easier one to get to. There are a lot more flights to London than Dublin.
London vs Dublin: which one is easier to get around
Ease of getting around in a city is a big thing especially when it comes to choosing your next vacation spot. Here is a breakdown of London and Dublin in terms of getting around.
LONDON
London is a big place so you will need to use public transport when visiting. There are several different options with buses, trains etc, but the Tube is the best way to get around. And the good news is there are stations within walking distance if most of the big attractions.
The use the Tube, you can purchase an Oyster Card, and then top this up as you go with required funds Or if you are only in London for a short time, you can tap your credit/debit card in and out of stations.
DUBLIN
Public transport in Dublin is easy to use although you may not necessarily need to use it. A lot of the main tourist attractions are close to each other, but there are some a little out of the way.
The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) is ideal for getting out of the centre, and it is also one of the most beautiful public transport systems as it travels along the Irish Sea Coast for a lot of its journey.
For getting around in the city you also have the Luas, which is the tram service.
If you think you will be using a lot of public transport you can purchase a Leap Card, for about €10 for 1 day, and this will cover you for Luas services, and buses.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
A lot of places in Dublin are within walking distance of each other so it is easy to get around. That being said if you are relying on public transport the Tube in London is really simple to use and frequent too.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for food
If you love your food you might be wondering is London or Dublin the better destination.
LONDON
London is very multicultural, and this is reflected in the food options in the city. From a simple Indian Curry, to dumplings in Chinatown, London has some excellent options.
Of course, one of the things London is famous for is the traditional pub style food. Pub meals are a big deal in London where you can eat fish and chips, sausage and mash, and other comforting delights. You also have places like Peggy Porschen Cakes, which is not only instagrammble but perfect for tea and cake.
London also has a plethora of fancy restaurants dotted around. You have a few Michelin Star spots as well like Sketch in Shoreditch which is not only visually appealing but is tasty as anything!
DUBLIN
The food scene in Dublin is very much evolving. If you had of asked me a few years ago – Is Dublin good for foodies – I would have said no way. Dublin has never really struck me as a proper foodie city, but more your fast food/ pub grub kind of city.
These days though Dublin is really making a name for itself on the foodie scene. It’s probably not as impressive as Rome or Barcelona in terms of food, but you can find some really good places if you look.
There are tons of really great traditional Irish food places you can try one of our favourites being The Boxty House in Temple Bar. Apart from this you have so many great places serving modern Irish and international food. And you have to try some Dublin Bay Prawns at one of the many seafood restaurants in the city.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London is the better choice for foodies, but that isn’t to say Dublin is a write off when it comes to food. You will find some excellent choices in both cities.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for nightlife
Planning a night out? In this section we decide if London or Dublin is the better option for nightlife.
LONDON
The nightlife in London is out of this world, and there is something for everyone. If you want swanky cocktail bars, or dive bars, or even traditional pubs London has what you are looking for. It’s also famed for it’s clubbing scene with places like Fabric and Ministry of Sound attracting world famous DJs.
DUBLIN
Is Dublin worth visiting for the nightlife you ask? The answer is yes absolutely. Dublin is such a great city for a night out. The Irish really know how to have a great time, which is probably why the concept of the ‘Irish Pub’ is famous the world over.
A visit to an ‘Irish Pub’ or just a pub in Dublin is a must. A lot of people flock to Temple Bar which is really touristy but also has an incredible vibrant atmosphere particularly in the evening, but there are so many more amazing areas to visit so make sure you expand your horizons.
Dublin also has some really great cocktail bars and speakeasies, so if you aren’t into pubs there are a number of really cool bars you can explore.
For more information you can have a look at our Dublin itinerary.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London has a lot going on and in reality has more choice when it comes to nightlife. If you are into clubbing or fancy cocktail lounges London is the better choice. If you prefer a more laid back evening in a pub or cocktail bar head to Dublin.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for culture
If you are a lover of culture, you might be wondering if London or Dublin is the better destination for you.
LONDON
There is no denying that London is one of the cultural capitals of the world. Known for it’s rich history, incredible art scene, and top quality museums, London has been attracting visitors for years, based on it’s one of a kind culture.
Music is another important part of the culture of London, and you have places like Camden where this is very much celebrated. You also have an incredible theatre scene, some great architecture and so much more.
DUBLIN
Dublin is pretty much the centre for Irish culture. You’ve got the world famous Guinness Factory here, as well as museums dedicated to writers, immigration, and so much more. Dublin really is a great place to go to experience the Irish culture, and a way of life you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London does have more museums and entertainment spots compared to Dublin. It’s also a lot artier as a whole so if we had to choose we would say London is the better option for culture.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for safety
Safety is of course an important factor to consider when visiting a new place. But is London or Dublin safer?
LONDON
Like any big city, London is one of those places that you probably need to take some precautions when it comes to safety. That being said, if you stick to tourist hotspots, and well lit places you should be ok.
Have your wits about you. Petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing are common particularly on the Tube. And we also don’t recommend walking home alone late at night. Get a taxi if you can.
Some neighbourhoods in London are best avoided, but these aren’t your tourist spots anyway. There is generally a high police presence in London, particularly around key attractions.
DUBLIN
Overall Dublin is safe, especially for tourists, but you do need to keep your wits about you. There are more and more stories coming out about gangs attacking tourists or others in the city centre, but this is rare.
There are certain parts of Dublin you should avoid especially at night for example, around Connolly Station can be dicey. But overall the city centre and tourist areas are ok, especially if you stick to well populated and lit areas.
Crimes like petty theft and pickpocketing are common. I had my phone stolen out of my handbag while enjoying a drink at Temple Bar, so I know firsthand how easy it can be to fall victim to this. Just keep an eye on your belongings, and take precautions.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Statistically Dublin has a much lower crime rate than London. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t take precautions. Research the areas you are visiting in either city, and stick to the tourist spots. We also don’t recommend walking around late at night alone in either city.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for couples
If you are planning on travelling as a couple you might be wondering if London or Dublin is the better choice.
LONDON
There are plenty of romantic things to do in London. You can take a romantic ride on the London Eye, or have a cocktail with a view at The Shard. On top of that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to bars and restaurants that will make for the perfect date night.
DUBLIN
Similar to London, Dublin has a lot of great places for couples to explore. You can walk around the romantic setting of Trinity College, enjoy the parks, or stroll around Temple Bar.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London has more unique experiences for couples, so if you are after something a little special London is a great choice.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for families
If you are planning to travel with your family this section is for you. Here we decide if London or Dublin is the better choice for family travel.
LONDON
London is a good destination if you are travelling with kids. There are lots of spacious parks to explore, as well as museums, and galleries. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum for instance are both really interactive and a lot of fun for kids. The London Zoo is another popular attraction for families, although it does get incredibly busy during the school holidays.
DUBLIN
Dublin has some good options for families. There are lots of museums to visit like the Little Museum of Dublin, and even the Leprechaun Museum that are fun for the whole family. Phoenix Park is another good spot for family fun, as you can try and spot the deer roaming around.
Dublin also has excellent day trip options to places like the Cliffs of Moher, and Giant’s Causeway, which kids will absolutely love.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London has just that little bit more to do for families, so we would recommend it for a family holiday over Dublin. That being said though, there are still a lot of fun family activities in Dublin, so don’t completely write it off.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for solo travel
If you are planning to travel alone you might be wondering if London or Dublin is the better option.
LONDON
There is so much to see and do in London, that you will not get bored as a solo traveller. It’s also relatively easy to get around in the city.
It’s also relatively safe. You should definitely be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts, but overall London is a safe and popular place for solo travellers.
DUBLIN
Dublin is a big city with so much to do particularly if you are travelling alone. There are also tons of tours you can join if you are wanting to do a pub crawl or if you are looking to interact with other travellers. It’s easy to get around Dublin too which is great if you are visiting by yourself.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Both London and Dublin are good choices for solo travel. We would say London is a little bit better just because it’s bigger and there is more to see and do. That being said you won’t be bored in Dublin that’s for sure.
London vs Dublin: which one is cheaper
Costs are a big deal when travelling, and so you might be wondering if London or Dublin is cheaper.
LONDON
London is known for being an expensive city. You need at least £100 per person per day to cover things like transport, food, and attractions.
You can definitely spend less by avoiding restaurants and sticking to some of the free things to do in London. But you can just as easily spend much more, particularly if you are wanting to go out for cocktails and nice meals.
On average a standard hotel room can cost upwards of £100 per night. This would be the absolute minimum especially these days when cost of living is so high. Usually a 4 star hotel will average at around £140 per night but this is based on prices booked well in advance and not during peak season.
DUBLIN
Like London, Dublin is also an expensive city. But keep in mind that in Dublin they use the Euro and in London they use the Pound.
Accommodation in Dublin can be incredibly pricey. Expect to pay €230 per night for a 4 star hotel in the city centre as an absolute minimum. You can get it a bit cheaper if you stay further out, but it’s often not by all that much.
Food and drink can also be costly in Dublin depending on where you go. Our advice here is to avoid the tourist traps like Temple Bar and try and go where the locals do. For example in Temple Bar we paid something like €8 for a Guinness.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
So officially the cost of living is higher in London than Dublin. That means that food, drinks, transport etc, are higher in London than Dublin. That being said, in the more touristy areas of Dublin, you can end up paying a lot for a dinner and a drink.
Accommodation costs in Dublin are also very high. In our experience a lot higher than London. As hotels in the city seem to just charge whatever they want, and unfortunately people will pay for it.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for day trips
If you are planning to base yourself in London or Dublin for a period of time, doing a day trip is a great option. But which city has the better day trip choices?
LONDON
London has some excellent day trip options. You can venture out to Cambridge, Oxford, and even the Costwalds to explore more of the country. Stonehenge and Bath are also close by, making them great day trip options.
You can even get to Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, and York, in around 2 hours, making it completely possible to visit both cities for a day trip.
DUBLIN
Dublin is a good base for seeing more of the Republic of Ireland. There are several amazing day trips you can do to places like the Ring of Kerry, The Cliffs of Moher, or even Glendalough.
You can even venture up to Northern Ireland and visit places like Belfast, and the Causeway Coast.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Both cities are perfect for exploring more of England and Ireland respectively. You will not have a shortage of day trip options if you visit either city.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for nature
If you love nature you might be wondering if London or Dublin is the better holiday option.
LONDON
London is a big place, and the vast majority of it is incredibly built up. Despite this London does have a surprising amount of green spaces. Some of the best are places like Primrose Hill and Hyde Park.
Obviously if you want to explore some real nature you will need to get out of London. There are so many places in the UK with incredible nature like the Lake District, or the Peak District, or even Cornwall.
DUBLIN
Dublin itself has a few green spaces. In the city you have St Stephens Green and Phoenix Park, which are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle. Just east of Dublin you also have Howth an Irish village on the Howth Peninsula. There is a fantastic cliff walk here that we highly recommend.
For more nature though you do want to get out of Dublin. The Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough are close by, and great for a day trip. Both spots are perfect for those wanting to explore the natural beauty that Ireland has to offer.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Dublin is less chaotic and built up than London. You also get many beautiful nature spots in close proximity to the city.
London vs Dublin: which one is better for shopping
In this section we go through the best shopping options for London and Dublin to decide which is better.
LONDON
London is the perfect spot for shoppers. You can find so many incredible stores ranging from vintage and alternative treasures in places like Camden, to fancy designer brands in places like Bond Street. Whatever your shopping style London has you covered.
DUBLIN
There are lots of great spots for shopping in Dublin too. Grafton Street in the city centre, is perfect for all your department stores and high street chains. Henry Street is another good option, as is Temple Bar for markets.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London definitely has more choice when it comes to shopping. There are more designer options, and even high street stores to choose from.
London vs Dublin: which one is better in summer
If you are planning to visit London or Dublin in the summer months you might be wondering which one is better.
LONDON
Summer is peak travel season in London. There are lots of tourists hoping to take advantage of the good weather, al fresco dining, and many festivals that occur at this time of year.
Due to high tourist numbers London can feel overcrowded and chaotic in the summer months. Accommodation costs rise, and there are often long lines for popular tourist attractions. August is incredibly busy due to school holidays, so if you don’t have kids we recommend avoiding this month completely.
The weather is mild averaging between 13°C and 25°C. There are some warmer days though, and this can be unpleasant especially on The Tube as it gets crowded, hot, and often unbearable.
DUBLIN
Summers in Dublin are mild, and incredibly busy. Temperatures range between 9°C and 20°C, with some sunshine. Rain is common but not as much as in the winter months.
It’s a popular time of year for tourists to visit, with July and August being the busiest months. August tends to coincide with school holidays, making it one of the most crowded times to visit.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Summer in both London and Dublin are pretty crazy when it comes to tourist numbers. Ideally you want to visit in late spring or early autumn when the weather is mild, but there are less people.
Apart from tourists though, both cities are at their peak in the summer months. The weather is great, and it is the perfect time for outdoor activities.
London vs Dublin: which one is better in winter
If winter is more your thing you might be wondering if London or Dublin is the better option.
LONDON
Winter in London tends to be a lot quieter than other times of the year when it comes to tourists. Accommodation prices drop, as do queues for tourist attractions.
The weather is cold and rainy, so you will want to limit your time spend outdoors. Fortunately there are a number of museums and galleries that are perfect for visiting in the cooler months. In December there are also a number of Christmas markets to enjoy as well as ice skating rinks, in preparation for the holidays.
For more information we have an article all about the best and worst times to visit London that you might find useful.
DUBLIN
Dublin is also cold and rainy in the winter months. On the plus side, this is a good excuse to get yourself cosy in a pub. And Irish food is known for being incredibly comforting! If you plan to visit the museums, pubs, or other indoor spots winter may be a good time to visit.
Like London tourist numbers are down in the winter months and accommodation is a tiny bit cheaper. Although a lot of Dublin hotels still charge a fortune to spend the night regardless of season.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
Both London and Dublin have far less tourists in the winter months. So if you are looking for a relaxed and quiet break this is the perfect time to visit. London has a bit more to do when it comes to museums and galleries though. And the Christmas Markets are just gorgeous in December.
London vs Dublin: which one is for me
So you have made it to the end of this article and hopefully by now you have your own winner in the battle of London vs Dublin. But here is a final recap if not.
LONDON
London is pretty much a city that never sleeps. There is so much going on, and it’s the cultural, economic, and political hub of the UK. There are so many different neighbourhoods to explore, each with their own vibe. There is a lot of history here, and it is a place definitely suited to a longer break just so that you can fit it all in.
DUBLIN
There is so much to see and do in Dublin. From the Guinness factory, to the book of Kells there is something for everyone here. It’s a really vibrant city, the people are welcoming, and you get a fantastic taste of what the country of Ireland has to offer.
LONDON OR DUBLIN
London is by far the more exciting and fast paced city. There are so many things to see and do you could spend a week here and still not feel like you have even scratched the surface. If you are craving city life, and want to be caught up in the excitement London is the place for you.
If on the other hand you are wanting to do a weekend break, or looking for something a little more relaxed then you should visit Dublin.
We hope this guide to London vs Dublin has helped you decide which city to visit for your next vacation. Don’t forget to pin this guide for later below.
Also if you are trying to decide between London or Paris instead here is a useful guide.
Happy Travels!