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

Should you visit Ephesus or Galway?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus 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.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a ancient, world-renowned, and fascinating archeological site. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Ephesus travel costs.

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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Galway travel costs.

Ephesus and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ephesus or Galway?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Galway. Although Ephesus and Galway are roughly the same size, Galway has more sights and attractions for tourists. Galway is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Ephesus attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Ephesus is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its well-preserved ruins and vast size 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 Ephesus different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Ephesus is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Ephesus that are not to be missed. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

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 Ephesus or Galway? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Ephesus and Galway.

Ephesus has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

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 Ephesus or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Galway is a great city for nightlife and partying. However, Ephesus is not known for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Galway has something for everybody. 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.

Most people don't head to Ephesus specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Galway?

If you're looking to go shopping, Ephesus and Galway both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ephesus. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Many visitors go to Galway to go shopping. 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 Ephesus or Galway Better for Families?

Ephesus and Galway are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Ephesus offers lots of family activities. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Ephesus or Galway Better for Couples?

Ephesus and Galway are both nice to visit as a couple.

Ephesus makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

Galway is a good archeological site 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 Ephesus or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for backpackers.

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

Ephesus is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Is Ephesus or Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Ephesus is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Ephesus is not popular with students.

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

Ephesus 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 Ephesus. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

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

Is Ephesus or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site 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.

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable archeological site. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Ephesus?

How long in Ephesus or Galway?

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Galway than Ephesus 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 Galway.

One day in Ephesus or Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Ephesus. 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 Ephesus or Galway?

Ephesus is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Ephesus or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ephesus. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Ephesus or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the ancient destination of Ephesus. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Galway?

Galway has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Galway. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Galway. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Galway. Many travelers come to Ephesus for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Ephesus is much warmer than Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Galway during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Galway receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Galway. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ephesus or Galway in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Galway. Many visitors come to Ephesus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Galway. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Galway. Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Galway. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city.

In April, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Galway. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Ephesus