A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisse vs. Kilkenny for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Lisse or Kilkenny?

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

Should I visit Lisse 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.

Lisse

Lisse is a picturesque, stunning, and colorful town. The famous beauty of Lisse is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Lisse travel costs.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a active, ancient, and medieval town. Kilkenny is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Kilkenny travel costs.

Lisse and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lisse or Kilkenny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lisse than Kilkenny, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lisse is better known for its impressive beauty, while Kilkenny is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights. Lisse is more touristy than Kilkenny and is popular for its stunning flowers and iconic tulip fields. Also, Lisse is famous for the Keukenhof Gardens. Kilkenny is well known for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Lisse different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kilkenny is great for its historical sights. Also, Lisse is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Kilkenny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lisse. There are a handful of museums in the area, like the Museum de Zwarte Tulp (Museum of the Black Tulip), which showcases the history and art of the Dutch flower-growing industry, including exhibits on tulips, bulbs, and floral culture. And, of course, there's the Keukenhof Gardens, which is the main draw to the area during the spring season and one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands.

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

Kilkenny is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lisse is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kilkenny has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Lisse area. The town has a variety of food options, from traditional Dutch snacks to international cuisine. Local cafes and restaurants often serve classic Dutch dishes, such as poffertjes (mini pancakes) and bitterballen (fried meatballs), perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal. In Keukenhof Gardens you'll find food stalls, trucks, and a cafe, but they can get crowded during peak times.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Lisse and Kilkenny.

If you're looking for night time activities Lisse has a few options to choose from. Most people don't think about nightlife when they visit town but there's a surprising number of thinks to do like cozy bars and charming cafes. Visitors can enjoy live music, great drinks, and a friendly atmosphere, especially in the town's central areas.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Kilkenny is great for its old town. However, Lisse does not have a historic old town.

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.

Lisse does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lisse or Kilkenny?

If you're looking to go shopping, Lisse and Kilkenny both offer plenty of notable spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lisse. The town offers a range of shopping opportunities, especially in its charming town center. You’ll find boutique stores, gift shops, and specialty shops selling local products, such as Dutch cheeses, flowers, and souvenirs.

Many visitors go to Kilkenny to go shopping. 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.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny More Beautiful?

Lisse is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Lisse is one of the main draws. Most visitors come for the Keukenhof Gardens, which are a breathtaking spectacle, renowned for their vibrant and meticulously arranged displays of millions of tulips and other flowers. The gardens are designed with picturesque pathways, tranquil ponds, and themed flower beds, making it feel like a living painting in every corner.

Kilkenny offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's a medieval town with many historical churches and monasteries.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Kilkenny is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lisse is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Kilkenny is very family-friendly. 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.

Lisse is a family-friendly place to visit. The Keukenhof Gardens has a few things to keep the kids entertained, like a play area and boat rides. Some kids will also enjoy seeing the millions of colorful tulips and other flowers. For a more interactive experience, families can head to the Flowerstrip, where children can explore local farms and see how flowers are grown. Also near town is Lisse is the Duinrell theme park, which has thrilling rides and a water park that’s perfect for a family day out.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

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

Lisse is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy this area, especially during the spring when the Keukenhof Gardens come alive with vibrant tulip fields and flower displays. There are also boat rides through the nearby canals, surrounded by beautiful countryside. A visit to the nearby Keukenhof Castle provides a charming atmosphere, with its elegant gardens and tea room. perfect for relaxing together. Couples can also explore the local flower fields by bike.

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Lisse or Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Lisse and Kilkenny are notable places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lisse. The entrance fee to Keukenhof Gardens can be a bit pricey, but there are plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy nearby, like cycling through the beautiful tulip fields or exploring the nearby countryside. Budget accommodations, such as hostels or guesthouses, can be found in Lisse or in nearby towns like Leiden, offering affordable options for travelers.

Kilkenny is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

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

Lisse and Kilkenny both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Lisse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that travel from Schiphol Airport and elsewhere in the country to Keukenhof Gardens. It's best to book your tickets in advance.

Kilkenny has a few public transit options. There are city buses through town.

Is Lisse or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Kilkenny is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Lisse is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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

Lisse is a somewhat walkable town. Many visitors bike through the tulip fields outside of the Keukenhof Gardens. You could walk, but you'll cover more ground with a bicycle.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Lisse?

How long in Lisse or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lisse 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 Lisse. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Kilkenny than Lisse. 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 Lisse. 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 Lisse 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 Lisse or Kilkenny?

The beautiful town of Lisse offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Kilkenny, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this ancient destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lisse or Kilkenny?

Lisse 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 Lisse, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kilkenny. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lisse or Kilkenny?

Lisse 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Kilkenny. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lisse or Kilkenny?

Lisse 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the ancient destination of Kilkenny. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Netherlands, 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 Lisse and Kilkenny, we can see that Lisse 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 Lisse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisse 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 Lisse Expensive? and Is Kilkenny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lisse or Kilkenny?

Lisse has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Lisse 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 Lisse or Kilkenny?

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 Lisse or Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisse as well as Kilkenny. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the family-friendly experiences.

Lisse is around the same temperature as Kilkenny in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisse this time of the year. In the summer, Lisse often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Lisse gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets more rain in July than Kilkenny. Lisse gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisse or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

Both Kilkenny and Lisse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisse for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lisse is around the same temperature as Kilkenny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisse in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Lisse usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during autumn. Lisse gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lisse usually receives less rain than Kilkenny. Lisse gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lisse or Kilkenny in the Winter?

Both Kilkenny and Lisse during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisse in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lisse can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lisse is generally much colder than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Lisse average around 2°C (36°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lisse often gets less sunshine than Kilkenny. Lisse gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun.

Lisse usually gets less rain in January than Kilkenny. Lisse gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lisse or Kilkenny in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisse and Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Lisse for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the natural beauty.

Lisse is cooler than Kilkenny in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisse averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Lisse usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during spring. Lisse gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisse usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Lisse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Lisse