A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Outer Hebrides vs. Belfast for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

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 Outer Hebrides and Belfast. 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.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a tranquil, serene, and remote archipelago. Outer Hebrides is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking. See Outer Hebrides travel costs.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping. See Belfast travel costs.

Outer Hebrides and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Belfast. Although Outer Hebrides and Belfast are both popular with visitors, Belfast has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Belfast is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Outer Hebrides is known for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Belfast is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". It is also home to Belfast Castle. Outer Hebrides is popular for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Outer Hebrides or Belfast? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Outer Hebrides is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Outer Hebrides makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Belfast is a good destination for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Outer Hebrides is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find the most options in the main town of Stornoway. Outside of town, most bars are attached to hotels or restaurants.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is a well-known place for its beaches. However, Belfast is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Outer Hebrides. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Outer Hebrides draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

Belfast is a good destination for shopping. However, Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Outer Hebrides is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast More Beautiful?

Outer Hebrides is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Belfast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Outer Hebrides is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Scenic beaches and breathtaking landscape make this a truly stunning region to explore.

Belfast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Families?

Both Outer Hebrides and Belfast are good family-friendly destinations.

Outer Hebrides is a family-friendly archipelago. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Belfast. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Outer Hebrides is a very popular place to visit for couples. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Outer Hebrides. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Students?

Belfast is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

Outer Hebrides is not popular with students.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Outer Hebrides and Belfast.

Public transit is mostly limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Public transit is generally limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Outer Hebrides or Belfast a more walkable city?

Belfast is a good destination for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Belfast is somewhat walkable.

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable archipelago. There are many walking routes, but you'll need a car to cover the longer distances.

For even more information, also check out Is Outer Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Belfast Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Belfast. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Belfast.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Outer Hebrides than Belfast 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 Outer Hebrides.

One day in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Belfast is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

Outer Hebrides is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Outer Hebrides has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Outer Hebrides. In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Belfast. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Outer Hebrides and Belfast, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Outer Hebrides much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Outer Hebrides would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Outer Hebrides 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 Belfast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belfast than you might in Outer Hebrides.

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

When is the best time to visit Outer Hebrides or Belfast?

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 Outer Hebrides or Belfast in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Outer Hebrides as well as Belfast. Many visitors come to Outer Hebrides in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Belfast in the summer. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

Outer Hebrides usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Belfast in the Autumn?

Both Belfast and Outer Hebrides are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Outer Hebrides for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Outer Hebrides is around the same temperature as Belfast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Outer Hebrides in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Belfast averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives less sunshine than Belfast during autumn. Outer Hebrides gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Outer Hebrides. In October, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Belfast in the Winter?

Both Belfast and Outer Hebrides during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Outer Hebrides because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

It's quite cold in Belfast in the winter. The weather in Outer Hebrides can be very cold. In January, Outer Hebrides is generally around the same temperature as Belfast. Daily temperatures in Outer Hebrides average around 4°C (40°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Outer Hebrides often gets less sunshine than Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Outer Hebrides. Outer Hebrides usually gets more rain in January than Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Outer Hebrides or Belfast in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Outer Hebrides and Belfast. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Outer Hebrides this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the activities around the city.

Outer Hebrides is cooler than Belfast in the spring. The daily temperature in Outer Hebrides averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Outer Hebrides usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belfast during spring. Outer Hebrides gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Outer Hebrides usually receives more rain than Belfast. Outer Hebrides gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Outer Hebrides