Westport has emerged as the best location in Ireland for a low-cost staycation.
Whilst a far-flung trip might be the ideal holiday for some, the rising living costs mean people are more mindful of holiday expenses than ever before. The good news? If people know where to go, a staycation in Ireland can deliver just as much culture, greenery, and adventure for a budget-friendly price.
Top 10 places in Ireland for a budget-friendly staycation:
| Rank | City | Total Score |
| 1 | Westport | 74.97 |
| 2 | Killarney | 49.47 |
| 3 | Wexford | 47.92 |
| 4 | Kilkenny | 42.55 |
| 5 | Galway | 36.97 |
| 6 | Limerick | 26.56 |
| 7 | Tralee | 21.96 |
| 8 | Waterford | 19.52 |
| 9 | Dublin | 16.23 |
| 10 | Cork | 12.91 |
Looking into various cost-related metrics such as meal and travel prices, as well as cultural and recreational amenities like museums, theatres, and green spaces, SumUp has revealed the best places in Ireland for a low-cost staycation.
The coastal town earned the highest safety score of all locations, achieving a score of 77 out of 100, making it an ideal choice for both families and solo travellers. Westport also offers excellent value for money, with the lowest beer prices in the country at just €4.95 per pint, and the most affordable taxi fares, with a 5km journey costing only €8.60.
Killarney claimed second place with a score of 49.47, boasting the highest number of free activities with 33 per 10,000 people. The town also stands out for its rich heritage, with 32 landmarks to explore, and tops the list for accommodation availability, with 179 hotels per 10,000 people.
Ranking in third with 47.92 points, Wexford is a great location for history enthusiasts, with seven museums and 13 landmarks to explore. Situated next to the Irish National Heritage Park, visitors can learn about how the people of Ireland lived throughout history, with 35 acres of open-air museum to explore. Wexford offers a vibrant thrift scene, with 46 vintage shops per 10,000 people, making it an ideal location for vintage lovers. Wexford also boasts the most affordable cup of coffee in the ranking, with a cappuccino costing €3.28 on average.
Looking elsewhere on the list, despite ranking fourth, Kilkenny boasts the most affordable dining, with the average cost of a meal at just €14, while Waterford ranks second for coffee value at €3.46. Tralee claims the best stop for shopping, with the highest ratio of fashion stores to population outside of the top three, with 10 stores per 10,000 people. Meanwhile, Dublin leads the way for nature, with 43.54% of the city officially declared as green space.
Corin Camenisch, Product Marketing Lead, at SumUp said: “With an increased focus on domestic travel, as well as the cost-of-living crisis still being prevalent, we wanted to highlight the most cost-effective cities for a staycation in Ireland. Not only does this encourage budget friendly travel, but it also encourages local spending and supports local businesses due to extra traffic and tourism.
“While some of the cities in our report are popular hotspots among tourists, we hope to shed insight on budget-friendly locations that can also provide memorable experiences that are rich in culture without breaking the bank.”
