While we’d love to assume that everyone has an abundance of spare time and cash to visit both Edinburgh and Glasgow during their Sottish adventure, we know that’s not always the case.
Between Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland, which one do you pick on your Scotland holiday? Perhaps you just want a helping hand working out how to divide your time in Scotland when you visit.
The Bonnie country of Scotland is undisputedly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Regularly coming up trumps in traveller polls and votes, it’s an essential addition to your travel bucket list.
Scotland is a country brimming with history and littered with majestic mountains, coastlines, castles, and lochs that have to be seen to be believed. While a trip to breathtaking, rural Scotland is essential, the cities are not to be missed during your stay.
Scotland is unique when it comes to its cities, in the sense that there is no one go-to city of choice. While it’s a small country, it has two main cities which are both huge in personality; Edinburgh and Glasgow. While Edinburgh is the capital, Glasgow is the largest. Each choice offers a unique experience of its own.
With the two cities being close in distance, yet miles apart in personality, it’s really hard to know.
In Scotland, there has always been an age-old friendly rivalry between these two cities with no conclusion on which city is best to visit to date.
With this article, let’s explore and compare what Edinburgh and Glasgow each has to offer to help you plan an unforgettable trip in Scotland!
The majority of us plan a city break based on what we can get up to while we’re there. Both cities have plenty on offer to keep you busy.
At A Glance
Eating Out
Let’s start with a favourite part of any adventure, the food. Where can you find the best place to dine in the two famous cities of Scotland? Check out the best places to dine in Edinburgh and Glasgow below.
Eating Out in Edinburgh
The Bon Vivant
Eating out in Edinburgh is arguably the event itself. The Edinburgh food scene is more extraordinary; think high-end Michelin star restaurant and intimate settings.
If you want to get dressed to the nines and enjoy some fine dining, then Edinburgh delivers. If you’re looking for chic, sophisticated dining, then you will prefer what the city of Edinburgh has to offer.
Eating Out in Glasgow
Ox and Finch
Glasgow is a food heaven with expansive variety. Seriously. Whether you’re cash strapped or ready to splash it, the Glasgow food scene offers everything you need to gorge or graze.
Julies Kopitiam
The Gastro scene is thriving and it feels like there’s a new pop-up food market every day. Whether you want deep-fried mars bars, tip-top tapas, or succulent steak – Glasgow won’t do you wrong.
If you get too tipsy and just need chips – this is the city you want to do it in. Glasgow will see you right if you’re looking for laid-back, artisanal dining with a buzz about the place.
Nightlife and ‘Going Out, Out’
There’s a fun phrase in the UK, ‘Are you going out? Or are you going out, out?. In case you were wondering if I had a typo error, ‘Out out’ to the Scottish means a big night out. If you’re looking for the best one night break, Scotland won’t disappoint you. These people like to party!
Let’s compare the nightlife in each city.
Nightlife in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a glossy city. It’s sophisticated. If you like cocktails, Edinburgh is home to some of the most impressive mixologists out there.
It’s also got a whole host of luxury hotel lobbies and unique bars to keep you busy. Edinburgh is home to the Fringe, the largest and most famous arts festival in the world. If you visit during “Fringe season,” you’ll experience a city brimming with life and endless shows, plays, and performances to choose from.
Nightlife in Glasgow
Glasgow was described by Time magazine as “Europe’s Secret Capital of Music.” The city has also been hailed as UNESCO City of Music. That’s because every week in Glasgow, there are over 130 music events!
From contemporary to country, there’s something for everyone. If you want to enjoy a gig or clubbing during your visit, Glasgow gets it.
When it comes to the bars and nightclubs, to put it simply, Glasgow is cooler. The vibe is a lot trendier and eclectic. Out with the Fringe festival, Glasgow is more creative than Edinburgh and a little bit rougher around the edges. Edinburgh is the historic capital but Glasgow is arguably the cultural capital offering a more eclectic mix of year-round entertainment in every way.
Main Attractions
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are home to several ‘must-see attractions’ that you can tick off your list on a visit. Let’s take a closer look.
Main Attractions in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is undeniably a magical city. Where else can you find an ancient castle that sits neatly below a volcano? Here are our top picks of things to see in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
You can’t go to Edinburgh and miss the castle, even if you tried. It stands proudly in the heart of the city. You can walk right up and tour inside the castle or simply enjoy its presence from afar.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It runs from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Several other attractions can be found on this route as well as cafes and quaint cobbled lanes alongside it.
Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh Dungeon
Step into the past and explore Edinburgh’s dark history and ghost stories at this underground interactive experience that is top-rated by tourists.
What can I say? I’m a daredevil. During my time there, I’ve experimented with a number of ghost tours in Edinburgh to find the most hair-standing ones. I’ve shared the verdict on Edinburgh’s ghost tours here.
The Scottish National Gallery
This neoclassical building is brimming with renowned works from some of the world’s famous artworks including Monet and Rembrandt.
National Museum of Scotland
If you like to immerse yourself in the history of the countries you visit, this is a great pit stop. Explore the cultural heritage of Scotland as well as some artefacts from around the world at the National Museum of Scotland.
Main Attractions in Glasgow
Once an industrial city, Glasgow is now the cultural capital of Scotland, where you’ll find several attractions – both old and new – to make your trip more memorable.
You can get a bird’s eye view of the best of Glasgow’s city centre with a professional guide on a walking tour.
Kelvin Grove Museum
Kelvin Grove Museum
As one of Scotland’s top-rated tourist attractions, this art gallery and museum is definitely worth a visit. It’s completely free to enter.
First opened back in 1901, it’s now home to world-renowned artists such as Salvador Dali’s “Christ of St John of the Cross,” a selection by the Scottish Colourists and works by Rembrandt and Monet.
Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art
Glasgow’s Gallery of Modern Art
If you are more into contemporary art, you’ll find works from the likes of David Hockney, Andy Warhol in this former library in the heart of Glasgow City Centre.
Glasgow Necropolis
Glasgow Necropolis
This Victorian cemetery is truly enchanting. It’s built on a hill beside Glasgow Cathedral and from it, you can take in the views of the entire city.
Riverside Museum
Riverside Museum
This futurist and the award-winning building is jam-packed with cars, trams, prams, vintage cars, skateboards and locomotives. Inside, you will also find an interactive street experience that takes you back in time to the mid 20th century.
Style Mile
If you enjoy stylish shopping on holiday, you cannot go wrong in Glasgow. The city is the second-best shopping experience in the UK, after London of course.
Buchanan Street runs through the city and is littered with shopping centres and shops for every fashion.
Location, Location, Location…
Let’s take a look at what each city has to offer in terms of accessibility. Glasgow and Edinburgh are only 89 km/ 55 miles apart in distance. However, each city will make entirely different parts of Scotland more accessible during your stay.
Getting There
Flying
Both cities have large international airports a short distance from the city centre. Hundreds of flights fly into both Edinburgh and Glasgow from all around the world every day. Chances are, your closest home airport will offer a direct flight to both. If you’re planning to fly, you might choose a city based on the convenience of flight times.
Trains & Buses
If you’re visiting Scotland from England or Wales, trains and buses can be as convenient as flying. Both cities have large central bus and train stations with connections to all of the major cities in the UK.
Driving
Edinburgh and Glasgow are both approximately 7 hours’ drive from the City of London. Glasgow is 16 km (10 miles) further away from the English border which is hardly any distance at all. If you’re driving to the cities, distance or drive duration isn’t going to be a deciding factor since they are both pretty equal.
Getting Around
Convenience is a big deciding factor for many travellers. Many of us are perfectly comfortable hopping on and off transport during an adventure, while others prefer to have everything within easy reach. Let’s look at the convenience of each city.
Getting Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is very much a walking city and getting by foot is by far the most efficient. It’s advisable to dress warmly as its old cobbled streets are known to get windy.
If you tire easily, it’s easy enough to hop on a bus for a few stops, although it’s not likely to save you time. In 2014, Edinburgh opened up a ‘modernised’ tram system. Unfortunately, it’s a bit of a local joke as with only 15 stops, it causes a bit of traffic chaos. The key tourist attractions in Edinburgh – the castle, Grey Friars Bobby, Royal Mile and the New Town – are all within walking distance.
Getting Around Glasgow
The city of Glasgow is a grid, just like New York. If you’re exploring the city centre, going on foot is the best way to go. It’s nearly impossible to get lost in case you’re worried.
If you’re exploring the many areas outside of the city – which we recommend that you do – there’s an abundance of trains and buses that you can hop on and off with ease.
Glasgow also has its own underground system. The “clockwork orange,” as it’s aptly named, is in fact the world’s simplest system, as it only goes in a circle around the city.
Driving around the city is not particularly advisable as it can be a pain to park. The public transport is convenient enough.
So considering the above, Edinburgh and Glasgow are equal in terms of making your way there, or around. It will ultimately depend on what other parts of Scotland you want to explore while you’re there.
Nearby Attractions in Edinburgh
If Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews, Fife, Stonehaven, Pitlochry, Crovie or the Cairngorms are on your list of places to visit, then Edinburgh is the closest city in reach.
The beautiful town of North Berwick is also easily accessible from Edinburgh.
Nearby Attractions in Glasgow
Glasgow is close to the Western Highlands. If you’re looking to visit the likes of Oban, Fort William, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, the Western Isles, including the magnificent Isle of Skye, then Glasgow is the city of choice.
Glasgow is also close to the bonnie beach town of Ayr and Troon.
I did a 7-day Scotland itinerary covering most of these attractions. You can either do a road trip on your own or go on a guided tour that brings you from Glasgow to Oban, Glencoe, the Highland lochs and castles in one day.
There’re truly beautiful scenes within easy reach from both cities. This one is really up to you, depending on which other parts of Scotland you plan to visit on your Scotland trip, unless you’re planning a city break only.
If that’s the case, it’ll depend on your preferences and how handy you’d like the attractions to be.
Let’s move along and take a look at what else these spectacular cities have to offer…
Affordability
If cost is a factor in your travel decision, then you might be curious to know which city is most expensive…
Cost of Living in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a tourist city, a capital with a castle right in the middle of it. Whether it be cafes, gift shops, public transport, or accommodation, there’s a markup on everything. Many of the businesses in the centre of Edinburgh exist for tourists alone.
Tourists can easily find lodges near Edinburgh that are easy on the pocket. Instead of staying in a hotel, choosing a lodge can help save you more money that you can use to buy souvenirs or eat out. Families or groups of friends can stay in lodges near tourist spots and nature for various outdoor activities.
Cost of Living in Glasgow
While Glasgow attracts nearly 800,000 visitors a year and is continuously rising. it’s designed for the day-to-day life of locals, which means everything is a little bit cheaper on the whole. You’ll of course still find tourist attractions and gift shops, just not to the same extent as in Edinburgh. You can find the best rates on Airbnb with cozycozy.
This is an easy comparison; Edinburgh is the more expensive city in Scotland of the two.
Famous For
What is Glasgow Famous For
Glasgow is famous for its congenial locals. It’s one of the world’s friendliest cities. In addition, Glasgow is also a UNESCO City of Music with a rich cultural hub and a vibrant nightlife. It’s home to a dynamic arts scene, the famous 19th-century Victorian architecture, and world-renowned architects, such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the most famous architect in Scotland.
What is Edinburgh Famous For
On the other hand, Edinburgh is famous for its literary heritage, striking architecture, world-famous festivals, and historic cobbled streets. The Edinburgh Castle is one of the most visited place, offering the best views of the city. Out front of the Edinburgh Castle is the esplanade, an expansive pen area where temporary seating is placed so that ticket holders can watch the pipe and drum bands.
And The Winner Is…
Drum roll, please…
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow have so much to offer that it ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
A trip to either city offers plenty to do with a different slant on life. If you can, find time during your trip to Bonnie Scotland to visit both!
If you’re already planning to visit both cities, staying more days in Glasgow could save you some cash.
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