A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Glasgow for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Athens or Glasgow?

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 Athens and Glasgow. 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.

Athens

Athens is a energetic, historic, and ancient city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Athens travel costs.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a high energy, friendly, and cultural city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping. See Glasgow travel costs.

Athens and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Glasgow?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Athens than Glasgow. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Athens is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Glasgow attracts visitors for its music. Athens is more touristy than Glasgow and is known for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis. Glasgow is famous for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Glasgow?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Glasgow? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Athens is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Glasgow offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is world-class in both Athens and Glasgow.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Glasgow is a world class party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

Glasgow has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Glasgow?

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

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Athens or Glasgow More Beautiful?

Athens is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Glasgow is not a destination known for its beauty.

Athens offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Glasgow is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Families?

Athens is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Athens and Glasgow both nice destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Glasgow is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Glasgow is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Glasgow are great places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Glasgow is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Is Athens or Glasgow Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens and Glasgow both offer great public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Athens. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Public transit in Glasgow is fairly effecient and thorough. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Is Athens or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Athens and Glasgow are great when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Glasgow Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Athens?

How long in Athens or Glasgow?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Athens and Glasgow. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Glasgow. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-3 days is enough time in Glasgow.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Glasgow 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or Glasgow?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Glasgow. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Glasgow?

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Glasgow is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Glasgow?

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. 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.

A week in Athens or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly destination of Glasgow. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Glasgow?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Glasgow, 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 Athens or Glasgow?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Glasgow in the Summer?

Both Glasgow and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Athens is much warmer than Glasgow in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Glasgow fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Athens or Glasgow in the Autumn?

Both Glasgow and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Athens is much warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Glasgow averages at about 10°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 69 hours of full sun.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Glasgow. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Glasgow in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Glasgow. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.

It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. In January, Athens is generally much warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Athens usually receives more sunshine than Glasgow during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Athens usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Athens or Glasgow in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Glasgow. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Glasgow for the activities around the city.

Athens is much warmer than Glasgow in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Glasgow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in April than Glasgow. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Athens