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

Should you visit Belfast or Glencoe?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast or Glencoe, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife and shopping. See Belfast travel costs.

Glencoe

Glencoe is a natural, serene, and beautiful village. You'll find world class beauty in Glencoe as well. It's also known for food and hiking. See Glencoe travel costs.

Belfast and Glencoe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Glencoe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Belfast than Glencoe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Belfast is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Glencoe is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles". Also, Belfast is famous for Belfast Castle. Glencoe is well known for its mountaineering, hiking, and beautiful natural setting.

How is Belfast different from Glencoe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Glencoe is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Glencoe offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Local specialties include seafood and pub food. You'll also find plenty of whisky and local beer. There are a variety of dining options with local pubs alongside fine dining restaurants.

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 Belfast or Glencoe Better for Nightlife?

Belfast is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Glencoe is not particularly known for nightlife.

Belfast has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Glencoe doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a handful of bars where you can relax with local whisky or beer.

Is Belfast or Glencoe Better for Hiking?

Glencoe is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Glencoe is a popular spot for hiking. The area has dramatic hikes and stunning landscapes. Some of the best walks through the countryside include Inchree Falls, Grey Mare's Tail & Mamore Lodge, and The Two Lairigs.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Glencoe?

Belfast is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Glencoe is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Belfast to go shopping. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Glencoe is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Belfast or Glencoe More Beautiful?

Glencoe is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Belfast is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Glencoe as well. The surrounding countryside if filled with dramatic hills and beautiful lakes.

Belfast is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Belfast or Glencoe Better for Families?

Glencoe is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Glencoe is a very family-friendly place to visit. Take a steam train along the Harry Potter Line. You'll feel like you're aboard the Hogwarts Express. You can also visit the Natural History Center, hike around the Glencoe National Nature Center, or visit the Glencoe Folk Museum.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. 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 Belfast or Glencoe Better for Couples?

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

Glencoe is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy nature, hiking, and stunning scenery will enjoy a visit to this beautiful area.

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 Belfast or Glencoe Better for Students?

Belfast is a city with good options for students. However, Glencoe is not popular with students.

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

Glencoe is not popular with students.

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

Both Belfast and Glencoe offer respectable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Glencoe. There are local buses, but it's much easier to make the most of your visit if you have a vehicle.

Is Belfast or Glencoe a more walkable city?

Belfast is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Glencoe is not particularly known for its walkability.

Belfast is a somewhat walkable city.

Glencoe is generally not a very walkable city. It's easier to fully experience the area if you have your own vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Glencoe or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Glencoe?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Belfast and Glencoe. In our opinion, Glencoe has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Glencoe than Belfast. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Belfast or Glencoe?

In Belfast, you'll find nightlife and shopping. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Glencoe, you'll find food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Belfast or Glencoe?

In Belfast, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Belfast has to offer.

In Glencoe, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Glencoe has to offer.

Five days in Belfast or Glencoe?

Belfast is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Glencoe is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Belfast or Glencoe?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Belfast. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Belfast. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glencoe. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Glencoe. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 3-Day Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belfast and Glencoe, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. And not only is Glencoe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Glencoe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Glencoe 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 Glencoe.

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