A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Edinburgh vs. Bristol for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Edinburgh or Bristol?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Bristol can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a ancient, charming, and character-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Bristol

Bristol is a historic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Bristol: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bristol?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Bristol are about the same size, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bristol is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Bristol and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Bristol is popular for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies.

How is Edinburgh different from Bristol?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Bristol?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bristol. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for its shows and theatre. However, Bristol is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bristol is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Bristol? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bristol is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Bristol has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find all of the classic British specialties such as bangers and mash or fish and chips. There are many restaurants, markets, and pubs where you can grab a relaxing meal and enjoy the British ambiance.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Bristol.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Bristol is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse and inclusive. There are huge clubs that host well known DJs. There is also an underground music scene as well as local bars and even traditional speakeasies. Whether your interest is live jazz or upscale cocktail bars, there really is something for everyone.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Bristol is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bristol is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Bristol does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Bristol?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Edinburgh and Bristol.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bristol. Head to Clifton Village for the most upscale boutiques or the Bristol Shopping Quarter for a diversity of budgets and brands. Gloucester Street is famous for its independent shops or there are the student neighborhoods of Park Street and the Triangle which have a number of trendy shops.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Families?

Edinburgh is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bristol 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 Edinburgh. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Bristol is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-friendly museums, activities, and playgrounds. For museums, check out the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the M Shed, or Aerospace Bristol. There are also boat rides and the Bristol Aquarium among other unique activities.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is great for couples. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Bristol is a nice destination for couples. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Students?

Edinburgh is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Bristol is a good city to visit for students. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Bristol.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bristol, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

Is Edinburgh or Bristol a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Bristol is very walkable. The city center is well designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Bristol Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bristol or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bristol?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bristol. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bristol. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bristol.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Bristol 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Bristol?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bristol. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bristol has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bristol?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bristol. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Bristol?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Bristol. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bristol?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bristol is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bristol?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Bristol. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Bristol, 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 Edinburgh or Bristol?

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 Edinburgh or Bristol in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Bristol. The summer months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bristol this time of year.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Bristol. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Bristol averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Bristol. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bristol in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Bristol. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bristol for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Bristol. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Bristol fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Bristol. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bristol in the Winter?

Both Bristol and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bristol in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is much colder than Bristol in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bristol fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bristol. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bristol in the Spring?

Both Bristol and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bristol for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Edinburgh is cooler than Bristol. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Bristol averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bristol. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bristol receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bristol and Edinburgh