A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Glasgow vs. Aberdeen for Nightlife, Attractions, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Glasgow or Aberdeen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Aberdeen, 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.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a friendly, cultural, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a authentic, historic, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Aberdeen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Aberdeen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Glasgow than Aberdeen. Glasgow is bigger than Aberdeen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Glasgow is better known for its nightlife and music, while Aberdeen is more popular for its historical sights. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. Also, Glasgow is famous for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Aberdeen is well known for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities.

How is Glasgow different from Aberdeen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Aberdeen and Glasgow.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Aberdeen. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

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

Both Glasgow and Aberdeen offer a number of notable restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Aberdeen offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Glasgow is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Aberdeen is not a live music destination.

Glasgow is a world class music destination. 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.

Aberdeen is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Aberdeen to see the historical old town. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

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 Glasgow or Aberdeen?

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

Glasgow has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Aberdeen is a great destination for shopping. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Families?

Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

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 Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Aberdeen are both notable to visit as a couple.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Aberdeen is a nice destination for couples. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a popular place for backpackers. However, Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen Better for Students?

Glasgow is a well-known place for students. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

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

Glasgow is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Aberdeen has some public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Glasgow or Aberdeen a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Aberdeen are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Aberdeen is very walkable. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

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

Should I spend more time in Aberdeen or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Aberdeen. In our opinion, Glasgow has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Glasgow than Aberdeen. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Glasgow or Aberdeen?

The city of Glasgow offers museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Aberdeen, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Glasgow is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Glasgow, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Aberdeen, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Aberdeen has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Glasgow is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Aberdeen is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Glasgow is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aberdeen. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Aberdeen. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Aberdeen, 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 Glasgow or Aberdeen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Glasgow or Aberdeen in the Summer?

Both Aberdeen and Glasgow during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Aberdeen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Aberdeen averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Glasgow often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 157 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Aberdeen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Aberdeen. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Glasgow is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Aberdeen during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 93 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Aberdeen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Aberdeen. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Aberdeen in the winter. The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. Glasgow is around the same temperature as Aberdeen in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Aberdeen fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 52 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Aberdeen in the Spring?

Both Aberdeen and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aberdeen for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Aberdeen averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Aberdeen. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aberdeen and Glasgow