A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Glasgow vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Music, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Glasgow or Barcelona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Barcelona, 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a cultural, friendly, and high energy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Glasgow and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Barcelona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Glasgow. Barcelona is bigger than Glasgow, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Glasgow and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Glasgow is well known for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population.

How is Glasgow different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona 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 Barcelona?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Barcelona 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 Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

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

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Barcelona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

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 Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Glasgow and Barcelona.

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.

Barcelona is a must-see party destination. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Music?

Glasgow and Barcelona are both destinations where visitors can find first-rate live music.

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.

Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Barcelona has a beach worth visiting. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona 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 Barcelona to see the historical old town. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

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 Barcelona?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many people travel to Barcelona specifically to go shopping. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

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 Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Families?

Glasgow and Barcelona are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Glasgow offers lots of family activities. 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.

Barcelona is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Barcelona 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.

Barcelona is a nice destination for couples. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona 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 Barcelona, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

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 Glasgow or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Barcelona is a great destination for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Students come from all over to stay in Glasgow. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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

Glasgow and Barcelona both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit in Barcelona is fairly effecient and thorough. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Glasgow or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Barcelona?

Both Glasgow and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Glasgow. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona 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 Barcelona.

One day in Glasgow or Barcelona?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Glasgow. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Because Barcelona 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.

A weekend in Glasgow or Barcelona?

You'll find live music and food around the cultural destination of Glasgow. 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.

Because Barcelona 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.

Five days in Glasgow or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural city of Glasgow. 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.

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

A week in Glasgow or Barcelona?

Glasgow 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.

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Glasgow and Barcelona, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Barcelona?

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

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 Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Glasgow during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Barcelona. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Glasgow is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 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 Barcelona. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Barcelona. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Glasgow can get quite cold in the winter. Glasgow is much colder than Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Glasgow is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Glasgow