A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Glasgow vs. Connemara for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Glasgow or Connemara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Connemara, 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Connemara

Connemara is a breathtaking, scenic, and natural region. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Glasgow and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Connemara?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow. Although Glasgow and Connemara are popular destinations, Glasgow has more sights and attractions for tourists. Glasgow is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Connemara attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Glasgow is more touristy than Connemara and is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also well known for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Connemara is famous for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves.

How is Glasgow different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Glasgow is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Connemara is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its museums and history.

Glasgow offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Connemara is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

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

Connemara 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.

Connemara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

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 Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

Glasgow is a must-see 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.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Music?

Glasgow is terrific for its music scene. However, Connemara is not a live music destination.

In Glasgow you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Connemara is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara is great for the beach. However, Glasgow is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Connemara. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Connemara does not have a historic old town.

Glasgow offers a nice historic old town area. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Connemara does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is a must-visit destination for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Connemara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Connemara?

Glasgow is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to go 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.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Families?

Glasgow is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Couples?

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

Connemara is a great region if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

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 Glasgow or Connemara Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a popular place for backpackers. However, Connemara is not a good region for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Connemara is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in the area, you really need a car to explore the area in depth. This turns off a lot of backpackers.

Is Glasgow or Connemara Better for Students?

Glasgow is a well-known place for students. However, Connemara is not popular with students.

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.

Connemara is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

Glasgow offers a very effecient public transportation network. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Glasgow or Connemara a more walkable city?

Glasgow is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

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

Connemara is not a very walkable city. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Connemara?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Glasgow than Connemara 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 Connemara?

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.

In Connemara, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This region 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 Connemara?

You'll find live music and food around the high energy 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.

In Connemara, you'll find museums and 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. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Connemara has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Connemara?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the high energy 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.

Connemara is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the 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 Glasgow or Connemara?

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 Connemara. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Connemara. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Glasgow or Connemara?

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 Connemara in the Summer?

Both Connemara 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 Connemara for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Glasgow is around the same temperature as Connemara in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Connemara fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Glasgow often gets more sunshine than Connemara. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Connemara. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Connemara in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Connemara. 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 Connemara because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Glasgow is cooler than Connemara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Connemara averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Connemara during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Connemara receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Connemara. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Connemara in the Winter?

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

The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In January, Glasgow is generally much colder than Connemara. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Connemara. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Connemara. Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Connemara. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Connemara in the Spring?

Both Connemara 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 Connemara for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Glasgow is cooler than Connemara in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Connemara fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Connemara during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Connemara. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Connemara and Glasgow