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

Should you visit Glasgow or Galway?

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

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

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Galway?

You'll generally find more things to do in Glasgow than Galway. Glasgow is bigger than Galway, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Glasgow is more touristy than Galway and is popular 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. Galway is well known for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Glasgow different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Glasgow is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Glasgow. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

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

Both Glasgow and Galway 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.

Galway offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway 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.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Galway?

If you're looking to go shopping, Glasgow and Galway 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.

Galway is a great destination for shopping. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for Families?

Glasgow and Galway 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.

Galway is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Galway 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.

Galway is a nice destination for couples. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Glasgow or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

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 Galway Better for Students?

Glasgow is notable for students. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

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

Glasgow is notable for its public transit. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Glasgow or Galway a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Galway are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Galway?

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

Families should spend more time in Glasgow than Galway. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Glasgow than Galway. 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 Galway 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 Galway?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Glasgow. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Galway, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Galway?

Glasgow is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Glasgow or Galway?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Galway 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.

A week in Glasgow or Galway?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly destination of Glasgow. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Galway. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Galway. 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Galway?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

Both Galway 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. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Galway. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Galway averages at about 16°C (60°F).

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

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

Should I visit Glasgow or Galway in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Galway. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Glasgow is generally cooler than Galway. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

Galway 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 Galway. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Galway in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Galway. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Galway 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 Galway in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Glasgow or Galway in the Spring?

Both Galway 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 Galway because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Glasgow is cooler than Galway. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Galway averages at about 9°C (48°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Galway and Glasgow