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

Should you visit Glasgow or Howth?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Howth, 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 historic, high energy, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Howth

Howth is a beautiful, picturesque, and scenic fishing village. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.

Glasgow and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Howth?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Glasgow. Although Glasgow and Howth are both popular with visitors, Glasgow has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Glasgow is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Howth is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is more touristy than Glasgow and is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Glasgow is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also home to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

How is Glasgow different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Glasgow is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Both Glasgow and Howth offer a number of good 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.

Howth offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Glasgow has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Music?

Glasgow is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Howth is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Glasgow 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.

Howth is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Howth. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the beach.

Glasgow is not a beach destination.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for its Old Town?

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

Many people head to Glasgow to see the old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth is great for hiking. However, Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Howth for the hiking trails. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Glasgow is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Howth?

Glasgow is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Glasgow offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Families?

Glasgow and Howth are both good 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.

Howth is a family-friendly place to visit. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Howth are both good 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.

Howth is a nice destination for couples. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known 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.

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Glasgow or Howth Better for Students?

Glasgow is well known for students. However, Howth 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.

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Glasgow is well known for its public transit. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Glasgow can get you to some places easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

While Howth offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Glasgow or Howth a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Howth 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.

Howth is very walkable. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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

Should I spend more time in Howth or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Glasgow or Howth to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Glasgow than Howth because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-2 days is enough time in Howth.

Families should spend more time in Glasgow than Howth. 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 Howth. 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 Howth 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 Howth?

In Glasgow, many people enjoy the live music and food that this high energy destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Howth, you'll find food and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This fishing village offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Glasgow or Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glasgow. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Howth, 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. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Howth has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Howth?

Glasgow is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Glasgow. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Howth 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 Howth?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Glasgow. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Howth. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Howth. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Glasgow or Howth?

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Howth. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Glasgow is generally around the same temperature as Howth. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 15°C (59°F), and Howth fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Glasgow often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Howth. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 166 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Howth. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Howth receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Howth in the Autumn?

Both Howth and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Howth because of the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

Glasgow is cooler than Howth in the autumn. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Howth fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Howth during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Howth. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Howth receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth and Glasgow during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Howth this time of year.

The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In the winter, Glasgow is much colder than Howth. Typically, the winter temperatures in Glasgow in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Howth averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Howth. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Howth receives 56 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Howth. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Howth receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Howth in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Howth. The activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Howth for the beaches and the small town charm.

In April, Glasgow is generally cooler than Howth. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 7°C (45°F), and Howth fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Howth during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Howth receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Glasgow