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

Should you visit Glasgow or Nantes?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Nantes, 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 cultural, historic, and high energy 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 live music.

Nantes

Nantes is a friendly, historical, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Nantes?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Glasgow than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Glasgow is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Nantes attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Glasgow is famous 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. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Glasgow different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Nantes 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 Nantes. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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

Nantes is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Glasgow or Nantes Better for Music?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Nantes is not a live music destination.

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.

Nantes is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow and Nantes both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

Glasgow has an old town worth visiting. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Nantes?

Nantes is great for its shopping areas. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes 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 Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes Better for Couples?

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

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Glasgow is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Glasgow or Nantes Better for Students?

Glasgow is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Glasgow is a great city to visit as a student. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Glasgow and Nantes both offer superb 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 Nantes is fairly effecient and thorough. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Glasgow or Nantes a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Nantes are superb when it comes to walkability.

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

Nantes is very walkable. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Nantes. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

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 Nantes, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nantes has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Nantes?

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.

Nantes 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 Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural 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 Nantes. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nantes. One reason most visitors come is for the food. 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 France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Nantes?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Glasgow or Nantes in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Nantes. The summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

Glasgow is cooler than Nantes in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Nantes fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nantes this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Nantes. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Glasgow or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Nantes. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Glasgow is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Nantes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Nantes. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nantes in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow is generally much colder than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Nantes. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Glasgow or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the natural beauty during these months.

Glasgow is cooler than Nantes in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Nantes fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Nantes. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Glasgow