A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Glasgow vs. Siena for Nightlife, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Glasgow or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Siena, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Siena?

You'll generally find more things to do in Glasgow than Siena. Glasgow is bigger than Siena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Glasgow is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Siena is more popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Glasgow and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Glasgow is well known 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.

How is Glasgow different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Siena 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.

Siena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is very popular for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Glasgow is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Glasgow or Siena Better for Music?

Glasgow is very popular for live music. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena?

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

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Glasgow or Siena Better for Families?

Glasgow is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Glasgow or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Siena are notable places to visit.

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.

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Glasgow or Siena Better for Students?

For students, both Glasgow and Siena are excellent places to visit.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

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

Public transit in Glasgow is fairly effecient and thorough. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Glasgow or Siena a more walkable city?

Glasgow and Siena are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Glasgow or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Glasgow than Siena 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 Siena.

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

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

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 Siena, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Siena?

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 Siena, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Siena?

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.

Siena is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Siena?

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 Siena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Siena?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Glasgow during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Siena because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Siena. The autumn months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In October, Glasgow is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 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 Siena. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Siena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Glasgow in the winter. Glasgow is much colder than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Siena. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Siena. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Glasgow is much colder than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Siena. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Glasgow