A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Liverpool vs. Glasgow for Nightlife, Music, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Liverpool or Glasgow?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Liverpool and Glasgow can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a diverse, historic, and fun-filled port city. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Liverpool and Glasgow: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Liverpool or Glasgow?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Liverpool, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Glasgow is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Liverpool is known for its theatre productions and shopping. Liverpool is popular for its many museums and art galleries, as well as being the hometown of "The Beatles." 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 Liverpool different from Glasgow?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Glasgow and Liverpool. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Liverpool or Glasgow?

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

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Liverpool. Popular museums around town include Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum, and Walker Art Gallery.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Theater?

Liverpool is great for its shows and theatre. However, Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Liverpool. The city has a diverse theater scene with major venues showing world renowned productions as well as cozy, local venues with small shows.

Glasgow is not a theatre destination.

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

Glasgow is a city with good options for its restaurant scene. However, Liverpool is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Glasgow. 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.

Liverpool may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are a diversity of flavors that are influenced by the city's international population. There are also several famous local dishes including scouse (a meat stew), toad in the hole (a giant yorkie stuffed with British sausages) and wet nelly (a dessert).

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Liverpool is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

Many people head to Liverpool for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is fun and diverse Head to the waterfront for comedy clubs or the Ropewalks and Seel Street if you want a swanky experience. Cavern Quarter is the place to go for an all night party.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Music?

Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Liverpool or Glasgow.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Liverpool Known as the birthplace of the Beatles, the city has been established as a rock and pop capital since the 1950s.

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.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for its Old Town?

Glasgow is a city with good options for its old town. However, Liverpool 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.

Liverpool does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Liverpool or Glasgow?

Liverpool 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 Liverpool. Head to Liverpool ONE for the area's best shopping. This is the largest open-air shopping center in the UK and it's filled with a mix of name brands and independent vendors.

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 Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Families?

Liverpool 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 Liverpool. One of the most popular activities for families is Pleasureland, an amuseument park with rides that are fun for young kids. The city also has many museums and play spaces that are great for families.

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 Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Couples?

Both Liverpool and Glasgow are good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Liverpool makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is fun, and the best way to enjoy a romantic getaway is to find a fun or unique activity that you can enjoy together. Going dancing, dining out, or seeing a show are all fun activities in the area.

Glasgow is a good port 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.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Liverpool and Glasgow are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Liverpool is a good port city to visit for backpackers. The city has some fun hostels where you can stay and meet other travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow Better for Students?

Liverpool and Glasgow are high quality places to visit for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Liverpool. The city is diverse, affordable, and offers an excellent academic environment. International students will fill welcomed and enjoy a fun city with a lot to offer.

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

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

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

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

While Liverpool offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are trains, buses, and ferries around the area.

Is Liverpool or Glasgow a more walkable city?

Liverpool and Glasgow both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Liverpool is a very walkable port city.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Glasgow or Liverpool?

How long in Liverpool or Glasgow?

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

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

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

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

In Liverpool, you'll find museums and theater. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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.

A weekend in Liverpool or Glasgow?

In Liverpool, you'll find theater and nightlife. 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 live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Liverpool has to offer.

You'll find live music and food around the friendly 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.

Five days in Liverpool or Glasgow?

Liverpool 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural 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.

A week in Liverpool or Glasgow?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Liverpool. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Liverpool. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Liverpool and Glasgow, we can see that Liverpool is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Liverpool or Glasgow?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Liverpool. When comparing the sizes of Liverpool and Glasgow, 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 Liverpool or Glasgow?

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 Liverpool or Glasgow in the Summer?

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

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

In the summer, Liverpool often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Liverpool gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 159 hours of full sun.

Liverpool usually gets less rain in July than Glasgow. Liverpool gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Glasgow in the Autumn?

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

In October, Liverpool is generally a little warmer than Glasgow. Daily temperatures in Liverpool average around 12°C (53°F), and Glasgow fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

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

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Liverpool usually receives less rain than Glasgow. Liverpool gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Liverpool or Glasgow in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. Liverpool is much warmer than Glasgow in the winter. The daily temperature in Liverpool averages around 5°C (42°F) in January, and Glasgow fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Liverpool often gets more sunshine than Glasgow. Liverpool gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Glasgow receives 40 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Glasgow. Liverpool usually gets less rain in January than Glasgow. Liverpool gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Glasgow receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Liverpool or Glasgow in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Liverpool is a little warmer than Glasgow. Typically, the spring temperatures in Liverpool in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Glasgow averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Liverpool usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Glasgow during spring. Liverpool gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Glasgow receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Glasgow and Liverpool