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

Should you visit Warsaw or Edinburgh?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Warsaw and Edinburgh 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.

Warsaw

Warsaw is a historical, under-rated, and diverse city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a ancient, charming, and character-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Warsaw and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Warsaw. While Warsaw is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Warsaw attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Warsaw and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Warsaw is famous for its historical position as a cultural and political center.

How is Warsaw different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Edinburgh from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Warsaw. There are a number of landmarks and interesting museums around town. Many of the museums focus on the area's history, including the Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and the Museum of Warsaw. Other notable sights include the Royal Castle, Łazienki Królewskie Park, and Wilanów Palace Museum and Park.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for theatre. However, Warsaw is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Warsaw is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Warsaw or Edinburgh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Warsaw is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Warsaw has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city's restaurants are diverse with a combination of international flavors, Michelin Star restaurants, and Soviet era "milk bars". Traditional dishes are hearty with many soups, dumplings, and desserts to choose from. Some of the most famous dishes include pierogis (dumplings), zurek (soup), and borsch (beetroot soup).

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both Warsaw and Edinburgh.

The nightlife in Warsaw has something for everybody. The city has an active nightlife scene with many bars and clubs spread out in a number of different areas. Many locals dress for the occasion, so depending on your hangout spot of choice, you may want to dress to impress.

Edinburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Warsaw is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is known as a music capital around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Warsaw is not a live music destination.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Warsaw. While many buildings have been rebuilt following World War II, there are still some historical gems to explore. St. John's Archcathedral dates back to the 14th century and Rynek Starego Miasta is the square at the heart of the old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a great city for shopping. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Warsaw offers some nice shopping areas. The city has malls, shopping streets, flea markets and boutiques to explore. There are both global brands and local items to choose from. For the best deals you should head to an outlet mall.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly destination. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Warsaw is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums that are dedicated to the area's history. These museums may, at times, cover difficult topics for young children, but there are also science and technology museums that are perfect for young minds. Make sure you check out the Copernicus Science Center. There's also a city zoo and many parks that are fun to explore.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a great city for romance. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Warsaw makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. While many of the city's historical buildings were destroyed during the war, there are a few gems that remain. Couples will enjoy visiting the Wilanów Palace and the Palace of Culture and Science. There are also many parks and gardens where you can wander or enjoy a picnic. And, of course, the old town is a beautiful way to pass the time.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Plenty of backpackers visit Warsaw. While it's not as popular as many other city's in the area, this city remains affordable and fascinating for those who pass through. There are a few hostels around town as well as cheap places to grab a bite to eat.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Students?

For students, both Warsaw and Edinburgh are great places to visit.

Students come from all over to stay in Warsaw. The city's long history and current standing as a cultural and economic hub make it appealing to international students. The prices are reasonable and the opportunities for students are abundant.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Warsaw is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Warsaw can get you to some places easily. There are buses, trams, and a metro available.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Warsaw or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, Warsaw is not known for its high level of walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Warsaw is generally not very walkable. Many sights are spread out, so walking between attractions isn't always the best option.

For even more information, also check out Is Warsaw Worth Visiting? and Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Warsaw?

How long in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

In either Warsaw or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than Warsaw because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Warsaw, and 2-5 days is enough time in Edinburgh.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Warsaw 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Warsaw. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Warsaw has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Warsaw. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Edinburgh 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.

Five days in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Warsaw. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Warsaw is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ancient destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Warsaw and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Warsaw much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Warsaw would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Warsaw 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Warsaw.

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

Which is Bigger, Warsaw or Edinburgh?

Warsaw has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Warsaw and Edinburgh, 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 Warsaw or Edinburgh?

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 Warsaw or Edinburgh in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Warsaw is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Warsaw in July average around 19°C (65°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In Warsaw, it's very sunny this time of the year. Warsaw usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Warsaw gets 353 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Warsaw usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Warsaw or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

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

In October, Warsaw is generally around the same temperature as Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Warsaw average around 9°C (49°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Warsaw often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Warsaw usually gets less rain in October than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Warsaw or Edinburgh in the Winter?

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

Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Warsaw. Warsaw is much colder than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Warsaw averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Warsaw usually receives less sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Warsaw gets 35 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Warsaw usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Warsaw or Edinburgh in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Warsaw is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Warsaw in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Warsaw. In the spring, Warsaw often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Warsaw usually gets less rain in April than Edinburgh. Warsaw gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Warsaw