Where should you visit in Scotland: Glasgow or Edinburgh? That’s the time honored question that people looking to explore Scotland have had to ask themselves for years. They’re both populous cities with international airports, train stations, and an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and sites to see. So what’s the difference? Which one should make your Scotland itinerary?
Tl;dr – both. In my 7 Day Scotland Itinerary, both cities get a day of your time. But if the question is “Is Glasgow or Edinburgh better?” Then the answer is “it depends.”
I lived in Glasgow for a while in 2017, and as a result I have a clear affinity for the city that I feel is only fair to disclose at the beginning of this article. But, I also visited Edinburgh multiple times and took people visiting from back home to Edinburgh, so I can be unbiased and see the many appeals of the city.
Glasgow to Edinburgh Distance:
The two cities are only about 45 miles away from one another. That’s why many people will tell you that seeing both cities is completely doable, especially compared to seeing both Munich and Berlin, for instance: two cities in the same country that are hundreds of miles apart.
But is Glasgow or Edinburgh better? Let’s break it down into a few categories.
Most Quintessentially Scottish City: Edinburgh
If you want to see ancient castles, royal palaces, and charming old shop fronts with a man in a kilt playing the pipes, Edinburgh is the best city to visit. The city, particularly the medieval Old Town, is generally very picturesque.
Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch and sits at the bottom of Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano in the middle of the city that offers stunning views of the entire city all the way to the sea. Just a short ways away is the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s historic street, where centuries-old architecture and lively street scenes blend into a journey through Scotland’s past. A short distance away is Edinburgh Castle, a castle built and fortified nearly 1000 years ago.
If you’ve got a short time to play tourist in Scotland, Edinburgh is the better city to visit. Check out my 1 day in Edinburgh guide to maximize your day.
*As a side rant: I don’t say “tourist” or “touristy” as dirty words. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see an epic place or site that others want to see too (because it’s epic). It’s fun to be a tourist and see amazing sights, and it’s fun to discover places that are really off the beaten path and try to blend in with locals.
Scottish City with the Better Food: Glasgow
Glasgow has excellent food, far surpassing what you’ll generally find in Edinburgh, especially within a mile of any of the places you’ll be visiting. The UK isn’t necessarily known for its cuisine (or if it is, it really shouldn’t be), but Glasgow shines in this area.
You’ll find a ton more overpriced restaurants with lower quality food in Edinburgh because of their proximity to tourist areas. The food doesn’t have to be good or cheap and they’ll still fill their restaurants. If you’re traveling to Scotland in the summer months, you’ll need reservations in advance to eat at most places in Edinburgh, especially near Old Town. (Read my guide on the Best Month to Visit Scotland for my full thoughts on this).
In contrast, Glasgow has generally really good food because they see less of the tourist traffic than Edinburgh does. Anecdotally, local residents of Scotland will insist that Glasgow is the better foodie spot. And for what it’s worth, all of the Indian restaurants in Glasgow that I’ve ever eaten were particularly fantastic.
Scottish City with Best Location for Traveling: Tie
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are basically equidistant from the Isle of Skye and Inverness, two of the most popular cities on a Scotland itinerary. Edinburgh is closer to St. Andrews if you’d like to visit the mecca of golf (it’s on my Top 10 Places to Go in Scotland, so it’s worth the visit), whereas Glasgow is closer to Isle of Arran and Oban (incidentally, also on that Top 10 list).
If you’re not renting a car, the major train stations in each city are very well connected. If you end up staying in Edinburgh, you may have a train change in Glasgow if you’re going to somewhere like Oban, but you’re not adding a huge layer of complexity to your trip.
Cheaper Scottish City to Visit: Glasgow
Since Glasgow has less of the aforementioned general picturesqueness than Edinburgh, it typically can’t get away with charging as much for accommodations. You will have more options and better prices if you stay in Glasgow than Edinburgh. It’s the main reason why I’d recommend setting up your homebase in Glasgow and taking a day trip to Edinburgh, not vice versa.
In terms of airfare, there usually isn’t going to be a big difference between one city being cheaper to fly into than the other. You’re mostly going to notice it on your accommodations and eating out, two things that can make your trip expensive quickly. Glasgow is Basic Economy B approved.
Scottish City with the Most History: Edinburgh
As mentioned above, when you’re talking about the Edinburgh Castle being almost 1000 years old, it’s hard not to say Edinburgh is better to visit if you’re looking to immerse yourself in Scottish History. Edinburgh has a deeper historical significance largely because it’s been Scotland’s capital since the 15th century. As I mention in my essential tips for visiting Scotland, attractions in Edinburgh can book out far in advance due to the city’s popularity.
In contrast, Glasgow, while rich in its own history, evolved more prominently during the Industrial Revolution and was less central to Scotland’s medieval and early modern history. On that note: I’m begging you to check out the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, a museum centered on the history of Scottish transportation. It’s on my list of unforgettable things to do in Glasgow even though I don’t usually love museums.
Most Authentically Scottish City: Glasgow
If you know you’re someone that doesn’t like being amongst large crowds of people and doesn’t genuinely take great joy in checking out major tourist attractions, then Glasgow is the best city to visit. While you don’t have some of the Medieval architecture that makes Edinburgh so captivating, you will have pubs that cater to locals and time to enjoy the things that Scots actually enjoy such as the vibrant music and art scene.
Don’t get me wrong, you will run into warm and friendly Scots in both cities. But in Glasgow, you can plop down at a pup and you’ll hear mostly the hard-to-decipher “Glaswegian” being spoken instead of in Edinburgh where you might be plopping down next to a couple from Iowa who, crazy enough, actually knows your aunt from grade school. (Hasn’t necessarily happened to me, but I did run into my small town mayor in the street in Munich once).
Scottish City with Best Weather: Tie
Whether you go to Glasgow or Edinburgh, you’ll be dealing with pretty similar temperatures. Both cities have temperate maritime climates and relatively mild temperatures year round. Glasgow will be slightly warmer (when I say slightly, I’m talking about 2 °F) and slightly wetter than Edinburgh.
In winter, temperatures in both cities are relatively mild compared to other parts of Scotland, but Glasgow’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean can lead to slightly more rain and higher humidity. In summer, both cities enjoy pleasant temperatures, but Edinburgh’s higher elevation can make it a bit cooler than Glasgow.
So is Glasgow or Edinburgh better?
I 100% unequivocally think both cities are worthwhile. And by worthwhile I mean, charming, lovely, and capable of leaving a special mark on you. But here are ultimately the potential drawbacks of each city:
–Glasgow: could be underwhelming and undistinguishable to other more industrial cities in Europe.
–Edinburgh: could be stuffed full of tourists, more expensive, and potentially not the authentic Scotland.
If you don’t have time to spend a day in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, then I would decide which drawback would be more off-putting to me personally and what I’m looking for in this particular trip to Scotland and pick the other city.
How to Get to Edinburgh from Glasgow:
Assuming you’re taking public transit and not a rental car, you have two choices to get from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Option 1 is hopping on a bus that goes directly to and from Edinburgh, or you have Option 2 of taking the train. The train costs around £32 and takes 45-60 minutes while the bus costs around £15 and takes around 75 minutes, so it’s your call depending on how much of a budget you’re sticking to.
The bus has up to 70 departures daily and up to 100 train departures daily, so you have an abundance of options on when to leave between the two cities.
So, Glasgow or Edinburgh? My question to that question is why choose when you can have both? Each city shows a unique side of Scotland with its own distinct experiences and charm. Glasgow serves up local vibes with a side of unbeatable food and genuine Scottish authenticity, while Edinburgh enchants with its regal history and stunning architecture. Just remember, part of Scotland’s magic lies in its diversity, and a little bit of both Glasgow and Edinburgh will ensure your trip is nothing short of extraordinary.
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