Traveller’s Dilemma - Should You Visit Glasgow or Edinburgh?

As a tourist destination, Scotland can offer a diverse experience even to the pickiest of travellers. So much so, that you can get confused when deciding whether you should visit Glasgow or Edinburgh; the two cities are very different, making the decision extremely hard.

If you’re a novice at travelling, it can be even worse, since you don’t obtain the natural selectiveness that’s shaped only by years of experience.

Luckily, Glasgow and Edinburgh are located pretty close to each other (45 minutes away to be precise) so the access to both is easy enough. Here’s what to consider when you decide which city to visit.

What to see in Glasgow

Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland and it definitely shows. With its shipping and industrial history, the town doesn’t have that touristy feel which the majority of travellers crave. But it more than compensates with lively streets, colourful shops and lots and lots of museums. Being owned by the council, some museums are even free - Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Transport Museum, Peoples Palace to name a few. However, the paid museums aren’t to be missed as well - The Tenement House and House for an Art Love are some of the most famous places that you should visit when in the city.

Other free things to see in Glasgow are the Glasgow Cathedral, University of Glasgow, The Lighthouse (which is actually a centre for architecture and design that holds several exhibitions) and many more.

Glasgow is great for shopping and has loads of pubs you can unwind in after a long day of strolling around the streets. The architecture here is impressive and will remain in your memories.

What to see in Edinburgh

As the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is all about the touristy experience. If you crave history, tartan and bagpipes, you have to visit this town. Most of the famous sightings are located in close proximity to each other, right in the centre, so you won’t have to travel far to experience it all. Edinburgh has a unique vibe to it. With the picturesque buildings and streets, it reminds a lot about the Harry Potter movies. If in town, you should definitely visit the Castle, the medieval Old Town, Royal Mile, Forth Bridge and Forth Road Bridge, and the many galleries and museums that the city has to offer.

The shops here are small and the main shopping area is Princes Street. Also, in Edinburgh, there are far more pubs that stay open up until the early hours, up until 2-3 AM.

Edinburgh is the perfect place to snap that timeless Insta photo. The most instagrammable places include Victoria Street, The Vennel, Canongate Tolbooth, Artur’s Seat and more.

How to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh?

There are many ways to commute but the most convenient are:

Rent a car for a tailored experience - if you don’t mind the expense and driving on the other side of the road, renting a car might be the best option for you. With your own vehicle, you will be the one to set the pace, visiting everything there is around Scotland. Not to mention, road trips are so romantic!

Arrive fast with a transfer from Glasgow to Edinburgh

• vacations are limited in time, so why waste yours in commuting? Simply book your journey with a local taxi service provider, reach your destination fast and enjoy your stay. Local drivers know best how to navigate the busy streets of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Choose the cheapest option by travelling on a train - if you’re visiting Scotland on a budget, getting around by train is the cheapest of all options. Put your money where it’s worth - in the local museums, restaurants, galleries, and pubs.

No matter which city you choose to visit, if the weather is nice, we recommend that you go off the beaten path and have a trip or two into the Scottish countryside.

A passionate traveller and easy life lover.