Forget Edinburgh — we stayed in Glasgow. It was cheaper and less touristy, with gorgeous gardens and architecture.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
- My family recently went to Scotland. We visited Edinburgh but spent most of our time in Glasgow.
- We loved how friendly the people were there and there was so much to do.
- It was also less touristy than Edinburgh, and we got more for our money.
Sure, Edinburgh has the castle atop the Royal Mile, but the often-overlooked Glasgow is just as fun, less crowded, equally beautiful, and offers plenty to do for families.
My family has dual citizenship in the US and UK, and we recently returned to Scotland for the first time in six years. On our recent trip back, we visited Edinburgh but spent most of our time in Glasgow, which we prefer (though I may be a little biased, as I married a Glaswegian). Here's why.
Glasgow offers unique family attractions
Edinburgh has tons of tourist attractions, but Glasgow has its own set of treasures. Families can navigate the Glasgow mural trail to spot stunning street art, visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, known for its unique floating heads installation in the atrium, or explore the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel.
There are also so many parks and playgrounds, and while I love perusing Scotland's best shopping streets, my little one loved the carnival-style rides at the nearby St. Enoch Center.
Our favorite family adventure this year was hopping on the Waverly (the world's last seagoing paddle steamer) from the Glasgow Science Center as it voyaged down the River Clyde into the Firth of Clyde. The boat was every bit as gorgeous as the Scottish scenery.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
Glasgow is beautiful, too
Edinburgh is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Glasgow is just as beautiful, but you need to know where to go.
Buchanan Street, flanked by pretty Victorian and Edwardian buildings, is the perfect pedestrian promenade for shoppers. Ashton Lane in the West End is our favorite evening spot. It's a cute, cobble-stoned alley with a twinkly-lit ceiling surrounded by restaurants, pubs, and a small movie theater.
The Glasgow Cathedral, with its signature spires and iconic green roof, is impressive no matter how many times you've seen it. The nearby Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery with fantastic views of the city from its summit.
Pollok Country Park in Glasgow's Southside is the city's largest park and probably the most beautiful. At the same time, a tranquil stroll along the River Kelvin Walkway in the West End is a picturesque woodland escape for adventure-loving families.
Glasgow University is another worthwhile attraction. With its Gothic-revival-style architecture, Harry Potter fans will feel like they're stepping into Hogwarts.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
Glasgow is cheaper than Edinburgh
Glasgow offers cheaper accommodations and more affordable food options. We stayed at hotels in Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the former being substantially cheaper.
And while there are plenty of amazing, award-winning restaurants in Glasgow, the city is also the Gregg's capital of the UK, which is a cheap and cheerful bakery chain known for their flaky, savory pastries and sweet treats. We found ourselves there for morning coffee and bacon rolls more times than we'd like to admit.
If you're on a budget, Glasgow is the clear winner.
It's hard to beat a football match in Glasgow
Two Glasgow teams, Celtic and Rangers, are the most successful (and popular) soccer teams in Scotland. Book tickets in advance to catch a game at either Parkhead or Ibrox. The players on the pitch will undoubtedly entertain, but the supporters will provide an experience your family will never forget.
Glasgow is friendly, less crowded, and not as touristy
After a crowdsourced campaign in 2013 consulted thousands of people, "People Make Glasgow" became the official city brand slogan. Strangers in Glasgow don't really feel like strangers for long.
Glasgow is also known for its humor, perfectly illustrated by the city's Duke of Wellington statue. For over 40 years, this iconic figure has sported an orange traffic cone on its head. I got such a kick out of it as a kid, and now my son does, too.
And while Edinburgh is a smaller city, it attracts more tourists than Glasgow. In Edinburgh, we dodged the crowds as we walked up and down the Royal Mile and around other tourist hot spots. Glasgow was a breath of fresh air and easier to explore with a kid.