Belfast and Glasgow are two port cities in the north of the United Kingdom that flourished during the Industrial Revolution and have become very modern cities in the past decades. This is the ultimate guide between Belfast and Glasgow.
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Belfast or Glasgow Overview
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the second-largest city on the island of Ireland. It has been a major port city for centuries and flourished during the Industrial Revolution. At one point it was the largest linen producer in the world. “The Troubles” was a time period from the 1960s to 2001 when Belfast was one of the best dangerous cities in the world. The city has a terrific setting with Divis and Black Mountains and Cavehill overlooking the city.
Since “The Troubles” ended in the early 2000s, Belfast has become one of the most visited cities in the UK and even in Europe with over 7 million yearly visitors. Today, the city has one of the fastest-growing economies in the United Kingdom and it has become a city full of contemporary designs and architecture. Belfast is also known for being where the Titanic was constructed.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland with 1/3rd of Scotland’s population living in Glasgow’s metro area. It is also the 5th most visited city in the United Kingdom. The city has been known for being a port city and a major city in during the Industrial Revolution.
During the 19th century, Glasgow was known as the UK’s “Second City”. Like many cities in the United Kingdom, Glasgow went under massive renovation during the 20th century to modernize the city. Most of the Medieval architecture is no longer around and has been replaced with beautiful Victorian and contemporary styles of architecture. Today, Glasgow has over 20 museums and is considered to be the best city for concert-goers in the UK, only behind London.
Things to See
Belfast
Belfast Castle sits on the slopes of Cave Hill, overlooking the city of Belfast.
The Parliament Buildings, or Stormont, is open to tours.
The Titanic Museum is a popular attraction because Belfast is where it was built.
Belfast City Hall sits in the city’s most popular public square.
The Botanic Gardens were originally started in 1828 and the grounds are also used for concerts.
Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow and one of the few Medieval cathedrals in Scotland.
George Square is Glasgow’s most famous city square.
Glasgow Riverside Museum was named European Museum of the Year in 2013.
Buchanan Street is the largest shopping street in Scotland.
Glasgow Science Center is one of Scotland’s most visited attractions.
Food
Belfast
Most countries in the United Kingdom have some sort of fried breakfast, an Ulster Fry is the traditional breakfast of Northern Ireland. In the traditional version of Ulster Fry, bacon, eggs, sausages are all fried in lard, and then it is served with black pudding, potato bread, and soda bread. Seafood, like mussels or scallops, is also extremely popular in Belfast, given that it is a major port city. Head over to St. George’s Market for an authentic look at all of the foods available in Belfast.
Glasgow
As with other Scottish cities, if you’re going to visit Glasgow, you must try Scotland’s most famous dish: Haggis. Haggis is a pudding made from the intestines of a sheep or calf, which are then mixed with oatmeal, suet, and seasonings. You should make your way over to Partick Farmer’s Market to explore all of the food typical Glaswegians would eat.
Getting Around
Belfast
The entire area around City Hall is extremely walkable so you can just stroll for hours seeing most of the sights in the center of the city. Some of the city’s most iconic sights, like Belfast Castle and the Parliament Buildings, are located outside of the city center so you will want to utilize public transportation. Taking the bus or the train is your best bet for getting around unless you want to take a taxi. Another great option is to rent a bike, especially if you want to explore the waterfront areas.
Glasgow
The center of Glasgow is laid out in a grid-system so it is easy to navigate on foot. Buses and the metro are your best options if you need to use public transportation. Another way to easily see the city is to get on the Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus which goes by many of the city’s top sights in just 1.5 hours. Renting a bicycle would not be a bad idea, especially if you plan on riding alongside the riverfront areas.
Nightlife
Belfast
Belfast has an abundance of bars, pubs, and clubs so you can expect a great night out when you come here. The area around St. Anne’s Cathedral has become the hottest part of the city in regard to the highest concentration of nightlife. If you want to visit a classic pub then you might want to check out Duke of York or Whites Tavern. If you want to dance the night away, a couple of the best nightclubs in the city are Boombox and Thompsons Garage.
Glasgow
Glasgow may not be the capital of Scotland but it is the capital of Scotland in terms of nightlife. It is even one of the best clubbing cities in the United Kingdom. The city is also known for being one of the best places in Europe to see live music. The city center, West End, and Merchant Street are going to be the best parts of the city to go for nightlife. Pub crawling is part of the experience here, in Glasgow so don’t be afraid to see multiple bars and pubs in one night. Sub Club, The Shed, and SWG3 are great options for clubbing.
Day Trips
Belfast
Whitehead is a seaside town to the northeast of Belfast.
Giant’s Causeway is known for its unique rock formations and is just over an hour from Belfast.
Carrick-A-Rede Bridge is an old bridge along the beautiful coastline.
Glasgow
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is just 20 miles north of Glasgow.
Greenock is a small city to the west of Glasgow, known for its setting.
Edinburgh is just to the east of Glasgow so it would not be a bad idea to hop over there for a day or two.
Belfast and Glasgow are also great places to take off to some of the British Isles’ northernmost hub cities such as Manchester or Leeds, or even major cities like Dublin and London.
Overall
Choosing between Belfast and Glasgow is a pretty tough decision. Both cities are within close proximity to some of the UK’s most scenic areas and they are both full of Irish or Scottish history. The simple answer to this question all depends on where you are heading next.
If you are traveling to Dublin next, Belfast is an excellent option. If you want to visit Edinburgh, then Glasgow is the obvious choice. If the distance to your next destination is not a worry, Glasgow is the bigger city with more things to see and do.
