tourist attractions near glasgow scotland

9 Amazing attractions and things to see and do in Glasgow City Centre

From dawn to dusk and into the night, there are a huge range of things to do in Glasgow. The city is home to some of Scotland's best cultural attractions and most of them are completely free! Explore Glasgow's music scene on a city walking tour, or uncover countless treasures inside its fantastic museums and art galleries. 

City Centre Mural Trail Glasgow

The Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

On of the most famous Glasgow attractions is the street art. Follow this trail to admire these urban artworks which have enlivened walls and corners of the city centre. See standout creations by acclaimed street artists like Ali Wyllie, Art Pistol and Ejek, including the  Spaceman  on New Wynd by Wyllie and Recoat and the stunningly realistic  Hand Shadow Puppets  found on the Cowcaddens underpass by Rogue-One. The trail also features other famous examples of Glasgow street art, such as the life-like  Four Seasons  on Ingram Street and the vibrant murals framed by the rail arches on Clyde Street.

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery Glasgow

The Hunterian Museum, Glasgow

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Scotland's oldest public museum is a splendid temple to the wonders of art, science and history. There's a lot to see here, but amongst its vast collections, must-see exhibits include a permanent gallery dedicated to the Antonine Wall, one of the world's finest collections of the works of James McNeill Whistler, iconic artworks including Rembrandt's  Entombment , objects connected with revolutionary scientific discoveries, and a plethora of zoological, paleontological and geological specimens.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow

Exterior of the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is home to an incredible array of 8,000 exhibits, spanning everything from a World War II Spitfire to Salvador Dalí's mesmerising Christ of St John of the Cross . Discover dinosaur skeletons, medieval armour, stunning works by the Dutch Old Masters, French Impressionists and the Scottish Colourists. Other highlights include Sir Roger the Elephant, a taxidermy measuring 10.5 feet in height and one of Kelvingrove's most popular exhibits. It's without a doubt a must-visit in Glasgow!

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House for an Art Lover Glasgow

The music room at House for An Art Lover

Glasgow is synonymous with Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The seminal Scottish architect, designer and artist left a legacy which can be enjoyed across an array of locations, including House for an Art Lover. This elegant country retreat in Bellahouston Park was built according to drawings Mackintosh drafted for a design competition in 1900. Feast your eyes on the exquisite interior which makes ingenious use of natural light and space, packed full of fine art. The house regularly hosts art exhibitions in its restaurant, where you can dine al fresco in the summer months. 

• Cafe or Restaurant

Glasgow Botanic Gardens Glasgow

Kibble Palace; Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Wander 50 acres of leafy parkland in the heart of the west end at Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Visit Kibble Palace, a magnificent wrought iron-framed Victorian glasshouse filled with exotic tree ferns. You can also step inside the 11 other balmy glasshouses to see rare orchids and a collection of begonias. If you feel like stretching your legs, you can follow the path to reach the riverside walk. This provides a picturesque route through the city towards Kelvingrove Park and the art gallery and museum.

Riverside Museum Glasgow

Riverside Museum

This is a great one for the kids. Sometimes described as "Glasgow's Guggenheim", the Riverside Museum is Glasgow's award-winning museum of transport, housed inside a marvellous building designed by architect Zaha Hadid. Inside you'll find a treasure trove of 3,000 exhibits which hark back to the olden days of transport, with everything from tramcars and bone-shaker buses to steam engines and gleaming vintage cars on display. Moored outside is the star exhibit, the Glenlee, a three-masted barque launched in 1896 and one of only five sailing ships built on the River Clyde still afloat.

Pollok Country Park Glasgow

Pollok House, Pollok Country park

Spanning over 360 acres, Pollok Country Park offers a natural escape on the southern outskirts of the city. What makes it special are the herds of Highland cattle which have been bred on the grounds since 1830, which you can spot almost as soon as you enter the park. Follow the network of waymarked paths through woodlands glades, gardens and tranquil parkland. You can also pay a visit to the Burrell Collection, which houses an impressive collection of artworks by Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, as well as late medieval, Chinese and Islamic art. Stop for a bite to eat in the Edwardian Kitchen Café. The Burrell Collection is also the recent recipient of The Museum of the Year Award 2023.

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre Glasgow

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Enter the weird and wonderful world of kinetic sculptures at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. A real hidden gem, this magical toyshop-like venue is home to "toys" which are best described as installation art pieces. Marvel as they come to life to enact theatrical performances against a backdrop of music and synchronised lighting. The stories will enchant children and adults alike, celebrating the strength of the human spirit and the circle of life.

Glasgow Music City Tours Glasgow

Glasgow Music City Tours

Music has long been the beating heart of Glasgow, as music journalist Fiona Shepherd knows only too well. Join her or one of her fellow music afficionados on a choice of walking tours of Glasgow's musical heritage. Along the way, set foot in hallowed venues where iconic bands, DJs and other great artists cut their teeth, from the legendary Barrowland Ballroom to King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. You won't find a better introduction to one of the most vibrant and diverse music scenes in the world.

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25 Best Things To Do in Glasgow

Updated April 14, 2021

Although Glasgow tends to be overshadowed by Edinburgh , travelers say Scotland's largest city is not to be overlooked. With an out-of-this-world shopping scene that features everything from couture items to thrift-shop steals (and all that lies in

• All Things To Do

The Burrell Collection The Burrell Collection free

Travelers express astonishment at this museum's near pitch-perfection. The Burrell Collection's glass walls not only encase a variety of objects and artworks, but they also usher in the surrounding woodlands. In the collection, donated by the late millionaire Sir William Burrell, you'll find everything from Chinese ceramics to Rodin sculptures to more than 20 Degas paintings. After you've had your fill of the museum, you can wander around the surrounding Pollok Country Park .

The Burrell Collection can be viewed for free. Travelers highly recommend you take advantage of this steal, saying the museum's variety of art and its milieu are beyond compare. 

Glasgow Cathedral Glasgow Cathedral free

Dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Mungo, the Glasgow Cathedral was consecrated in the 1100s but was finished around 300 years later. Of almost equal delight – to experts and travelers alike – are the cathedral's architecture (specifically the nave, crypt and chapel) and the legends surrounding St. Mungo's life. And in fact, the symbols found on Glasgow's coat of arms relate directly to the St. Mungo legends, including the tree, bird, fish and bell. (In brief: the tree refers to one that St. Mungo burned in a holy fire, the bird to one that he accidently killed but restored to life, the fish – depicted with a ring in his mouth – to an episode in which the saint orchestrated the retrieval of a piece of royal jewelry that had been lost in the Clyde, and the bell to one commissioned in the saint's honor.)

Recent visitors frequently described the building's architecture and stained-glass windows as "amazing." Reviewers also applauded the volunteer guides that are on hand to answer any questions and offer hourlong guided tours. 

Riverside Museum Riverside Museum free

This free museum displays the city's transportation history. Its holdings include everything from trains and buses to skateboards and baby carriages – more than 3,000 items in all. On a related note, the museum sits alongside the River Clyde not far from the iconic Finnieston Crane, a symbol of the period when shipping made Glasgow a key industrial hub. You'll also find a tall ship on the river that's free for visitors to peruse – a perk for recent travelers.

Some travelers highlight an exhibit recreating the cobblestoned streets of another era, while others enjoyed the Clyde Room's model boats. Visitors were also highly impressed with the in-house cafe. The museum is widely regarded as a great spot to bring children thanks to the engaging displays, including one that allows patrons to help put out a "fire" with an interactive fire engine. There's also a scavenger hunt for little ones.

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City Chambers City Chambers free

Accommodating some sort of governing body since the late 1800s, the Victorian-style City Chambers today hosts the Glasgow City Council. You'll find the impressive building on the east side of George Square, and if you take one of the building's free guided tours, you'll view an ornate entrance hall, the debating chamber, banqueting hall and some extravagant staircases, among other features.

Recent visitors expressed awe at the impressive building and its rich architectural details and said it is worth touring. Many of Glasgow's top tours make a stop at the City Chambers.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum free

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is another favorite museum (that's also free!). Built at the turn of the 20th century to resemble a Renaissance-style castle/cathedral, the museum was closed for about three years in the early 21st century for major renovations. Now, the Kelvingrove is one of the most visited galleries and museums in Scotland. Amongst its collection of European masters, such as Botticelli and Monet, you'll discover exhibits on Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scottish storytelling and Scottish armory, among others. Other highlights include Salvador Dali's "Christ of St. John of the Cross" and a restored Spitfire plane that hangs from its ceiling. In all, the museum boasts 22 galleries and more than 8,000 objects.

Museum-goers express pleasure over the immensity and variety of the Kelvingrove's exhibitions. The museum houses an organ from 1901, and recitals are held multiple times a week, which past visitors recommend attending.

Pollok Country Park Pollok Country Park free

Comprising about 360 acres, Pollok Country Park makes for a peaceful retreat – one that is peppered with grazing Highland cattle, formal gardens and long expanses of unadulterated Scottish greens. Among its highlights are the Pollok House – a Georgian Mansion built between 1747 and 1752 for a Scottish politician and philanthropist – and the Library and Parterre Garden, which feature clipped hedges, decorative ironwork and intricate flowerbed designs. The park is also home to the Burrell Collection – an art museum currently closed for renovations until 2021.

According to recent travelers, visiting the park is like going to the countryside – but without leaving the city. Runners and dog walkers in particular enjoy the park.

Kelvingrove Park Kelvingrove Park free

If you're planning to spend an afternoon at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum , you should also allot some time for lounging in the lush, 85-acre Kelvingrove Park. You can walk along the River Kelvin, which meanders through the park, or stroll by the duck pond and numerous monuments before stopping by the park's open-air theater to see if any performances are being held. The park's facilities include lawn bowling greens, tennis courts and a skate park, among other amenities. It also hosts numerous seasonal events, including concerts in its bandshell.

Recent travelers highly enjoyed this park for its variety of things to do, and its proximity to the university makes it popular with students. What's more, reviewers applauded its clean facilities and peaceful atmosphere.

Glengoyne Distillery Glengoyne Distillery

What's more Scottish than Scotch whisky? For a reasonable price, visitors to Glengoyne Distillery – which originated in 1833 – can learn how the spirit is made and enjoy a complimentary dram (small drink). You'll also get a chance to see the distillery's waterfall and hidden glen.

Recent visitors praised the Glengoyne Distillery, saying the guided tour was very interesting and informative and that the sample was smooth. Others gushed about the beautiful grounds.

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Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery free

The Hunterian, which was founded in 1807, ranks as Scotland's oldest museum. It operates multiple venues on the main campus of the University of Glasgow, including the Hunterian Art Gallery and the Mackintosh House. The latter is a recreation of the former home of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the artist Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, who resided in the original house in the early 20th century. The home is furnished much as it was then using furniture of Charles Mackintosh's own design. Meanwhile, the Hunterian Museum houses exhibitions relating to archaeology, paleontology, entomology, ethnography, geology, medicine, numismatics and zoology. The Hunterian Art Gallery boasts works by prominent artists like Rembrandt, Rubens and James McNeill Whistler, as well as some modern British artists and works by Charles Mackintosh. 

Past visitors typically found the Hunterian's diverse collections highly interesting, though some said the museum is somewhat difficult to find on the university's campus. The Mackintosh House in particular impresses visitors who have an interest in design.

Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace free

The Botanic Gardens are yet another free attraction in Glasgow. Bursting with colorful flora and fauna along the River Kelvin, the gardens also showcase a number of greenhouses, including the fantastic Kibble Palace, which contains a rainforest of tropical plants and trees. The gardens offer a nice reprieve from the city, especially if you're on your way from the restaurants, bars, cafes and shops that line buzzy Byres Road. What's more, there are also well-regarded tearooms in the former curator's house near Kibble Palace serving breakfast and lunch.

Past visitors praised the gardens. Many travelers were especially drawn to the more exotic plants grown here, including the carnivorous ones in the greenhouse. Others recommended stopping here for afternoon tea.

People's Palace and Winter Gardens People's Palace and Winter Gardens free

Located on the Glasgow Green – a park in the east end of Glasgow – the free People's Palace is a museum dedicated to the social history of Glaswegians. For instance, past exhibits detailed Glasgow's distinctive vernacular, while another displayed the desk of political activist (and Glasgow resident) John MacLean. Adjacent to the museum are the Winter Gardens – a greenhouse that acts as a cozy reprieve for people and tropical plants alike. Stop in for a coffee at the in-house cafe before venturing on.

While past visitors frequently called the exhibits both informative and entertaining, some say they might be beyond the grasp of young children.

The Necropolis The Necropolis free

Adjacent to the Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis is comparatively new, dating back to 1830s, while the cathedral is several hundred years older. Approximately 50,000 people are interred here; not all of them have gravestones, but there are about 3,500 tombs. The cemetery, modeled after the famed Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, is often called Glasgow's Victorian "City of the Dead."

Recent visitors found that the garden cemetery also offers expansive views of the city of the living. Many simply find the hillside site a pleasant place to take a walk.

Clydeside Distillery Clydeside Distillery

Visits to more than one distillery are certainly in order when traveling through Scotland. Clydeside Distillery, as its name announces, sits aside the River Clyde in what was once the Pumphouse, which originally controlled entrance to the Glasgow Queen's Dock. The maker of Clydeside single malt whisky is a relatively recent addition to the country's roster of distilleries, having started in 2017. 

The distillery offers various tours. Its standard 60-minute tour, which includes tastings of three varieties of whisky, takes place hourly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets start at around 15 pounds (or around $19.50). The 90-minute Chocolate & Whisky Tour adds tastings of handmade artisanal chocolate to the mix; schedules vary by season and tickets cost around 28 pounds (roughly $36). On Thursdays, Clydeside also offers an in-depth two-hour tour conducted by the distillery manager. Tickets for the latter start at around 129 pounds (approximately $170).

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Gallery of Modern Art Gallery of Modern Art free

Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art – known as GoMA – in Royal Exchange Square displays local and international works by artists like Andy Warhol, John Bellany and David Hockney, among others. In addition to its four galleries, the building (which dates back to 1778) also houses a library and educational facilities, as well as a permanent exhibit that details the history of the building.

As its name would indicate, the Gallery of Modern art appeals especially to those with an interest in modern art. Nevertheless, past patrons appreciated both the exhibits and the historic building housing them. Visitors frequently remark on the statue of the Duke of Wellington that stands outside the building that always has an orange traffic cone on its head (which is not part of the gallery's official collection). However, some art lovers find the GoMA somewhat small.

Celtic Park Celtic Park

Glaswegians are famous for their love of football (or soccer to Americans), which makes Celtic Park – home of the Celtic Football Club – an obvious destination for those who want to learn more about local life. Plus, the stadium is an attraction itself: It's the largest stadium in Scotland, with a capacity to welcome more than 60,400 fans. 

Even if you're not in Glasgow for a match, you can take a tour of Celtic Park, which includes visits to the home team dressing room, the boardroom, the trophy room, the tunnel to the pitch and the dugout. Tours occur every half hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays, unless games are scheduled, in which case tours take place only in the mornings. Less frequent tours are also offered during the week. Tour tickets for adults cost 13.50 pounds (or around $17.50). Admission for children 11 and younger starts at 8 pounds (or approximately $10).

Citizens Theatre Citizens Theatre

Citizens Theatre, aka "the Citz," is the self-proclaimed "home of great theatre in Glasgow." Its dramatic offerings range from contemporary classics to new Scottish plays to shows for children. Countless famous performers have appeared on its stage since the 500-seat theater opened in 1878.

Over the years, the theater has won praise for its inventive staging of both traditional and contemporary works, as well as for the refreshments on offer in its bar. 

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art free

Though named for the patron saint credited with bringing Christianity to Scotland in the sixth century, St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art strives to promote greater understanding among people of all faiths – and those with none, too. It sits on the site of a former medieval castle and was designed to evoke that style. In addition to a variety of art and artifacts related to the world's religions, the museum has a cafe that opens on what purports to be the oldest Zen garden in Glasgow. 

While perhaps appealing most to people with an abiding interest in religious history and culture, St. Mungo's is generally regarded as highly informative and entertaining. Past patrons also appreciated the cafe. However, a few noted that the museum could use more space for all its artifacts.

Glasgow Science Centre Glasgow Science Centre

Among noted exhibits at the Glasgow Science Centre are the twirling 417-foot Glasgow Tower, a planetarium, an IMAX theater and exhibits exploring everything from the human body to energy. There's also a theater for live science demonstrations. The center hosts special events for both adults and families. If you have small kids in tow, consider a trip here.

Recent travelers said kids will want to spend all day here exploring the interactive exhibits. However, this museum wasn't a favorite among teenagers or adults traveling without little ones. The high price of admission was another common gripe among recent visitors. (Admission to all the facility's attractions requires various add-ons to the basic single-day admission ticket.) Yes, you can spend half a day at the Glasgow Science Centre, and you'll need to do just that to get your money's worth.

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Glasgow Tigers Speedway Glasgow Tigers Speedway

Motor sports venues are not as common in Scotland as, say, football arenas, which makes the home of the Glasgow Tigers rather special. The motorcycle team competes select days of the week from April through October, and the motorbike races are especially popular with families. The Tigers trace their lineage back to 1946, where they competed in various venues through the decades before settling it at Ashfield Stadium in 1999. (The site became Peugeot Ashfield Stadium in 2015.) 

Recent visitors raved about the conditions of the facilities, and said it's a hit with kids. 

The Tenement House The Tenement House

The Tenement House, which is operated by the National Trust for Scotland, is a kind of walk-in time capsule. Its restored rooms show how a particular Glaswegian, one Agnes Toward, lived from 1911 to 1965. The furniture and other personal possessions on display (including a coal-fired stove and a blackened bar of soap) aim to provide insight into not only what middle-class life was like in the early to mid-20th century, but also what it was like to live as a single working woman at that time.

Past visitors regularly praised the staff here for being informative and helpful as they impart insights into the ways people of another era lived.

The Scottish Football Museum The Scottish Football Museum

The Scottish Football Museum, situated within the Hampden Park stadium, houses thousands of objects of potential interest to sports fans. Among them are the original Scottish Cup – the world's oldest national trophy – and a recreation of the stadium's first dressing room. The museum has a hall of fame celebrating some of the country's most accomplished players. It also screens film clips from storied moments in Scottish football history.

Visitors, even those who aren't ardent football fans, usually find the extensive exhibits of cups, jerseys and gear to be rather interesting and informative. The staff generally wins praise for being consistently friendly and helpful.

Barras Market Barras Market free

The Barras Market, which encompasses a collection of street vendors, indoor markets, shops and pubs, lures bargain hunters and seekers of curiosities. The market dates back to the early 20th century, when vendors sold goods from handcarts.

Some recent travelers disappointingly noted that the Barras Market has declined in quality, calling the goods for sale "junk." However, the majority of visitors seemed to enjoy their few hours digging through piles of flea market goods and haggling in the market, with some even describing it as a "treasure hunt." Indeed, what some might call seediness is for others precisely the appeal of a place like this.

Barrowland Ballroom Barrowland Ballroom

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16 Top-Rated Day Trips from Glasgow

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Nov 26, 2021 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The city of Glasgow sits in an enviable position. Not only is it within easy reach of many of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions , there are also no end of fun things to do within an easy day trip of the city. And best of all, many of them are easily accessible via public transport, as Glasgow and its surrounds boasts a superb transportation network.

From here, great places to visit include the Scottish Highlands, Robbie Burns country along the Ayrshire coast, Aran Island, as well as Oban. And, of course, famous Loch Ness is within reach, although you may want to make an overnight stay of it (it's doable, but is a three-hour drive away).

Beautiful Loch Lomond is even closer and is popular for outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking and biking adventures. Stirling Castle, along with a number of equally attractive castles and manor houses, is also within easy reach of Glasgow.

Whatever season you visit, if you do ever tire of Glasgow's lively cultural and music scene - or simply want to experience a different side of Scotland - there are plenty of options for spending time outside the city.

Plan your adventures with this list of the best day trips from Glasgow, Scotland.

1. Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands

2. loch lomond and the west highlands, 3. stirling and stirling castle, 4. isle of arran: scotland in miniature, 5. outlander day tour from glasgow, 6. benmore botanic garden, 7. newark castle, 8. the ayrshire coast: robbie burns country, 9. dumbarton castle, 10. oban and the west highlands, 11. the hill house, helensburgh, 12. the forth and clyde canal and the falkirk wheel, 13. summerlee museum of scottish industrial life, 14. paisley abbey and the thomas coats memorial church, 15. gourock: granny kempock's stone, 16. greenock, map of day trips from glasgow.

What trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting Loch Ness , home of the fabled sea serpent, Nessie? While it's a lengthy three-hour drive from Glasgow , it should certainly rank near the top of your Glasgow day trips list.

This spectacularly beautiful 23-mile-long and extremely deep body of water fills the geological fissure known as the Great Glen , whose steep green walls make it one of Scotland's loveliest sights. Hour-long boat trips from Fort Augustus or Inverness , or scenic drives along the loch's shore reveal stunning vistas of the rocky peaks of the Scottish Highlands.

Tours to Great Glen, such as the 12-hour Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow , stop in the remote and atmospheric Glencoe , scene of the historic massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. The entire region is filled with breathtaking scenery of high mountains, rocky ridges, fast-running rivers, and tumbling waterfalls.

"Yon bonnie banks and yon bonnie braes" of Scotland's largest freshwater loch are only half an hour from Glasgow, at the southern end of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park . In fact, so pretty are the lochs and mountains here that they've earned the park the nickname "The Highlands in Miniature."

In addition to the haunting beauty and romantic vistas that this traditional Scottish song speaks of, Loch Lomond is a center for outdoor adventures. Boaters and other water sports enthusiasts are drawn here, as are golfers, who head for the Carrick Golf Course at Cameron House . Here, you'll find one of Scotland's finest championship-standard golf courses, boasting incredible views of Ben Lomond across the waters of the loch.

Hiking and bicycle trails abound throughout the park, and Loch Lomond cruises depart from Balloch at the southern end of the lake. Balloch is also where you'll find the Loch Lomond Shores shopping area, as well as the SEA LIFE Aquarium, one of the region's top family attractions.

Although you can easily reach the loch by train, Loch Lomond is often part of tours of the West Highlands from Glasgow. The full-day guided West Highland Lochs, Glencoe and Castles Small Group Day Trip from Glasgow includes attractions such as Kilchurn Castle, the town of Inveraray, and Castle Stalker on Loch Laich.

Official site: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/

• Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do around Loch Lomond

Just 30 minutes from Glasgow by car or direct train, the town of Stirling is famous as the location of the Battle of Bannockburn . It was here in 1314 that Robert the Bruce defeated the English invaders. It was also where legendary William Wallace beat the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge, a victory for Scottish independence. Both these important battles are commemorated at the excellent Bannockburn Heritage Centre .

Between Stirling and the quaint village of Bridge of Allan stands the majestic Wallace Monument, a spectacular 246-step tower with sweeping views of the area, as well as artifacts that belonged to Wallace.

The spectacular 12th-century Stirling Castle, built atop a 76-meter-high volcanic crag, has played an important role throughout Scotland's rich history and is open to visitors. You can visit Stirling and the castle and also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Trossachs on the Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle Tour from Glasgow .

Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling, Scotland

Official site: www.stirlingcastle.scot

The lovely Isle of Arran is only 267 square kilometers in size but contains examples of just about everything that makes Scotland one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. It's for this reason that the island has earned the nickname, "Scotland in Miniature."

Just a one-hour ferry ride from Ardrossan, which itself is an easy train trip from Glasgow, Arran is marked by magnificent mountains, moorland, sandy beaches, an abundance of wildlife, castles, and fishing harbors. It's also a popular golf destination, and offers three great courses.

Arran is also a walker's paradise, and buses run regularly around the island from the ferry terminal at Brodick to its various tourist attractions. Although the best places to visit on Arran – including Brodick Castle and Goat Fell mountain (873 meters) – can be seen in a day (including the ferry ride), you'll want to spend at least a few days exploring this wonderful part of Scotland.

Fans of the hit TV series, Outlander , will definitely be interested in adding a great tour of the series' film locations to their Glasgow travel itinerary. The popular Outlander day tour from Glasgow is an immersive eight-hour adventure departing from central Glasgow that features stops in a number of spots fans will instantly recognize.

For many, a highlight of the tour is the chance to visit the picturesque village of Culross, which stood in for the fictional Crainesmuir. It's the last stop of the tour, and you'll have plenty of time to explore the old village square, which dates from the 1600s, as well as a historic home dating from the same period.

The attractive Doune Castle is another notable location you'll visit. This remarkably well-preserved medieval fortress starred as Castle Leoch in Outlander, and you'll have plenty of time to explore it armed with a great audio-guide (provided).

The village of Falkland is also on the itinerary, where you'll have a chance to grab a bite of lunch and explore at your leisure. Also included are stops at Blackness Castle and Midhope Castle. Inclusions with this tour are transportation and the services of a professional guide.

Benmore Botanic Garden, set amidst spectacularly rugged mountain scenery north of Glasgow at the southern end of Loch Eck, is part of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden . The avenue of giant Californian redwoods planted in 1863 line the long driveway to the property, where you'll be rewarded with a chance to wander around more than 300 different species of rhododendron and azaleas.

Other highlights include Puck's Hut, a wooden memorial to Isaac Bayley Balfour who had the idea to create the gardens, and a bronze statue dating from 1875, A Boy with Two Dolphins , donated by the owner of adjacent Benmore House, now an outdoor learning center.

Nearby Argyll Forest Park is also well worth checking out. Established in 1935, it was the first of its kind in Britain and boasts an impressive 186 mile network of footpaths.

Location: 4 Uig, Benmore, Dunoon, Scotland

Official site: www.rbge.org.uk/visit/benmore-botanic-garden/

In the industrial town of Port Glasgow, just 25 miles west of Glasgow's city center, stands the 15th-century Newark Castle. This attractive mansion, with its gatehouse and tower, was once the seat of the (sometimes murderous) Maxwell family.

Although the Tower House rooms are not open to visitors, you can see the building's lovely Jacobean exterior and the fascinating "below stairs" rooms. Here, interesting exhibits relate to the working conditions and lives of the family's staff.

Address: Castle Rd, Port Glasgow, Scotland

Official site: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/newark-castle/

Fans of the poetry and songs of Robbie Burns, Scotland's beloved national poet, will want to explore the places he lived and the countryside he immortalized. At the same time, you'll see one of the most beautiful coastal regions of Scotland.

Follow the Burns Heritage Trail from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, on the outskirts of Ayr, where you'll see the beautifully preserved thatched house where the poet was born and lived as a child.

After visiting the 16th-century Auld Kirk where his father is buried, this circular tour heads south to Dumfries and the Robert Burns House, where the poet lived for the four years before he died here in 1796, at age 36. The house is now a museum and gives a good portrait of his life. His grave is in the nearby St. Michael's Churchyard.

Another highlight of the Ayrshire coast is Culzean Castle and Country Park , with woodland trails and landscaped gardens that include a Victorian Walled Garden. You can visit the Burns sites and Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire Coast Day Trip from Glasgow: Robert Burns Country and Culzean Country Park tour, with a guide who will tell more about Burns and Culzean castle, including its connections with President Eisenhower at the end of World War II.

Dumbarton Castle perches dramatically on a basalt rock on the north bank of the Clyde facing Port Glasgow. This strategically important stronghold was started in the 6th century and was central to the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde's rule over the surrounding area until 1018. Only the dungeon and 12th-century gateway remain of this medieval edifice where Mary Stuart embarked for France at age five.

Other highlights of this star of the Game of Thrones series include the wonderful views, the Georgian artillery fortifications, and the Governor's House with its interesting artifacts from the castle.

Address: Castle Road, Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Official site: www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dumbarton-castle/

The pretty Victorian town of Oban, the seafood capital of Scotland , sits on the coast and is the main port for the ferries that connect southern Scotland to Mull, Skye, and the Hebrides islands.

For a view that encompasses the town and harbor and reaches all the way to the Isle of Mull on clear days, climb to the top of McCaig's Tower . This impressive Victorian monument was built to resemble the Colosseum in Rome .

The route to Oban from Glasgow passes through some of Scotland's most scenic countryside, a land of mountains, moors, lochs, and castles. On the Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Glasgow , you'll ride through this scenic land, along the shores of Loch Fyne, Loch Awe, and Loch Lomond , where you'll stop in the village of Luss.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Oban

Lovers of Art Nouveau styling won't be disappointed by a visit to Hill House in Helensburgh. Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh after plans were drawn up for his Art Lover's House , Hill House was built in 1904 overlooking the Firth of Clyde.

Surrounded by a delightful garden, the house is somewhat reminiscent of Scottish fortified manor houses, while the figural elements, rounded edges, oriel windows, and small chimney stacks bear all the hallmarks of the gifted designer.

The home is currently the subject of an ambitious renovation project that has resulted in it being encased in a large steel frame. Called the " Hill House Box ," this impressive structure - anticipated to be in place for up to 15 years - is something of an architectural wonder in itself. Built to keep the weather out and allowing the house's exterior walls to dry, guests can actually climb the frame to enjoy never before seen views of the structure.

Meanwhile, the interior remains open to visitors. In the wide hall, the dark wooden panels contrast with the light wallpaper, supplemented with abstract patterns and delicate pastel shades. Art Nouveau patterns in pink and light green soften the effect of the walls, windows, and lamps.

The bedroom on the first floor above the lounge is regarded as the most successful of Mackintosh's "White Rooms." Mackintosh also designed the furniture, and his wife, Margaret Macdonald, designed and made many of the textiles and a stunning fireplace panel.

Address: Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Scotland

Official site: www.nts.org.uk/property/the-hill-house/

The Forth and Clyde Canal, built in 1790, winds its way through the Strathkelvin District to the north of Glasgow. The fully restored 35-mile waterway was an important link for seagoing vessels between the Firths of Clyde and Forth, joining the River Clyde at Bowling and the River Forth at Grangemouth. Today, you can take a very pleasant outing from Kirkintilloch aboard one of the vessels operated by the Forth and Clyde Canal Society.

Be sure to allow time to explore the spectacular Falkirk Wheel at the eastern end of the canal. Capable of carrying up to eight boats, this unique piece of modern engineering – part sculpture, part boatlift – connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal near the important industrial town of Falkirk.

Visitors can experience the hour-long journey aboard special boats and learn more about its operation at the visitor center. Behind-the-scenes tours of this engineering marvel are also available.

Address: Lime Road, Falkirk, Scotland

Official site: www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/

The Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life is based around the 20-acre site of 19th-century Summerlee Iron Works. Opened in 1836 and once one of the region's biggest employers, today this sightseeing trip is fun for kids as well as adults. Highlights include Scotland's only still-operating vintage tramway, a recreated mine, workers' cottages, and various Victorian steam engines. Guided tours of the abandoned mines are also available, and admission is free.

Address: Heritage Way, Coatbridge, Scotland

Some surviving parts of Paisley Abbey date from its original construction in 1163. Highlights of a visit include the choir stalls and a walk up 197 steps to the Tower.

Another Paisley landmark is the ornate Thomas Coats Memorial Church. Funded by one of Scotland's leading textile manufacturers and completed in 1894, its intricate stonework was the product of numerous apprentice stonemasons.

While in the area, pay a visit to Paisley Museum and Art Gallery , with its interesting displays relating to the development of the textile industry and the story of the distinctive "drop motif" on the world-famous Paisley pattern. Exhibits include the old looms on which the best-selling designs were produced, as well as original woven and embroidered shawls from Kashmir, the inspiration for the Scottish production.

Address: Abbey Close, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland

Official site: www.paisleyabbey.org.uk

By the coast at Gourock, some 28 miles west of Glasgow, stands an interesting six-foot-tall slate monolith reputed to have been a meeting place for Druids. It's known as Granny Kempock's Stone. Fishermen would make small offerings in return for fine weather and good catches, and it's still customary for local newlyweds to circle the stone to bring good luck to their marriage.

The views across the Clyde Estuary toward the southwest Highlands make the journey to this seaside town worth the effort. The Gourock Highland Games are held here in May.

Greenock is another former industrial center near Glasgow that's worth a visit (in fact, you'll pass through it on your way to Gouruck, above). It's an easy hour-long train ride from Glasgow Central Station.

Greenock is famous as the birthplace of engineer James Watt, who made the Clyde navigable. the great engineer's life is celebrated here in the Watt Institution, a former library and now official archives dedicated to his life and work. Greenock is also famous for being the final resting place of "Highland Mary," immortalized by Robbie Burns.

Other highlights of a visit include McLean Museum & Art Gallery, and the interesting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Museum and Heritage Centre with its collection of rare vehicles. If you've time and energy, make the 20-minute climb up Lyle Hill for its spectacular views over the Clyde and Greenock's wonderful skyline.

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Scotland Vacation Ideas : Home to Edinburgh Castle , Scotland's most visited tourist attraction, the romantic city of Edinburgh is a must-visit for any traveler to this beautiful country. The Highland city of Inverness is also worth including on your Scotland travel itinerary for its attractive riverside setting, and also serves as a great jumping-off point for another top Scottish destination: Loch Ness .

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Things to do near Glasgow

Want to make the most of your time on the west coast? Take your pick from this list of 12 great things to do near Glasgow. We ’ ve got everything covered, from free family events and outdoor adventures to days spent delving into Scottish history.

Outdoor activities

Whether you want to smell the roses or bag a Munro, you ’ ll find all kinds of outdoor activities near Glasgow. Escape the city and fill your lungs with fresh air!

1. As one of Scotland’s most popular summits – attracting more than 50,000 walkers and mountaineers every year – Ben Lomond should be on every outdoor adventurer’s list. The most southerly Munro in the country still feels as wild as it did when Rob Roy roamed here 300 years ago. And whatever route you take, make sure you soak up the spectacular views and keep an eye out for ptarmigan, adders and orchids.

2. Treat the whole clan to an idyllic day out at Geilston Garden , a tranquil 200-year-old walled garden on the banks of the Clyde. You’ll find colourful 40m long borders, bluebell woods, a floral mini-maze and a ‘hobbit hole’ play area for wee explorers.

Look out for the giant rhubarb – its leaves can grow as big an eagle’s wingspan.

3. At the Himalayan-inspired Crarae Garden we’re still waiting for our first yeti sighting among the bamboo tunnels and Tibetan shrubs! Home to champion trees, red squirrels, a magnificent wooded gorge and all kinds of rare flowers, it’s the perfect place for plant-lovers and walkers alike. Trails include the Path of the Panda and the Fyne View.

Castles near Glasgow

These fantastic fortresses are right on our doorstep, and they ’ re stuffed to the turrets with amazing stories and collections.

4. Along with the breathtaking clifftop castle, there are 40 other buildings and secret follies scattered around Culzean Country Park , including an ice house, a viaduct and a pagoda, not to mention the idyllic gardens. Kids can run wild in our outdoor adventure playgrounds , and the exquisite interiors of the castle are home to vast collections that tell the fascinating stories of the people who lived there.

5. A short hop on the ferry from the mainland will get you to Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park on the Isle of Arran. With playgrounds, gardens and parkland for everyone to enjoy outdoors, and an interactive visitor experience in the castle that includes a Victorian arcade and costumed interpreters, it’s the perfect place near Glasgow for families to visit.

Stay in touch

Be the first to hear about our latest news, get inspiration for great days out and learn about the work we do for the love of Scotland.

Museums and landmarks

Learn about Scotland ’ s famous faces and working communities with a trip to one of our excellent landmarks and museums near Glasgow.

6. In the picturesque village of Alloway, where our national bard was born, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is home to landmarks, stories and more than 5,000 artefacts. Read Burns’s handwritten manuscripts, follow in Tam o’ Shanter’s footsteps, and send the kids on an augmented reality quest to find Burns and his friends through the Mighty Missions app trail.

7. Work is well underway on a 10-year conservation programme at Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece The Hill House . Every inch of this design classic is a work of art, from the architecture to the interiors and furnishings – and it was all designed by Charles and his wife Margaret Macdonald. Now, thanks to the Box we’ve built around the house, you can view the building in ways that have never been seen before, not even by Mackintosh himself.

Find out more about the Hill House Box.

8. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a fun family day out in the South Lanarkshire countryside.

The award-winning National Museum of Rural Life is set on a working farm, where you’ll find Aberdeen Angus cattle, Tamworth pigs and Clydesdale horses, along with Scotland’s biggest collection of tractors and combine harvesters.

Historic homes

Discover how Scottish people from all walks of life used to live and work at these perfectly preserved properties near Glasgow.

9. Holmwood is a family home like no other in Glasgow. Located in the Southside of the city, it’s masterfully designed but surprisingly cosy, with grand imagination behind it. Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson designed the house for paper magnate James Couper and his wife in 1857–8, and it’s widely regarded as this Scottish architect’s finest domestic creation.

10. Curious to see what life was like in Glasgow in the early 20th century? Open a door to the past as you step through the modest entrance to The Tenement House on Buccleuch Street. All sorts of items – from soap balls and working gaslights to jars of jam made in 1929 – have been lovingly preserved and the house has been restored to provide a rare glimpse into a bygone age.

Become a member

By becoming a National Trust for Scotland member, you can help us protect the places you love so they can be enjoyed now and for generations to come.

Free* places to visit

From days spent enjoying the fresh air to free cultural events, there ’ s lots of things to do near Glasgow to keep the costs down.

11. Fresh air is free (and great for the soul), so why not take the family out for a picnic? You can roll out the rug in the grounds of one of our castles or country houses , where there are plenty of pleasant spots to choose from. Or you could work up an appetite by hiking up to a stunning hilltop view of Loch Lomond.

12. We host hundreds of events every year, many of which are free. For anyone in Glasgow, entry to our exhibition at the Tenement House – celebrating the women of Glasgow – is free. Be inspired by these humble Scottish heroines.

Don ’ t forget, members benefit from free access to all of our places. Find out more about how to join .

*There may be a small car parking fee for non-members at some of our places.

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The 15 best things to do in Glasgow for fun (no kilt required)

Jan 19, 2022 • 8 min read

Cobblestones, strings of lights and fun bars and restaurants make for a charming night out in Ashton Lane © georgeclerk / Getty Images

Glasgow packs a punch with its first-rate museums, distinguished dining venues, elegant outdoor spaces and other more...off-kilter attractions.

As well as ticking off some of the must-sees, you’ll find plenty of weird, wonderful (and just plain creepy) attractions to add to your itinerary in this bustling town. Want to walk through a fossilized forest? Or how about cycling along a 200-year-old canal? The sky’s the limit in Scotland ’s dynamic second city. Here’s some of the best things to do in Glasgow.

Get lost in the eclectic exhibitions of Kelvingrove Gallery & Museum

Set within Kelvingrove Park , the Kelvingrove Gallery & Museum  is a must-visit for art lovers and those interested in natural history. This mammoth museum features a real patchwork of exhibits, from contemporary art installations and displays of taxidermy wildlife to rooms full of ancient armor and other war relics. With 22 curated galleries in total, you’ll want to set aside a good chunk of time to take everything in. Free tours of the museum run twice a day, too. 

Admire 360-degree views from The Lighthouse 

Charles Rennie Mackintosh  left an indelible mark on his hometown – and no visit to the city is complete without taking in the work of this celebrated Art Nouveau architect and designer. Admiring his magnificent Glasgow School of Art was once one of the top things to do in central Glasgow, but a devastating fire in 2018 means it’s currently under reconstruction. Luckily,  The Lighthouse  offers an evocative taste of this design innovator’s accomplishments. 

Built in 1895 and tucked away on Mitchell Lane, the former headquarters of the Glasgow Herald was Mackintosh’s first-ever commission; today, building currently houses a permanent exhibition on the designer’s life work. A highlight is the stunning helical staircase leading to a viewing platform that boasts epic panoramas across the city.

Stroll through a forest that’s older than the dinosaurs

While you’ve surely hiked through a leafy forest before, how about a forest that’s over 300 million years old? Fossil Grove in Glasgow’s Victoria Park was discovered by accident in 1887 when the tranquil green space was first mapped out on the site of an abandoned quarry. The 11 fossilized tree stumps are thought to date to the Carboniferous period, and are now protected by Glasgow City Council within the Fossil Grove Building. It’s only very occasionally open to visitors, but worth checking out if the opportunity arises. 

Marvel at the marble in Glasgow City Chambers 

George Square is the hectic heart of the city center, and at the heart of the square is  Glasgow City Chambers . Built in the late 1800s, the edifice is now the headquarters of Glasgow City Council, which runs public tours twice daily. 

A trip to City Chambers is one of the top free things to do in Glasgow . Simply pick up your tickets in the reception hall and prepare to be wowed by its ornate interiors, including a magnificent marble staircase that’s been featured on the silver screen several times over the decades.

Tour the oldest dwelling in Glasgow  

A trip to Provand’s Lordship  – a quaint stone house that sits at the top of Castle Street close to Glasgow Cathedral  – is a unique thing to do for history buffs. Constructed in 1471, the medieval structure is decorated with 16th-century furnishings and houses several fine portraits of Scottish royals. If you have time, tour the St Nicholas Garden next door, which inspired by 15th-century medicinal gardens. 

Discover the drying poles at Glasgow Green

Glasgow Green has had many, many functions over the years, from grazing land for cattle to the venue for one of Scotland’s biggest music festivals. One of its more rustic uses was as a drying green for washing. Venture to its northeast border to find the original iron drying poles used by thousands of working-class residents living in nearby tenements from the 1700s to the mid-1900s. According to local law, Glaswegians still have the right to hang their washing out on the Green (though very few do).

Enjoy an evening out on Ashton Lane

Spending an evening on Instagram-worthy Ashton Lane is easily one of the best things to do as a couple in Glasgow. The cobbled street is crisscrossed with strings of pretty lights and packed with an array of restaurants and bars. Check out Belgian-themed Brel for beer and savory waffles. Alternatively, Ubiquitous Chip has been serving up top-notch Scottish produce – including haggis – since 1971. There’s an independent cinema, too, if you’d prefer a more relaxed night out. 

Learn about law-enforcement history at Glasgow Police Museum

Crime and punishment cast a dark shadow over Glasgow’s history. It was the first city in Britain to have a police force, a fact explored in great detail at the Glasgow Police Museum . Tucked away on Bell Street in Merchant City, this site offers  easily one of the coolest things to do in Glasgow. 

Learn compellingly gruesome details about crimes committed around the city over the centuries, and view various uniforms worn by Glasgow’s constabulary. While the museum is small and only open on Sundays and Tuesdays, it’s jam-packed with information and run by former police officers, giving it authority and grit. 

Check out the flesh-eating plants in the Kibble Palace

Glasgow Botanic Gardens  couldn’t be a better location for a breather as you’re exploring Glasgow’s West End. As well as romantic rose gardens, manicured pathways and an enviable vegetable patch, the park has several impressive Victorian greenhouses. 

The largest is the Kibble Palace, which was painstakingly dismantled and transported to Glasgow from its original home on Loch Long (some 50 miles away) in 2003. Wander inside to gaze up at towering tropical vegetation. At the entrance sits a large pond home to colorful koi carp; there’s also a room dedicated solely to carnivorous plants.

Cycle the Forth and Clyde canal

The Forth and Clyde Canal was built in the 1790s to connect Edinburgh with Glasgow, and still provides a direct 50-mile route between the two cities today (a fact more-active travelers might want to take advantage of). 

Rent a cycle from a local outfit like Bike & Go , then join the traffic-free Route 754 alongside the canal. While part of the journey takes you through not-so-attractive industrial landscapes, you’ll also get to soak up stunning Scottish rural scenery and glimpse local landmarks like the Falkirk Wheel , a futuristic boat lift built in the early 2000s to replace a stretch of crumbling canal locks. 

Cycling along the canal is best in spring or summer when the days are longest. If you poop out along the way, you can return via train to Glasgow, as many Scotrail services have dedicated bike storage onboard.

View the elaborate tombstones at Glasgow Necropolis

If you get a kick out of grand Gothic graveyards, head to Glasgow Necropolis . Situated on a hill behind Glasgow Royal Infirmary, this imposing cemetery dates back to Victorian times and is the final resting place of over 50,000 souls. Wind your way upwards along neat pathways and note the beautifully carved tombstones of the city’s elite, who made fortunes during the Industrial Revolution. Just be sure to exit before dark...

Visit a local brewery

While you certainly don’t want to miss out on visiting whisky distillery in the birthplace of single malt, Glasgow’s long list of pubs and breweries makes it one of the best cities for bar crawls . 

Next door to the Necropolis, you’ll find both the Tennent’s (Scotland’s favorite beer) and Drygate breweries, both of which have taprooms and offer tasting tours. Alternatively, on the edge of Glasgow Green , check out WEST Brewery (with tasty German-inspired snacks served alongside the artisan IPAs) or Shilling Brewing Company, lodged inside an imposing former bank on West George Street.

Follow the Kelvin River

The Kelvin River weaves its way through Glasgow’s West End, offering a beautiful spot for some peace and quiet. Head down the path just behind the Kibble Palace and you’ll reach the riverside. In autumn, it’s a riot of color, with massive trees showering the ground and water with a flurry of orange and yellow leaves. Trace the Kelvin Walkway down to the Riverside Museum on the River Clyde, passing little-known historic sites like the recently excavated flint mill near the Botanic Gardens.

Get some interior inspiration at House for an Art Lover 

If you can’t get enough of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s designs, set aside a few hours for this gem. South of the city center in Bellahouston Park,  House for an Art Lover  was adapted from one of the architect’s final designs before his death in 1928. The handsome manor house functions as an art gallery, studio space and events venue, with many of its stylish interiors inspired by the designs of Mackintosh’s equally gifted wife.

Spark your imagination at Glasgow Science Centre

Searching for fun things to do with children? The Glasgow Science Centre won’t disappoint. Its awesome interactive displays and fun facilities, including a planetarium and IMAX cinema, make it a dream for tech-savvy kids. 

The center also has an immersive experience that lets you discover what it’s like to live in the Arctic, plus gardens designed to teach little ones about different habitats around the world. The Closed until summer 2022, Glasgow Tower offers an observation deck with rotating views across Glasgow and beyond.

You might also like: 10 free things to do in Glasgow The 8 best day trips from Glasgow Two days in Glasgow: 48 hours of fun in Scotland's largest city

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24 Epic Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland – Ultimate Guide

Glasgow is a bustling city in Scotland with a fascinating history alongside its renowned  museums , Victorian and art nouveau architecture, colourful street arts , legendary music scenes and numerous festivals. Scotland’s largest city will surprise you.

In the 19th century, Glasgow was one of the important industrial cities in Scotland . Today it is one of Scotland’s most culturally influential hubs. 

It was the first city in Britain to be named a UNESCO City of Music. Also, in 1990, this city was declared the European Capital of Culture.

Often overshadowed by Scotland’s capital city,  Edinburgh , Glasgow has its own unique vibe and character.

This city’s Scottish Gaelic name means ‘Dear Green Place’ – this city has over ninety wonderful parks and gardens to enjoy. Add a few of them to your  Glasgow itinerary .

Glaswegians are some of the funniest and friendliest people you would meet in Scotland. 

Many travellers visit here as a day trip from Edinburgh , but this city is also a great base to explore Scotland.

And if you fancy venturing outside the city border, you’ll discover some exciting places – from the tranquillity of Loch Lomond to the picturesque historic town of Inveraray . There are some unmissable  day trip options from Glasgow .

So, whether you are looking for some fun activities or exploring  hidden gems , there is something for you in this guide. 

Best Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland

1. explore the kelvingrove art gallery and museum.

Housed in a Spanish-Baroque-style red sandstone building in the West End, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the best museums in Glasgow .

From ancient Egyptian artefacts to Renaissance art, arms and armour to animals – you can find everything under one roof.

Established in 1901, Kelvingrove has an astounding collection of 8000 objects displayed across its 22 world-class themed galleries.

It features an excellent collection of priceless artworks, including works by European masters – Monet, Gauguin, Renoir, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. You can also find the paintings by the Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys here.

One of the most notable paintings at Kelvingrove is Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of Saint John of the Cross’. Also, Sir Roger, the Asian elephant in the stuffed animal section of the West Court, is a firm favourite with locals and visitors of Glasgow.

Another popular display at Kelvingrove is ‘The Floating Heads’ installation by Sophie Cave.

After visiting the museum, meander around the nearby Kelvingrove Park. The 85-acre public park is a peaceful urban oasis and a popular place for local dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.

Read More : 15 of the Best Museums in Glasgow to Visit

Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday and Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. Friday and Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.

2. Discover the History of Glasgow Cathedral

Steeped in more than 800 years of history, this cathedral is one of the oldest medieval structures on the Scottish mainland.

Dedicated to Saint Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, it is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, away from the hustle-bustle of the busy streets.

After admiring the magnificent Gothic architecture from the outside, step inside to explore the interior of this cathedral.

Read More : 2 Days in Glasgow Itinerary

The oldest part, the nave, was built in the early 1200s. Here you will find one of the finest post-World War II collections of stained glasses in Britain.

Admire the stone carving of the ceiling at the Blackadder Aisle. Also, watch out for the beautiful blue stained glass window called the Millennium Window, by John K. Clark.

Glasgow Cathedral was featured in the popular TV series, Outlander as an 18th-century Parisian hospital.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm and Sunday, 1 pm – 4 pm.

3. Visit Riverside Museum

Located at the intersection of River Clyde and River Kelvin, the Riverside Museum is an award-winning transport museum reflecting this city’s rich industrial legacy.

Designed by renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid, this museum is one of the best family-friendly attractions in Glasgow.

From automobiles and locomotives to skateboards and prams to mock subway trains – you can easily spend a few hours browsing through the museum’s impressive transport collections.

We particularly loved the moving display of various model ships. There are interactive and explanatory screens full of images and videos that tell the story behind the objects.

Also, stroll along the reconstructed old cobbled street of Glasgow, dating from the late 19th century to the late 20th century.

If you are hungry, there is a cafe inside the museum, serving fresh soup, sandwiches and cakes.

From Partick Station, The Riverside Museum is just 10 minutes walk.

Opening Hours: Monday- Thursday and Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm. Friday and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm.

4. Follow the Mural Trail

You can find colourful street art all around the city. Walking the dedicated mural trail is one of the most unique and fun activities in Glasgow. There are over twenty-five stunning street murals across the city centre. It takes about two to three hours to complete the trail.

The street murals transform otherwise dull places with stunning pieces of art. Even if you are short on time, you can add a few of the murals to your Glasgow itinerary .

St Mungo mural on High Street is the most popular one. In recent years, it has gotten very famous on social media. Created by local artist Smug, this stunning mural displays a modern-day St Mungo, the patron saint of this city, holding a robin in his hand.

Further Read : A Detailed Guide to the Best Murals of Glasgow Mural Trail

Don’t miss St Enoch and Child mural showing a younger St Mungo cradled by his mother St Thenue. Both murals are close to each other.

Another one of our favourites is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids on Mitchell Street. The large hyper-realistic mural shows a girl with a magnifying glass observing and trying to pick something up from the street.

Also, there are three beautiful murals of Glasgow-born comedian Billy Connolly presented on his 75th birthday – Billy Connolly by John Byrne, Big Yin by Rachel Maclean and Dr Connolly, I Presume? by Jack Vettriano.

5. Take a Day Trip from Glasgow

There are so many amazing day trip options from Glasgow that we would encourage you to add at least some of them to your travel itinerary.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a must-visit place in Scotland. It is the largest freshwater lake by surface in the whole of Britain. Take a scenic boat cruise from Balloch and explore the beautiful villages dotted on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. The charming village of Luss is a popular destination for water sports.

Edinburgh is an unmissable day trip destination from Glasgow. Start your city tour with a visit to the iconic Edinburgh Castle . After taking a stroll through the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, climb Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill for a stunning view. Don’t miss a quick visit to Dean Village , Victoria Street and Circus Lane in Stockbridge .

Another great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Glasgow is the Isle of Arran. Popularly known as “Scotland in Miniature”, the island is famous for its spectacular coastline, castles , stunning vistas, diverse wildlife, and plenty of local produce. Also, there are hiking routes and trails for all fitness levels.

You can also spend a day in the ancient city of Stirling and discover the thousands of years of fascinating Scottish history.

Read More : 15 Best Day Trips from Glasgow

6. Visit the Burrell Collection

Located inside the Pollok Country Park, the Burrell Collection is one of the best museums in Glasgow. It houses an impressive collection of around 9000 objects.

They are all collected by Sir William Burrell over 75 years. The museum holds the greatest art collections ever accumulated by one single person.

An affluent shipping magnet and an avid collector, Sir William Burrell, with his wife, Lady Burrell, gave their enormous personal collection to the city of Glasgow in 1944.

From Chinese and Islamic art to medieval stained glasses and paintings – the remarkable collection holds around 6000 years of history. Admire the Wagner Garden carpet, one of the three surviving Persian garden carpets in the world. You will see paintings and sculptures by renowned artists like Manet, Rodin, Degas and Cézanne.

There is a cafe and shop inside the museum. Don’t forget to visit the nearby Pollok House.

Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, Friday and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm.

7. Marvel at the University of Glasgow’s Architecture

Located in the West End, this university is one of the most iconic landmarks in this Scottish city. Founded in 1451, it is the fourth oldest university in the UK and the second oldest in Scotland.

The main building is often considered the real-life inspiration behind the famous school for wizards, Hogwarts. Although Harry Potter movies were never filmed here, the spectacular Gothic architecture looks like something out of a storybook.

Also, it has appeared in many films and TV shows, like Cloud Atlas, T2 Trainspotting and Outlander.

Around the campus of Glasgow University, you will find various museums, including the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Zoology Museum and Anatomy Museum.

Don’t forget to visit the stunning Cloisters, which connect the east and west Quadrangles, the two most beautiful parts of the university and are very photogenic.

Also, from the university flagpole, you will get an elevated view over Glasgow, with Kelvingrove dominating the skyline. It is an excellent spot to watch the sunset.

8. Explore Kibble Palace and Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is one of the best places in Glasgow to walk and commune with nature. Founded in 1817 by botanist Thomas Hopkirk, it houses a wide variety of plant collections from all over the world.

Also, it is an ideal place to get sun-soaked on lazy summer days while enjoying the blossoms around.

Inside the beautiful garden, you will find the stunning Kibble Palace, an architectural gem of Glasgow. Designed by John Kibble, the glasshouse contains an impressively large variety of temperate plants and several beautiful statues. Admission to the garden and the Kibble Palace is free.

There are several other glasshouses you can explore. Botanics also hosts events and is often used as a concert venue.

Pop into the tearoom for some delicious scones, tea and sandwiches. It can be found near Kibble Palace, at the former curator’s house.

Opening Hours: Daily, from 7 am to dusk all year.

9. Admire the Picturesque Views from the Necropolis

Perched on a small hill adjacent to the Glasgow Cathedral, Necropolis is a Victorian garden cemetery and the final resting place for over fifty thousand residents.

Modelled after the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, this vast 37-acre cemetery is full of stunning architecture and sculptures. Today, it is the second-largest green open space in the city.

Read More : 13 Hidden Gems in Glasgow

The Necropolis was founded in 1831 by the Merchants’ House of Glasgow. It was the first planned cemetery in the city. After the passing of the Cemeteries Act in 1832, this site officially opened in 1833.

Many prominent figures are buried here, including former Lord Provosts, poets, shipbuilders, lawyers and merchants. Wander around the various paths around the cemetery. You would find beautiful monuments,  mausoleums and decorated tombstones with intricate details.

Also, you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the cityscape from the Necropolis. On a clear day, you can even see the hills of Cowal, Kyle and Cunninghame.

10. Experience Life at Sea on Tall Ship Glenlee

Berthed on the Northern bank of River Clyde, The Tall Ship Glenlee is a historic maritime landmark and one of the five remaining Clyde-built three-masted ships still afloat. Glenlee is one of a kind in the UK and one of the free places to visit in the city.

It was built in 1896 at Bay Shipyard in Port Glasgow by Anderson Rodger & Co. as a cargo ship. She can carry 2,600 tons of cargo with a crew of just 25 men.

From 1922 she was used as a sail training ship for the Spanish Navy and was renamed Galatea. Later she became a part of the Spanish Republican Navy.

In the early 1990s, she was found deserted in a Spanish port. The Clyde Maritime Trust bought it in an auction in 1992, and after a lot of restoration, Glenlee was opened to the public in 1999.

Hop onboard to explore this ship-turned-museum. You will learn a lot about the fascinating maritime history of Glasgow and what life was like onboard this vessel. Visit the engine room and the cargo hold below the deck. There’s a mini cinema and a small play area for the kids in the cargo hold.

Opening Hours: Summer months, Wednesday-Monday, 10 am to 5 pm and Tuesday, 11 am to 5 pm.

11. Soak up the Sun at Pollok Country Park

Spanning across a huge 361-acre area, Pollok Country Park is the largest park in Glasgow. It is an excellent place to relax and unwind, escaping the busy city centre.

Hop on a train from Central Station to Pollokshaws West, which takes around 10 minutes. The park is just a few minutes walk from there.

Walkers and cyclists can enjoy the extensive woodland trails and gardens. Watch out for the extremely adorable highland cattle in the park.

Located in the middle of this park, Pollok House is an elegant Georgian house and one of the best historical sites in Glasgow. It was built in 1752 and was the ancestral home of the Maxwell family. While there are no entry fees for the park, you need to buy a ticket for the house.

Step inside the house to admire its impressive interiors and a great collection of Spanish paintings. It is interesting to see the labyrinth of passageways used by the staff to run the house.

Opening Hours: Pollock House, 10.00–16.00. The Garden & Country Park is open daily.

12. See Famous Works in the Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery

The University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum is the oldest museum in Scotland, and it holds one of the best university collections in the world. It has one of the largest collections in Scotland outside the National Museums.

Founded in 1807, The Hunterian Museum was originally built on the High Street of Glasgow,  mainly based on the collections donated by Dr William Hunter, a Scottish anatomist, physician and collector.

You will see an impressive archaeological collection of Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall, frontiers of the Roman Empire in Scotland.

Located only a few minutes walk from the Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery showcases a wide range of outstanding masterpieces by several renowned artists.

The gallery is home to a great collection of work by renowned Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Admire the world’s largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler. There are also paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Chardin, Stubbs, Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourist.

Opening Hours: Tuesday- Sunday, 10 am-5 pm and closed on Monday.

13. Admire the Grand Architecture of Glasgow City Chambers

Inaugurated in 1888 by Queen Victoria, this grand building is one of the most iconic and impressive landmarks in this city. Also, it has been the headquarters of Glasgow City Council since 1996.

Located in George Square, the Beaux-arts style building shows the wealth and industrial prosperity of the merchant city. While the building looks absolutely stunning from the outside, you will have to join a tour to access the interiors of the building.

Guided tours run twice at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm, from Monday to Friday. No prior booking is necessary, and entry is free. Two main highlights of the tour are the grand marble staircase and the banqueting hall.

Built using marble imported from Italy, the staircase is the largest marble staircase in Europe. It is believed that the City Chambers have more marble than the Vatican’s.

The ornate banqueting hall has beautifully painted murals by the Glasgow Boys. The room has hosted kings, queens and presidents over the years. Don’t miss the Upper Gallery on the third floor.

14. Visit the Gallery of Modern Art

This is the most visited modern art gallery in Scotland. Opened in 1996, GoMA hosts various temporary exhibitions and events featuring local and international artists.

The permanent display shows the history of the gallery building. The neoclassical building was built in 1778 for William Cunninghame, a wealthy tobacco Lord of Glasgow.

Here you will find works by David Hockney, Sebastião Salgado, and Andy Warhol.

In front of the gallery, you will find the proudly standing equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, with a traffic cone on his head. Created by French sculptor Carlo Marochetti in 1844, it’s one of Glasgow’s most iconic attractions.

The authorities unsuccessfully tried removing the cone many times, and every time it got replaced. What started as a cheeky prank years ago has become a tradition today.

It shows the humorous side of the Glaswegians. The statue even got a place in the Lonely Planet’s list of “top 10 most bizarre monuments on Earth”.

Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday, Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. Friday and Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.

15. Attend a Live Music Performance

Considered the music capital of Scotland, Glasgow was the first city in the UK to be named UNESCO City of Music in 2008. Attend a live music event to experience the city’s vibrant music scene first-hand.

Many city pubs host live gigs regularly ranging from Scottish ceilidh bands to jazz, rock to indie – there is something for everyone.

Music is in the heart of this city. Around 130 music events take place every week on average across various venues in Glasgow.

Hampden Park and OVO Hydro have previously hosted some famous names in

music, like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, U2 and Adele. In 1993 Oasis was signed on immediately after their performance in King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. The iconic Barrowland Ballroom has hosted Oasis, David Bowie and Metallica.

Visit 13th Note, BLOC+, and The Howlin’ Wolf bar for a memorable musical evening. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls and Old Fruitmarket host concerts in classical settings. The city is also the home of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

You can attend many music festivals throughout the year. Celtic Connections, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, TRNSMT, Country to Country, and World Pipe Band Championships attract thousands of music lovers.

16. Discover Glasgow Green and People’s Palace

Bounded on one side by River Clyde, this is the oldest park in the city. It takes only twenty minutes to walk from George Square to get here.

The historic parkland was granted by King James II to Bishop William Turnbull and the people of Glasgow in the 15th century.

There are many historic houses and monuments around the park which include Nelson’s Monument, Templeton Carpet Factory, St. Andrew’s Suspension Bridge, McLennan Arch, and the Doulton Fountain.

Set inside the park, People’s Palace and Winter Garden is a social history museum and a Victorian glasshouse. Opened in 1898 by the Earl of Rosebery, it was built as a cultural centre for the people of Glasgow.

The museum showcases the fascinating history of the city and its people from 1750 to the end of the 20th century. You will see a recreated one-room tenement house, the famous communal laundry of Glasgow and many more.

Adjacent to the People’s Palace is the glass-domed winter garden glasshouse. You will find a variety of tropical plants there.

17. Delve into Delicious Food in Ox and Finch

Just a short walk from Kelvingrove Park, Ox and Finch has been attracting rave reviews from the locals and visitors for its creative food. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best restaurants in Glasgow.

Featured many times in the coveted Michelin Guide over the years, the food here is reasonably priced and served in tapas style.

So, you need to order five to six dishes for two people. We ordered butter bean hummus and flatbread, crab and crayfish cocktail, confit duck leg, slow-roasted pork belly and roasted Jerusalem artichokes.

The food was absolutely delicious and very well presented. Different ingredients and flavours are beautifully put together to create something unique. We definitely recommend a visit here.

18. Take a Tour of Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery

Situated at the East End of Glasgow, Wellpark Brewery is the home of Scotland’s most celebrated brewer, Tennent’s. This a must-visit place for all beer lovers visiting this city.

It was founded in 1740 by Hugh and Robert Tennent at Drygate Bridge, near Glasgow Cathedral. Today, it’s known as one of the best-selling pale lager brands in Scotland.

You can find the company’s trademark large red “T” signboard at almost all the pubs and restaurants in Scotland.

The Tennent’s Story Heritage Centre is the largest beer attraction in the UK. You will see exhibits and installations showing the intriguing story of their origin and their role in Scottish culture. You can buy gifts and souvenirs from the shop down there. Tours run seven days a week.

The Tennent’s Brewery Tour takes visitors backstage, where all the magic happens.

You will learn the fascinating history of the brewery and the nearby area of Glasgow and of course, get to know their famous brewing process.

The tour takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and costs £12.50 per person. It is not suitable for people under the age of 12 years.

19. Seek out Views atop the Lighthouse

Located at Mitchell Lane, a narrow side street just off the busy Buchanan Street in Glasgow, The Lighthouse is Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture. It serves as an exhibition centre, gallery and event venue and promotes design and architecture.

The building used to be the office of the Glasgow Herald newspaper. It was designed by the renowned Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

It was the first public commission completed by him. For all Mackintosh lovers, The Lighthouse is a must-visit place.

There is also a viewing platform at the top of the Lighthouse which requires climbing 136 steps via a helical staircase from level three. You will get an uninterrupted panoramic view of the skyline of Glasgow.

To avoid the climb, take a lift to the indoor viewing platform at level six and admire the stunning view of the Mackintosh Tower and the city skyline.

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30 am – 5 pm and Sunday, 12 pm – 5 pm.

20. Visit the Mackintosh House

The Mackintosh House is the reconstructed home of world-renowned Glaswegian architect, artist and designer – Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, who lived here from 1906 to 1914.

It is a must-visit Glasgow attraction for anyone interested in Mackintoshes’ design and architecture.

When the couple moved to the 78 Southpark Avenue house in 1906, they redesigned and refurbished the old Victorian end-of-terrace house in their distinctive style. The house was demolished in the early 1960s due to the expansion of Glasgow University, but the furniture and fixtures were preserved.

Later the university decided to rebuild the house. Much of the principal interiors of the original house were carefully reconstructed, including the dining room, studio drawing room and bedroom.

Original furniture and decorations were reassembled, and even the room sequences were exactly the same as the original house.

The entrance to the house is through the Hunterian Art Gallery.

Opening Hours: 10 am–5 pm Tue–Sun. Monday closed.

21. Shop Till You Drop in Glasgow

This bustling city is a shopper’s paradise. It’s one of the best cities for shopping in Britain outside London.

Buchanan Street is the main pedestrianised shopping area. Bustling with street performers and shoppers, it runs through Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and Ingram Street- known as Glasgow’s ‘Style Mile’.

Argyll Arcade, Buchanan Galleries, St Enoch Centre, and Princes Square are popular shopping malls with independent boutiques and famous designer brands.

Head towards Mr Ben, The City, and Starry Starry Night for a unique vintage shopping experience.

Also, visit The Barras Market at the East End for some bargain buys. It takes place every weekend with vendors selling everything, from antiques to vintage clothing and home accessories.

22. Enjoy a Show at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

In Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, hundreds of exquisitely hand-carved metal figures come alive with atmospheric music and lighting. Catching a show in this theatre is one of the fun activities in Glasgow.

Originally founded in Russia in 1989, Sharmanka moved here in 1995.

The shortest show is named Journey and it runs for about 30 minutes. It’s a great introductory show featuring some of their most popular kinetic pieces.

Promenade and Wheels of Life are Sharmanka’s two main shows, and they run for around an hour. The promenade displays Eduard Bersudsky’s kinetic sculptures made in Scotland and is suitable for all ages.

Wheels of Life shows the early kinetic sculptures made in the Soviet Union and portrays a much darker theme, which is recommended for adults only.

23. Try a Tipple at Clydeside Distillery

You can’t leave Scotland without visiting a distillery. Located at Queen’s Dock, Clydeside Distillery is Glasgow’s first dedicated Single Malt Whisky distillery in more than 100 years. The distillery was opened to the public in November 2017.

They offer different types of tours and tasting sessions. During the guided tour, you will get to visit an exhibit to learn about Glasgow’s history of the whisky industry. Next, an expert tour guide will show you around the production area and demonstrate the methods and skills of whisky-making. The tour concludes at their Tasting Room, where you can enjoy three drams of 10-year-old Single Malt Whiskies from Highland, Lowland and Islay.

Another slightly longer tour is called the Chocolate and Whisky Tour. It lasts for about an hour and a half.

24. Enjoy Glasgow’s Legendary Nightlife

Like Newcastle , this city has a buzzing, vibrant nightlife. This city is one of the best places in Scotland for a night out.

There are many diverse venues across the city to enjoy theatres, comedy, cabaret and live music. So, dance till sunrise or enjoy a Ceilidh at a traditional Glasgow pub.

Some of the most famous nightclubs are The Garage, Revolution, Nice N Sleazy, Sloans, Swing, and The Corinthian Club. For LGBTQ+ inclusive bar and music venues, pop into Polo Lounge, Katie’s Bar, and Delmonicas.

You can’t leave the city without visiting one of its many traditional pubs. For a wee drink or partying with pals, visit Slouch, Waxy O’Connor’s Glasgow, Scotia Bar and The Ben Nevis Bar. Vegans can enjoy themselves at Mono, a vegan café bar.

Map of the Attractions

Here is a map of all the best attractions to visit and the best things to do in Glasgow. We have also marked popular places to eat and all the stunning viewpoints around the city. Save it on your phone. So, you can use it offline. Click here to save the Google Map on your phone .

How to Get Around Glasgow

This city has an excellent public transport network. First Bus runs frequent

bus services around the city and beyond. You can buy a day ticket for unlimited travel. Also, jump onto the Subway, which links the south and north of the city. Underground trains run on a circular route and are very frequent.

Many of the attractions in the Glasgow city centre are within walking distance from one another. So you can easily get around on foot. You can also hire an OVO e-bike to explore this city in an environment-friendly way.

Best Time to Visit Glasgow

April to July is the best time to visit this city. The weather remains relatively dry and warm. While July is the hottest month, the temperature rarely exceeds 19 degrees Celsius – quite pleasant to enjoy the city.

But bear in mind the Scottish weather is quite unpredictable. So, carry an umbrella or a rain jacket with you. Also, most of the famous festivals happen during this time.

But honestly, Glasgow is an all-year-round destination. Most of the attractions are open daily throughout the year.

This city is great for a wee winter city break as well. Every year, Glasgow glams up from mid-November till the end of the year with beautiful Christmas markets.

How Many Days to Spend in Glasgow

We would suggest spending 2-3 days to see all the main tourist sites. Although, if you are short on time, it is possible to see some of the highlights of Glasgow in a day.

There are so many exciting things going on here you can easily spend a week visiting all the museums, galleries, parks, music performances and festivals. Also, if you are staying longer, there are some great day trip options from this city.

We hope this article on the best things to do in Glasgow was helpful in planning your trip.

Love Moumita & Sankha.

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21 Must-Visit Attractions in Glasgow

With Scotland’s largest city comes an appealing array of attractions. Glasgow , with its quintessential Scottish charm and magnificent architecture, is a cultural playground. Medieval buildings, raved about art collections, marble staircases and cracking music venues — the city ticks every box. Here, we round up 21 of the most desirable spots worth exploring.

Building, Art Gallery

2. Glasgow Science Centre

A telling portrayal of Glasgow’s glistening art scene, the Mural Tour is your chance to meander around the city streets appreciating local artists such as Rogue One and Smug. From balloon-led taxis to massive tigers, Banksy has some serious Scottish competition.

John Street, Glasgow, Scotland

3. Glasgow Necropolis

4. the corinthian.

Bar, Brasserie, Restaurant, Nightclub, Contemporary, European, British

Strategically located in the hip Merchant City area, The Corinthian boasts all the bells and whistles! From the pukka interior accents and lavish cocktails at the Tellers Bar to the Harlem Jazz-era feels of the casino, more-ish food, and hypnotic live music nights, there’s no bad hand with this one. Swanky beyond belief.

5. Kelvingrove

Art Gallery, Building, Museum

6. People’s Palace And Winters Gardens

7. Provand’s Lordship

8. riverside museum.

9. Britannia Panopticon

Music Venue

10. City Chambers

11. Fossil Grove

12. Glasgow Cathedral

Cathedral, Church

13. The Barras

14. the hunterian museum, 15. the waverley.

The Mackintosh Trail

If time permits, a tour of the works of Glaswegian architect, designer and all around creative Charles Rennie Mackintosh , is advised. The Lighthouse (his first public commission), Mackintosh House, House For An Art Lover, Glasgow School Of Art , Scotland Street School Museum and The Hill House all possess his iconic stamp.

The Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew St, Glasgow

16. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Art Gallery, Theater

17. Botanic Gardens And Kibble Palace

Botanical Garden

18. WEST Brewery

Brewery, Building

19. King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Why we love Glasgow

Pushing the boundaries of art and culture, tunes that rock the city, varied shopping and a heart that beats through its people, what’s not to love about Glasgow? Its Gothic and Victorian architecture, a landlocked lighthouse, and sleek silver lines of the Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum resting on the River Clyde all make it easy on the eye. Culture vultures can seek out top art or a stuffed elephant at the bohemian Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Take a walking tour of its street art on the Glasgow Mural Trail or check out its plethora of vegan eateries. And loving all things sustainable – there’s 300km of bike paths, paddle boarding and a nightclub powered by the heat of its revellers to discover.

Art Pistol & Rogue Oner, Bubbles/Glasgow Mural Trail

Follow the trail 

Eye-catching designs and transformed spaces breathe new life into Glasgow’s streets. Discover the quirky, eclectic and radical graffiti on its Mural Trail .

VisitScotland

Glasgow’s outdoors

Get out and about in Glasgow with its many outdoor activities . Hidden away behind the elegant medieval Glasgow Cathedral is the incredible Victorian necropolis. Taking in views over the city, it was the final and majestically quirky resting place of noble locals. Or take a stroll to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens where you can listen to live music and outdoor theatre shows throughout summer, and Pollok Country Park (just south of the city) boasts not only a stately Edwardian manor, but mountain bike trails and The Burrell Collection art gallery.

State-of-the-art galleries

With regular galleries, rotating exhibitions and events throughout the year, 2024 at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is shaping up to be action packed. Look out for Glaswegian artist Alasdair Gray’s Cowcaddens, the GlaswegAsians exhibition, plus daily organ recitals.

DF Concerts & Events

Transmitting cool vibes

Taking place in the city’s Glasgow Green, dance the night away at TRNSMT Festival with big names in the world of music. 2024 is no exception, with Liam Gallagher, Gerry Cinnamon and Calvin Harris headlining over this three day event.  

The Finnieston

Discover Glasgow’s sustainable dining

Whether you’re sipping cocktails at The Finnieston Bar, dining at Tiffney’s or Gamba for locally sourced foods, or tucking into Stereo’s 100 per cent vegan tapas, Glasgow has a raft of sustainable, vegan or vegetarian dining options. Check out The Dockyard Social for Scottish craft beers, fancy cocktails and street food stall, all accompanied by a party vibe inside a converted warehouse.

Book a Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour

Things to do in glasgow.

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

As well as live concerts and spectacular Baroque architecture, Kelvingrove is home to 8,000 treasured exhibits too.

Gallery of Modern Art

This free gallery is home to Glasgow’s modern and contemporary art collection, and also hosts craft workshops and curator talks too.

The Clydeside Distillery

Calling all whisky lovers! This single malt distillery offers tours and tastings galore – including artisan chocolate pairings.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

With an ornate glasshouse at its heart, this is one of Scotland’s finest gardens, with a history dating back over 200 years.

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow Mural Trail

Glasgow’s Mural Trail transforms the city’s streets.

Glasgow Music City Tours

Discover the city’s legendary music spots on these toe-tapping walking tours, including folk pubs and the famous stage of King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.

Premium Scottish seafood and top-quality gins: that’s the promise of this award-winning restaurant.

Glasgow Necropolis

With its ornate tombs and magnificent sculptures, this Victorian graveyard offers fascinating guided tours.

University of Glasgow Cloisters

Take a tour of the university’s architectural gems, to discover these iconic soaring columns and archways.

VisitBritain/Scott Salt

Riverside Museum

From skateboards and scooters to trains, ships and classic cars, explore this vast transportation collection.

Pride Glasgow

This annual festival strives for equality and inclusion, and honours the LGBTQIA+ trailblazers.

acawleyphoto

TRNSMT, Glasgow

Showcasing the latest in British indie and rock music, this Glasgow based summer festival has welcomed the likes of Sam Fender and Paolo Nutini.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Catch everything from classical concerts and famous operas to legends of pop, folk and musicals.

Photo by John Slavin @ Designfolk Ltd

Raves, festivals, club nights, gigs: there’s something amazing on the agenda almost every night of the week.

SWG3 Glasgow

Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour

Don’t just admire Glasgow’s street art: learn about the creators, inspirations and stories behind each piece.

James Klinge/Study of a Woman in Black/Glasgow Mural Trail

Dear Green Coffee

Coffee lovers, look out for this ethical brand while you’re in Scotland – and take a tour of its Glasgow roastery.

Invisible Cities Tour Glasgow

These tours are led by people who’ve experienced homelessness, before training up as excellent guides.

Invisible Cities CIC

Princes Square

This luxury mall celebrates the finer things in life, featuring boutiques, bistros and a cinema.

VisitScotland/Peter Dibdin

Hotpod Yoga Glasgow

This isn’t your regular hot yoga studio: it’s a calming multisensory journey in an illuminated cocoon…

Forget herbal teas: at this gin-inspired spa, every 60-minute treatment comes with a complimentary G&T.

The Gin Spa

Glasgow Green

This award-winning idyll is the oldest park in Glasgow – a haven of walks and picnic spots.

Alamy Stock Photo/Stefano Valeri

West Highland Way

Discover the beauty of the Highlands on this 96-mile (154km) walking trail, between Milngavie and Fort William.

West Highland Way/Paul Sanders

The Dockyard Social

True to its name, this street food spot is all about great mates, big laughs and happy times.

Dockyard Social

Burrell Collection

Explore art treasures by the likes of Cézanne and Degas, plus one of Britain’s largest Chinese collections.

CSG CIC Glasgow Museums and Libraries Collection

Glasgow Paddleboarders Co.

These guided paddleboarding trips reveal the beauty of Glasgow’s waterways and wildlife.

Glasgow Paddleboarders Co

Ibrox Stadium

From the dressing rooms to the dugout: a tour of Ibrox puts you right in the heart of the action.

Antony McAulay / Alamy Stock Photo

Glasgow Wake Park

Scotland’s first urban wake park offers a cable course, gnarly trick obstacles and expert instructors.

Getty Images/Olivia Bell Photography

Drygate Brewing Co

Famous for its small-batch beers, this craft brewery offers a 23-tap brasserie, lively bar and tours.

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The Wee Food Tour

Take a bite out of Glasgow’s food, culture and history on these fun, informative walking tours.

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Glasgow Central Museum

From infamous stories to mysterious tunnels, discover the hidden depths of this historic train station.

Johnathon Allison / Alamy Stock Photo

Glasgow Jazz Festival

Featuring musicians from all over the world, this is a four-day fiesta of blues, funk, soul and jazz.

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Pollok Park

The home of the Burrell Collection, this vast green space features woodlands, gardens and walking trails.

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Buchanan Street

For high street favourites, designer labels and fashion-packed department stores, you’ve come to the right place.

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St Enoch Centre

As well as a huge range of stores, this city-centre mall offers great food and live entertainment galore.

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The Hidden Lane

With over 100 artists’ studios, craft workshops, and indie shops, it’s worth seeking out this quirky quarter.

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Featured things to do

Grab a paddle

Whether SUPing for the first time or a seasoned expert looking for adventure, there’s a session for all. With kit suitable for children to adults, get out on the water and explore Scotland from your board.

Fabio Paiva

Dance to the beat of Glasgow’s outdoor music festivals

Dance along at the three-day electronic Riverside Festival and check out Summer Nights at the Bandstand at Kelvingrove Park, with 13 nights of live music from established artists.

The Gin to my Tonic Festival

One of the largest gin festivals in the country, sample unlimited tastings and cocktail bars galore while learning from the experts during bags of masterclasses.

Festive Glaswegian cheer

Gather around the shores of Loch Lomond for a free Christmas festival and take in Glasgow’s festive markets before rounding the year of with Hogmanay.

Places to stay in Glasgow

City centre.

Packed with dining out options, shopping and nightlife, this culturally-rich neighbourhood provides a base for discovering street art, Merchant City and more.

Home to top attractions and quirky lanes, a stay in this bohemian area provides a true taste of Glasgow.

From the city’s largest parks and outdoor spaces to chic cafes, explore the chilled side of Glasgow.

Explore nearby

From palaces to cobbled alleys, and a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

Borders and Lowlands

The gateway into Scotland, the Borders and Lowlands pack the punch,

VisitBritain/Simon Jarratt

Getting to Glasgow

Glasgow Airport is Scotland’s second busiest international hub, and is just a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre. If you’re travelling from London, Avanti West Coast runs the quickest service, taking around four hours and 30 minutes. Edinburgh is just 50 minutes away, while the city also has connections to Birmingham and Manchester, among other hubs.

Getting around

Central Glasgow can easily be explored on foot, while an extensive subway and bus network provides connections to the suburbs and surrounding areas. A Roundabout ticket provides unlimited one-day travel on ScotRail and the Subway to more than 110 stations.

Subway trains run up to every four minutes at peak times, serving a circuit of 15 stations.

First Bus Greater Glasgow services extend throughout the city, providing a quick and convenient means of travel.

Glasgow is really easy to explore by bike using its 185 miles (300km) of cycleways. Pick up a rental bike from OVO and others.

Want to know more?

Check out Visit Scotland for top inside tips and travelling inspiration.

The 15 Best Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

As Scotland ’s biggest and loudest city, you’re going to love exploring all of the cool things to do in Glasgow . Overlooking the River Clyde on Scotland’s west coast, the locals will quickly tell you that their city is a much trendier version of Edinburgh !

Glasgow is always up-and-coming, and you’ll find that this is a city that’s constantly on the move. This is an exciting destination to visit, and you’ll love how Glasgow has moved on from its industrial past but has lovingly preserved its Victorian heritage along the River Clyde and within the city center. 

You’ll find beautiful 19th-century buildings along Buchanan Street, George Street, and Royal Exchange Square, where historic architecture mixes with high-end retail outlets, cool cafes and bars, and contemporary art galleries and museums. 

As Scotland’s most populous city, you’ll find that Glasgow plays host to some of the country’s best festivals, including the biggest Hogmanay celebrations on New Year’s Eve. The city is home to some of Scotland’s most important cultural institutions, too, including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Theatre Royal, and the National Piping Centre (where you can learn to play the bagpipes like a true Highlander!). 

And once you’ve seen all the best Glasgow sightseeing attractions , it’s time for a dram or two of Scotch whisky or an escape to the beautiful surrounds of nearby Pollok Country Park or Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. 

With so many things to do in Glasgow, we won’t be surprised if you don’t know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to see in Glasgow to help you plan the best itinerary. Stick to these fun and unique Glasgow bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’re going to have an incredible time exploring Scotland’s largest and most exciting city!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 15 Best Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

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Top 15 Things to do in Glasgow

1. stroll along bustling buchanan street.

Start your Glasgow sightseeing tour with a stroll along one of the city’s most famous and historic thoroughfares. Buchanan Street dates back to the late 18th century, and it’s home to a beautiful array of Victorian-era architecture in addition to Glasgow’s most upmarket shops.

What we love most about Buchanan Street, though, is that this really is the place to start your journey in Glasgow. Buchanan Street stretches from the Buchanan Galleries in the north down to St. Enoch Square in the south. While you can walk the entire length of the street in just 10 to 15 minutes if you’re in a hurry, there’s a whole lot waiting for you in the surrounding squares and arcades if you’ve got the time. 

This is central Glasgow, and if you start walking south from Buchanan Galleries , you’ll pass by Glasgow Central Station on your left before meeting St George’s Tron Church in the center of Nelson Mandela Place. Take a detour here, and walk along W George Street to George Square, where you’ll find Glasgow’s most important public square. George Square is surrounded by elegant Victorian architecture, including the City Chambers and statues of Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Queen Victoria. 

Follow Queen Street south of George Square, and you’ll find yourself in Royal Exchange Square, home to some of Glasgow’s grandest public buildings, the Gallery of Modern Art, and a famous statue of the Duke of Wellington that often finds itself with a stolen traffic cone for a hat after Glasgow’s students have been drinking beer all night! 

Walk through Royal Exchange Square, and you’ll meet up with Buchanan Street again. Stop off at the Willow Tea Room for unique art-nouveau decor and some much-needed refreshment before strolling down to St Enoch Square and the end of the road. 

2. Explore 22 Galleries at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the best Glasgow attractions – and best of all, it’s completely free to visit! Spare a few hours to visit Glasgow’s premier museum and art gallery because there are 22 individually-themed galleries for you to explore.

You’ll be impressed as soon as you arrive at the entrance to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum because this Victorian-era building was built to awe at the end of the 19th century. The grand, almost-palatial architecture was inspired by the Spanish Baroque style that was popular at the time, but it was firmly grounded using local Glaswegian materials and techniques. 

The museum first opened in 1901 and underwent a massive refurbishment in 2006 that modernized the facilities and updated the exhibits over a century after it was first established. The scale of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is enormous.

You’ll be greeted in the Centre Hall by the reconstructed skeleton of a Diplodocus dinosaur that’s been affectionately nicknamed Dolly. The journey continues as you venture through the prehistoric era before learning about Scotland’s earliest human beings and the long transition toward the modern Scotland that we know today. 

The museum holds a unique array of artifacts, including mummified heads, an Egyptian sarcophagus, a World War II Spitfire fighter plane, and more. The art galleries hold some of Europe’s most treasured works of art, including Christ of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí and works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Vincent van Gogh. 

3. Experience Glasgow’s Unique Cultural Heritage

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, and while Edinburgh might be the capital, you’ll find that many of the nation’s cultural institutions actually have their home here. During your stay in the city, you’re going to have lots of opportunities to get cultural, and we’ve got more than a few recommendations to start you off! 

The Theatre Royal is Glasgow’s oldest theater, and you’ll love how this beautiful Victorian building is the base for the Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet. If you’re a fan of the performing arts, then you can also book a ticket to see the Royal Scottish National Opera in Glasgow, which often plays at the esteemed Glasgow Royal Concert Hall . 

If you prefer contemporary culture, then you’ll find films to watch at the Glasgow Film Theatre and comedy acts at the Tron Theatre , while every summer, the city is taken over by epic music festivals, including the Riverside Festival and TRNSMT. 

4. Time Travel at the Riverside Museum

One of Glasgow’s most exciting projects is the Riverside Museum , where history collides with the city’s future ambitions in a unique setting. Located on the banks of the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum is on the site of a former shipyard in Glasgow’s regenerated Glasgow Harbour district.

You’ll be awed by the modern architecture, as the Riverside Museum was designed by famed architect Zaha Hadid before opening in 2011. Outside the museum, you’ll find the Glenlee , a three-masted, 19th-century sailing ship that’s traveled the world and is now preserved in the harbor on the River Clyde.

The authentic sailing ship is part of the Glasgow Museum of Transport, which any traveler should find fascinating. This museum is part of the Riverside Museum project. Inside, you’ll see thousands of different modes of transport and types of vehicles that were popular in the past, as well as exhibitions that speculate how we might travel in the future. 

5. Delve into Glasgow’s Past at the People’s Palace

For a unique insight into the lives of Glaswegians through the last three centuries, a visit to the People’s Palace is one of the best things to do in Glasgow. 

You’ll find this people-focused museum in the middle of Glasgow Green, a large public park that overlooks the River Clyde. The museum first opened in 1898, although it’s been updated since in order to tell the continuing story of the people of Glasgow from the 1750s onwards.

You’ll learn all about the lives of average Glaswegians and discover how things have changed since the industrial revolution. The People’s Palace is also home to the impressive Winter Gardens, a wonderful glass-domed greenhouse that’s packed with tropical flora. 

6. Explore the Spooky World of Glasgow’s Victorian Necropolis

If you’re looking for unusual places to visit, the city’s Victorian-era Necropolis should be at the top of your Glasgow bucket list! This vast Necropolis was the city’s main burial ground from the 17th century onwards, and it’s estimated that some 50,000 Glaswegians are buried over the 37 acres of grounds.

It might sound like an eerie place to visit, but each of the headstones and graves has a unique story to tell. The best way to visit the Necropolis is on a guided tour. These are run regularly by the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis group, who look after this historic Glasgow attraction.

The Victorian Necropolis is situated next to the impressive Glasgow Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest buildings. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century, although major refurbishments in later centuries ensure that the architecture is a colorful mix of medieval, reformation-era, and modern styles. 

7. Discover Glasgow’s Most Famous Architect at the Mackintosh Centre

You’ll have seen the work of Glasgow’s most famous architect, even if you have no idea who he is! Charles Rennie Mackintosh is somewhat of a legend in the city, as he designed many of Glasgow’s most important public buildings.

The Victorian-era architect-designed Scotland Street School is now a museum dedicated to telling the story of education in Glasgow. He also designed the Willow Tea Room , where you can enjoy a delectable afternoon tea in a delightfully traditional setting. He’s also the architect behind Queens Cross Church , Hill House , the former offices of The Herald newspaper, the Daily Record newspaper, and much more.

You can learn more about his life and work at The Lighthouse , the first building he ever designed, where you’ll now find the excellent Mackintosh Centre.

8. Escape the City with a Trip to Pollok Country Park

On the south side of the River Clyde, you can find Pollok Country Park , which we’re sure you’re going to agree is one of the best green spaces in Glasgow. You’ll love how close to the city Pollok Country Park is, but you’ll also appreciate how far removed this gorgeous public space is from the urban confines of Glasgow’s city center. 

You’ll have 146 acres of beautifully maintained and landscaped gardens to explore when you visit Pollok Country Park. The scenery here is surprisingly diverse. One moment you’ll be strolling through woodland, and the next, you’ll find yourself walking along the gentle banks of the White Cart Water River. 

Pollok Country Park is set around Pollok House , a grand country house that was the family home of the Maxwell’s for centuries. The house itself is open to the public, and you can learn more about the lavish lifestyle lived by one of Scotland’s oldest noble families as you tour through elegant hallways and admire the extensive collection of artwork on display. 

Pollok Country Park is also home to the magnificent Burrell Collection, where you’ll find an impressive array of artwork collected from around the world. The collection was curated by Sir William Burrell. The wealthy Glaswegian merchant gathered together artwork from across Europe, China, and the Islamic world before donating the collection to the people of Glasgow. 

9. Enjoy a Dram (or Two!) of Scotch Whisky

No trip to Scotland is ever complete without enjoying a dram or two of authentic Scotch, and in Glasgow, you’re going to be spoiled for choice when it comes to the local whiskies. Like anywhere in Scotland, Glasgow has its own local distilleries, and you’ll find that the best distillers have been perfecting their craft for centuries! 

For whisky lovers, one of the must-do things in Glasgow is a tour of The Glasgow Distillery . This is Glasgow’s original distiller of single malt whisky, and they’ve been producing fine Scotch for thirsty Glaswegians since 1770. 

Less than an hour’s drive north of central Glasgow, you can escape the city and visit one of Scotland’s best single malt producers when you book a tour of the Glengoyne Distillery . Surrounded by glens and mountains, you can taste the essence of the Highlands when you sample a whisky that’s been delicately crafted and refined since 1833.

Back in the city, and overlooking the banks of the River Clyde, you’ll find one of Glasgow’s newest distillers. The Clydeside Distillery may have only opened in 2017, but the founders have an impressive personal and family history of whisky distilling to draw on. 

Generations worth of knowledge has gone into their new single malt whisky, and we’re sure you’re going to love its distinctive lowland-style taste when you take a tour of the distillery.

Book a Distillery Tour 

10. Play the Bagpipes at the National Piping Centre

A visit to The National Piping Centre is easily one of the most unique things to do in Glasgow. This fascinating cultural center is home to bagpipes, tartan, kilts, and haggis. There really is no better place to learn about Scotland’s enduring traditions than here!

The National Piping Centre exists to protect “piping,” the historic musical tradition that’s based around the “Great Scottish Bagpipe.” The National Piping Centre preserves centuries-old bagpipes and other Highland traditions within the Museum of Piping, but there’s much more to experience than this.

If you’re musically inclined, you can take a piping course or schedule piping lessons with Glasgow’s best bagpipe musicians! You can even stay the night in tartan-styled rooms at the Pipers’ Tryst Hotel . Plus, you can also enjoy delightful traditional dishes such as haggis (including a vegan version of this Scotch classic), sticky toffee pudding, and Glaswegian mac ‘n’ cheese at the Pipers’ Tryst Restaurant. 

11. Take a Day Trip to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Glasgow is a great city to explore, but sometimes you just need to bask in the beauty of nature. Luckily, even central Glasgow is never too far away from the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. With a quick trip, you can find yourself basking in the glory of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park , which is just an hour’s drive from the city. 

This beautiful national park protects iconic Loch Lomond, a large inland lake (or loch) that’s surrounded by the spectacular hills, mountains, and glens of the Southern Highlands. Loch Lomond is one of the largest lakes in the United Kingdom, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities for wild swimming, kayaking, boating, and hiking when you visit the loch.

Loch Lomond is where the famous Scottish Highlands really begins. You can even attempt the challenging hike to the summit of Ben Lomond, which at an altitude of 974 meters is one of Scotland’s tallest “Munros,” or mountain peaks. 

There are charming loch-side and hill-top villages to visit, excellent hiking trails through woodland, glens, and countrysides, and so much more adventure awaiting you in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park! 

Book a Day Trip

12. Cycle (or Run) the Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath

Do you love long-distance adventures? Then you’ll love tackling the cross-country Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath , which connects Glasgow with Edinburgh.

Designed in the late 18th century, the Forth & Clyde Canal was built to connect Scotland’s east coast with the west coast. While Scotland’s industrial days are far behind it, the canal’s towpath has since become a popular walking, running, and cycling route that starts in Bowling (just outside of Glasgow) and ends in Edinburgh Quay. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not cycle the entire 66-mile route? It’s a unique way to travel between Scotland’s two most important cities. Plus, you’ll enjoy seeing a mixture of industrial history and re-emerging nature as you cross the Scottish Lowlands. 

If you haven’t got time, then you can just cycle, walk, or run shorter sections of the canal towpath as it makes its way through Glasgow’s northern suburbs. 

13. Walk the Remains of the Antonine Wall

Have you heard of Hadrian’s Wall? This was the great, coast-to-coast wall that was built by the Romans in 122 AD to protect their empire from northern invaders. But Hadrian’s Wall is located far to the south of Glasgow, and many assume that was the furthest north the Romans ever made it.

That assumption would be wrong because actually, the Romans built another wall to the north of Glasgow. This is the Antonine Wall, and work started on this immense defensive project in 142 AD. 

The Antonine Wall wasn’t built of stone, like Hadrian’s Wall, but the massive earthworks and ditches still scar the landscape today. The wall stretched from the Firth of Clyde right across to the Firth of Forth, and many of the archeological remnants still remain in the Glaswegian suburbs. 

To the northwest of Glasgow, you can walk along sections of the wall that pass through Duntocher in the city’s expanding suburbs. While in Bearsden, you can see the excavated remains of a Roman fort and bathhouse. 

To learn more about the Antonine Wall in general, you can visit the excellent Hunterian Museum in Glasgow, which is home to many artifacts and archeological finds that have been collected along the route of this old Roman monument. 

14. Indulge in a Saucy Tikka Masala Curry

If there’s one dish you have to try when you’re in Glasgow, it’s a tikka masala. It might sound strange traveling all the way to Scotland for a curry, but Glasgow is the legendary birthplace of one of the nation’s most popular British-Indian dishes!

Glasgow’s curry houses have been tempting locals and tourists alike since Indian immigrants first started arriving in the city in the 19th century. That’s when this distinct style of curry, influenced by the spices and culinary techniques of India, but blended for milder British tastes, began to evolve. 

The tikka masala (usually served as a chicken tikka masala) is said to have arrived on the scene in the 1970s when a chef at the Shish Mahal Restaurant in Glasgow decided to mix tomatoes with cream to create a new curry sauce that was an instant hit with the Brits. The Shish Mahal Restaurant is still serving up tikka masala, but you’ll need to book your table in advance, as this place is super popular! 

15. Celebrate Hogmanay like a Glaswegian 

If you’re searching for fun things to do in Glasgow, then there’s no better time to visit the city than during Hogmanay. This is Scotland’s famous (and occasionally infamous) New Year’s Eve extravaganza, and Glasgow is one of the best places to celebrate. If you can time your visit right, this is a must on your Glasgow bucket list!

Hogmanay is a celebration of the New Year, but this is a celebration that goes back centuries. Hogmanay is thought to trace its roots back to a mixture of Norse and Gaelic traditions, including celebrations of the winter solstice and events such as Samhain and Yule. 

There are many unique customs to be seen on Hogmanay, including First Footing, when you try to be the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or family member’s home in the New Year.

As Scotland’s largest city, you can expect celebrations in Glasgow to be huge. As well as New Year’s fireworks and countdowns, you’ll find raucous concerts and festivals taking place over the Hogmanay period. Parties don’t always just last for one night, either, and Hogmanay celebrations can go on for days in Glasgow!

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Glasgow. What’s your favorite thing to do in Glasgow?

Planning a trip to Scotland? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the best Glasgow attractions – and best of all, it’s completely free to visit! Spare a few hours to visit Glasgow’s premier museum and art gallery because there are 22 individually-themed galleries for you to explore. The art galleries hold some of Europe’s most treasured works of art, including Christ of Saint John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí and works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Vincent van Gogh.

If you’re looking for unusual places to visit, the city’s Victorian-era Necropolis should be at the top of your Glasgow bucket list! This vast Necropolis was the city’s main burial ground from the 17th century onwards, and it’s estimated that some 50,000 Glaswegians are buried over the 37 acres of grounds. It might sound like an eerie place to visit, but each of the headstones and graves has a unique story to tell.

On the south side of the River Clyde, you can find Pollok Country Park, which we’re sure you’re going to agree is one of the best green spaces in Glasgow. You’ll love how close to the city Pollok Country Park is, but you’ll also appreciate how far removed this gorgeous public space is from the urban confines of Glasgow’s city center. You’ll have 146 acres of beautifully maintained and landscaped gardens to explore when you visit Pollok Country Park.

If there’s one dish you have to try when you’re in Glasgow, it’s a tikka masala. It might sound strange traveling all the way to Scotland for a curry, but Glasgow is the legendary birthplace of one of the nation’s most popular British-Indian dishes! The Shish Mahal Restaurant is still serving up tikka masala, but you’ll need to book your table in advance, as this place is super popular!

About the Author:

Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » Scotland » 25 Best Things to Do in Glasgow (Scotland)

25 Best Things to Do in Glasgow (Scotland)

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland , situated on the River Clyde. Well known for its beautiful, thriving shopping districts and the culture that it has to offer. It attracts a large number of tourists every year. It doesn’t matter whether you want to experience culture, food or shopping, you’ll find something to fit your interests within the boundaries of this up and coming city. The slogan, “People Make Glasgow”, really does fit the place, and you’ll be having friendly conversations with locals and travellers alike there before you know it.

Journey with us through the best things to do in Glasgow to learn just how vital the history of the city was to make it what it is today.

1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Situated within the heart of Glasgow’s famous West End you can find Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Standing for more than a century it was purpose built to be what it is today, with stunning architecture and a range of separate exhibit rooms. As a free attraction it really shouldn’t be missed, and it’s only a quick walk away from the Kelvingrove subway station, making it easy to get to. Inside you’ll find more than 22 themed galleries, and 8000 objects to capture your attention. Go from seeing Salvador Dali’s Christ of St. John of the Cross to seeing exhibits on dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals. Not to mention all of the beautifully displayed animals, and the skeleton of a stag who could make even the tallest of people feel short.

2. Shopping on Buchanan Street

Are you one of those travellers who absolutely has to go shopping no matter where in the world you travel to? If so, then Buchanan Street will feel just like home to you. It forms the central stretch of the city’s shopping district, linking you to an array of shops in each direction. It’s best known for the variety that it offers both tourists and locals alike, and most shoppers spend a lot of time inside of Buchanan Galleries. In there you can find everything from Hollister and Pandora, to Millie’s Cookies and The Whisky Shop. Given that Scottish weather isn’t exactly known for being the best, it would also be a great way for you to escape the rain.

3. Glasgow Tigers Speedway

Boasting a reputation as the only professional speedway team in the west of Scotland, these men certainly have something fantastic to offer. The season runs from the end of March through to the end of August, but it would be advisable to check the match schedule before your trip if you’re looking to attend one of their events. You’ll have a fun filled, well fuelled day watching them, sitting on the edge of your seats when it looks as if they might fall. Adults and children alike will enjoy watching the Glasgow Tigers Speedway events while they compete for their place on the British Speedway’s Premier League table.

4. Bread Meats Bread

Since the opening of Bread Meats Bread it has quickly become one of the finest eating establishments in the centre of Glasgow. One of the things that has earned it the reputation it deserves is that when you go, there’s no such thing as reservations there. Everyone is treated exactly the same, giving it the feel of a real family owned business, where each customer is kindly treated as a house guest. Don’t let the name deceive you either, they also serve vegetarian options! Pop in for an amazing burger, and give yourself the choice between something simple like a classic burger, or their signature Wolf of St Vincent Street burger. They also now serve poutine, Canada’s national dish, and since this there seems to have been a nice decrease in the number of Glaswegians suffering with terrible hangovers! So take yourself in for a lovely, family focused meal.

5. The Riverside Museum

If you would like to experience more of Glasgow’s past during your time in the city, you certainly shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit The Riverside Museum. You can follow the city’s subway system around to Partick Subway Station and it’s just a 7-minute walk away. The subway really is the easiest way to get around the city, and with its loop system you’re unlikely to get lost. Inside of The Riverside Museum you’ll find something for everyone, while diving into the rich history that Glasgow has to offer. Everything from locomotives and vintage cars to an actual Stormtrooper can be found on display there. So, take a step back in history and walk through the interactive “shops” you’ll be presented with, climb aboard the exhibits and have fun.

6. The West End

Considered by many to be the most beautiful part of Glasgow, you certainly shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see the West End while you’re adventuring around. It’s one of those places that leaves a mark on you while you’re travelling, having its own independent character that can’t easily be defined. With a beautiful mix of character and stunning architecture it houses some of the loveliest vintage shops, and alleyways full of small, intimate bars and restaurants. You can find everything from vegetarian Indian restaurants to small restaurants serving classic Thai food. It’s an area that you will be wanting to find yourself in again and again.

7. Glasgow Science Centre

Have you got children you want to keep entertained while travelling? If so, then this is the attraction for them. The Glasgow Science Centre is purpose built to both teach and entertain children, giving them an insight into the world of science and technology. Children under the age of 7 can use the Big Explorer area, where they can use water and operate a crane to keep a pretend cargo ship balanced. Or they can put on their own little puppet show under the sea, while having some fun with a musical shark and a giant walk on piano. If your children are very young, then they’ll probably have a lot of fun in the soft play area on the bottom floor. But adults and children alike will find the planetarium captivating, letting your imaginations run across the skies.

8. Kelvingrove Park

Do you prefer to have a peaceful day out while travelling? Kelvingrove Park could be just the place for you, situated along the side of the River Kelvin, and set in 85 acres it provides an urban haven for animals and people alike. There’s a possibility that you could come across animals as rare as kingfishers and otters, or as common as red foxes. You should expect to see red foxes quite frequently in the West End of the city after the sun sets, they’re a common sight and will leave you well alone! When the weather is nice the park is popular with all kinds of people, from dog walkers to the students of the nearby university. Have a leisurely stroll, or sit down for a picnic. Maybe you could even take your family for an animal hunt out in the park.

9. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

There are plenty of performing art venues throughout the UK that can boast putting on some sort of performance already every day, but there aren’t many who can say that they facilitate more than 500 performances every year. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is one of the few that ticks this box! When planning your trip, you should have a little look online and see if there’s something that suits your taste, with drama, musical theatre and pantomimes there certainly should be. You’ll get to sit in a comfortable, modern auditorium with eye catching architecture and friendly, student staff who are happy to answer any questions you have.

Related tour : Glasgow’s Music Mile Tour

10. Glasgow Cathedral

Most of the medieval cathedrals that exist throughout the United Kingdom are now ruins, so you should take advantage of seeing one of the last remaining great cathedrals while you’re in Glasgow. It has been used for worship for more than 800 years, and has one of the largest collections of post-war stained glass windows. You can see the brilliant arches, hand carved pews and memorial pieces that are dotted on every wall. If you have an interest in architecture, history or even photography, then the Glasgow Cathedral is the building that you want to see.

Included in : Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

11. The Necropolis

Sitting directly adjacent from the Glasgow Cathedral you’ll find one of the oddest attractions that you should see during your time in Glasgow. Modelled on the Pere-Lachaise in Paris, The Necropolis is now known as one of the most significant cemeteries in the whole of Europe. In the Summer months you can find an array of flowers, bees and butterflies adding colour to the 50,000 monuments that sit in the 37 acres of land. You’re safe to explore for free, and you’re safe knowing that Park Rangers patrol the cemetery on a daily basis. Chances are you’ll recognise an area or two, as The Necropolis has featured in a wide range of television programmes and films!

12. Tiffney’s Steakhouse

If you find yourself in the West End deciding where to eat, Tiffney’s Steakhouse should be somewhere near the top of your list. Providing food that is completely sourced from local suppliers you know that you’re getting the best of quality. Their Highland cattle are reared in a natural, grass fed environment, then their beef is usually dry aged for around 50 days. Sit inside and enjoy a beautiful meal, cooked exactly how you want it. Or turn up on a Sunday and have one of their famous set Sunday Roasts, a staple tradition across the UK.

13. The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

Do you enjoy learning about the history of each new city that you visit? Now as weather dependent as this attraction is, it will give you the opportunity to view the way life was in Glasgow throughout the 18 th to the 20 th century. Inside of the main house you’ll find a collection of artefacts, photographs, prints and films from across the years. The Winter Gardens outside of the house are beautiful, which is what makes it such a weather dependent attraction, you can wonder amongst plants from far off lands, and see the beautifully restored Doulton fountain. If you start to get a little bit hungry among the grounds, then there’s a fairly priced café where you can rest and have a bite to eat.

14. The Glasgow School of Art

You can learn a lot about the history of Glasgow from this attraction, which features an hour long tour. You can learn about the famous Rennie Mackintosh and his life, from being a student to a master designer whose work is known around the world. Unfortunately, the building did suffer fire damage recently, so it has had to be restored. The thing that really fascinates a lot of travellers about Mackintosh’s work is his mind. He managed to work in a variety of different sectors, acting as a lead architect, a painter, an interior designer and an all-round brilliant artist. His name is known to the vast majority of people who call Glasgow home, and you can see why too.

Included in this tour : Glasgow’s Music Mile Tour

15. The OVO Hydro

If you like to watch performances while you’re travelling, then it would be more than worth having a look at what artists are playing at The OVO Hydro at the time that you’re travelling. They’ve housed many a famous name in their purpose built entertainment venue, and with many surrounding bars and restaurants you’ll be able to keep yourself busy both before and after. The venue itself is quite a sight, and has enough room for a large number of people watching the performance, but it quite often shows not just music, but comedy and a variety of other shows. You do need to be aware that it can get quite busy, but for most people this just adds to the atmosphere.

16. Hunterian Museum

Adding the perfect dash to the already beautiful museums that exist across Glasgow the Hunterian Museum really is the cherry on top that finishes it off. With a mixture of permanent and temporary exhibitions you can see everything from Ichthyosaurs to Comic Invention. There is also a Zoology Museum you can enter, and both are completely admission free. Occasionally there will be a special exhibition, they cost £5 to enter. Get the Hunterian Museum added to the list of places that you want to visit while you’re in Glasgow!

17. Pollok Country Park

As the only country park within the whole of Glasgow it has its own reputation. Add to this that it has won awards such as the Best Park in Britain, and the Best Park in Europe over the past decade and you’ll know that it’s worth seeing. With walking trails set among 360 acres of green land you will be met with the opportunity to see an array of animals, including Highland Cattle, up close. Children will absolutely love it, but they’ll also be entertained by the great areas built specifically for children to play in, and the natural mini waterfalls that they’ll have the opportunities to see depending on which trail you take.

Book online : Pollok House Entrance Ticket

18. Nippon Kitchen

Just as the Hunterian Museum is the cherry on top of the museums in Glasgow, Nippon Kitchen is a restaurant that stands up on its own right. Using specialist ingredients specifically imported straight from Japan, and fresh produce from only local suppliers you can imagine that their customers are always provided with the best of service. It provides a classic, minimalistic Japanese layout, set among beautiful wooden panels. Importing their sake from Japan they can give you a wide variety to choose from, and are happy to make recommendations for you if you’re not sure. Whether it’s tempura, ramen or sushi, you’ll find it here.

19. City Chambers

Situated in the famous George Square the City Chambers act as the home to Glasgow City Council. You can take a free guided tour through the building at either 10.30am, or 2.30pm on weekdays, but unfortunately they aren’t available at the weekend. From the outside of the building you wouldn’t even get the idea to expect the grand inner chambers that lie within the case of the outer architecture. With a ballroom that appears to have stepped out of another century, and 2 spires with decorated dome ceilings. The tour guides all provide an exceptional service, telling you just the right amount of information to teach you about what you’re seeing. Make sure you take a camera with you, you’ll get some beautiful shots in there.

20. Glasgow Film Theatre

For those of you who love to see the classics of world cinema, or contemporary art house films, Glasgow Film Theatre is the place for you. It houses several film festivals a year, and you’re bound to find something you might enjoy hidden within the building, be sure to look online for a full listing of all of their upcoming shows. They take pride in taking a personal approach with their audiences, providing them with a comfortable, friendly environment to watch the film in. You can also find everything from craft beer to cake nestled within the Café Cosmo area of their Theatre. So go, sit back and enjoy yourself.

21. Grosvenor Riverboat Casino

Are you one of those travellers that enjoys the occasional trip to a casino? If you are, then add the Grosvenor Riverboat Casino to your list immediately. Nestled on the banks of the River Clyde you have a beautiful view, especially as the sun is setting down the river. Along with a their a la Carte Louisiana style restaurant they have a late night bar, and a comprehensive gaming environment. This includes roulette tables, blackjack, poker tables and popular slot machines. With friendly staff, you can either sit down and enjoy a lovely meal, or take your chance in the hand of fate.

22. Willow Tea Rooms

While everyone has different tastes, one of the two Willow Tea Rooms venues will be worth seeing while you’re in Glasgow. Going back to the famous Rennie Mackintosh, he played a large part in their design back in 1903. In fact, he designed everything about them, from the architecture to the waitresses’ outfits. While one exists on Sauchiehall Street, the other sits in the famous shopping area of Buchanan Street. Try everything from homemade sandwiches to traditional scones with clotted cream and jam. Not to mention the variety of teas and coffees that will be available to you.

25 Best Things to Do in Glasgow (Scotland):

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• Shopping on Buchanan Street
• Glasgow Tigers Speedway
• Bread Meats Bread
• The Riverside Museum
• The West End
• Glasgow Science Centre
• Kelvingrove Park
• The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Glasgow Cathedral
• The Necropolis
• Tiffney's Steakhouse
• The People's Palace and Winter Gardens
• The Glasgow School of Art
• The OVO Hydro
• Hunterian Museum
• Pollok Country Park
• Nippon Kitchen
• City Chambers
• Glasgow Film Theatre
• Grosvenor Riverboat Casino
• Willow Tea Rooms

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37 Unique Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

Home » Blog » Europe » Scotland » 37 Unique Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

If you’re traveling to Scotland, you don’t want to miss this list of things to do in Glasgow. Considered the gateway to many other incredible adventures in Scotland, it’s bound to be on your travel itinerary. In this guide, we’re sharing our top picks to help you plan your visit to Glasgow. 

​​I’m going to give it to you straight — Glasgow doesn’t have the same undeniable charm that Edinburgh oozes. 

And we didn’t fall in love at first sight, like we did with Edinburgh .

Glasgow is a little rougher around the edges. It’s not quite as “movie set beautiful”.

In fact, at first glance, it’s kind of gritty. But in a way that urges you to stay a little longer. Explore a little deeper.

And if you give it a chance, Glasgow will pull you in, and you’ll see this city for what it really is…

A city with a beating heart and soul. A city with a lively arts, music and nightlife scene, and some of Scotland’s best restaurants. A city where locals pack the streets, instead of tourists.

Glasgow might not be as perfectly manicured as its neighbor to the east. But it is just as worth exploring.

And with plenty of things to do in Glasgow (and lots of ahhh-mazing places to eat!), it is well worth a spot on your Scotland itinerary.

Glasgow Travel Guide

For more tips and advice for planning your trip to Glasgow, jump to the following sections (or just keep scrolling to see it all!).

• Edinburgh vs. Glasgow

Best time to visit Glasgow

• How to get around Glasgow

Where to eat in Glasgow

Where to stay in glasgow.

• What to pack for Scotland

Psst! If you have time to discover more of the country, don’t miss these  epic places to visit in Scotland .

Top things to do in Glasgow

If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Glasgow, here are our top  recommendations. 

• Sample Scottish cuisine on a food tour
• Spend the night glamping
• Wander through the Cloisters
• Take a walking tour that makes a difference
• Eat “family style” at this stunning plant-filled restaurant
• Walk Insta-worthy Ashton Lane

Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these things and more ideas of fun things to do in Scotland.

1. Sample classic Scottish dishes on a Food Tour

We’ve taken food tours all around the world for a handful of reasons:

• a) You can learn so much about a culture through its cuisine.
• b) You get to hang out with a local and pick their brain about food, restaurants and culture.
• c) You can try all the traditional foods in a low-pressure setting. So if you’re a little hesitant to order a whole meal of haggis, for instance, a food tour is perfect because you’ll get a small portion to try. 
• d) A food tour is probably the most efficient way to eat your way through a city and have the best of the best! (Aka it’s the perfect thing to do when you have a short amount of time to explore.)

So yeah, we’re huge fans. Obsessed might be a more accurate description.

We’ve gone on a lot of food tours (Glasgow was our 11th!), so we’d like to think we know what we’re talking about.

We’ve gotta say that this was one of the best food tours we’ve been on.

There are a lot of food tours in Glasgow to choose from (and most look great!), but this is the one we took .

For the price, we got a huge amount of food and several drinks to pair as well. (Whiskey, a gin cocktail, local beer.)

We were able to experience some unique restaurants and try some of the classic Scottish dishes we had a hard time finding elsewhere on our Scotland road trip (like cranachan). Plus, we had the absolute best haggis of our trip (by far!) on this tour.

Our guide was excellent, and in addition to explaining the foods, shared a lot about the city’s landmarks and history as we walked between the stops. 

It was a truly wonderful tour. If you love trying new foods on your travels, it is our top recommendation of things to do in Glasgow.

Our advice: We would recommend booking your food tour well in advance, as they do book up. We originally were planning to take a food tour in Edinburgh, but they were totally full during our visit. So if you have one in mind, avoid disappointment by booking your spots early.

Want to save time and energy on planning?

We traveled in Scotland for about 2 weeks and were able to visit most of the highlights of the country, including most of the top places to visit.

We took our 2-week travels and created the perfect Scotland road trip itinerary.  We’ll send you our complete 2-week itinerary, filled with tips and advice. Just click below to get your  2-week Scotland road trip itinerary  today!

2. Spend the night ‘glamping’ just outside the city

Spending the night in a glamping pod was one of our very favorite things we did in Glasgow. 

Hidden Horizons is situated just a 30-minute drive from the city center, but feels a world away. These newly-opened glamping pods are absolutely stunning, and it’s clear the amount of work and attention to detail that has gone into creating this magical place.

Each pod has a unique theme, and it comfortably-appointed with a small kitchenette, a coffee machine, a super comfortable bed, and most importantly, a private hot tub with a view! 

We were treated to a spectacular cotton candy sunset over Glasgow. Pure magic.

Our only regret is that we didn’t book two nights.

So after you make your reservation, here’s what you’re gonna do…

Go to the supermarket to grab a bottle of wine or bubbly and some snacks to enjoy so you don’t have to leave once you’re there. Be sure to arrive right at check-in so you can maximize your time in this unique place. As soon as your arrive, change into your swimsuit and get into that Jacuzzi in time for sunset. 

Now go make that reservation, already!

Our advice: Whether or not it’s in Glasgow, we highly recommend glamping, even if just for one night! We have a roundup of the best places to go glamping in Scotland so you can find one that fits your Scotland itinerary and budget.

3. Wander through the Cloisters

The Cloisters, also known as the Undercroft, are one of the most defining features in the University of Glasgow. 

These fluted, impressive archways may look familiar as they’ve made an appearance in many TV shows, most notably Outlander!

Are you heading to Inverness next?  There are several options for transportation between the two cities, and we have a detailed guide on  how to travel from Glasgow to Inverness  which outlines all of your options.

4. Take a walking tour that makes a difference

We’re big fans of taking free walking tours, as it is the perfect way to orient ourselves with a new city.

Plus, you’re shown around by a local who can let you in on tips and hidden gems only locals know about.

Now, there is a free walking tour company in Glasgow , but we actually have a different suggestion…

Invisible Cities is a really unique social enterprise that empowers locals who have experienced homelessness to become tour guides and show visitors around their home city. 

Glasgow is one of the cities that this UK-based organization offers tours, giving you the opportunity to support a local in a truly life-changing way.

5. Eat “family style” at this stunning plant-filled restaurant

While doing research for our trip to Glasgow, one place that kept coming up was Ubiquitous Chip .

I saw it recommended on other travel blogs. In restaurant guides. And after talking to more than one person who lived in Glasgow, this was a top recommendation.

So it was decided, then. We were going.

This place is quite the establishment. I don’t even know exactly how to describe it. But I’ll try…

There are different types of restaurants and bars all under one roof that each have their own vibe and menu. 

We dined at the restaurant for lunch and shared an embarrassingly large selection of family-style dishes between the two of us. #worthit

The glass ceiling and plant-covered walls gave the ambiance of dining in a greenhouse. A greenhouse that is beautifully decorated and serves tasty bites, mind you. 

Everything we ordered was fabulous, and we can understand why this place kept coming up as recommendations for Glasgow.

6. Walk Insta-worthy Ashton Lane

This narrow, cobbled street is what IG influencers dream of. And the rest of us too, because, well, it’s super pretty.

Colorful flat billow in the breeze overhead, and cozy pubs and trendy restaurants line the street. Pop into whatever strikes your fancy. 

We suggest Ubiquitous Chip (see above) for a family-style meal, a rooftop toast, or a dram of Scotch in their Wee Whisky Bar.

7. Toast drinks at a Rooftop Bar

To get some of the best views of Glasgow, head to any of these iconic and inviting rooftop bars for sweeping drink menus and unique bites.

• Ubiquitous Chip : Since 1971, this restaurant has paved the way for the Glasgow food and drink scene.
• Radisson RED Sky Bar : Enjoy unparalleled views at one of the 50 best rooftop bars in the world. 
• Macintosh at the Willow : This south facing terrace allows you to enjoy the rare sunny days in Glasgow.
• Windows at the Carlton George : Toast your favorite drink to the best panoramic view of Glasgow’s skyline. 
• The Corinthian Club : This stylish, 5-story Victorian venue is perfect for any special occasion or casual outing.

8. Wander Buchanan Street

Glasgow is recognized for being one of the best shopping destinations in the United Kingdom, just after London, so you can’t leave without browsing the variety of shops along Buchanan Street. 

Argyle and Sauchiehall Streets are two other notable shopping streets nearby that are worth exploring as well.

9. Explore the University of Glasgow campus

One of the best things to do in Glasgow’s West End is take a stroll through the University of Glasgow. It is said that the main building on campus was the inspiration for Hogwarts!

This is one of the oldest English-speaking universities in the world that was established in 1451. While you’re here, you cannot miss the cloisters, lion and unicorn staircase, and the free Hunterian Museum.  

10. See the iconic Glasgow Necropolis

Established in the early 1800s, this Victorian cemetery is situated just east of the Glasgow Cathedral. Over 50,000 names have been buried here over the last few centuries. Plus, there are over 3,500 statues and monuments in honor of many important names throughout history. 

The Glasgow Necropolis is so large it’s considered a “ city for the dead” . You could spend hours here walking around, taking in the unique and ornate statues and sculptures.

11. Step inside Glasgow Cathedral

The gothic architecture of the Glasgow Cathedral catches the eyes of many passing by. With the first stones laid starting in the 1100s, walking through it is an imaginative and awe-inspiring experience.

It’s stained-glass windows and detailed stone work make it stand out among many other churches across the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe. It also happens to be the only Medieval Church in Scotland, which is another defining angle of this cathedral. 

12. Spot street art on the “Mural Trail”

One of the newest and most unique things to do in Glasgow is strolling down the Mural Trail to enjoy artwork by local artists. The colorful and vibrant murals are a direct contrast to the desaturated tones of the city.

While in most cities you need to go “ hunting ” for street art, Glasgow’s paintings are all pretty close together and can be enjoyed on a self-guided tour using this helpful map . The 1.5-3 hour route takes you off the beaten path through alleys and under bridges to see the most hidden corners of the city. If you want to experience the art coming to life, guided walking tours do an incredible job of sharing stories and immersing you in the artwork. As you walk through pieces from world-renowned artists to Glaswegian locals, you’ll understand how and why the city’s art scene has developed dramatically over the last decade.

13. Make your own silver ring to take home

A sterling silver ring is a perfect and special souvenir either for yourself or to bring home to a loved one. High-quality sterling silver will last a lifetime, so you can always be reminded by your trip just by slipping it on.

The best place to craft your own ring is with an experienced silversmith in north Glasgow. Luna is a raved, 5-star silversmith with the perfect touch to make you comfortable with learning the ropes of silversmithing, and putting your own touches to a thoughtful souvenir.

14. Get your caffeine fix at this stunning coffeehouse

Transport yourself to the heart of Istanbul at this warm and inviting coffee shop in the West End of Glasgow. Ottoman Coffeehouse offers a unique and dynamic space that separates it from any regular ol’ coffee chain. 

What makes a visit to this coffeehouse so worthy is that among the bustling streets of Glasgow, this spot serves as a home away from home, where you can relax over a stellar cup of coffee after a day of sightseeing.

They believe a cup of coffee is one of the most simple and important pleasures in life. From their espresso to their rotating single-origin beans from Africa, Arabia, and America, a cup of their perfectly brewed beans will transport you back to the grand coffeehouses of Eastern Europe.

15. Hike to the mysterious Devil’s Pulpit

The otherworldly Finnich Glen has a rather dark reputation due to legends throughout history and the coursing red water that flows through the vibrant green walls of the gorge. 

While originally the glen’s nickname, “ Devil’s Pulpit ”, referred to the mushroom-shaped rock the devil was said to stand on, today the whole glen reaps this sinister nickname.

Along this 0.5-mile trail you’ll traverse through legendary spots where it’s said that the devil himself held meetings for his followers, witches performed executions, and Druids held secret meetings.

Check out our guide to hiking Finnich Glen to Devil’s Pulpit for all the information you need to know before you go. 

16. Explore the People’s Palace

Walk along the historic Glasgow Green, the oldest park in the city, and pop into the People’s Palace. This palace serves as a museum that tells the story of Glaswegians social history from the 1700s to the late 20th century.

Through the collection of photographs, objects, prints, and films, you’ll travel back in time to see how the locals lived throughout history. 

17. Catch a lunchtime play at Òran Mór

Òran Mór’s lunchtime plays have become a midday phenomenon among Glaswegians for over 17 years. Each day, they premiere a different play that lasts no more than an hour. 

A Play, a Pie, and a Pint is the group that brings ideas and classics to the stage. They work with local and international talent, as well as emerging and established playwrights producing 33 new plays each year that run for 42 weeks.

Tickets average £12-15 and include a pint of beer, wine or other drink, and a meat (or veggie) pie. The intimate atmosphere and refreshing concepts bring locals and visitors here week after week to sold out shows.

18. Enjoy a dram of whisky 

Whether you’re a hardcore fan of Scotch or simply curious, Glasgow has a variety of places to enjoy a dram and learn a little bit along the way.

Get the lingo down: Dram is the words Scots use for a shot, or small tasting (usually referring to whisky)

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

This sleek setting is the perfect place to sample Scotch. In addition to having a huge variety of excellent whiskeys to sample, the staff has a wealth of knowledge on the topic and can guide you through a tasting or helping you figure out what your whisky preference is. 

Feeling hungry? We had haggis and whisky here as part of a food tour (see #1), and it was the best we had on our trip!

Tour a distillery

If you want to tour a distillery while in Glasgow, there are two great options:

Glengoyne Distillery

Located about an hour northwest of the city, this distillery has been in business since 1833 and has a focus on sustainability. They offer daily tasting and distillery tours.

Clydeside Distillery

Conveniently located on the west side of town, this historic distillery offers a couple different types of tours, including one where the whisky is paired with artisan chocolates.

Sound like an expert: Throughout Scotland, there are 5 regional styles of whisky — Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Touring a distillery near Glasgow will be the Lowland style.

19. Learn the funny story behind the Duke of Wellington statue

The Equestrian Duke of Wellington statue is one of the defining features of Glasgow. It was built in 1884 as a tribute to Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington. The allure of the statue shifted dramatically around the 1980s when the Duke was capped with a bright orange traffic cone.

While the date of the original cone-capping is still shrouded in mystery, the story of how the cone came to be could not be more clear. Decades ago, after a group of locals went out for a pint or few, they decided to end an already legendary night by placing a cone on top of the statue’s head.

When the Glasgow City Council and local police removed the cone initially, they never expected to spend 10,000 pounds yearly removing cones from the statue. Anytime they removed a cone, another magically reappeared.

On their quest to eliminate the prank put on a Category-A listed monument, they raised the statue 6-feet higher into the air, but the cones still persisted. 

After the “Keep the Cone ” movement, removal of the cone ceased and the bright orange street symbol still stands today, serving as a testament to the Glaswegian’s sense of humor.

20. Get some fresh air at Pollock Country Park

The woodlands and peaceful gardens of the Pollock Country Park is the perfect escape from the cobblestone streets and pints in downtown Glasgow. This massive park is on the south side of the city and makes a perfect stop to relax or have a picnic.

The park is home to the world-famous Burrell Art Collections, as well as other historic homes and estates on the property. You can explore bits of history or opt to take any of the walking and biking trails to immerse yourself in the park’s woodlands.

21. Take a day trip to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Once you’ve spent ample time exploring Glasgow, the next best thing to do is venture out to one of Scotland’s scenic National Parks. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is only a 40-minute drive from Glasgow and makes for an adventurous day trip.

The National Park stretches from the hills and glens of the Southern Highlands all the way to the western coast of Scotland. With such a diverse array of landscapes, there are plenty of scenic hiking and walking trails, quaint villages, and outdoor activities to explore the park in depth.

22. Laugh the night away at a comedy show

Comedy is one of the major pillars of Glaswegian culture, and Glasgow happens to be the birthplace of many renowned local comedians. The city has well-known names regularly going through it’s wide range of venues.

• Glee Club Glasgow : Their weekend comedy shows are favored among locals and are sure to fill your night with laughter.
• The Stand Comedy Club : The host of a new legendary comedy night with a wide array of new and seasoned comics.

23. Enjoy fish ‘n chips in an old ship

McMonagles Boat is a world-class dining experience aboard an old boat docked in the Fourth & Clyde canal. Whether you’re looking to casually dine inside or have a formal dinner in the upper deck, they cater to all different types of preferences when it comes to getting your fix of fish ‘n chips.

They also have a variety of other traditional Scottish dishes to try on deck like haddock, haggis, and the classic, “Big Scottish Breakfast”. 

24. Cheers with a pint of Scottish beer

Sure, you can toast with a pint of local brew at any old pub, but if you’re really into beer, you’ll want to enjoy it straight from the source.

There are a few craft breweries in Glasgow (with more popping up), but our top suggestion is Drygate Brewery.

Drygate Brewery

This gastropub has a variety of styles of beer and a kitchen that serves pub grub.

If you want to learn more about the brewing process, Drygate offers brewery tours and tutored tastings .

Tennents 

This is essentially Scotland’s Budweiser. And actually, Drygate (mentioned above) is part of the Tennents family (and is located just around the corner.)

And if you’re into light and crisp lagers, this might be more your style. You can tour the Tennents Brewery and learn about its history and how it’s made today.

25. Walk Kelvingrove Park & visit the free galleries

The West End of Glasgow is filled with many parks, but Kelvingrove Park nearly tops the list. This Victorian Park was built along the River Kelvin and was designed to complement the many buildings on site, most notably the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The art gallery has over 22 different exhibits you can browse for free. Most impressively, the galleries have gone under £28-million worth of renovations to restore the original 1901 Victorian interior. 

Explore the pop-up exhibits or head to any permanent galleries to learn about everything from Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. 

26. Catch live music

The live music scene in Glasgow is renowned for its array of music venues catering to both small intimate shows and massive, booming arenas. Talent comes and goes, but you’re bound to find an incredible show at any of these classic venues during your trip. 

• Barrowlands : This is known for being a legendary rock venue, but the acoustics and spring dance floor has attracted musical talents from a wide variety of genres. 
• OVO Hydro : From rock, pop, to soul and dance, the Hydro hosts some of the biggest musical names in the industry as well as other unique live shows.
• King Tuts Wah Wah Hut : This music venue hosts exciting and renowned musical talent from all over the world like the Killers and Radiohead. 
• Blue Dog : Jazz lovers unite at this New York style piano bar equipt with classic and contemporary cocktails. 

27. Indulge in a doughnut (or three!) at Tantrum Doughnuts

With 2 locations around town, Tantrum is a beloved Glasgow establishment known for their scratch doughnuts that are made fresh daily and sold until they run out.

Choose from unique flavors like pistachio & hibiscus, salted honey, and lemon poppyseed old fashioned. They even have a decent selection of vegan doughnuts.

Come hungry and come early, because they do sell out!

Tantrum Doughnuts locations:

• West side location (near Kelvingrove Park)
• Downtown location

28. Slow down with a chai at a bohemian tea house on the river

Just a stone’s throw away from the heart of Glasgow, you can recover your zen at the Tchai-Ovna House of Tea . They’ve been serving over 80 different types of ethically sourced teas for over 20 years inside a warm and inviting atmosphere. 

Among the incredible varieties of tea, they also serve up an eclectic menu of vegan and vegetarian dishes. Pop in for any of their in-house events, or dine casually from Monday through Sunday, 11 am to 11 pm.

29. Head to The Barras Market on a weekend

This exciting and diverse market has been an anticipated weekend venture since the early years of the 20th century. The word “barras” comes from the Glaswegian word “barrow”, that refers to the handcarts that traders used to sell their goods from.

After entering the intriguing red archway, you’ll be enamored with the one-of-a-kind fashions and bargains dotting the marketplace. This is a space where designers, creators, and dreamers can showcase their unique pieces in one of the United Kingdom’s oldest markets.

Sustainable Fashion Row and Hippie Lane are two exciting areas to roam for your fashion fix. The market also has many mouth-watering food spots to indulge in as you shop around on Saturday or Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm.

30. Escape the city in the nearby village of Milngavie

If you’re looking to escape the city and get outdoors, Milngavie is a small village on the outskirts of Glasgow. It is home to the beginning of West Highland Way — Scotland’s most famous long-distance hiking route. 

It can make a nice place to get out of the hustle and bustle of Glasgow and stretch your legs amongst other hiking enthusiasts.

FYI: The West Highland Way trail is 96 miles and takes roughly 7 days, so if you’re just looking for a short hike, walk for as long as you’d like before turning around.

How to get to Milngavie: From the center of Glasgow, it’s just a 25-minute drive northwest of the city. You can also get there on public transport, by taking the ScotRail from Queen Street, which comes every 30 minutes during the day.

31. Tour Glasgow Central Station

Touring the train station may sound like a strange thing to do, but with more than 4,000 5-star reviews, this is one of the highest-rated tours in the city.

On this rave-worthy tour, one of the highlights is getting to see a preserved Victorian platform that isn’t open to the public. 

Learn more about the tour and book your spot here .

32. Enjoy a cocktail or dessert inside the stunning Corinthian

This building was originally a bank — a very fancy one, at that. It was then turned into a courtroom, at which time the lovely details were covered up so it looked like a more serious place.

But when this was later purchased and made into a restaurant-slash-entertainment venue (known today as The Corinthian ), the stunning architecture was once again revealed.

It truly is a sight to behold. 

You can enjoy the architecture in a variety of ways: 

• Come for an afternoon tea.
• Sit in the beautiful dining room with a dessert or snack. 
• On the weekend, come for their Sunday Roast (a UK staple), or sign up for a cocktail masterclass where you can learn the ins and outs of creating your favorite beverage. 
• There is even a new nightclub in the basement level featuring DJs on the weekends, for those travelers looking to get their groove on.

33. Afternoon tea at the Butterfly & the Pig

Afternoon tea in Scotland is a cultural staple, making it one of the most quintessential things to do in Glasgow. The Butterfly & the Pig is right near the heart of downtown, making it the perfect midday pick me up before exploring the rest of the city.

What separates this afternoon tea from others is that they believe that portion sizes should be hearty and filling. Their full afternoon tea menu includes canapes, sandwiches, scones, homemade cakes, and your choice of tea. 

For a boozy afternoon, you can add a bottle of prosecco to your fill or if you want to save room to sample more restaurants around the city, you can order their cream tea for two that includes tea and scones, with cream and jam.

Psst! If Scotland’s is on your itinerary, we have a round up of the best places to have afternoon tea in Edinburgh .

34. Compete on Pub Quiz night with locals

The quiz scene in Glasgow is competitive, exciting, and one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture. Pub quiz nights run from Monday and Thursday and are a favored late-night activity among Glaswegians. 

Grab a pint of your favorite brew and head to any of these iconic pub quizzes to prove your knowledge on endless trivial topics:

• The Sparkle Horse : Hailed as Glasgow’s hardest quiz, this is an essential Monday night gathering that brings in competitive locals and thought-provoking questions.
• The Admiral : This is Glasgow’s longest-running pub quiz that draws in office workers, students, music snobs, and more to test their knowledge for an exciting Tuesday night.
• Curlers Rest : This pub quiz is hosted by a well-known face in Glasgow’s pub scene that runs quizzes in multiple locations, but this Tuesday night is one of the ‘ best in the west ’.

View a list of pub quiz nights here

35. Explore the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Get away from the bustle of the city and walk among 9000+ different types of plants within the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. If you’re looking for free things to do in Glasgow, this is one of the best spots to explore the city on a budget. 

The main feature of the gardens are the massive temperate and tropical glasshouses. You can also explore an herb garden and plant bed that has local plants potted chronologically in the order they were introduced to Scotland.

Discover over 30 different interesting stops along the Heritage Trail, take the Tree Trail through the Gardens and Arboretum, or enjoy a hot cup of tea in the Gardens Tearoom. 

36. Climb to the top of the Lighthouse

Located in the former offices of the Glasgow Herald newspaper, The Lighthouse is known as the city’s center of design and architecture. 

This was the first publicly commissioned project by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scotland’s most celebrated architect.

It is free to climb the spiral staircase (an iconic view in itself) to the top where you will be rewarded with panoramic views over Glasgow.

Important Note: Unfortunately, The Lighthouse is currently closed to the public. Check back prior to your trip to see if it has reopened. 

37. Experience football fame at Celtic Park Stadium

Hardcore football fans (or soccer fans, if you’re coming at us from the USA!), will want to carve out some time in their Glasgow itinerary to visit the iconic Celtic Park. 

This stadium is home to the Celtic Football Club, and is a destination in itself. 

Catch a match here or take a guided tour, which will grant visitors behind-the-scenes access to the dressing rooms, tunnel, dugouts, and Celtic FC boardroom.

There are two tours to choose from (both with rave reviews!):

• Classic Stadium Tour
• Stadium Tour + 3-Course Meal in the Celtic Park Restaurant

What guests are saying:

“Booked this for my boyfriend’s birthday and have to admit I enjoyed it just as much as he did. Made to feel very welcome the minute you go through the door and greeted by so many smiling faces. The tour guide Martin was very informative and had so many stories to tell on every aspect of the tour. The meal afterwards in No7 was tremendous. Great choices for all and very well presented. Would highly recommend both the tour and the meal to anyone, whether a football fan or not.” -Amanda, United Kingdom (November, 2022)

Which is better: Edinburgh or Glasgow?

These are two of the very best cities to visit in Europe , and hopefully you can add both to your Scotland itinerary. But if you only have time for one, let’s go over what makes each unique…

These cities are located just over an hour apart from each other, but they couldn’t feel more different.

• Glasgow is bigger, but less touristy.
• Edinburgh is prettier, but doesn’t have the same level of famed nightlife.
• Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, but Edinburgh has more of a local feel.
• Edinburgh has more “must see” attractions, but exploring Glasgow feels like uncovering local secrets.

Edinburgh is kind of like the preppy popular kid at high school that everyone loves at first glance. And Glasgow is like the artsy kid that is kind of mysterious, and the more you get to know them, the more you like them.

Excuse my ridiculous analogy, but hopefully it illustrates that Edinburgh and Glasgow are both very worthy of spots on your Scotland itinerary, albeit for different reasons.

Most Scots I’ve talked to claim that between the two, Glasgow is their favorite. 

And I can see why. 

It feels less made for tourists, and more made for locals. And the people are friendly and welcoming.

Our food tour guide (a native Glaswegian) put it this way:

• Glaswegians are down-to-earth, friendly and fun. Folks from Edinburgh may call them unrefined.
• People from Edinburgh tend to be more reserved. Glaswegians may call them uptight.

If you’re visiting Scotland for the first time, you can’t miss Edinburgh. But if you are a big fan of less-touristy places, you might feel more at home in Glasgow.

Will you be traveling from Edinburgh? There are several options for transportation between the two cities, and we have a detailed guide on how to travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow which outlines all of your options.

Glasgow’s weather, although always changing, is the most pleasant from spring to fall.  

Each season offers an entirely different palette of different things to enjoy and see, so planning your trip largely depends on your interests.

You can sip on some of the world’s finest whiskey any time of year, but if you’re using Scotland’s largest city as a basecamp before heading into the highlands, you may want to lean towards the summer months. 

Psst! For an in-depth guide on the seasonal weather patterns and other factors, check out our complete guide on the best time to visit Scotland .

Getting around Glasgow

Glasgow, although the biggest city in Scotland, is easily navigated using any combination of their public transport options. Walking is an ideal way to get around if you’re staying in the city center, but if you need to go further distances, there are a variety of ways to get around. 

Glasgow’s subway system is the 3rd oldest in Europe (after Budapest and London). It is the easiest way to get around Glasgow’s city center and west end. 

There are 15 stops on Glasgow’s subway system, and it takes just 24 minutes to do a complete circuit. 

Adult tickets start at £1.55.

If you’re planning to rent a car in Scotland , we’d recommend waiting until after your time in Glasgow or making sure your accommodation offers parking and leaving your rental car there while exploring the city. It wouldn’t be very fun driving the city, and parking can be tricky to find (not to mention, expensive!).

First Bus Glasgow makes getting around Glasgow a breeze with over 80 different routes around the city. Not only that, but they offer daily tickets with unlimited rides, or weekly tickets that are ideal if you’re staying in the city for a bit longer. 

If you download the First Bus App , you can get the cheapest ticket prices and never miss the bus with their real-time maps and bus information. 

Learn more about the bus system and view ticket options here .

OVO Bikes are an ideal way to get around town quickly and efficiently. All you need to do is register with the app or online, scan the QR code on the bike, and you’ll be on your way! Learn more about how bike share works in Glasgow . 

How to get from the airport to the city center

• Train: The cheapest option to get to the city center is on the train. ScotRail has trains that depart every 15-minutes that take around 15-minutes to get to the heart of Glasgow.
• Bus : This is another great way to get to Glasgow. Thankfully, First Bus Glasgow now offers an Airport Express Route that will get you downtown in only 15-minutes. 
• Rideshare/taxi : Uber, Lyft, and taxis are all common ways to get to the city, but per usual they’re on the more expensive side for airport transfers.

Most of these are local recommendations from our Glasgow food tour guide (so you know she knows what she’s talking about!).

• Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery : creative, upscale menu featuring seafood and Scottish specialties
• Paesano Pizza : rave-worthy wood-fired pizza
• Gloriosa : Mediterranean eats
• Ubiquitous Chip : gorgeous, sprawling venue with shareable plates
• Ox and Finch : buzzy tapas style restaurant
• The Gannet : elevated dishes in an industrial chic setting

Since Glasgow is so compact, no matter where you stay you won’t be far from the action, but there are a handful of ideal places to base yourself for your trip. 

For first timers, downtown Glasgow near the Merchant City area is ideal since it’s close to all the popular shopping, history, and dining options. Families or those that want a laidback vibe, should head towards the East End or South Glasgow while boozy and foodie travelers will love the draw of the West end.

Glasgow Youth Hostel : This Victorian townhouse turned hostel overlooks Kelvingrove Park on the West End of Glasgow.

Native Glasgow : These condo-style hotel rooms were inspired by 1920s ocean liners. Enjoy the original 1906 features and location right next to George Square.

One Devonshire Gardens : Discover world-class service at this boutique hotel in the trendy West End of town.

What to pack for your trip to Scotland

We know it can be overwhelming packing for a trip to a new destination. That’s why we spent hours creating this super helpful PDF just for you.

In this  free Scotland packing list PDF download , we’ve provided packing check lists for everything from clothing and toiletries to electronics and extra gear you may consider packing if you plan to do some campervan travels.

Plus, we’re sharing tons of packing hacks and tips for traveling in Scotland that you won’t find anywhere else!

Round up of the unique things to do in Glasgow

Here’s a recap of all the unique things to do in Glasgow so you can see everything in one place.

• The Cloisters
• Invisible Cities walking tour
• Eat at Ubiquitous Chip
• Ashton Lane
• Rooftop bars
• Buchanan Street
• University of Glasgow campus
• Glasgow Necropolis
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Street art on the Mural Trail
• Ring-making experience
• Ottoman Coffeehouse
• Devil’s Pulpit
• People’s Palace
• Lunchtime play at Òran Mór
• Scotch Whisky
• Duke of Wellington statue
• Pollock Country Park
• Day trip to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
• Comedy show
• McMonagles Boat 
• Kelvingrove Park
• Tantrum Doughnuts
• Ovna House of Tea
• The Barras Market 
• Glasgow Central Station
• The Corinthian
• Afternoon tea
• Glasgow Botanic Gardens
• The Lighthouse
• Celtic Park Stadium

Are you planning a trip to Scotland?

We have lots of resources on travel in Scotland and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Scotland Travel Homepage  for everything you need to know, or read some of our favorite articles below.

• Edinburgh to Glasgow: Transportation Guide
• Scotland Camping: Essential Tips + Best Campsites
• Glasgow to Inverness: Transportation Guide
• Fun Things to Do in Inverness, Scotland

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Visit Glasgow: Top 20 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in glasgow: the 20 best places to visit (all highlights).

You’re going to Scotland and you plan to visit Glasgow during your trip?

Great idea!

You will for sure love Glasgow, one of the most dynamic and modern city of the United Kingdom . It even has recently been awarded “City of Culture”, “City of Architecture and Design”, and “City of Sport”.

In order to help you plan your stay , I have created this guide of the 20 best things to do in Glasgow , with all points of interest and must-see attractions.

In addition to this list of things to do and activities, I will also give you itineraries to visit Glasgow in 1, 2, or 3 days as well as my selection of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

And as always, this travel guide contains all my best tips to make the most of your stay.

So, what to do in Glasgow? Where to stay?

1. George Square

2. glasgow cathedral, 3. the necropolis, 4. buchanan street, 5. the goma, the modern art gallery, 6. the riverside museum, 7. kelvingrove park, 8. kelvingrove art museum, 9. glasgow science centre, 10. the lighthouse, 11. glasgow green, 12. the people’s palace, 13. the university of glasgow, 14. the hunterian museum and art gallery, 15. glasgow botanic garden, 16. pollok park, 17. stroll along forth and clyde canal, 18. hampden park and celtic park, 19. enjoy glasgow’s lively nightlife, 20. do a “subcrawl” with friends, loch lomond and the trossachs national park, the isle of arran, 3 other places to visit near glasgow, the best 2 or 3 day organized tours from glasgow, what do you do in glasgow when it rains, visit glasgow with your family, how to visit glasgow on foot, how many days to visit glasgow, 1 day in glasgow, 2 days in glasgow, 3 days in glasgow, where to stay in glasgow, where to eat in glasgow, what’s the best time to visit glasgow, glasgow tourist map.

• You’re traveling to Scotland? These articles will help you!

Visit Glasgow: All Must-See attractions

George Square is the heart of Glasgow and the main square of the city.

Located in the city center, this pedestrian square was named after King Georges III. There ,you can admire beautiful statues of historical characters , enjoy a coffee, stroll around or just take a rest on the bench or on the grass.

On George Square, you will also find Glasgow City Hall (Glasgow City chambers) , famous for its Renaissance architecture.

You will see, both the exterior and the interior of the buildings are magnificent! The great news is that you can visit them during one of the free guided tours organized during the week.

George Square is one of the most touristic places in Glasgow and it’s really a great starting point to visit the city.

Glasgow cathedral , located on a hill in the East End district is the most famous monument of the city.

Also called St Mungo’s Cathedral or High Kirk of Glasgow , this large Gothic Cathedral built during the 12 and 13th century will for sure impress you! Personally, I really love its architecture.

Inside (free entrance), you can admire beautiful stained glass windows and go to the crypt, where the tomb of St Mungo, the city’s patron saint, is located.

If needed, you will find the opening times and more info about the Cathedral on the official website.

The Necropolis is a small Victorian cemetery located on the top of a hill, close to St Mungo’s Cathedral.

There, you can see about 3500 monumental tombs and mausoleums dating from the Victorian era. In addition to discovering the typical architecture, you will also enjoy a beautiful view over the whole city.

Necropolis cemetery is open everyday from 7am until dusk.

It’s one of the most original places to visit in Glasgow!

If you want to go shopping, or simply go for a stroll in one of the liveliest streets of Glasgow , you should head to Buchanan Street .

This beautiful pedestrian street is lined with shops for every budget and features a charming mix of Victorian and modern buildings.

And if you’re looking for a mall, you should head to Princes Square Shopping Centre.

You’re going to Glasgow?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Glasgow on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Glasgow.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Glasgow, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Glasgow!

Located on Buchanan Street, the GoMA is Glasgow’s museum of modern art. A perfect stop if you enjoy cultural tourism!

The building hosting the museum served successively as a residence, a library and then as a museum from 1996. Many works by local and international artists can be discovered there.

As with most museums in Glasgow, admission is free.

Outside, just in front of the entrance to the GoMA, don’t miss the statue of Duke of Wellington topped with a traffic cone. For the record, this cone was placed there by jokers who put it back in place every time the municipality removed it. The city then decided to leave it there.

The Duke of Wellington statue and its beloved traffic cone hat then became one of Glasgow’s most famous symbols!

Opening hours are on  the official website.

Built on a former shipyard and opened in 2011, the Riverside Museum is Scotland’s transport museum.

The building itself, designed by contemporary architect Zaha Hadid (who also designed Guangzhou Opera House in China, for example), is very original and worth seeing.

In this free museum , you will learn more about the history of the transport industry in Scotland and around the world. During your visit, you will be able to admire many original vehicles as well as replicas and enjoy the interactive displays.

The visit is really interesting, and it’s impressive to see in the same location the first bicycles of the 19th century along with F1 cars, trams, steam trains or even… skateboards!

Outside, you can also visit the Tall Ship , a 19th century sailboat moored along the River Clyde.

More info to organize your visit can be found on the official website.

Where to go in Glasgow to enjoy some greenery?

In Kelvingrove park of course!

In Glasgow, there are a lot of museums to discover, but also a few large public parks where you can enjoy some fresh air.

Kelvingrove Park , a wooded park crossed by the Kelvin River , is the perfect place to take a stroll and enjoy a superb view over the university . Children can also have fun in the playgrounds provided for this purpose.

From the park, you can walk along the river on the “Kelvin Walkway” to reach Glasgow Botanic Garden (#15 of this guide).

If you want to visit only one museum in Glasgow, you should go to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the most important museums in Scotland.

It’s located in Kelvingrove Park and the entrance is free.

In this museum, you will find a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, Art Nouveau items and furniture. There are a total of 22 thematic galleries , from natural history to medieval weapons. A little bit of everything!

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is really well done and educational, so you it’s definitely a great ideas for a family outing if you’re visiting Glasgow with your kids.

A joyful mix of culture in a remarkable building, as beautiful outside as inside.

You can find the opening hours on the official website.

As I told you in the introduction of this guide, Glasgow is really the city of culture , with many world class museums.

Built on the south bank of the River Clyde, Glasgow Science Centre opened in 2001 and is a great place to visit if you’re traveling with children. This science museum features many interactive exhibitions, a bit like the “Cité des Sciences”,  in Paris.

During your visit, the interactive workshops will allow you to l earn more about all areas of science while having fun.

On the site, there is also a planetarium, a 3D cinema as well as the Glasgow Tower , a panoramic platform featuring a great view over the city.

Unlike other Glasgow museums, this one isn’t free. You can check the entrance fee and opening hours on the official website.

Glasgow was elected “ city of design and architecture” and opened The Lighthouse, the national center for design and architecture , in 1999.

Located on Buchanan Street, right next to the GoMA, The Lighthouse is dedicated to both arts and more particularly to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a famous Scottish architect who designed many buildings in Glasgow.

Inside, you can also climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a 360° view of the city center.

The visit is free , so you should really go there during your stay in Glasgow, even if it’s just to enjoy the panorama!

To find out more about The Lighthouse, you can have a look at the official website.

Glasgow Green is another major public park in Glasgow, located on the north bank of the River Clyde , not far from the city center.

Dating from the 15th century, Glasgow Green is the oldest park of the city. It hosted the first football matches in the 19th century!

It’s a great place to take a walk, have a rest and admire the beautiful statues and monuments located in the park. In summer, you can even attend bagpipe concerts .

In Glasgow Green park, you can also visit the People’s Palace Museum. I’ll tell you more about it below.

In Glasgow Green park, you will find the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens .

This free museum will allow you to learn more about the history of Glasgow’s inhabitants and their living conditions through the centuries.

The People’s Palaces museum is located inside a very beautiful building, in front of which you will find the Doulton Fountain .

This superb terracotta fountain representing the former colonies of the United Kingdom such as South Africa or Australia is the largest fountain of its kind in the world.

As you leave the palace, don’t miss the former carpet factory located next to the museum: its multi-coloured facade is really nice, especially on a sunny day!

Outside the museum, you can take a stroll through the winter gardens , the beautiful tropical greenhouses featuring palm trees and other exotic plants. Here, you can also enjoy a coffee or lunch in an unusual setting.

Let’s continue this guide of the best things to do in Glasgow with the University of Glasgow .

Considered as one of the most beautiful and prestigious universities in the world, it’s really a must-see during your stay.

You will for sure be amazed by its stunning Gothic architecture that inspired JK Rowling to design the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry . Harry Potter atmosphere guaranteed!

This university is a true architectural masterpiece and the neo-gothic buildings take us back several centuries.

You can freely visit some of the buildings, the inner courtyards as well as a few small museums (Hunterian Museum, Hunterian Art Gallery, Mackintosh House and Hunterian Zoology Museum).

And if you want to know every detail of the history of the place and have access to more rooms, you can also opt for a guided tour (to be booked on site).

In Glasgow, you can also visit the Hunterian Museum I told you about in the section above.

Divided into two distinct parts , this museum consists of an art gallery and a science museum , both located on the university campus.

The Hunterian Museum displays an impressive collection of objects relating to natural history, anatomy and medicine . It is the oldest public museum in the country, opened in 1807 thanks to a donation from William Hunter, a famous anatomist and former university student.

Organs in formaldehyde jars, skeletons, deformed animals, the collection is quite unusual and you will feel a bit like visiting a school of wizards. The architecture of the museum alone is worth the visit.

The art gallery is located across the street, next to the university library. In a completely different style, it displays the university’s art collection, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Chardin, Whistler and Stubbs .

You can find more details about the Hunterian Museum on the official website.

While you will be in town, why not go visit Glasgow Botanic Garden?

Located close to the university, this beautiful garden will allow you to spend a few hours strolling among the flowers , or  visiting the magnificent Victorian-inspired tropical greenhouses .

During cold or rainy weather, it’s especially comforting to visit the covered and heated greenhouses!

With its 146 hectares, Pollok Park is the largest green space in Glasgow

Located south of the city center, it’s easily accessible by train from Queen Street station.

It’s the ideal place to enjoy peace and quiet in the Scottish countryside, just a few minutes away from the city. There, you can do pleasant strolls through the meadows, the undergrowth , and the flowered gardens.

And if your traveling with your kids, they can enjoy the playgrounds, ride a bike and discover the famous “Highland cows”!

In the park, you can also visit Pollok House , the family home of the former owners of the park. Lovers of English classical novels will enjoy visiting this picturesque house and the different living areas.

Inside, don’t miss the Burrel Collection , featuring more than 8000 works of art from all over the world.

For a bike ride, a jog, a nature photo session or simply for a pleasant walk, the trail along the Forth and Clyde Canal is the ideal place in Glasgow.

One of the starting points of the walk is in Maryhill district . You can get there from Kelvingrove Park by following the river.

The canal connects the River Forth in the east with the River Clyde in the west. If you feel like it, you can follow the cycle route from Glasgow to Edinburgh (105 km!), or you can reach the village of Bowling from Glasgow (15 km).

A great way to do a bit of sports during your stay in Glasgow!

You’re a fan of football?

Then maybe you should visit Hampden Park or Celtic park stadiums!

Hampden park is Scotland’s national sports stadium . It’s also the home of Queen’s Park FC, the oldest football club in the country .

Inside the stadium, you can also visit the Scottish Football Museum , a great place to learn more about the history of football in the country. It has a collection of 2,500 exhibits, including the Scottish Cup, the oldest national trophy in the world.

To book your visit to Hampden Park and the Football Museum , simply click on the button below:

In Glasgow, you can also visit a second stadium: Celtic Park, where Celtic Football Club plays.

It’s one of the largest football stadiums in Europe . You can take a guided tour of the stadium and have access to the players’ board room, dressing rooms and the field.

You need to book it in advance by clicking here!

If you are lucky enough to be in Glasgow for a few days, don’t return to your hotel at nightfall and enjoy a few more hours of the city’s unique atmosphere!

Famous for its lively nightlife , Glasgow is the perfect city to go out at night and party. Whether it’s for dinner, concerts, street entertainment or fun in the pubs and clubs, Glasgow’s nightlife is something you need to experience.

Here are a few things to do at night in Glasgow:

• Stroll on Ashton Lane: this charming cobbled street is full of bars, pubs and restaurants. There is also a small cinema.
• Discover Finnestion district and its very good restaurants
• Have fun in the Merchant City area with its trendy wine bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs
• Go see a live concert at the SSE Hydro, the Royal Concert Hall or the King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.

Did you know that the Glasgow metro is the third oldest in Europe, after London and Budapest ?

Rather small and following a circular shape, it doesn’t allow you to travel any further than the West End, but it’s perfectly suited for a Pub Crawl. There is even a specific term for it: the Subcrawl!

As you might have guessed it, the name “Subcrawl” is a mix of 2 words: it’s simply going on a Pub Crawl while taking the subway .

In case you have never heard about it, a Pub Crawl is an Anglo-Saxon tradition consisting in drinking in multiple pubs or bars in a single night.

So if you’re visiting Glasgow with friends, it’s the opportunity to spend a fun evening , full of discoveries and encounters!

You will find here the list of all the best pubs located close to the metro stops.

If you want to discover the best Scotch whiskies with a wonderful guide , you should book this guided tour of Glasgow’s best whisky bars. It of course includes whisky tastings!

And if you prefer beer than Whisky, this walking tour with local beers tastings (click here) is equally amazing!

The Best things to do around Glasgow

If you’re planning to spend some time in Glasgow, you should definitely visit the surroundings.

Here are some of my favorite places to visit located less than 2 hours from the city:

Even if Scotland’s two major cities (Glasgow and Edinburgh) are beautiful to visit, people mostly go to Scotland to enjoy its magnificent countryside and natural landscapes.

Loch Lomond (Scotland’s largest lake) and the Trossachs National Park are located just a few kilometers north of Glasgow and are well worth a visit.

For example, you can go to the small town of Balloch, located on the shores of Loch Lomond, in the heart of Trossachs National Park. From Glasgow, you will be able to get there in only 50 minutes by car.

There, you can go for beautiful hikes along the loch, discover the ruins of a castle or even do a bit of shopping at Loch Lomond Shores mall.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with a guided the tour.  The best one needs to be booked here.

The day also includes the possibility of a one-hour cruise on the loch and a visit to Stirling Castle

About 2 hours drive from Glasgow, the Isle of Arran is a great place to spend a weekend or more far from the other tourists on a very authentic Scottish island.

To get there, you will need to go to the small port of Ardrossan to take the ferry to the Isle of Arran (you can take it with your rental car.)

The island is easy to visit by car: you can drive around the whole island in 2 hours and cross it from east to west in only 20 minutes.

Here are a few places to visit on the Isle of Arran, close to Glasgow:

• Brodick Castle
• Arran Historical Museum
• The ruins of Lochranza Castle
• Lochranza village
• The Arran Distillery.

On the island, you can also do many sports activities : hiking, climbing, kayaking, diving …

• Stirling: A medieval town steeped in history with beautiful cobbled streets, a castle and a tower-museum. You can spend a few hours in Stirling and return to Glasgow on the same day as the city is only 50 minutes away by car.
• New Lanark: This beautiful village located 4km from Glasgow is listed as a UNESCO World heritage site. You can get there in 40 minutes by car. In New Lanark, you can visit a 18th century cotton mill and walk through the beautiful forest around the village.
• Edinburgh: Of course if you’re in Glasgow and haven’t visited the capital yet, be sure to spend a day or two in Edinburgh, located only an hour away from Glasgow. To plan your visit to the Scottish capital, you can have a look at my detailed guide: Top 20 things to do in Edinburgh.

If you don’t want to rent a car, I have selected for you the 3 best organized tours from Glasgow.

For more details on these tours and to book them, you simply need to click on the orange links below :

• From Glasgow: Highlands and Isle of Skye in 3 days – Discover the Highlands , Eilean Donan Castle, the Isle of Skye , Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Transport + guide + accommodations with breakfast included.
• From Glasgow: 3 days on the Isle of Skye: the same excursion as above but in a small group of maximum 16 people.
• From Glasgow: Loch Ness 2 days, Inverness and Highlands Tour – the program for these 2 days: the Highlands, Glencoe, Loch Ness and Ben Nevis. Transport + guide + accommodation with breakfast included.

Scotland and rain, it’s a real love story!

And Glasgow is of course not spared with an average of 200 rainy days a year! 😱

But don’t panic, no matter if it rains only for a bit of time or all day long, you will have plenty of things to do to keep you busy and enjoy the city.

They are so many cultural places that you will always have the opportunity to enter the nearest museum or monument while waiting for the rain to stop.

With its countless free museums, Glasgow is definitely a city where you’ll find plenty to do when it rains!

And if you’re bored of museums, you can always go shopping or warm up in a tea house or pub .

As we have seen, Glasgow is primarily a cultural city.

So young children will not necessarily be thrilled by all the museums and might get bored. On the other hand, most museums are free, so if they are old enough to enjoy these kinds of visits, you will be able to discover a lot of things together without breaking the budget !

Here are some ideas to do in Glasgow as a family:

• The numerous art museums may not appeal to everyone, but if you’re visiting Glasgow as a family, don’t miss the Glasgow Science Centre , the most instructive museum of the city.
• Apart from cultural visits, you can spend some time in the city’s green spaces . You should especially go to Pollok Country Park , a place everyone in the family will enjoy!
• A visit to Glasgow university is also an great thing to do with your kids. It will delight the young Harry Potter fans!

You can easily visit Glasgow city center on foot in 1 day.

In order to help you plan your visit, here is the best itinerary to visit Glasgow on foot in 1 day and get a good overview of the city.

If you are spending more than one day in Glasgow , you can extend this itinerary and spread it over 2 or 3 days . I’ll tell you more about this a bit below.

For your itinerary:

Start with a walk in Glasgow Green Park, where you can visit the People’s Palace and the Winter Gardens .

Then, head to the famous St Mungo’s Cathedral and its Victorian cemetery, the Necropolis .

Reach the city center via George Square (about 15 minutes walk from the cathedral). Don’t miss the magnificent Glasgow City Chambers (The city hall)!

You can then walk past the GoMA and climb to the top of the Lighthouse for a nice view over Glasgow.

Wander down Buchanan Street for a bit of shopping.

Head west to Kelvingrove Park , where you’ll find the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and then head to the University of Glasgow .

At the end of the day, you should go to the charming and picturesque Ashton Lane (just 500 meters from the university), where you can spend a pleasant evening.

As I told you above, Glasgow’s main points of interest are quite close to each other and you can get a good grasp of the city on foot in a day.

However, if you love art and culture and want to soak up the atmosphere of the city, you should plan a whole weekend or even 3 days.

In my opinion, 2 or 3 days in Glasgow is the ideal duration to make the most of all that Glasgow has to offer.

If you only have one day to visit Glasgow, here is the best itinerary:

• Walk to Glasgow Green Park where you can visit The People’s Palace and the Winter Gardens
• Visit Saint Mungo’s Cathedral
• Head to the Necropolis cemetary, located close to the cathedral
• Pass by George Square and the Glasgow City Chambers
• Lunch time!
• Visit the GoMA
• Go to The Lighthouse
• A bit of shopping on Buchanan Street
• Evening in Merchant City district

If you don’t want to visit the museum nor the inside of the buildings, and prefer to stroll around the city, you should rather do the “How to visit Glasgow on foot” itinerary I gave you above.

And iff you don’t feel like walking, the best way to discover most of Glasgow in a day is to take the sightseeing tourist bus . Simply click on the button below to book it :

To visit Glasgow in 2 days, take the previous itinerary for your first day and add the following for your 2nd day:

• Visit the Riverside Museum or the Glasgow Science Center if you have children
• Take a walk in Kelvingrove Park
• Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• Go to the University of Glasgow
• Visit the Hunterian Art Gallery
• Stroll in Glasgow Botanic Garden
• Spend the evening on Ashton Lane

If you are lucky enough to spend 3 full days in Glasgow, in addition to the 2 days above, you can add:

• The Pollok Country Park, to enjoy the Scottish countryside and admire the Burrel Collection
• A visit to the football museum in Hampden Park or Celtic Park
• A long walk or a bike ride along Forth and Clyde Canal
• And why not go for a Subway pub crawl or a Whisky Tasting tour with an amazing guide in the evening?

If you prefer, you can also choose to visit Glasgow’s surroundings for your 3rd day and visit Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park, Stirling, the Isle of Arran or even Edinburgh!

If you didn’t rent a car, you should for an organized day trip, with driver and guide.

Here are the best day trips from Glasgow (click on the orange links for more info):

• Loch Ness + Glencoe + Glasgow Highlands (in small group) – You will travel in a minibus with a maximum of 16 people and will be accompanied by a guide. You will discover Loch Lomond, the Highlands, Glencoe, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. The guide is very friendly and the scenery is beautiful!
• Since Glasgow: Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle – Departing from Glasgow, you will pass by Loch Lomond where you can take a one-hour cruise. You will then head to Trossachs (The most famous national park of Scotland) and finish with a visit to Stirling Castle. Transport and guide are included.
• From Glasgow: Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and whisky – This day trip is similar to the preivous one, the only difference is that it doesn’t include a cruise on the loch as instead you will visit a whisky distillery. This is a small group tour (max: 16 people).
• Oban, Glencoe, lochs and castles from Glasgow – This small group excursion takes you to Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle, Glencoe Valley, the town of Oban and Luss, and Loch Lomond National Park.
• From Glasgow: Outlander day tour – Discover the filming locations of the Outlander series, adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s novels.
• The Z Hotel Glasgow: Located next to George Square, in the city center. Comfortable double room from €55 per night, breakfast at €9. Strong points: the location in the centre, aperitif offered every evening between 17:00 and 20:00 with wine, cheese and cold meats + the very welcoming staff. The best choice for a budget stay in Glasgow!
• Motel One Glasgow: Located 10 minutes walk from George Square and 200 meters from Buchanan Street. Beautiful double room starting from €95, breakfast from €11. Strong points: the setting, the location, the decoration, the competent staff. My favourite hotel for its exceptional value for money!
• citizenM Glasgow: Located 10 minutes walk from George Square. Elegant, modern and bright double room with large bay windows from 105€, breakfast 14€. Strong points: the design and style of the hotel, the kindness of the staff, the good breakfast.
• Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow: Located 5 minutes from the Museum of Modern Art and 700 from George Square. Spacious and quiet double room with comfortable bedding from €160, breakfast at €19. Strong points: very good breakfast, helpful staff, location.
• Blythswood Square: 5 star hotel located in Glasgow city centre. Very spacious and comfortable double room from 250€ per night, breakfast at 14€. Strong points: free access to the Spa at certain times, comfort, discretion of the staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Glasgow!
• Number 16: located close to Kelvingrove Park and the University. This excellent restaurant offers typical local cuisine as well as international cuisine. There isn’t much choice on the menu, which is a good sign! The food is really delicious and homemade. Don’t forget to book!
• Wee Lochan: a small and pleasant restaurant that serves delicious local dishes in a friendly atmosphere. The food is original, tastes good, the location is nice and the prices are correct, what more can you ask for?
• Obsession of India: for Indian cuisine lovers, and if you want a change from Scottish cuisine, this restaurant will delight your taste buds. It’s located in the lively Merchant City district (on High Street at number 25). The service is perfect, and the prices are reasonable with a rather original principle: if you don’t like the dish, you don’t pay.

Voyage Tips - Advice The Hard Rock Café is an institution in Glasgow! You should really plan to eat there during your trip to Scotland.

The only problem is the long waiting line at the entrance …

But that was before 😉.

Because yes, nowadays it’s possible to book your place in advance by paying for a menu. You will have the privilege to pass in front of all the other customers , with a big smile! (All those who haven’t read this travel tips from Voyage Tips and are standing in line! 😃)

Click on the following button to reserve your seat:

If you’re planning to go to Scotland but don’t have decided on your travel dates yet, you might be wondering: what is the best time to visit Glasgow?

As you probably know, winter in Glasgow (and in Scotland in general) is often very cold , so not really recommended for tourism.

Summer is the high season, but it’s rather wet, with heavy rains interspersed with beautiful sunny days.

So if you can avoid it and want to visit Glasgow in the best conditions , the best is actually to go there in spring , ideally between April and June . It’s less rainy that during summer and you will avoid the crowds of tourists!

September is also a good option, just a bit more rainy than spring, but visiting Scotland while enjoying the colours of autumn is quite nice too!

To help you visualize the city a bit better, I have made a Glasgow tourist map listing all the places to visit I’m talking about in this top 20 things to do in Glasgow. You can display the map legend by clicking on the button with a small arrow located in the top left corner.

And you, what do you plan to visit during your stay in Glasgow?

Scotland travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Scotland guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling to Scotland ? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Scotland : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Scotland are listed there.

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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15 Best Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland

Once an industrial powerhouse, Glasgow is now a thriving cultural center with world-class art galleries, museums, and theaters wherever you look. The largest city in Scotland, there is a wealth of things to see and do in Glasgow. There are superb shopping and dining to be enjoyed before delving into its pounding live music and nightlife scene.

The city boasts attractive architecture with many stately mansions and impressive public buildings dating to Victorian and Edwardian times. Some marvelous modern additions can also be found along the banks of the River Clyde while picturesque parks and gardens are scattered throughout the city.

A very friendly and welcoming place, with countless cultural events, tourist attractions and festivals on offer, Glasgow is certainly well worth checking out if you have the chance.

15. Glasgow Science Centre

A fun and family-friendly place to visit, the state-of-the-art Glasgow Science Centre lies just a short distance from the center of the city. Set on the south bank of the River Clyde, its modern buildings house interesting and interactive exhibits that focus on the fields of science and technology.

Founded in 2001, the space-age looking center has numerous galleries to explore and you can try out hands-on experiments and activities. In addition, there is also an IMAX cinema and planetarium to check out and phenomenal views to be enjoyed from the top of the 127 meter-high rotating Glasgow Tower.

14. Pollok Country Park

Located a short drive to the south of the center is Pollok Country Park, which boasts some stupendous scenery and nature. Regularly ranked among the best parks in Britain and Europe, it has an abundance of scenic paths, gardens and countryside to enjoy with playgrounds and playing fields also on offer.

Once part of an expansive estate, the park has an idyllic river to stroll along, as well as some lovely woods and meadows to cycle through. Besides its gorgeous grounds and amenities, there is also the refined Pollok House, which contains the Burrell Collection; an exquisite art gallery.

13. Buchanan Street

If you’re looking to do a bit of shopping when in Glasgow then you can’t beat bustling Buchanan Street. One of the busiest shopping streets in the UK, it is lined by high fashion outlets and flagship stores with coffee shops and eateries dotted about.

While most people head to the mile-long pedestrian street to shop for brand-name clothes and shoes, beauty products, and accessories, wonderful Edwardian and Victorian architecture can also be spied along its route.

In addition, Buchanan Street is home to grand galleries and expansive shopping malls and its numerous street performers lend it a very lively atmosphere.

12. People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

Just a short stroll to the southeast of the center you can find the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, which lie amidst the sprawling and scenic confines of Glasgow Green. Opened in 1898, the museum and conservatory are well worth checking out as they offer the perfect combination of history, culture and nature.

Exhibiting some attractive architecture, the palace’s fine collection looks at how Glaswegians have lived, worked, and played over the centuries. The Winter Gardens are no less alluring as the large greenhouse is full of beautiful tropical plants and the world’s largest terracotta fountain.

11. City Chambers

One of the most impressive buildings in Glasgow, the colossal City Chambers dominate one side of the famous George Square. Built in 1888, the seat of the city’s government showcases Italianate style architecture, with towers and statues alongside an imposing yet attractive facade.

The building’s interior is just as arresting as its chambers, halls and staircases are clad in marble and mahogany. On tours around the City Chambers, visitors can take in all the fine features and ornamental flourishes that highlight the wealth and prosperity of Glasgow in the nineteenth century.

10. Hunterian Museum

Home to an extensive, if an eclectic, collection of artifacts, artworks, and exhibits the superb Hunterian Museum can be found on the University of Glasgow campus in the west of the city. First opened in 1807, it contains everything from paintings and prints to dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies and Roman-era archaeological findings.

The oldest museum in Scotland, its astounding array of objects and specimens are now spread over several buildings, some of which are modern and others centuries-old. In its cavernous galleries, you can find sections dedicated to anatomy, ethnography, and zoology with masterpieces by Rubens and Rembrandt also on display.

9. The Lighthouse

The first building in the city to be designed by the renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, The Lighthouse was erected in 1895 and exhibits some brilliant brickwork.

Formerly the headquarters of the Glasgow Herald newspaper, The Lighthouse now instead fittingly serves as Scotland’s Center for Design and Architecture. Lying just off of the busy Buchanan Street in the center of the city, it has some interesting exhibitions on design and architecture.

It also has a wonderful helical staircase that takes you up to a viewing platform, which offers uninterrupted views over Glasgow’s cityscape.

8. Botanic Gardens

One of the most picturesque places to visit in town, the beautiful Botanic Gardens can be found in the West End of the city, not far from the University of Glasgow. Originally part of the campus, it has lovely grounds and greenhouses for you to wander around.

Since being founded in 1842, its collection has expanded considerably and now includes everything, from roses and orchids to cacti and carnivorous plants. While its main sight is undoubtedly Kibble Palace, an elegant wrought-iron glasshouse, the gardens also have several fabulous Victorian statues to check out.

7. Tennents Brewery

If you’re after a freshly pulled pint then you can’t beat heading to Tennents Brewery and trying one of their award-winning beers. You can also take tours around their facility in the East End to learn about their rich history while seeing how the beers are brewed, bottled and branded.

Remarkably enough, Scotland’s biggest and best-loved brewery first began producing beer back in 1556. The company now has a fantastic visitor center replete with exhibitions and artifacts that highlight its age-old heritage.

After having toured the brewery you can stop off at its bar and try Tennent’s Lager – the nation’s favorite beer.

6. Celtic Park

Even if you’re not interested in football it is still well worth going to watch a match at Celtic Park due to the intoxicating and unforgettable atmosphere. Home to Celtic FC, one of Scotland’s most successful teams, the state-of-the-art stadium can be found just a short drive to the southeast of the center.

Also fittingly known as Paradise to Celtic’s supporters, the huge stadium can house just over 60,000 fans. Its stands make for an impressive sight when decked completely in green and white; the team’s colors.

Besides watching a game, you can also tour around the stadium and see trophies and memorabilia at its visitors’ center.

5. The Necropolis

Sprawling over a large hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral is The Necropolis; one of the city’s oddest yet most intriguing attractions. Modeled on the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, it has over 50,000 graves, tombs and monuments amidst lush green grounds.

Aptly described as ‘the city of the dead’, the colossal cemetery contains memorials with elaborate tombs and mausoleums, as well as intricately carved sculptures. Visitors can enjoy splendid views out over the city from the cemetery’s hillside.

4. Riverside Museum

To the west of the city center is the excellent Riverside Museum, which lies along the banks of the River Clyde. It houses exhibits and vehicles from the former Glasgow Museum of Transport, such as ambulances, trams, taxis and trains, and has a recreated subway station and city street from 1938.

Opened in 2011, the museum and its large collection of over 3,000 objects occupy a strikingly modern building that was designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid. It is also well worth exploring the terrific three-masted Tall Ship which is berthed in front of it.

3. Glengoyne Distillery

Nestled just half an hour’s drive to the north of the center is the Glengoyne Distillery, which produces Scotch whiskey in a picture-perfect setting. Visitors can take tours of its distillery to see how the whiskey is produced, learn about its history, and even try a stiff drink or two.

In continuous operation since 1833, the distillery is the only one in Scotland to produce a Highland single malt whisky that is matured in the Lowlands. At its quaint countryside site, you can learn about the unique distilling process and sample some wonderful whiskey at the ‘most beautiful distillery in Scotland’.

2. Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is located just east of the center, right next to The Necropolis. One of the most important and impressive buildings in the city, the cathedral boasts exquisite Gothic architecture.

Dedicated to Saint Mungo, both the founder and patron saint of Glasgow, it has a very atmospheric interior with charming chapels, countless columns and an incredible stone choir. Most of it dates to the fifteenth century but other parts are even older.

Its exterior is just as spectacular as a lofty spire towers over its imposing facade and there are a staggering number of stained glass windows.

1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Home to an array of artworks and artifacts is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. One of the most popular places to visit in Glasgow and Scotland, its colossal collection is housed in a sandstone building in the West End of the city.

Established in 1901, its grand galleries are packed with everything, from arms and armor to Bronze age tools, dinosaur skeletons and a Spitfire plane. Besides extensive exhibits on history and nature, it also has one of the greatest art collections in the UK. With masterpieces by Dali, Rembrandt, and van Gogh on display; it is certainly a must-visit.

Best Time to Visit Glasgow

As the weather is warmest and sunniest, summer is when most people visit Glasgow. Aside from enjoying its lovely architecture and lively atmosphere, you can party at Pride, watch the Scottish Open or take a trip to Loch Lomond.

With temperatures averaging 18°C (64°F), the city is also at its fullest and most expensive. Many people also hit up Edinburgh, just an hour away, for its month-long Military Tattoo and Fringe Festival in August.

As April, May and June are the driest months of the year, they are also brilliant times to visit though temperatures drop to 11 to 17°C (52 to 62°F). The city is a bit cheaper and quieter, though crowds do pour in for both its Jazz Festival and Westfest in June. The iconic Highland Games also take place across Scotland between May and September.

Though they are much wetter, colder and gloomier, September and October do at least have lower prices and more manageable crowds. The city also looks spectacular thanks to all the autumnal foliage. December is even darker though many visit for its cosy Christmas market.

Whenever you visit, make sure to pack a jacket as each month sees between 16 and 21 days with at least some rain.

Map of Things to Do in Glasgow

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Glasgow West End

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Things to Do near Glasgow West End

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• Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow
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• (0.11 mi) Tennent's Bar Glasgow
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The Best Things to Do in Glasgow City Centre

Glasgow is a vibrant and exciting city that offers a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, music, or food, you’ll find plenty of things to see and do in this dynamic Scottish metropolis.

However, one thing that many first-time visitors fail to realise is just how big Glasgow actually is. While there are great bus and subway systems to get tourists around, deciding where to go for a day trip may be difficult, particularly with so many tourist attractions on offer.

To make things a little simpler, we’ll look at some of the best things to do in Glasgow’s city centre that are all readily walkable. The following list includes the city’s must-see landmarks, museums, and art galleries, most of which are within a 30-minute stroll of Glasgow Queen Street train station.

Whether you’re planning a trip to Glasgow or are simply curious about what the city has to offer, read on to discover some of the best things to do in Glasgow city centre.

Glasgow City Centre Tours

Kelvingrove art gallery and museum.

Out About Scotland Guide: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the main attraction in Glasgow’s beautiful Kelvingrove Park, an 84-acre green space that was built for recreation in 1852. This museum and art gallery has exhibits that change throughout the year and cover a wide range of topics such as modern art, animals, ancient Egypt, and the history of Scotland.

The French and Dutch art galleries, in particular, are noted for holding works of international importance, which is just one of the reasons why the attraction is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations. During your visit, you’ll see numerous galleries devoted to the work of major Scottish artists, as well as galleries devoted to The Glasgow Boys and renowned Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh .

Like another beloved Glasgow institution – The Hunterian – the level of detail in Kelvingrove is astounding, but Kelvingrove is far larger and has a greater variety of things to see including the photo-worthy Floating Heads art installation in the East Court and the restored RAF Spitfire in the West Court.

If you’re searching for a fun place to spend the day by yourself, with a partner, or with the kids, Kelvingrove is a fantastic option. And the best part is that it’s free, just like all the other great museums in Glasgow.

The Riverside Museum of Transport

Out About Scotland Guide: The Riverside Museum

Glasgow is a must-see for anyone touring Scotland because it has so many great tourist attractions, many of which are located close to the city centre. The Riverside Museum at Pointhouse Place on the River Clyde is one such attraction that eclipses most others in size.

Since some of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world previously called the River Clyde home, it’s only fitting that the Riverside Museum is devoted to transport of every kind, from roller skates to bicycles, mopeds to cars, trains to trams, and ships big and small.

The Transport Museum showcases more than just exotic vehicles, though, and you can also get up close to many commonplace forms of transport that are sure to make you smile, such as the humble Ford Cortina and Raleigh Chopper, both of which now have a cult following.

Additionally, there are a tonne of interesting exhibits that you can interact with to learn more about the history of transport in Scotland, but as you’d expect, a large portion of the museum is devoted to Glasgow’s transport history.

During your visit, you can learn more about the city’s connections to shipbuilding and even go back in time by walking through a replica of Glasgow’s streets. You’ll also get the chance to learn about some of the major inventions that revolutionised transportation, such as early automated factory machines.

Whether you’re a native Glaswegian or simply passing through, the Riverside Museum provides something for every age group and interest.

Glasgow Science Centre

Out About Scotland Guide: Glasgow Science Centre

The Glasgow Science Centre is an exceptionally popular tourist attraction, situated in the middle of the city on the banks of the River Clyde, not far from the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC). This outstanding venue is jam-packed with entertaining and instructive displays that educate visitors of all ages about the fascinating world of science and technology.

The GSC is divided into three major areas: the Science Mall, the Glasgow Tower, and the IMAX, each of which is a worthwhile attraction in its own right.

The Glasgow Tower is located behind the distinctive domed IMAX theatre, although most of the exhibits are in the crescent-shaped Science Mall which resembles a ship lying on its side; the reason being that it’s positioned next to a canting basin where ships used to be turned onto their sides for hull cleaning.

You can purchase separate tickets for the planetarium and IMAX or a single admission ticket for the science mall, but I recommend paying extra for a Glasgow Science Centre passport which permits unrestricted re-entry to all areas for 12 months.

There’s a handy on-site car park, and once inside, you can buy food, drinks, and souvenirs, allowing you to spend a full day at the site.

Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

Out About Scotland Guide: Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, also known as the GOMA, is highly recommended for both art enthusiasts and those with a passing interest in the topic, and it has to be one of the major highlights of the city centre.

The gallery is free to visit, which is pretty amazing since it features some of Scotland’s most important works of art as well as masterpieces on loan from collections around the world.

Since it opened in 1996, millions of art lovers have come to the GOMA to see the works of Andy Warhol, Margaret Tait, David Hockney, and many others in a wide range of themed exhibitions. The majority of these exhibitions are permanent, while some have a rotating selection of artworks, in addition to temporary exhibitions that usually have an entrance fee.

The GOMA is more than just a gallery though; it’s also an educational resource for students and the general public. Anyone interested in doing so can enrol in ongoing art classes and workshops, and there are even classes for children so the whole family can enjoy art together.

Whether you are a modern art enthusiast or not, the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art is easily one of the best free places to visit in the city.

Glasgow Cathedral

Out About Scotland Guide: Glasgow Cathedral

Many people consider Glasgow Cathedral as one of the best free things to do in the city because it’s close to both the Glasgow Necropolis and the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art.

The mediaeval cathedral was constructed in the 1100s in honour of St. Kentigern, also known as St. Mungo, and is one of the most complete mediaeval buildings in Scotland, surviving over 900 years of religious upheavals and wars.

Even now, the cathedral’s dramatic Gothic architecture and ornate stone carvings amaze, just as they no doubt did when it was first constructed. The exterior may entice you to whip out your camera, but it’s the interior that will make you snap away in a frenzy.

Glasgow Cathedral is one of the few buildings I’ve visited that actually made me stop and stare upon entering – just picture a miniature York Minster to get the general idea.

The cathedral has many interesting areas to explore, including the crypt where St. Kentigern’s remains are kept, and Historic Environment Scotland has erected numerous displays to help visitors learn about the saint and the cathedral’s fascinating history.

The shrine of St. Kentigern on the lower level is well worth seeing, as is the nave with its stunning stained glass windows and the vividly painted stone bosses on the ceiling of the Blacader aisle.

As far as facilities go, there’s a small gift shop selling maps and souvenirs at the entrance, but there’s no cafe or toilets, which isn’t really a big deal as there’s a very good cafe with public conveniences in the St. Mungo Museum next door.

Glasgow Green & the People’s Palace

Out About Scotland Guide: Glasgow Green and The People’s Palace

As Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow is home to more than 90 parks and gardens, including Kelvingrove Park, Pollok Country Park, and Glasgow Green. King James II bestowed Glasgow Green, the city’s oldest park, on the citizens of Glasgow in 1450, and it has played an important cultural role in the city since that time.

As a tourist destination near the city centre, Glasgow Green takes some beating. The park’s 55 acres are filled with monuments and historic buildings, and there are enough things to see and do to keep a family engaged for a good chunk of the day.

There are a number of amenities in the park, including a children’s playground, a bandstand, and sports facilities like a bowling alley and football fields. Tarmac paths connect all of these features, making it simple for visitors of all abilities to access them.

The beautiful Doulton Fountain and the huge Nelson’s Monument can be found inside Glasgow Green as well as remnants of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but the crowning glory is the People’s Palace, a social history museum and garden conservatory that opened in 1898.

The ‘palace’ houses exhibitions on Glasgow’s social history including the city’s industrial heritage, working-class culture, and the lives of regular people over the years, as well as a Victorian-style glasshouse which is a wonderful place to relax while viewing an enormous collection of cacti, palm trees, and tropical flowers.

In addition to its historical significance, Glasgow Green has become the site of some of the city’s most important contemporary events, such as the TRNSMT music festival and the World Pipe Band Championships. The park also has an orienteering course and observation platforms from which to enjoy views of the nearby River Clyde.

The Hunterian Museum

Out About Scotland Guide: The Hunterian Museum

The Hunterian Museum is one of Glasgow’s best-kept secrets, located within the majestic Gilbert Scott Building at Glasgow University. You’ll find the museum on the main campus, which is easily reached by taking the number 4 bus from the city centre or by walking ten minutes from the Hillhead SPT metro station.

Many of the exhibits date from 1807, when the museum first opened following the death of anatomist William Hunter. The donation of his extensive collections makes up the bulk of what is now on display, but many more artefacts have been added to the exhibitions over the years.

Walking around the main hall and upper balcony will transport you to a world of Roman history, dinosaurs, evolution, minerals, medicine, and much more, making it seem like a smaller version of Kelvingrove Museum.

The Hunterian Museum’s display cases and cabinets are all expertly curated with just the right number of objects to pique curiosity without being overwhelming – as might be expected after having more than 200 years to perfect them.

The floor of the main hall, in particular, is a magnificent location, not only because of the amazing artefacts on display but also because of the building itself which has a beautiful church-like interior. Look up to see carved wooden balconies, stone columns, and lead-lined windows, all of which are evocative of the famed Victorian Gallery in Edinburgh’s National Museum of Scotland.

Glasgow Necropolis

Out About Scotland Guide: Glasgow Necropolis

Visiting the 37-acre Necropolis, located next to the cathedral, is arguably one of the most unique things to do in Glasgow and is a great option for anyone seeking out-of-the-ordinary things to do near the city centre.

Over 50,000 Glaswegians are buried in this Victorian cemetery, and a visit will reveal numerous monuments honouring Scottish notables from John Knox (the founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Church) to Charles Rennie Mackintosh (Scotland’s most influential architect).

Glasgow’s Necropolis, like other Victorian burial places, is set out like an informal park, with winding paths threading their way through a huge collection of gravestones that are evocative of the similarly massive Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

There are around 3,500 tombs in this ‘city of the dead,’ the most noteworthy of which is the John Knox monument located at the cemetery’s highest point. Seeing the cathedral and Glasgow’s sprawling streets from this viewpoint is a real highlight, but the best part of visiting the Necropolis is getting lost in the maze of pathways that cover it like a gigantic spiderweb.

To truly grasp the history of the cemetery you can take a guided tour when you visit, but arguably the best way to explore it is to wander about it at your own speed, which you can do until late evening.

If you do visit at nightfall, you may be fortunate enough to see pipistrelle bats darting about as well as roe deer, wood mice, and voles.

The Tall Ship

Out About Scotland Guide: The Tall Ship

The Tall Ship is a restored sailing ship from the 1800s. It’s docked at Pointhouse Quay on the Clyde and is one of Glasgow’s most popular tourist attractions. The Tall Ship (officially titled ‘Glenlee’) is one of only five remaining tall ships constructed on the Clyde and is a must-see for anybody interested in Glasgow’s maritime heritage.

During a tour, visitors can listen to an audio commentary that provides insight into what life was like for the crew of a British sailing ship over a century ago, including information on what they ate and where they sailed.

With so much to see and do, such as piloting the ship from the helm, seeing the captain’s quarters, watching a movie in the onboard theatre, and exploring the cargo hold, it’s difficult to imagine anybody being bored at this attraction.

Self-guided tours start at the gangway where visitors can explore the upper deck, see into the main deckhouse, and take in an amazing view of the ship’s masts and their intricate web of ropes and pulleys.

As you make your way down from the bridge to the tween deck you’ll get your first real sense of just how massive the ship really is. On one side of the tween deck is a well-stocked gift shop, and they’ve also managed to squeeze in a full-size café—all while using less than half of the deck’s square footage.

The toilets and a teaching room are located on the lower deck, along with exhibits about the kinds of goods the ship would have carried.  And of course, the Riverside Museum of Transport is located next door, so you can attend both attractions in a single day, which you’ll no doubt want to do considering they’re both entirely free to visit.

Kelvingrove Park

Out About Scotland Guide: Kelvingrove Park

Created in 1852 for the city’s middle class, this park is a picturesque green oasis filled with monuments from the past as well as modern sports facilities.

The wide paths and tree groves make it perfect for a leisurely stroll, while the River Kelvin provides a peaceful respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. Along the riverbanks, there’s a good chance you’ll even see geese, kingfishers, herons, and otters – not what you’d usually expect from a walk in a busy city.

One of the best ways to experience Glasgow is by walking the entire length of the Kelvin Walkway, a 10-mile footpath that takes you from Kelvingrove Park to the peaceful Milngavie countryside. The walkway starts near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on the southwest edge of the park and continues northward, providing a good opportunity to check out the park’s many monuments along the way.

Kelvingrove Park’s main attraction is the Stewart Memorial Fountain. It was created in 1872 to celebrate the freshwater transit connection from Loch Katrine to Glasgow, and is today enjoyed as a place to unwind on a warm day owing to the manicured lawns and beautiful flower beds that surround it.

Other monuments include the Lord Frederick Roberts Memorial and the historic bandstand which hosts a variety of music festivals, and charity shows throughout the year. The park also features three children’s play areas and a variety of cafes, including the family-friendly An Clachan, located near the park’s eastern entrance.

Getting Around Glasgow

Taxi: Taking a taxi is by far the quickest way to get around Glasgow and the official Glasgow Taxis  operate throughout the city with their distinctive black cabs making them easy to distinguish from the private mini-cabs that also run in the city centre. They offer 5- and 6-seater vehicles, and if their yellow light is on, they can be flagged down on the street. Alternatively, telephone 0141 4297070 to book one in advance.

Bus: The main bus operator in Glasgow is First Bus , which provides regular bus services throughout the city with over 100 routes to choose from. Most locals prefer to use the bus network, as it’s one of the easiest and cheapest options for getting around the city centre and the outlying districts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in glasgow city centre.

Popular things to do in Glasgow city centre include visiting Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, touring Glasgow Cathedral, and exploring the Riverside Museum. The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is also a popular attraction, as is the People’s Palace which is a great place to learn about the city’s history and culture.

Is 1 day enough for Glasgow?

One day may be enough to see some of the main attractions in Glasgow, but it would likely be a very busy and rushed day. Some of the biggest attractions such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum can take a full afternoon to fully explore.

If you’re looking to make the most of your time in Glasgow, it would be best to plan your itinerary in advance and focus on the most important attractions. Alternatively, you could consider spending two or three days in Glasgow which would allow you to see most of the city at a leisurely pace.

What are the most popular things to do in Glasgow with children?

There are many fun and educational things to do in Glasgow with children. Some popular options include:

1: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – This museum features a wide variety of exhibits including art, natural history, and science. 2: Glasgow Science Centre – This interactive science museum features hands-on exhibits and live science shows. 3: Riverside Museum – This museum is dedicated to Glasgow’s transport history and features displays of cars, trains, and ships. 4: Glasgow Botanic Gardens – These gardens feature a wide variety of plants and flowers and a children’s playground. 5: Glasgow Climbing Centre – Children will love climbing and exploring this indoor climbing centre which has a dedicated kids area.

Where is Glasgow?

Glasgow is located in the western lowlands of Scotland at roughly the same latitude as Edinburgh. It’s a port city and is famous for its shipbuilding industry centred around the River Clyde.

Distances from other UK cities: Glasgow to Edinburgh: 39 miles (62.76 km). Glasgow to London: 346 miles (556.83 km). Glasgow to Birmingham: 253 miles (407.16 km). Glasgow to Manchester: 184 miles (296.12 km). Glasgow to Cardiff: 306 miles (492.46 km).

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

Promoting East Lothian

Luxury experiences in east lothian.

We've teamed up with Visit East Lothian, the region’s Destination Marketing Organisation, to promote luxury experiences across the region. 

As part of this new campaign we've worked with with top top lifestyle magazine, Marie Claire, to showcase places to stay, eat and drink, and a selection of wellness experiences in the area. 

The online Marie Claire article,  Why East Lothian is Scotland's best kept secret , features a range of tourism businesses including: 

• Greywalls Hotel, Gullane
• Marine North Berwick
• Osteria, North Berwick
• The Bonnie Badger, Gullane
• WanderWomen
• Carfrae Farm, near Gifford

The campaign, which is aimed at UK travellers also includes social media advertising, taps into the immersive experience travel trend and encourages couples and groups from south of the border to visit.

According to recent research on UK trip intentions, Scotland is in the top three most popular holiday destinations for the first half of the year, behind London and the south west of England.

Paddleboarding at Bass Rock, East Lothian. Credit: East Lothian Council

Marie Claire magazine article

Find out why Marie Claire call East Lothian Scotland’s best kept secret.

Get involved with our marketing activity

We're always on the lookout for exciting and inspiring experiences to feature in our seasonal activity. Content should be tourism experiences aimed at visitors, rather than special offers or promotion deals.

Take a look at our marketing calendar and find out how you can align with our marketing activity throughout the year to get the greatest reach.

Research shows that Scotland remains front of mind for many visitors this year and our latest activity with East Lothian Council aims to tap into that captive market. Immersive and authentic travel remain popular trends and the campaign touches on just some of those luxurious visitor experiences the area has to offer. Tourism is an important part of the local economy, creating jobs and sustaining communities. Neil Christison, Regional Director at VisitScotland