What To Do In Glasgow
Glasgow is a bigger city than Edinburgh, and landmarks can feel far away from each other compared to Edinburgh. So, it’s smarter to plan ahead to save yourself some time. That way you can enjoy your vacation better! Here’s a list of 10 things to do while you’re in Glasgow.
City Centre Mural Trail
Starting in 2008, this project was inspired to make the city look more colourful to revitalize old buildings. It also gives Glaswegian artists an opportunity to feature their artwork. The mural trail is free to do and features incredible local artists. Think of it as a free outdoor gallery where you also explore the city.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is free of charge and absolutely stunning! From the architecture to the pieces inside, you can easily spend an entire day in here. It was originally built in 1901 and is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Glasgow. Kelvingrove the neighbourhood is a must-see as well! They have many shops and cafes to explore near the museum.
The Burrell Collection & Pollok Country Park
This is a little bit outside of Glasgow, but definitely worth the travel. It’s a great day trip since there’s much to see! It’s both an art gallery and a park, where you can have a stroll on a sunny day and check out some art inside the gallery. There’s also a café on the premises to enjoy coffee or tea while exploring the park.
Glasgow UNESCO City of Music
Glasgow has been named a UNESCO City of Music, so it’s well worth checking out some music venues and seeing live bands from local artists! Some music venues we recommend are Stereo, MONO, and Barrowland Ballroom. There’s a full list here.
Nightlife
Glasgow has the best nightlife in Scotland. The slogan for the city is ‘People Make Glasgow’, which you will understand when you arrive there. After one night out, you will have at least 6 new Scottish best friends. Glaswegians are some of the friendliest people around. Some great venues are Òran Mór, The Howling Wolf, Hide and Seek, The Berkeley Suite, and Nice N Sleazy.
Glasgow Cathedral
Go see the oldest building in Glasgow! Edinburgh is not the only city in Scotland with beautiful architecture. Glasgow Cathedral is free to enter, so go enjoy the architecture of the oldest church on the mainland.
Buchanan Street
Buchanan Street is a giant street in the centre of town which is best known for its shopping. If you’re looking for a shopping spree, this is the place to be. They generally have well-known brands, but you might be able to find some smaller brands as well. There will also be some UK brands to check out.
Ashton Lane
Ashton Lane is a gorgeous cobblestoned alleyway with a number of shops, cafes, and restaurants. There’s a lot to explore here, even if you don’t want to buy anything. It’s a great place to be on a sunny day enjoying a pint of some Scottish beer!
Clydeside Distillery
If you’re looking for a whisky tour in Glasgow, Clydeside is the place to go! They have a few options for distillery tours and they have a shop if you’re just looking to bring a bottle home. If you haven’t done a distillery tour yet while in Scotland, it’s really something that should be on your bucket list. We usually go to Clydeside on our Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Whisky day tour.
Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT)
The GFT is the original independent movie theatre in Glasgow! They also host the Glasgow film festival every year in March. They show a ton of independent films and make an effort to play films you would not normally see in theatres. Their goal is to be an inclusive and accessible space, so they have a variety of options for films that are dementia-friendly, autism-friendly, and more.
