10 Instagrammable Places in Glasgow

The grand Glasgow Cathedral is an impressive display of Scottish Gothic architecture. Its stained-glass windows, carved stone bosses, ribbed vaults, and effigies of holy figures all deserve the attention of your camera lens. Free guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the beautiful building.

Be sure to nip over the road to the Glasgow Necropolis while you’re in the area. The Victorian-era cemetery features many beautiful and moving memorials. The hilltop setting also gives you a better view of the cathedral.

The Glasgow City Chambers is a striking Victorian-era structure on George Square, first inaugurated in 1888. However, as beautiful as the outside is, the interior is what really deserves a place on your Instagram feed. Fortunately, free guided tours are available.

The grand staircase, constructed from Italian Carrara marble, is especially striking. It looks like something from a Hollywood movie – probably because it has been used as a location for various productions. Be sure to check out the marble pillars and stained-glass dome ceiling.

The Lighthouse is a Glasgow icon that takes its name from its distinctive design, courtesy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It was built as an exhibition space, not as an actual lighthouse (Glasgow being at least 10 miles from the nearest large body of water). The beautiful red-brick building now contains Scotland’s Center for Design and Architecture.

The view from the top of The Lighthouse is undoubtedly the star attraction. However, even just the climb up there is impressive. It may be hard work getting to the top but looking back down the spiral staircase gives you one of the most iconic photos in Glasgow.

Pollok Country Park is exactly what it sounds like – a little slice of the countryside in the outer suburbs of Glasgow. Well, at over 360 acres, it’s the city’s biggest park, so it can hardly be called ‘little’! The beautiful parkland is centered around Pollok House, a grand Edwardian country house that now contains an array of Spanish masterpieces among its period furnishings.

Among the highlights of Pollok Country Park are the landscaped gardens of the house, the Pollok Beech, a charming Children’s Fairy Village, sports facilities, an art museum, play neighborhoods, bike trails, a gorgeous stone bridge over White Cart Water and even a herd of Highland cows. You could easily spend a day exploring the place without running out of stuff to photograph.

Glasgow was built on the River Clyde both literally and metaphorically. Not only does the city straddle the waterway, but it was the source of much of its past prosperity. Along the banks of the river, there are still signs of that past glory, as well as plenty of striking modern structures, making this a fantastic destination for photographers.

Among those attractions are the Glasgow Science Center, Riverside Museum (and its colorful tall ship), the BBC Scotland building and the SEC Armadillo. For a glimpse of the Clyde’s history as a hub of shipbuilding and shipping, look out for the Finnieston Crane. River cruises and boat tours are available to help you see the sights from the water.

The 148-acre Queen’s Park is a photographer’s dream, with plenty to see and enjoy. The highlight is the flagpole right in the middle of the park since the hilltop location offers an absolutely stunning view of Queen’s Park Baptist Church and the city’s rooftops beyond.

Don’t just head straight for the flagpole, though. The tree-lined avenues of the park also provide beautiful, romantic backdrops, especially in autumn. Don’t forget to visit the residents of Duck Island, too.

His Grace, the 1^st Duke of Wellington is best known as a hero of the Napoleonic Wars – except in Glasgow, where he’s known for his natty headwear. The statue of the great man, astride his horse, was first topped off with a bright orange traffic cone in the 1980s. Police immediately removed it, but it’s replaced every time they do. The cone is now just part of the scenery.

The statue itself was erected in 1844 in Royal Exchange Square – a beautiful part of town and worthy of a visit in its own right. The Gallery of Modern Art is immediately behind the statue and a range of shops and restaurants line the outside of the square.

Templeton On The Green is worth a visit not only because it contains a pub, but mostly for its iconic facade. It opened in 1892 as the Templeton Carpet Factory, but its flamboyant design is based on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, Italy.

Only one corner of Templeton On The Green is Instagram-worthy, the rest being a relatively modern construction. It is now a lifestyle village, containing offices and apartments. The cool bit faces the Glasgow Green, which contains the People’s Palace and the McLennan Arch – both worthy of your camera’s memory card space.

The Hidden Lane is true to its name – a narrow alley off Argyle Street that’s barely noticeable from the outside. Pass through its non-descript entrance and the lane reveals a hub of art and culture. The buildings are vibrantly colorful and contain art galleries, jewelers, pottery studios, yoga studios, home décor stores and more.

Be sure to check out the tearooms and bakery while you’re visiting the Hidden Lane. Not only do they provide a colorful and interesting photo for your Instagram feed, but the food is pretty good, too.

The Argyle Street Arches is a unique events space located directly underneath Glasgow Central Station. The main permanent venue – appropriately named Platform – is a literal underground food market, combining the historical brick arches with industrial details and colorful lights to create an eclectic space.

The venue spans over 75,000 sq ft and is divided into different rooms. Platform contains a number of funky little food stalls offering a wide range of snacks and meals. You can expect innovative cuisine combining influences from right around the world. The venue is even both child and pet friendly, with face-painting and a doggie bar available.