10 Best Things to Do in Glasgow

The imposing Glasgow Cathedral is a prime example of Scottish Gothic architecture, with its stained glass windows, carved stone bosses, ribbed vaults, and effigies of holy figures. Located along Castle Street, the church is a 15-minute walk from George Square. Free guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the cathedral, and last about 1 hour. If you’re traveling to Glasgow in October, the cathedral hosts a week-long festival where you can enjoy live music, poetry, and exhibitions during your visit.

George Square is arguably the focal point of Glasgow, where you can spend hours exploring its many historical buildings, columns, and statues. It’s also a popular venue for concerts and annual festivities, especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A must-visit here is the City Chambers, a grand civic building located on the east side of the square. Built in 1888, the Chambers are home to the largest Italian Carrara marble staircase in Western Europe. If you want to learn about its history, free guided tours of the Chambers are held on weekdays at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are located in Glasgow Green, about 1 mile southeast of the city center. Founded in 1898, this museum complex showcases photographs, murals, and film on Glasgow’s social and cultural history from the early 1700s to the present. Notable features here include the Glassgow History Ceiling Mural by artist Ken Currie, Doulton Fountain, and Billy Connolly’s infamous ‘Banana Boots’. The Winter Gardens are set next to the People’s Palace and comprises a Victorian glasshouse café surrounded with blooming flowers and exotic plants.

Glasgow Style Mile is home to hundreds of designer outlets, local boutiques, and major British flagship stores within a square-mile radius. Located within Glasgow city center, its 3 main shopping boulevards are Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall Streets. The Style Mile has wide pedestrian walkways, making it convenient to go from one store to the next. Prominent shopping malls here include Argyll Arcade, Buchanan Galleries, and Princes Square Mall. A variety of street performances are also held along the Style Mile, from jazz bands to bagpipers in full costume.

The Glasgow Mural Trail runs along prominent streets within the city center and features colorful art installations by some of the city’s most popular street artists. Located in central Glasgow, some of its most impressive murals include a 200-meter-long portrait of students at Strathclyde University, a modern depiction of patron saint St. Mungo, and a gigantic portrait of a young girl with a magnifying glass. If you want to learn about the story behind each piece of street art, you can download the Glasgow Mural Trail app on your phone or grab a brochure from a nearby tourist information center.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, established in 1901, is one of Glasgow’s most popular museums. Occupying a Spanish Baroque building on Argyle Street, the museum has 22 galleries with over 8,000 items on display, including 20th-century furnishings, paintings, sculptures, and weaponry. A popular exhibit here is the French Gallery, which features masterpieces by renowned European artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro. Kelvingrove also houses a 20th-century organ with daily recitals held from Mondays to Saturdays at 1pm and on Sunday at 3pm. Entrance is free of charge, but you should visit the museum on a weekday if you’re not a fan of crowds.

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.

Merchant Square is an indoor nightlife and dining hub in central Glasgow. Located in Merchant City, this trendy square is a 5-minute walk from George Square. Here, you can find a wide range of restaurants serving local and international cuisine. There are also plenty of bars and pubs within the square, many of which offer live music and cabaret shows until late. From burgers, steaks and pizzas, to authentic Italian, Mediterranean, and French cuisine, Merchant Square attracts a crowd of hungry patrons with its diverse range of dining options.

A whiskey tour in Glasgow offers not only a fun evening exploring some of the city’s most popular bars, but also interesting facts about the history of this Scottish tipple. Ashton Lane in West End Glasgow is a charming cobblestoned district with plenty of quirky bars and live venues. The tour lasts about 3 hours and starts at The Ben Nevis, which offers a wide range of whiskeys, wines, and beers on taps, plus Scottish folk music until late. Prices start from about £49 and includes 4 premium single malt whiskeys and a local guide taking you to 4 of the best whiskey bars in West End Glasgow.

King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, located on Vincent Street, has been Glasgow’s go-to spot for live music since 1990. It’s where British rock band Oasis was discovered and signed by a record label back in 1993. Since then, the venue regularly hosts concerts by world-renowned artists such as The Verve, Artic Monkeys, and Franz Ferdinand. The stairway leading up to the venue is a popular spot for photos as each step is engraved with the names of iconic bands that have played here throughout the years.