Visiting Glasgow, what are the best things to do and see in Scotland’s largest city?
A mix of industrial and sophisticated, Scotland’s largest city has evolved over the last two decades to become one of Britain’s most fascinating metropolises. At first glance, Glasgow and its fine Victorian buildings, the legacy of wealth generated by commerce, give the impression of a stuffy place. Quite the opposite, in fact: the city is packed with stylish bars, upmarket restaurants, lively clubs and boasts one of the UK’s best live music scenes. The combination of this hustle and bustle with the legendary friendliness of its people is captivating. Gone is Glasgow’s bad reputation as the UK’s capital of architecture and design. Lovers of architecture, art, history, nightlife… everyone will be amazed to visit Glasgow.
For a weekend or longer stay, here are the best things to do in Glasgow:
1. Riverside Museum
geograph.org.uk – Gareth James
What was once known as the Transport Museum has a new name and a new home. The Riverside Museum, architect Zaha Hadid’s first major public building in the UK, stands on the site of a former shipyard, and tells the story of transport in Glasgow, and Scotland, that few cities or countries can rival. The architecture of this free museum is part of the visit, and represents a wave or folded movement. The building’s facades and roofs are clad entirely in two hundred tonnes of titanium zinc. Despite its sophisticated design, the museum alludes to port architecture.
The 19th-century Glenlee or Tall Ship is moored on the Clyde alongside the building and beautifully illustrates the museum’s history past and present, as do the exhibits inside, which feature skateboards alongside steam trains. The collection also includes a fascinating series of Scottish-made carriages, as well as streetcars, bicycles (including a replica of the first pedal bike dating from 1847)…
2. Explore the Necropolis, Glasgow’s Victorian cemetery
Wikimedia – Postdlf
Nothing gives you more food for thought than a stroll through a graveyard, especially after a pint. Just behind Wishart Street Brewery (Wellpark Brewery) is the Necropolis, described as a « unique representation of Victorian Glasgow ». Large, intricately patterned monuments, designed by renowned Glaswegian architects such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh, were erected in honor of the wealthy merchants. The necropolis is set on a hill with a fine view over the city. The cemetery, where 50,000 people are buried, is open daily from 7am until dusk. A statue of John Knox dominates the site, which has an air of Père Lachaise in Paris.
3. Walk in the footsteps of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s world-famous artist.
Glasgow School of Art – geograph.org.uk – Chris Downer
Ignore the souvenir store that his work inspired, it has nothing to do with the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s most famous child of the art world. Artist, architect and designer, Mackintosh was Britain’s foremost proponent of Art Nouveau, and its most prolific. Take a stroll through the Glasgow School of Art (adult admission £9.75), one of his earliest and most important works. To discover it, be sure not to miss the small but magnificent dark wood library, where absolutely everything, from light fittings to book shelves to chairs, comes from Mackintosh’s hand. Note that a fire in 2014 heavily damaged the building, and access may be restricted by renovation work.
The next stop is Mackintosh House, part of the Hunterian Art Gallery. This is a reconstruction of the house that architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) bought with his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald. Interior design was one of their strong points. Mackintosh House is stunning, even today. The ornately patterned interiors and magnificent drawing room show just how much of a design pioneer the artist was. Free guided tours are available every half-hour.
Lighthouse spiral – Wikipedia – George Gastin
Next, admirers of the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh will love the Willow Tearooms, an authentic recreation of the tea room Mackintosh designed and furnished in the early 20th century for restaurateur Catherine Cranston. Go there at teatime and admire the architect’s distinctive touch on almost every element: even the teaspoons received his attention.
Three other places remind us of Mackintosh’s work: take a look at the Scotland Street School Museum, designed by the Glasgownian architect. The Lighthouse Museum and Mackintosh Church (the only religious building he designed) complete your Mackintosh « guided tour ».
4. See the Duke’s statue, the Duke of Wellington and the cone on his head
geograph.org.uk – kim traynor
You can’t leave town without seeing the Duke of Wellington and his construction cone on his head. The equestrian statue, erected in 1844, stands just outside the Galerie d’Art Moderne. For the past 30 years, the statue has been topped by a cone that « vandals » come and place as soon as the municipality removes it. But in view of the annual costs involved, it was decided that the crown of the victor of Waterloo should remain permanently. As a result, it has become the city’s best-known emblem. Visit the Gallery of Modern Art while you’re here, and in winter, head to nearby Royal Exchange Square, where you’ll find some of Scotland’s finest Christmas decorations.
5. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
geograph.org.uk – Paul McIlroy
Another museum, yes, but this one is one of the most important museums in Scotland. A must-see. You’ll find everything here: art, stuffed animals, Micronesian swords with sharks’ teeth alongside a Spitfire plane, Dalí’s Christ of St. John of theCross… 8,000 objects are on display in this museum, which is itself worth a visit for its architecture. Although everything seems disorganized at first glance, each room has its own theme, and the museum can be visited fairly quickly. You can learn a lot about art, and the fact that it’s free encourages you to visit.
6. Shopping at Barras market
Credit – news.stv.tv
The Barras has existed in Glasgow for over a century, and although it has also become synonymous with pirated DVDs and dubious objects, a new generation of traders has breathed new life into this iconic market. However, it’s still a long way from a trendy bobo market. It’s a great place to stroll on weekends from 10am to 5pm, with sausage and pint stalls, hipster crafts, fresh vegetable stalls, cheap but useful clothes and small items. The Barras is located between Gallowgate and London Road.
For real shopping, head to the Style Mile. The main shopping district around Buchanan Street features hundreds of stores of all types.
7. Hampden Park, its museum or a Scottish soccer match
Wikimedia – Groundhopper2000
This is Scotland’s national stadium. Home to Queen’s Park FC, Scotland’s oldest club. Above all, it houses the Scottish Football Museum, which tells the story of Scottish soccer with the help of 2,500 exhibits, including the Scottish Cup, the oldest national trophy in the world.
8. Do a Subcrawl, a subway bar crawl
Credit – theguardian.com
You may not know it, but Glasgow has the third oldest subway system in Europe after London and Budapest. However, it’s very small and of no use if you’re staying outside the West End, but its circular trajectory makes it an excellent means of transport for a pub crawl or, as we like to call it, a subcrawl. Grab a « Discovery » ticket and go for a drink in the pubs and bars listed here, which are close to every stop on the subway line.
9. Visit Glasgow University and the Hunterian Museum
Flickr – Chor Ip
Glasgow University is the fourth oldest English-speaking university, founded in 1451. People come here for its incredible Gothic architecture, but also because it’s home to the Hunterian Museum. This original museum contains the collection of the university’s famous student, William Hunter (1718-1783). Hunter was first and foremost an anatomist and physician, interested in everything the world had to offer. We find organs in glass jars of formalin, geological phenomena, dinosaur skeletons and deformed animals…
10. Get some fresh air
Wikimedia – Candeo gauisus
Take advantage of the city’s green spaces and parks, as well as the presence of the River Clyde, to get some fresh air and stroll around. Kelvingrove Park overlooks the university, and its amphitheatre hosts concerts and shows throughout the year. The Botanic Garden boasts twelve Victorian-inspired greenhouses housing tropical plants. Finally, the Glasgow Green is Scotland’s oldest park, ideal for a stroll.
11. Other ideas for visits in and around Glasgow
- The Burrell Collection, one of Europe’s finest art collections
- St Mungo’s Cathedral, Glasgow
- For the best pubs in town, visit Ashton Lane
- The City Chambers
- Go to Loch Lomond, a 25-minute drive away, for sublime scenery
- Visit Edinburgh
Glasgow : How to get there? Where to sleep?
Low-cost carriers easyJet and Flybe offer cheap flights from France to Glasgow, but traditional airlines also fly to Scotland’s largest city. There is less choice of flights than for Edinburgh, and prices can sometimes vary significantly. To find the best flight for your stay, use the Skyscanner flight comparator.
As elsewhere in the world, Glasgow has a number of youth hostels, so budget travelers can stay for less… Ideally, you’ll find a hotel in the city center, close to a metro stop on the city’s only line. To find the best hotel for your dates of stay, use this hotel comparator by searching on the interactive map.
Have you visited Glasgow?
Map of hotels and accommodation – Glasgow,gb