Glasgow

City centre: For culture, dining and nightlife 

Glasgow’s lively, historic heart is set out in a US-style grid pattern. Watch live events or passers-by in George Square, take in the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), and shop along Buchanan Street, keeping an eye out for unusual street art. 

Glasgow’s lively, historic heart is set out in a US-style grid pattern. Watch live events or passers-by in George Square, take in the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), and shop along Buchanan Street, keeping an eye out for unusual street art. 

West End: For laid-back leafy cool 

Ramble around Byers Road to uncover quirky lanes filled with indie shops and amazing food within its busy café culture. Stroll through Glasgow Botanic Gardens to admire the Kibble Palace glasshouse and see a Salvador Dali masterpiece at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.  After hours, cobbled Ashton Lane is the place for great pubs, eateries and vibes.  

East End: Creativity meets heritage 

Home to some of the city’s most ancient landmarks, including the medieval Glasgow Cathedral and Victorian Necropolis. The Barras market hosts a dizzying range of traders and The People’s Palace showcases the city’s unique personality. 

Finnieston: Riverside buzz

Stroll along the riverside to admire Zaha Hadid’s spiky steel Museum of Transport with the Tall Ship Glenlee alongside, one of a handful of Clyde-built ships still afloat. Along the waterfront you’ll also find the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) where the Hydro attracts some of the world’s biggest artists and the quirky SEC Armadillo is a popular meetings venue. Further into town, Argyle Street sits at the district’s heart, filled with modern bars and restaurants. 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum  

Behind the impressive Victorian red sandstone exterior is an eclectic mix of exhibits, from a Spitfire to Salvador Dali’s masterpiece Christ of St John of the Cross. If you go at lunchtime, you can enjoy a soothing organ recital.  

Merchant City 

The vibrant Merchant City is packed with cool bars, restaurants and elegant designer stores. Pride of place goes to the Gallery of Modern Art where you can pose outside for a selfie next to the Duke of Wellington’s statue. He usually has a traffic cone propped on his head – a symbol of the city’s famous sense of humour.  

The People’s Palace 

This social history museum tells of the story of Glasgow’s people. Close by you’ll find the Victorian glasshouse Winter Gardens and Templeton on the Green, a former carpet factory turned office and retail space. Its extraordinary exterior is based on the Doge’s Palace in St Mark’s Square in Venice.  

Glasgow Necropolis 

Modelled on Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, this Victorian ‘city of the dead’ spreads across 37 acres of garden and includes over 3,500 monuments, many fascinatingly detailed. Inside the 12th-century Glasgow Cathedral which sits alongside, you can see one of the country’s finest collections of stained glass windows.  

Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery

Scotland’s oldest museum incorporates the Mackintosh House, a recreation of the celebrated Glasgow architect’s home. You can admire more Charles Rennie Mackintosh style (and tasty traditional food) at the Willow Tea Rooms in Buchanan Street. 

The Burrell Collection

This astonishing collection of over 9000 works of art from all corners of the globe was gathered by a single philanthropist and is displayed in newly refurbished buildings in beautiful Pollok Country Park. A fun, fascinating day out. 

Meat and fish 

From the beefiest of Aberdeen Angus burgers to all flavours of fine dining, Glasgow has lots to offer. This city is known for excellent curries – some of its famed restaurants such as the Koh-I-Noor have been spicing up tastebuds since the 1960s. And Glasgow’s location on the River Clyde means it offers up some pretty special seafood options too. 

Plant-based 

Glasgow has taken vegans and vegetarians to its heart, so there’s no shortage of tasty plant-based eateries to be found all over the city. If you want to go traditional, you can wash down your veggie haggis with a pint of craft vegan lager and enjoy vegan clootie dumpling for dessert. The popular Glasgow Vegan Festival takes place in Pollok Park every autumn. 

Malt whisky

Scotland’s national (alcoholic) drink is more commonly known for being produced in distilleries across the Highlands and Islands, but the Lowlands and Glasgow itself have a strong distilling history. There are plenty of traditional spots where you can sample a dram, such as The Pot Still bar which has been around since the 1860s and holds over 1000 whiskies. Or learn more about how this ‘water of life’ is made with a tour round the Clydeside Distillery. 

Celtic ConnectionsJanuary

 January brings together folk, roots and world music for a rousing programme of concerts, ceilidhs and impromptu pub performances to brighten up the winter evenings.

Burns Night  January

On January 25th each year, Scots mark the birth of Ayrshire-born poet Robert Burns. They celebrate his life at Burns Suppers country-wide by sharing his poetry and songs, tucking into haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes) and of course, drinking excellent whisky. 

Glasgow International Comedy FestivalMarch

Watch big-name comics, Scottish talents and emerging performers from across the globe come together in the very funny city that gave the world Sir Billy Connolly. 

WestFest June

WestFest each June is a three-week arts treat featuring music, drama, visual art, street theatre, cabaret, exhibitions and comedy, alongside a varied community programme of workshops and projects.  

Merchant City Festival July

Enjoy a fizzy mix of art, market stalls and music at this free three-day festival in the heart of the city. 

TRNSMT July

Popular with a young crowd sprinkled with older fans, this three-day festival on Glasgow Green showcases new Scottish talent as well as big names. There’s no camping – just book for as many or few days as you like.