10 Incredible Attractions and Places You Have to Visit In Glasgow, Scotland

Last Updated on the 29th of May, 2025

Situated 42 miles from Edinburgh, Glasgow is one of Scotland’s most exciting cities to visit.

It is the largest city in Scotland, famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture. These buildings are a rich legacy of Glasgow’s prosperity from the 18th to the 20th century due to trade and shipbuilding.

The wonderful port city is located on the River Clyde and is a vibrant cultural hub famous for its food, architecture, and historical heritage, meaning you’ll have plenty to see and do here.

It is also home to institutions including the Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, the Scottish Opera, as well as acclaimed museums such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Charles Rennie Mackintosh House.

The city has tons of attractions, both new and old, and the best part is that most of them can be seen for free.

Beautiful staircase leading to the Huntarian Museum, Glasgow

Our Experience Visiting Glasgow

Visitors to Scotland often tend to overlook Glasgow in favour of Edinburgh.

And when I say visitors, I’m including myself.

Over the last decade, I visited Edinburgh a dozen times before I gave Glasgow a chance.

As a new permanent February public holiday was introduced for St Brigid’s Day in Ireland, we decided to use the extended weekend for some much-needed time away.

As a return flight from Dublin Airport to Glasgow was less than a dinner at the pub, I made flight reservations and off we went.

We loved the city and how its modern buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows bumped elbows with historical red brick houses and shops, from the moment we arrived.

Over three days, we were happy to discover Glasgow’s fascinating museums, contemporary art spaces, striking architecture and one of the oldest Universities in Scotland.

This city has everything you need for a city break, and we’d say three days is enough to really get stuck in.

#1. Stroll through Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Showcasing a wonderfully diverse range of plant life, Glasgow Botanic Gardens offers a peaceful escape right in the city.

The floral haven is located in the West End, spreading over 20 hectares.

One of the best things to do in gardens is to stroll through the various collections, as each of them tells a unique story from different parts of our planet.

The highlight of the gardens is the imposing Kibble Palace. The Victorian-era glasshouse houses many tropical plants, including rare ferns, tall palms and a variety of orchids.

If you desire an informative lecture, you can sign up for a guided tour and enjoy learning more about the garden’s history and plant life.

Address: 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow

Opening hours: Daily 7am–dusk for the Gardens; other hours may vary depending on season

#2. Explore the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis

If there’s one place in Glasgow that should be on your list, it’s Glasgow Cathedral and neighbouring Necropolis.

Not only is it the oldest building in the entire city, but it is also the most ancient cathedral in mainland Scotland, and the only one, alongside St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, in the Orkneys, whose ceilings are originally Medieval.

It’s an impressive building with an impressive history, where you can immerse yourself in the relics of medieval history and in the details of Scottish medieval architecture.

It’s also where you can admire beautifully stained glass windows, some of them placed in the cathedral windows as late as the 1950s.

Depending on your preferences, you can wander around at your own pace or book a guided tour.

*Fun Fact – the famous cathedral is not a cathedral! This is because it has not been the seat of a bishop since 1690.

Admission: free of charge, but donations are welcome to keep the cathedral in tip-top shape.

Address: Castle Street, Glasgow

#3. Stop By Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

There are many incredible museums in Scotland, but the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow is one of my favourites.

There are 22 galleries spanning diverse themes, and you can immerse yourself in art, natural and local history, as well as explore a vast array of artefacts from around the globe.

Some of the highlights are the works by Salvador Dalí and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, but my favourites were the Canadian moose and totem pole and the majestic Scottish wildlife.

Once you explore the galleries, make sure to take the time to walk around the building. The interior architecture is stunning, with its warm sandstone and gorgeous Spanish Baroque style.

Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow

Opening hours: Mon–Thu & Sat 10am–5pm; Fri & Sun 11am–5pm

Interior of Kelvingrove Art Galery and Museum in Glasgow

#4. Explore Glasgow University Grounds

Originally founded in 1451, Glasgow University has been at the forefront of intellectual movements with a list of alumni that includes economist Adam Smith and physicist Lord Kelvin.

In 1881, the institution pioneered electricity with fully lit houses on the campus, and fifteen years later, a graduate opened the world’s first X-ray department.

In my humble opinion, a visit to the university buildings is one of the city’s highlights, as it’s where you can see the gigantic East and West Quadrangles linked by the fluted columns and ribbed ceiling of The Cloisters.

The best thing about visiting the university is that you don’t have to be enrolled to soak up the intellectual atmosphere. You can arrive on any day, follow a self-guided itinerary crafted by the university or join a guided tour, and grab a souvenir or two from the gift shop.

Address: University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ

Opening Hours: Grounds are open 24/7

The spectacular Cloisters at Glasgow University

#5. Spend A Few Hours at the Riverside Museum

Glasgow’s award-winning Riverside Museum is a wonderful place where you can travel through the history of transport.

The museum has a wealth of transport treasures such as a South African steam locomotive, an old train carriage, and old-world trams that make for an exciting day out.

There are over 3,000 items chronicled across nine different display themes, so it does take some time to see them all.

On top of that, the museum has three amazing street replicas from late 19th-century Glasgow, where you can discover various immersive exhibits like a car garage from the 1960s. and Edwardian photography studio.

We loved walking down the old street, and it was so interesting to see what shops would have looked like historically.

Right outside the museum, you’ll find a three-masted steel ship that was built in the late 19th century and is open for guided tours.

Address: 100 Pointhouse Rd, Glasgow G3 8RS

#6. Stop by the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

Home to the City’s modern art collections, GoMA is the country’s most visited modern art gallery.

Here, you can discover an impressive range of modern and contemporary artworks and exhibitions, as well as admire the stunning architecture.

Make sure you don’t miss the Duke of Wellington statue located right outside the front door. Originally built by Italian artist Carlo Marochetti, the statue was erected in 1844 as a tribute to Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington.

But today, the Duke is overshadowed by his beloved hat, an orange traffic cone! This famous statue is a testament to the priceless Glaswegian sense of humour.

Location: 111 Queen St, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AH

Opening Hours: Mon – Thu & Sat: 10am – 5pm, Fri & Sun: 11am – 5pm

Admission: Free of charge

Duke of Wellington outside of the art gallery

#7. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

Founded in 1807 and set within Glasgow University, the Hunterian is the oldest public museum in Scotland.

It’s a treasure trove of history and art, where you can learn about palaeontology and archaeology and browse the fossils and oddities of Dr. William Hunter’s collection.

The Hunterian Art Gallery has paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and others as well as several works by James Whistler and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Among the variety of objects and art, you can also find pickled organs, Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall, and a collection of works by James McNeill Whistler.

There’s also a separate room dedicated to Roman artefacts and architecture, an ancient Egyptian wooden coffin and the gleam of a 17th-century surgical instrument, just to name a few.

Address: The Hunterian Museum is located in the main Gilbert Scott building.

Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 9-5

You’ll find many incredible artefacts at The Huntarian Museum

#8. Go For A Stroll Along Buchanan Street

Going for a stroll along the vibrant Buchanan Street in Glasgow, a pedestrianised half-mile stretch, is a real treat.

Not only does it have a wealth of cafes, shops, bars and restaurants, but it is also lined by grand Victorian buildings and is frequented by incredible street performers.

Once you make an effort to look past all the usual fast food outlets and shops found in any other city, you’ll find a wonderful array of gems.

My favourite and most unexpected find was Prince’s Square shopping centre, which is a real architectural gem.

In 2016, the ornate building was voted as Scotland’s Favourite Building by the public, and once you step inside, it’s easy to see why.

Address: Princes Square, 48 Buchanan St, Glasgow

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 10.00am – 6.00pm (doors open 9am)

The magnificent Princes Square Shopping Centre, Glasgow

#9. Embark on a Street Art Tour of Glasgow

One of the best ways to have a peek into the city’s character is to go on a street art tour around Glasgow.

It is one of the best free attractions in Glasgow city centre as it includes political and historical works by locally based artists like Smug and Rogue-One

The popular mural trail is funded by the council, and among the must-see murals and street art to visit in Glasgow are:

The Thenue Mural: created by artist Mark Worst, which features motifs in honour of each of the 29 young women and girls who were killed in the Templeton Carpet Factory disaster in 1889.

St Mungo: by SMUG is one of the most photographed pieces of street art in the city, showcasing a re-interpretation of St Mungo, the Patron Saint of Glasgow.

The World’s Most Economical Taxi: created by Rogue One, is another one of Glasgow’s most recognisable street murals.

**The World’s Most Economical Taxi** mural in Glasgow, Scotland

Go On A Tour Around the City Chambers

Dominating George Square, Glasgow City Chambers is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, decorated with classical columns, reliefs and a tower.

The grand Victorian building was inaugurated in 1888 by Queen Victoria, and today it serves as the headquarters of Glasgow City Council.

The city chambers have heaps of history, stunning, opulent staircases. The grey façade looks rather cool and gives no hint of the splendour of warmth and colour inside.

If you wish to catch a glimpse, twice per day at 10.30am and 2.30pm Monday – Friday, City Chambers staff guide visitors through the lavish corridors and rooms of the building.

*Fun Fact – It is said that Glasgow Chambers contain more marble than the Vatican

Address: George Square, Glasgow

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat & Sun closed

How to get to Glasgow City Centre from the Airport

Travelling from Glasgow Airport to the city centre is very easy as there are many options.

Bus: Bus 77 is the cheapest option for getting from the airport to the city centre or to the West End. While the journey might take a while, the single one-way adult ticket costs £4.95, and you can’t go wrong with that.

Glasgow Express: Alternatively, you can use the Glasgow Airport Express service 500, which departs every ten minutes, seven days a week. The tickets cost £8.50 per adult for a single ticket and £4.50 per child.

Taxi: Getting a taxi from Glasgow Airport to the city centre is the fastest way to travel. You can find taxis waiting outside the door of the airport. The taxi fare is calculated based on the time of day, the number of passengers, the journey time and the vehicle type. On average, you can expect to pay around £30 (€35.60).

Getting around Glasgow

Glasgow is rather compact, and it’s easy to get around and find your way around the city.

Walk: Glasgow’s city centre is especially walkable. The best way to explore it is to walk around and enjoy its atmosphere and architecture.

Bicycle: Glasgow is also great for cycling. OVO Bikes operates a bicycle hire scheme. All you need to do is download the app and register before renting a bicycle parked in various locations around the city.

Underground Railway: Glasgow’s underground is known as the Clockwork Orange, due to the regularity of its orange trains. Trains run every 4 minutes during peak times, and it takes just 24 minutes to complete the 15-station circuit.

Bus: Buses are a convenient method of transport in Glasgow, as First Bus Glasgow operates more than 80 routes across the city. You can choose from a variety of tickets, such as day tickets offering unlimited travel within a specified area, and weekly tickets that are ideal for longer stays.

For the best views in the city, climb to the top of the Lighthouse.

Interesting Facts About Glasgow

Before you start your journey filled with the best things to do in Glasgow, here are a few interesting facts about the city.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city

You’d think the capital, Edinburgh, would be Scotland’s largest city, but Glasgow lays claim to that crown. Its estimated population of 631,970 residents.

Legend says the patron saint of salmon founded Glasgow

A legend goes that St Mungo, the patron saint of salmon, was Glasgow’s founder, but according to history, there was a settlement on the banks of the Clyde in prehistoric times. The area was also known to the Romans, who built several outposts to prevent Pict incursions into their territory further south.

Some tree stumps in Glasgow are older than the dinosaurs

In Victoria Park’s Fossil Grove, you can see 11 tree stumps that were discovered during quarry excavations in 1887. The fossilised stumps have been dated to the Carboniferous period, which makes them 300 million years old. That’s twice as old as the dinosaurs!

Chicken tikka masala was invented in Glasgow

The popular dish of chicken pieces served in a spiced tomato-based curry sauce known as chicken tikka masala was invented by a British Bangladeshi chef named Ali Ahmed Aslam, who ran a restaurant in Glasgow.

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Now, over to you!

Have you been on a road trip around Glasgow? Let us know in the comments!

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10 Incredible Attractions and Places You Have to Visit In Glasgow, Scotland – OUR CROSSINGS

Our Experience Visiting Glasgow

#1. Stroll through Glasgow Botanic Gardens

#2. Explore the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis

#3. Stop By Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

#4. Explore Glasgow University Grounds

#5. Spend A Few Hours at the Riverside Museum

#6. Stop by the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art

#7. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

#8. Go For A Stroll Along Buchanan Street

#9. Embark on a Street Art Tour of Glasgow

Go On A Tour Around the City Chambers

How to get to Glasgow City Centre from the Airport

Getting around Glasgow

Interesting Facts About Glasgow

Now, over to you!

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