Looking for somewhere a bit different for your next trip? Keep reading to find out about some of the best things to do in Glasgow.
Visit Scotland’s biggest city
Discover the best stuff to do in Glasgow
While there’s a friendly rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow, there’s no need to play favourites when you’re a visitor. Hire a car in Glasgow to visit both cities and enjoy the best of the Scottish Central Belt.
8 of the best things to do in Glasgow
There’s too much to see and do in Glasgow to cram into one trip, but we’ve boiled the list down to eight to get you started.
Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street
Visiting Kelvingrove is one of the best things to do in Britain, nevermind Glasgow. Dating back to 1901, this attraction has 22 separate galleries and more than 8,000 exhibitions to make your way around.
Enjoy permanent exhibitions of Scottish art, interactive science displays, and temporary showcases of some of the most exciting pieces in international art. Best of all, entry is free.
Tour Hampden Park
Mount Florida
Hampden Park is a great place to visit when you’re in Glasgow. Browse footballing artefacts at the on-site museum, including a hall of fame that includes the likes of Ally McCoist, Bill Shankly, and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Then join a tour of the stadium where you’ll visit the dressing rooms, take the tunnel out into the stadium, and climb the stairs normally reserved for cup winners. You can also go into the indoor warm up space and have your shooting power measured and compared with the pros.
Insider tip:
It costs £16 for a stadium tour and entry to the museum for adults. Concession/under 16s are £8 and under 5s are free.
Sample inner city whisky
Stobcross Road
Whisky is a Scottish delicacy. From the islands and Highlands to the innercity distillers, it’s a drink that screams Scotland.
The Clydeside Distillery, across the water from the Glasgow Science Centre, is a great place to try a wee dram at the source, without having to trek out into the wilderness. Book into a tour to see how the single malts are made and end with a wee tasting session. You can upgrade to include artisan chocolates paired with your drams or to have the distillery manager himself show you around.
Taste the great coffees
Citywide
The coffee scene in the UK can be very hit and miss, but Glasgow has taken a leaf out of Melbourne’s book and has invested heavily in high quality cafes. Avoid the big chains and dip into the independent and artisan coffee shops and roasters. Some, but not all, of the must tries include:
- Hinba, Dumbarton Road
- Outlier, London Road
- Laboratorio Espresso, W Nile Street
- Sprigg, Ingram Street
- Thomson’s Coffee, Fenwick Road/Vinicombe Street
Gets hands on at the Glasgow Science Centre
Pacific Quay
A favourite thing to do in Glasgow for visitors of all ages, the dockside science centre will educate you and amaze you in equal measures. Whether your main interest lies in the stars, the natural world, or the chance to have a go on a full-motion flight simulator, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
In summer, you can board a lift to ascend Glasgow Tower which is the tallest building in the city and the tallest building in the world that can fully rotate. From the top, 127m above where you got in the lift, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Glasgow.
Slow down at Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens
Great Western Road
Established in 1817, Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens is a natural wonderland. Known for its impressive glasshouses, most famously Kibble Palace, and its huge collection of plants. This attraction houses the UK’s national collection of tree ferns, a range of historic buildings and an area that arranges plants by the year they were first introduced to Scotland.
Entry to the gardens and glasshouses is free.
Insider tip:
Although the gardens open at 7am, the glasshouses don’t open to the public until 10am.
Walk round the Tenement House
Gallowgate
It’s one thing seeing history in a museum, it’s another experiencing it through an everyday home.
The Tenement House is a time capsule of life in the 1890s. Lived in by Miss Agnes Toward, the house and its furnishings have been frozen in time. It’s an eye-opening experience for many visitors, not just the younger ones.
Insider tip:
Adult tickets cost £8.50 with various discounts for concession card holders and families.
See a gig at the Barrowlands
East End
The Barrowland Ballroom is the most revered music venue in Scotland, if not the whole of the UK. If you can fit a show into your trip, you won’t regret it.
The building dates back to the 1930s and over the past century it’s hosted some of the biggest names in music, including David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Ramones and almost every Scottish artist of note.
Notable gigs in 2024 include Arab Strap, Biffy Clyro and The Libertines.
Top tips:
Glasgow has two airports: Glasgow International and Prestwick.
Although it’s not the capital, Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city and the UK’s fifth largest.
Enjoy Glasgow and the surrounding countryside under your own steam by hiring a car in Glasgow.
Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
