List of Best Things to do in Glasgow 2024 – UniAcco

Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland, and the third most populous city in the United Kingdom, as of the 2017 estimated city population of 621,020. Historically part of Lanarkshire, the city now forms the Glasgow City council area, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland; the local authority is Glasgow City Council. Glasgow is situated on the River Clyde in the country’s West Central Lowlands. It is the fifth most visited city in the UK.

The town folk are called “Glaswegians” or, informally, as “Weegies”. Glasgow is also known for the Glasgow patter, a distinct dialect of the Scots language that is noted for being difficult to understand by those from outside the city.

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland and tenth-largest by tonnage in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric and royal burgh, and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the fifteenth century, it became a major center of the Scottish Enlightenment in the eighteenth century. From the eighteenth century onwards, the city also grew as one of Great Britain’s main hubs of transatlantic trade with North America and the West Indies.

Here are a few things to do in Glasgow & Glasgow attractions.

Outdoors places to visit in Glasgow

Things to do in Glasgow: Forth and Clyde Canal

The Forth and Clyde Canal is a canal opened in 1790, crossing central Scotland; it provided a route for the seagoing vessels of the day between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde at the narrowest part of the Scottish Lowlands. It is 35 miles long, and it runs from the River Carron at Grangemouth to the River Clyde at Bowling and has an essential basin at Port Dundas in Glasgow. Successful in its day, it suffered as the seagoing vessels were built more significant and could no longer pass through. The railway age further impaired the success of the canal, and in the 1930s decline had ended in dormancy. The final decision to close the canal in the early 1960s was made due to maintenance costs of bridges crossing the canal exceeding the revenues it brought in. However, subsidies to the rail network were also a cause for its decline and the closure ended the movement of the east-coast Forth River fishing fleets across the country to fish the Irish Sea. The lack of political and financial foresight also removed a historical, recreational waterway and potential future revenue generator to the town of Grangemouth.

Things to do in Glasgow: Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located in the West End of Glasgow, Scotland. It features several glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace. The Gardens has a wide variety of temperate and tropical flora, a herb garden, a chronological bed with plants arranged according to their introduction to Scotland, the UK’s national collection of tree ferns, and a world rose garden officially opened in 2003 by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa. The River Kelvin runs along the north side of the Gardens and continues through Kelvingrove Park, the Kelvin walkway providing an uninterrupted walking route between the two green spaces. The Botanic Gardens was awarded a Green Flag Award in 2011.

• Address: 730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UE
• Hours: Grounds- 7 am to dusk (all year)
• Glasshouses – 10 am to 6 pm, and 10 am to 4.15 pm (winter)
• Tearooms – 10 am to 6 pm, and 10 am to 4 pm (winter)
• Note: *Winter Oct-Mar. Summer Apr-Sep
• Contact: Tearooms: 0141 276 1640
• Gardens: 0141 276 1614
• Price: Entry to the gardens is free

Things to do in Glasgow: Pollok Country Park

Pollok Country Park is a 146-hectare country park located in Pollok, Glasgow, Scotland. In 2007, Pollok County Park was named Britain’s Best Park, and in 2008 it was named the Best Park in Europe, beating competition from parks in Italy, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden. Despite this, by 2019 it was considered that the park was ‘underused’ with plans drawn up to encourage more visitors.

• Address: 060 Pollokshaws Rd, Bellahouston, Glasgow G43 1AT
• Hours: Open 24*7
• Contact: 0141 616 6410

History

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern’s or St Mungo’s Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland and is the most former building in Glasgow attractions. Since the Reformation, the cathedral continues in public ownership, within the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland. The congregation is part of the Church of Scotland’s Presbytery of Glasgow, and its services and associations are open to all. The cathedral and its kirkyard are at the top of High Street, at Cathedral Street.

• Address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ
• Hours: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm every day

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a museum and art gallery in Glasgow, Scotland. It reopened in 2006 after a three-year refurbishment and since then has been one of Scotland’s most popular visitor Glasgow attractions, Glasgow tourist attractions. The museum has 22 galleries, housing a range of exhibits, including Renaissance art, taxidermy, and artefacts from ancient Egypt.

• Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG
• Hours:
  • Monday to Thursday – 10:00am to 5:00pm
  • Friday to Sunday – 11:00am to 5:00pm
• Contact: 0141 276 9599
• Price: Free (Note: Prices are a guide only and may change daily).

Bothwell Castle

Bothwell Castle is a large medieval castle sited on a high, steep bank, above a bend in the River Clyde, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located between Bothwell and Uddingston, about 10 miles south-east of Glasgow. Construction of the castle was begun in the 13th century by the ancestors of Clan Murray, to guard a strategic crossing point of the Clyde. Bothwell played a crucial role in Scotland’s Wars of Independence, changing hands several times. The substantial cylindrical donjon was built in the 13th century, but before the rest of the castle was completed, it was severely damaged in a series of sieges. Rebuilding in the early 15th century enlarged the castle, but it was abandoned by the 18th century. The present ruin is rectangular, with the remains of the donjon to the west, and the later Great Hall to the east. The courtyard is enclosed by long curtain walls, with round towers at the south-east and south-west corners. The castle was described by Scottish archaeologist William Douglas Simpson as one of the “foremost secular structures of the Middle Ages in Scotland”.

• Address: Castle Ave, Uddingston, Bothwell, Glasgow G71 8BL
• Hours:
  • 1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (Last entry 5 pm)
  • 1 October to 31 March: Daily except for Thurs and Fri, 10 am to 4 pm (Last entry 3.30 pm)
• Contact: +44 1698 816894

Arts & Culture

Activities to do Glasgow: Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern’s or St Mungo’s Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland and is the oldest building in Glasgow, Glasgow tourist attractions. Since the Reformation, the cathedral continues in public ownership, within the responsibility of Historic Environment Scotland. The congregation is part of the Church of Scotland’s Presbytery of Glasgow, and its services and associations are open to all. The cathedral and its kirkyard are at the top of High Street, at Cathedral Street. Immediately neighboring it is Glasgow Royal Infirmary, opened in 1794, and the elevated Glasgow Necropolis, opened in 1833. Nearby are the Provand’s Lordship, Glasgow’s oldest house and its herbal medical gardens, the Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde, Cathedral Square, Glasgow Evangelical Church, and St Mungo Museum. 

• Address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ
• Hours:
  • Monday to Saturday – 9:30 am to 5:30 pm
  • Sunday – 1pm to 5pm

Activities to do Glasgow: Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art is the main gallery of contemporary art in Glasgow, Scotland. GoMA offers a programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops. GoMA displays work by local and international artists as well as addressing contemporary social issues through its major biannual projects.

• Address: 111 Queen St, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AH
• Hours:
  • Monday to Wednesday & Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday & Sunday – 11am–5pm
• Contact: +44 141 287 3050
• Price: Free

Activities to do Glasgow: Hunterian Art Gallery

The University of Glasgow’s museum dedicated to William Hunter is the oldest museum in Scotland. It covers the Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery, the Mackintosh House, the Zoology Museum and the Anatomy Museum, all located in various buildings on the main campus of the University in the west end of Glasgow. 

• Address:
• Hours:
  • Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00am to 5:00pm
  • Sunday – 11:00am to 4:00pm
• Contact: +44 141 330 4221
• Price: Free

Museum Glasgow Sightseeing

Activities in Glasgow City Centre: The Riverside Museum

The Riverside Museum is the location of the Glasgow Museum of Transport, at Pointhouse Quay in the Glasgow Harbour regeneration district of Glasgow, Scotland. The building opened in June 2011. The museum won the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award. 

• Address: 100 Pointhouse Rd, Govan, Glasgow G3 8RS
• Hours:
  • Monday to Saturday – 10:00am to 5:00pm
  • Sunday – 11:00am to 5:00pm
• Contact: +44 141 287 2720
• Price: Free

Activities in Glasgow City Centre: Summerlee Heritage Park

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, formerly known as Summerlee Heritage Park, is an industrial museum in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is situated on the site of the Victorian Summerlee Iron Works and incorporated the main workshop of the former Hydrocon Crane factory. The museum is managed by CultureNL Ltd. It temporarily closed in 2006 but reopened on 26 September 2008 following a £10m refurbishment. The former main hall was completely redesigned by North Lanarkshire Council’s in-house Design Team and now includes a stainless steel café pod and futuristic viewing pavilion. The museum aims to show Lanarkshire’s contribution to engineering, mining, steel working, weaving and farming, and also show the lives of the people of the area. It incorporates interactive displays and temporary exhibition space. The museum also incorporates several railway steam locomotives, preserved carriages from a 1960s era Glasgow Class 311 and has a short working tram line.

• Address: Heritage Way, Coatbridge ML5 1QD
• Hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 am to 4 pm
• Contact: +44 1236 638460

Activities in Glasgow City Centre: Hamilton Low Parks Museum

The Low Parks Museum is located in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland and traces the local history of South Lanarkshire through numerous exhibits on provincial industries and events of local historical importance. The main collection on show in the museum is that of the former British Army Regiment, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). 

• Address: 129 Muir Street, Hamilton, ML3 6BJ
• Hours:
  • Monday to Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday – 12noon to 5 pm
• Contact: 01698 452382

Local Favorite’s places to visit in Glasgow

The Hill House

Restored mansion and bespoke interiors designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, with formal gardens.

• Address: Upper Colquhoun St, Helensburgh G84 9AJ
• Hours: Everyday – 10am to 5pm
• Contact: +44 1436 673900

The Hidden Gardens

Tranquil green space with a diverse array of plants & flowers, plus community events & activities.

• Address: via Tramway, 25A Albert Dr, Glasgow, access G41 2PE
• Hours:
  • Tuesday to Saturday – 10 am to 3:30 pm
  • Sunday – 12 to 3:30pm
• Contact: +44 141 433 2722

Glengoyne Distillery

Glengoyne Distillery is a whisky distillery continuously in operation since its founding in 1833 at Dumgoyne, north of Glasgow, Scotland. Glengoyne is unique in producing Highland single malt whisky matured in the Lowlands.

• Address: Dumgoyne, Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB
• Hours: Sunday – 12 to 12:02am
• Contact: +44 1360 550254 

Fun Things to do in Glasgow

Escape Reality

Escape Reality is a fully immersive escape room experience where teams of 2-6 players must solve a series of challenging puzzles to escape in 60 minutes. Escape Reality can accommodate large groups of up to 30 people comfortably inside the rooms. Located in the heart of Glasgow, Escape Reality has a private bar and social area, making the experience perfect for fun things to do in Glasgow.

• Address: Merchant Square, Basement Unit 1, Glasgow G1 1LE
• Hours:
  • Sunday to Friday – 1:30 pm to 9:00 pm
  • Saturday – 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM
• Contact: +44 141 237 4250
• Price:

Fun Things to do in Glasgow: Axe Hurling

Indoor urban axe throwing has come to Glasgow. What is urban axe throwing? Axe throwing is the new craze sweeping America and Europe by storm. You really will be hurling axes at a bullseye a few meters away.

• Address: Xcite Activity Centre, 72 Hydepark Street, Glasgow G3 8BW
• Hours:
  • Monday to Friday – 12 to 10 pm
  • Saturday & Sunday – 10am to 10pm
• Contact: 07421995910
• Price:

Fun Things to do in Glasgow: Rage Room Glasgow

Fancy Trashing a Room? Then here’s your chance! Rage Room is the perfect place to de-stress. Bring your friends, partner or make it a work night. You’re only allowed up to 6 people per session, so CHOOSE YOUR TEAM WISELY. This is a supervised activity, and a steward will be monitoring you at all times for safety purposes.

• Address: 72 Hydepark Street Xcite Activity Centre, Glasgow G3 8BW
• Hours:
  • Sunday – 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Monday to Friday – 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm
  • Saturday – 12:00 to 10:00 PM
• Contact: +44 7421 995910
• Price:

Restaurants

E-Street Cafe

• Address: 421 Clarkston Road, Glasgow G44 3LL
• Hours:
  • Sun – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Mon to Tue – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • Thu to Sat – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Contact: +44 141 637 5356
• Price Range – £2 to £10
• Special Diets – Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
• Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
• Cuisines – Cafe
• Features – Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Outdoor Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Table Service, Dog Friendly

Mini Grill Glasgow Steakhouse

• Address: 244 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JW
• Hours:
  • Sun – 12:00 to 9:00 PM
  • Mon to Sat – 12:00 to 10:00 pm
• Contact: +44 141 332 2732
• Price Range: £5 to £32
• Special Diets: Gluten-Free Options
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
• Cuisines: Steakhouse, Grill, Scottish
• Features: Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wi-Fi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

Himalayan Dine

• Address: 71 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow G41 3YR
• Hours:
  • Sun – 3:00 PM – 10:30 PM
  • Tue to Thu – 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM & 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM
  • Fri to Sat – 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM
• Contact: +44 141 636 1000
• Price Range: £15 to £25
• Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
• Cuisines: Indian, Asian, Nepalese
• Features: Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wi-Fi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Street Parking

Bars

Revolution

• Address: 84 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3NA 
• Hours:
  • Sun – 12:30 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Mon to Thu – 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
  • Fri to Sat – 11:00 am to 3:00 am
• Contact: +44 141 471 8279
• Price Range: £10 to £15
• Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Cuisines: Bar, British, Grill, Street Food
• Features: Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

Rab Ha’s

• Address: 81 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow G1 1SH
• Hours:
  • Sun – 12:30 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Mon to Thu – 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
  • Fri to Sat – 11:00 am to 3:00 am
• Contact: +44 141 370 8818
• Price Range: £33 to £67
• Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
• Cuisines: Bar, European, British, Pub, Scottish
• Features: Reservations, Seating, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wi-Fi, Table Service

The Citizen Bar & Dining Rooms

• Address: The Citizen Building 24 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow G1 2DH
• Hours:
  • Sun to Tue – 11 am to 11 pm
  • Wednesday & Thursday – 11 am to 12 am
  • Friday & Saturday – 11am to 1am
• Contact: +44 141 222 2909
• Price Range: £33 to £67
• Special Diets: Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten-Free Options
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
• Cuisines: Bar, International, European, British, Scottish
• Features: Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wi-Fi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

Nightlife

Sub Club

In its 25-year history, Sub Club on Jamaica Street has garnered itself a reputation as one of Britain, Europe and the World’s best clubs. With a supreme loyalty to its house DJs (many of whom have been spinning here since the early 90s) and the goods to attract some of the worlds’ biggest names in clubbing, Sub Club drives some killer club nights like the infamous and downright depraved, Subculture and Optimo. A gimmick-free, no-frills venue that takes its music seriously, the top-notch sound system and a body sonic, vibrating dance floor amp up the solid stream of high-calibre dance music. 

• Address: Sub Club, 22, Jamaica Street, G1 4QD
• Hours: Daily- 11:00pm to 4:00am
• Features:
  • Type of Venue – Nightclub, Party Bar
    • Typeof Night – Clubbing, Something a little different
• Area – Argyle Street
• Budget – Happily Affordable
• Dance floor
• Dress Code – Casual
• Minimum age – 18
• Music – Electronic, House, Drum and Bass
• Outdoor Space – Smoking Area

Revolution Glasgow

A stylish bar with a penchant for vodka, Revolution is a fun party venue for a night out in Glasgow. The decor here is a mishmash of styles that comes together to look chic and cool; exposed brickwork, visible piping and bare prison house bulbs, alongside twee wallpaper, leather seating and gilt-framed mirrors. Drinks at Revolution are made for sharing, with such potent vodka teapots and pitchers as Prohibition Punch and Fizzee Rascal. If you prefer your own, cocktails for one include Vodka Moonshine and The Jammy B*stard. Eats are a mix of party-perfect sharing platters as well as sandwiches, pizzas and tasty mains. 

• Address: Revolution Glasgow, 67-69, Renfield Street, G2 1LF
• Hours:
  • Monday to Saturday – 12:00 to 0:00
  • Sunday – 1:00pm to 0:00
• Features:
  • Type of Venue – Cocktail Bar, Party Bar, Lounge Bar
  • Type of Night – After work drinks, Chatting and Drinking, Private party
• Area – Argyle Street
• Activity – Cocktail Making
• Budget – Happily Affordable
• Dance floor
• Wheelchair Access, Disabled Toilets
• No door charge
• Dress Code – Dress to impress
• Minimum Age – 21
• Music – Party mash-up, Rock, Hip Hop/RnB
• Outdoor Space – Smoking Area
• Queue Buster – 9 pm
• Sky Sports

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a multi-purpose bar and nightclub in Glasgow’s West End. Boasting one of the best kitted-out beer gardens in the city, The Sanctuary Terrace has room for 200 people to chill out throughout the night. Inside, the cool bar and nightclub are decked out in style inspired by slick venues in London and Amsterdam. With two separate spaces and two dancefloors, LED lighting features play a huge role in the decor, along with contemporary wood panelling and intimate booths. One of the quirkiest features in the club is a private secret VIP bar for private parties, only accessible to those privileged enough to get a key.

• Address: The Sanctuary, 59, Dumbarton Road, G11 6DP
• Hours:
  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday – 2:00 pm to 0:00
  • Wednesday, Friday & Saturday – 2:00pm to 3:00am
• Features:
  • Type of Venue – Nightclub, Lounge Bar
  • Type of Night – Eating and Drinking, Drinking and Dancing, Watching Sport
• Area – West End
• Budget – Happily Affordable
• Dance floor
• Door charge – Varies depending on the event
• Dress Code –Casual
• Minimum Age – 18
• Music – Hip Hop/RnB, House
• Outdoor Space – Patio
• Queue Buster – 11pm
• Sky Sports

Accommodation

ibis Styles Glasgow Centre West

Following an extensive refurbishment, the 4-star Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central has transformed all 300 bedrooms to an extremely high standard.

• Address: Douglas House 116 Waterloo Street Douglas House, Glasgow G2 7DN
• Contact: 00 44 141 332 3311
• Price: from £70
• Some of the property amenities: Paid public parking nearby
• Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi-)
• Free breakfast
• 24-hour security
• Baggage storage
• 24-hour front desk
• Express check-in / check-out
• Dry clean

ibis styles Glasgow Centre George Square

Inspired by the beating heart of Glasgow – say hello to culture, humour, style and swagger at the new ibis Styles Glasgow. Stepping inside ibis Styles Glasgow Centre, guests are transported on a whistle-stop tour of the cultural milestones that have shaped Scotland’s largest city. 

• Address: 74 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT
• Contact: +44 141 428 3400
• Price: from £72
• Some of the property amenities: Paid public parking nearby
• Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)
• Free breakfast
• 24-hour security
• Baggage storage
• 24-hour front desk

Grasshoppers Hotel Glasgow

At Grasshoppers Glasgow you will find a penthouse floor of 29 bedrooms with a blend of contemporary and traditional features that include sliding sash windows, handmade wallpapers, panelled wood walls, Caledonian Oak floors and furniture that has been exclusively designed and made for Grasshoppers by specialist joiners. Their stylish, comfortable bedrooms enjoy plenty of natural light with great views across Europe’s largest glazed roof over Central Station or towards the Merchant City, including Mackintosh’s renowned Lighthouse Building.

• Address: Caledonian Chambers 87 Union Street, Glasgow G1 3TA
• Contact: +44 141 222 2666
• Price: from £90
• Some of the property amenities: Paid public parking nearby
• Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi)
• Breakfast available
• Baggage storage
• Non-smoking hotel
• 24-hour front desk
• Laundry service

With this blog, we hope to have made you better acquainted with Glasgow attractions. And hey, don’t forget to fill up this form! 👉🏻

FAQs

Q1. What is Glasgow most famous for?

Ans: Glasgow is known for its illustrious architectural past, vibrant arts scene, and kind hospitality.

Q2. Is Glasgow worth visiting?

Ans: Glasgow is well worth a visit for its distinctive combination of history, culture, museums, and energetic environment.

Q3. What month is best to visit Glasgow?

Ans: Because of the good weather and numerous festivals, the summer months of June to August are frequently regarded as the ideal time to visit Glasgow.

Q4. What is Glasgow’s most famous street?

Ans: The most well-known street in Glasgow is Buchanan Street, renowned for its lively street performances, stores, and atmosphere.

Q5. What is the main shopping area in Glasgow?

Ans: The “Style Mile” consists of Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street, and Argyle Street and offers a variety of stores and boutiques and is the main shopping area in Glasgow.