Top 10 Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

By Ross Goodman – Wikimedia

Top 10 Things to do in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and it is by River Clyde.

The city is famous for its beautiful culture and thriving shopping districts. thousands of tourists visit the city each year.

There is a lot to experience while in Glasgow, from culture, food, beer, music and shopping.

The locals are friendly and easy to have conversations with. There are vibrant live music cafés and night clubs.

If you are into architecture, there are several post-industrial buildings and unique museums.

The food scene is inclusive of vegan menus too. There are several lush parks to relax in, magnificent cathedrals to check out and the list is endless.

The beauty of Glasgow is that the main attractions are close to each other.

This saves on time and makes it easy to plan your day’s itinerary. Here are the top 10 things to do on your next trip to Glasgow.

1. What better thing to start with than visiting Kelvingrove art gallery and Museum?

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There are several museums at the proximity of Kelvingrove Park. The majority of these museums do not charge entrance fees.

One famous one goes by the same name and has an art gallery and a museum.

This museum and art gallery’s architecture resembles a Renaissance style and looks like it came off a fairy tale book.  

A massive renovation was done in the museum, it is now one of the best museums in the country.

It opens its doors daily. Inside, you will find fine art, stuffed animals and even Micronesian shark-tooth swords.

The rooms in the museum are specially themed according to the collections.

There is a room with Scottish art another with fine impressionist work from France and Renaissance paintings from Italy and Flanders.

2. Spend time shopping on Buchanan Street

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If you love to shop till you drop, Buchanan Street is the place to be while in Glasgow.

This street is at the centre of the shopping district in Glasgow. There is a variety of merchandise to buy from different shops.

It is a favourite shopping spot for both locals and tourists, other than the fashionable stores, there are cute galleries on this street.

This is also a great place to escape the rainy weather, check out Hollister, Pandora, Millie’s Cookies and the Whisky Shop.

You can also walk into the independent boutiques and vintage stores that line the cobbled street.   

3. Check out the magnificent Glasgow Cathedral

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A vast majority of the medieval cathedrals that can be found in the United Kingdom are in ruins.

This means that a visit to the Glasgow Cathedral will be worth your while.

The cathedral was consecrated in 1197 and remains to be one of the most impressive Scottish Gothic architecture.

It is one of the remaining medieval cathedrals. This cathedral has served as a place of worship for more than 8 centuries.

The Glasgow cathedral has some of the largest collection of post-war stained-glass windows.

It also has well-defined arches, hand-carved pews and memorial pieces on the walls.

This is a haven for architecture lovers as well as photography.  

4. Relax at George Square and the Merchant District

If you need to take a break or just people watch head over to George Square.

The Square is at the centre of Glasgow and has beautiful flowers and statues.

These statues are of famous people that contributed to the development and growth of the city.

Some of the recognizable figures are Robbie Burns, Walter Scott and Queen Victoria.

Walk towards the east end of the Square to see the Town Hall that has a 230-foot tower dating back to 1890.

The other building to admire is the Merchant’s House which serves as the headquarters of Britain’s oldest chamber of commerce.   

5. Explore Necropolis

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Another place to explore while in Glasgow is the Necropolis. It is close to Glasgow Cathedral.

This is a Victorian gothic garden cemetery. The cemetery covers 37 acres and is famously known as the city of the dead.

Some beautiful memorial stones and sculptures were designed by Glasgow artists one of them being Charles Rennie Macintosh.

The Celtic crosses have been intricately carved, you will also see weeping angels.

There are different walking tours of the cemetery where you will get to enjoy the atmospheric environment under shaded walkways.

This cemetery was inspired by Père Lachaise in Paris and dates back to 1833.

6. Sample local beer at Drygate Brewery

A trip to Glasgow is not complete without sampling their favourite beer.

The best place to experience this is at this brewery that specialises in both craft beers and the local beer, Tennent.

They are macro-brewers located in a 1930s former box factory beside the Tennent’s brewery on Duke Street.

They also have a hall with big screens for sports, space for music and comedy events, and a terrace for those rare Glasgow days when it is not raining.

A visit to this brewer will let you sample 26 rotating beers on tap and countless more bottled varieties.

You can also hop onto a tour of behind the scenes in beer making.

7. Hangout with the family or group at Kelvingrove Park

A perfect place to spend some quiet time with the family is at Kelvingrove Park.

It is where both tourists and locals escape to from the busy city. There are well-marked walking trails by River Kelvin and duck ponds.

As you stroll through the park, you will come across the bandstand for local events. The events are held occasionally and on weekends.

The park sits on the 85-acre lush garden. Other park facilities available include lawns, tennis courts, and skate parks.

8. Drop by Pollok House and Pollok Country Park

By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin – Wikimedia

A getaway from the city is much needed in Glasgow. There are beautiful places to explore not far from the city.

One of these places is the Pollock House grounds that covers 355 acres.

It used to be the home of the Maxwell family. The mansion was built in 1752 by William Adam and his sons.

Most of the building is open for visitors: starting from the grand entrance to the servants’ quarters.

You will see some of Sir William Stirling Maxwell’s collection of Spanish paintings hanging on the walls.

Part of his collection include works by El Greco, Goya, Murillo, and Velázquez.

9. Another must-see art gallery in Glasgow: Hunterian Art Gallery & Museum

This museum is found at the Mackintosh House. It has a historical and aesthetic interior.

The building was built in the 1960s by architect Sir Charles Rennie Mackintosh and designed by wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh who was an artist.

There are both temporary and permanent exhibitions in this museum.

A Zoology museum is here too that showcases special exhibitions.

10. Check out the People’s Palace

The park where this museum is found was established in1662 and is one of the oldest parks in Glasgow.

It is a short walking distance from the city centre. The park is called Glasgow Green.

The main attraction in this park in the People’s Palace. It is a museum that was built in 1898.

Walking into the museum, you will learn about the history of Glasgow from the 1750s to the 20^th century.

The building was designed by engineer Alexander McDonald. Its door opened in 1898 as a place for people who enjoy reading, art, and culture.