The 22 best things to do in Glasgow
There are nearly endless things to do in Glasgow, but like any of the UK’s best cities, it’s worth narrowing things down slightly to make the most of your time.
Glasgow is one of Europe’s great unsung beauties – a city that helped shape the modern world with its shipbuilding and trade links and still hums with invention. Walking its streets, you’ll encounter both grandeur and grit: soaring Victorian architecture that once drew comparisons with 19th-century New York (and has most recently been used as a substitute for America’s unofficial capital in Spiderman), softened now by a little wear around the edges but no less magnificent for it. Step into the City Chambers off George Square and you’ll find yourself surrounded by marble, mosaics and mahogany worthy of The Vatican, while The Gorbals, just a stone’s throw away, is still a place to wander for bric-a-brac in its famous market followed by a pint in a proper local pub or a fry-up in one of the city’s last remaining original greasy spoons.
Contradiction is Glasgow’s constant. Wit and hardship, elegance and irreverence, history and reinvention; they all coexist here and pave the way for a city that’s famous for its creativity, from being the incubator for artistic movements like Art Nouveau via Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Impressionism with The Glasgow Boys to its status as a UNESCO City of Music and its grassroots comedy scene.
How to spend 24 hours in Glasgow
If you’re in Glasgow for a day, one of the best places to concentrate your time is in its stylish West End, home to the magnificent Neo-Gothic Glasgow University, a couple of stellar museums, one of its prettiest and best-known parks, and numerous independent businesses. Start with breakfast on Great Western Road at Papercup, where artisan coffee and a signature veggie haggis and fried egg roll should go down a treat. Follow the hill westward to the Botanic Gardens to explore their abundant florae, eventually making your way into the Arboretum, where you can join the peaceful Kelvin Walkway. Stroll along the river into Kelvingrove Park and meander up the hill to admire the university’s spires, before grabbing authentic Greek gyros for lunch from MacTassos down on Kelvinway. After, you can pop next door into the Victorian Gothic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, whose diverse collection has something to appeal to everyone. When you’re done, relax with a drink at trendy Dukes Bar, finally topping it all off with a feast of ever-changing small plates up the road at Eighty Eight – one of Glasgow’s best restaurants.
What is Glasgow famous for?
Glasgow is famous for its vibrant arts and music scene, seen in institutions like The Glasgow School of Art and the Barrowlands venue; Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, including much of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s unique designs; world-class museums such as Kelvingrove; and its warm, welcoming people. It’s also celebrated for its innovative and independent food culture and legendary nightlife.
What food is Glasgow known for?
Traditional dishes include haggis, Scotch pies, square sausages and the much-lauded battered Mars Bar (which isn’t as common as you’d think from the common tropes), but modern Glasgow is equally known for its thriving restaurant scene, which includes everything from Michelin-starred dining to inventive vegan cooking.
Is Glasgow a walkable city?
Yes – the city centre is compact and easy to navigate on foot. Many of the main attractions, shops and restaurants are within walking distance of each other, though public transport like the famous ‘Clockwork Orange’ underground service makes light work of central zones, and black cabs and Ubers are widely available too for a good old-fashioned door-to-door drop off.
Getty ImagesSeasonal festivals
The joy of visiting Glasgow is that there’s always something new to see or do. This is a city that has been in a constant state of evolution since its inception, sometime in the 6th century, so it’s well-versed in reinventing itself. Nowadays, seasonal festivals are fixed yet fleeting highlights in the city’s calendar, bringing together locals and out-of-towners to celebrate pivotal moments throughout the year. In the spring there’s the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, summer brings the sizzle of barbecue weekender Meatopia as well as Summer Nights at The Bandstand where famous acts take to the outdoor open stage, autumn sees the Botanic Gardens lit up as part of the dramatically themed and intricately designed light show Glasglow, and winter is a patchwork of Christmas markets and pantomimes to see you through the darker months.
Getty ImagesGymnastics at Kelvinhall Adults
Just across the road from Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which is one of our favourite free things to do in Glasgow, is Kelvin Hall. Here you’ll find a state-of-the-art cultural facility in a building that holds almost a century’s worth of history. It started out as an exhibition centre, before housing the city’s transport museum for over twenty years. In 2016, it underwent a multi-million pound makeover and is now the location for a world-class gymnastics hall (as well as a clip and climb, soft play, cafe and sports halls). If you have little ones with you, you might indulge them in a few hours of high-octane fun in the ball pit, but they’re not the only ones who can let loose. The gymnastic hall is a wonderland of bars, rings, mats and trampolines, which are all put to good use in the expert-led adults’ gymnastics sessions. A perfect way to limber up for a few days in Glasgow.
Address:1445 Argyle Street, G3 8AW
Opening times: 6am-10pm weekdays, 8am-6pm weekends
Website: glasgowclub.org
Getty ImagesFlower Arranging with Studio Kumari
One of Glasgow’s best florists, Studio Kumari, has created displays for brands such as Prada, Le Labo and Net a Porter. Recently, Sophie, the owner, has moved into a new open-door-policy studio, which means anyone is welcome to pop in and have a chat throughout the day. Things are in a constant state of flux as the floristry work changes from day to day, but there’s always something pretty to look at, from event masterpieces to limited runs of gift bouquets for shoppers to take home with them. Every now and then, there are workshops too, if you’d like to learn how to make a hand-tied floral posie or a Christmas wreath. These are for intimate groups and mostly ticketed pre-event, so keep an eye on socials if you’d like to attend. There’s also a small but carefully chosen selection of beautiful gifts from petite scale makers, which means you can always pick up a souvenir from Scotland here that beats anything you’ll find along the tourist trail.
Address: Unit 3, 22 Mansfield Street, G11 5QP
Opening times: Opening times vary, check social media for the latest updates
Website: studiokumari.co.ukThe Caravan Shop’s Cellar Series
The Caravan Shop describes itself as a ‘wine bar and eatery’, but it also just happens to be a sister site to Cail Bruich, one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Glasgow. That is to say that the wine is excellent, expertly chosen and in great supply, a trifecta of things that can be unanimously agreed upon as being positive. The Cellar Series – as the name suggests – allows you access to the wine bar’s cellars where one of the team will talk you through a curated selection of five bottles accompanied by anecdotes and technical notes, as well as a welcome run of charcuterie and cheese to lightly line the stomach. Guests on the day also profit from 15% off if they’d like to take any bottles home. Informative yet wonderfully informal, these make for a fun way to learn something new in a convivial setting.
Address: 364 Great Western Road, G4 9HT
Opening times: Cellar Series dates and times vary, but the wine bar is open Monday-Wednesday, 4-11pm; Thursday-Sunday, 11am-11pm
Website: studiokumari.co.uk
Phillip HuynhKristen Allan Cheese Making
For keen foodies, there’s no greater joy than seeing something come to life from scratch, and with this fairly unique workshop, you are able to whip up butter, yoghurt and cheese from milk, as if by magic. Kristen Allan is based in the Highlands but hosts regular workshops in Glasgow at trendy locations like the kitchens of Fallachan (one of our top new restaurants in 2024). Lots of the city’s most accomplished chefs have learnt from Kristen, and her enthusiastic and warm style ensures the classes are pacey and fun as well as informative. Pick between line-ups such as butter, yoghurt and fresh cheese; halloumi and mascarpone or mozzarella and burrata. Usually, classes finish with a communal lunch before you leave bundled up with your new cheese-shaped pride and joy.
Website: kristenallan.com.au
NAOMI VANCE PHOTOGRAPHYCelentano’s Pasta Workshops
Dean Parker’s pasta’s reputation might have outgrown the chef’s own at this point, with it having become the restaurant’s most popular serve. Eager punters fill seats in the restaurant Parker co-owns with his wife Anna on any given night to enjoy bowls of pappardelle coated in a rich Dexter beef ragu or agnolotti with squash, kale and ricotta. It’s the recipe for the latter that Parker typically shares with guests at his coveted workshops. Under his expert eye, you’ll experience an in-depth masterclass that helps you to craft your own little parcels from fresh dough to take home with you. While all that’s going on, the team will cook you lunch, a shared communion for you and your fellow classmates to enjoy with a glass of wine. Typically, you’ll learn about everything from flour to ideal dough texture when making pasta, tips which you can then easily put into practice at home for chef-level meals from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Address: 28-32 Cathedral Square, G4 0XA
Opening times: Class times vary, but Celentano’s is open Wednesday-Thursday, 12.10.30pm; Friday-Saturday, 12-11pm and Sunday, 12-6pm
Website: celentanosglasgow.com
Getty ImagesBeile Supper Clubs
There’s a timeless allure to supper clubs, where like-minded souls all gather under the unification of great food. Friends Rona and Meg host one of Glasgow’s loveliest such gatherings, which are centred around simple, seasonal plates made with care from the finest ingredients. The pair met while working at Gloriosa – an all-time favourite restaurant for many Glaswegians – with Rona having worked at Little Duck in London and Meg having studied photography at the Glasgow School of Art previously. The culmination of all that creativity is seen in gatherings that take place in sweet spots like community gardens, where a long table might stretch out alongside the veg patch and where guests are served dishes like fougasse with ricotta and chive oil, charred courgettes with ajo blanco and braised borlotti beans with salsa verde. Locations vary.
Website: instagram.com
Getty ImagesThe Waverley
The UK’s iconic paddle steamer, The Waverley, with its scarlet chimneys and formidable horn, is a sea-faring slice of history, being the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. It turned an impressive 75 years old in 2022, and inside you’ll find a tearoom, dining room, bar and the boat’s vital organs: the hot, hardworking steam engine, and, beyond the portholes behind you, its vast rotating paddle wheels. Boarding it in the morning from outside the Science Centre in Glasgow, you’ll cruise up the River Clyde, passing the Glenlee, a moored 19th-century sailing ship, the Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum, then onwards under the monumental Erskine Bridge and into open water. Get off at the village of Tighnabruaich to discover stunning west coast scenery, before catching the steamboat back in the late afternoon.
Address: 36 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow, G3 8HA
Website: waverleyexcursions.co.uk
Opening times: Various sailings
Kay Roxby / Alamy Stock PhotoTake a Trip to the Theatre
Glasgow is home to the west of Scotland’s principal producing theatre, Citizens Theatre. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to see work by the country’s finest playwrights, including the likes of David Harrower and Zinnie Harris. For something more musical, high-production performances by Scottish Opera can be watched at the historic Theatre Royal Glasgow. Down in the east end, there’s the Tron, which finds its home in a 16th-century Kirk, which shows small-scale up-and-coming performances as well as being host to famous pantomimes each Christmas.
Address: Citizens Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, Gorbals, Glasgow G5 9DS; Òran Mór, Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QX; Theatre Royal Glasgow, 282 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3QA
Website: citz.co.uk ; tron.co.uk; theatresonline.com
Facials at Facespace
Part of the pleasure of visiting any city is trying to live like a local for a few days. If you’re in town for the weekend – or even a resident looking for new ways to unwind – you can’t beat a bit of relaxation. Take a break and even out your step count with an hour of being horizontal on the bed at Facespace. Here you’ll find a cosy room painted in a cosseting dark blue and a table piled high with feather bedding. Nicole Campbell Watson, who heads up the community of practitioners here, is passionate about being non-brand affiliated. This means everyone uses a range of products they genuinely believe in, tailoring each treatment to their client.
Address: 101 Portman Street, Glasgow, G41 1EJ
Website: facespacestudio.co.uk
Opening times: Times vary by appointment
Robin MitchellSharmanka Kinetic Theatre
There is nowhere quite like the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, with its moving displays of kinetic sculptures and hand-carved characters. It’s a weird and wonderful world dreamt up by Eduard Bersudsky and theatre director Tatyana Jakovskaya with the displays having started life in St Petersburg before being moved to Glasgow after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The best way to see it is to drop in for one of the shows, where you’ll find yourself guided through two rooms of miniature, moving animals and characters synced with light and sound to create an arresting art piece. Because there’s little to no narrative, it appeals to all ages, and the creators encourage people to create their own stories while they wander around.
Address: Trongate 103 - A Centre for Arts & Creativity 103, Glasgow G1 5HD
Website: sharmanka.com
Opening times: Opening times vary in relation to shows
Getty ImagesCentral Station Tour
What sounds like a bad school trip is actually a fascinating look behind the scenes at one of the largest transport hubs in Scotland. Much more exciting than the title denotes, the tour lasts two hours and includes walking through underground passageways, dressed to the nines in full safety gear, and exploring railway vaults. All of this is served with a side of history, too, with guides explaining Glasgow’s place in the UK’s industrial expansion, and there’s even a celebrity story or two thrown in for good measure.
Address: Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3SL
Website: glasgowcentraltours.co.uk
Opening times: Times vary by tour
Listen to Some Live Music
Particularly famous among Glasgow’s diverse music venues is the East End’s historic Barrowland Ballroom. In its time, it has held concerts with David Bowie, Oasis and the Foo Fighters. Jazz lovers should check out the intimate Blue Arrow Club; those who like classical can browse the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall’s programme, which may feature orchestral performances of John Williams soundtracks or sitarist Anoushka Shankar. Fans of experimental genres can drop into The Hug and Pint, which also happens to have one of the city’s best vegan kitchens, and for house and techno, tickets to Subclub – one of the world’s best basement nightclubs – are compulsory. If you’re looking for something romantic, a candlelight concert by Fever is just for you.
Reset Yoga
Somewhat industrial Kinning Park might not be the obvious place to find a yoga studio, but the contrast is all part of the charm. Up a few flights of stairs in an architect-led office space, which was a towering Victorian school in another life, you’ll find the Reset Studio. Its panelled walls are brilliant white, there’s a double-height ceiling, and twelve-pane sash windows flood the room with light. Take a position on the stripped-back wooden floor (mats, blocks and straps are all provided) and let the skilled teachers gently guide you through a series of poses before bedtime. After a day of sightseeing, candlelit yoga is like a restorative reset button. If you’re feeling more up to a sweaty workout, the studio also runs pilates classes, and in the summer, there are outdoor rooftop sessions.
Address: 101 Portman Street, Glasgow, G41 1EJ
Website: resetyogahub.com
Opening times: Class times vary from 7.30am-7.45pm each day
Getty ImagesGet crafty at a pottery class
Ever since UK TV sensation The Great Pottery Throwdown, people have – quite literally – gone potty for the craft. In Glasgow, you can now sign up for beginners or taster workshops at the likes of Glasgow Ceramics Studio and Wild Gorse Pottery, but those who enjoy a drink or two while they get creative should check out The Craft Pottery’s BYOB events. With an artist’s guidance, you can wheel-throw or hand-build mugs, jugs, or mini pots, decorating them in whatever way your imagination inspires as you sip your tipple of choice.
gerard ferry / Alamy Stock PhotoBritannia Panopticon
Tucked away above an amusement arcade in a not-particularly-lovely part of town is the dictionary definition of a hidden gem: the Britannia Panopticon, the world’s oldest surviving music hall, where Stan Laurel made his debut in 1906. In its heyday, it was home to freak shows, zoos, wax works and a very tough crowd, who made sure performers who didn’t make the grade were pelted with rivets from the shipyards, rancid turnips and horse manure. Although in a state of dilapidation, the Panopticon’s hallowed halls are still used for comedy, film, burlesque and drag nights to raise funds for its restoration. Or for the princely sum of £2, you can simply soak up the atmosphere, play the old pianola, browse exhibits and marvel at the acts on the bill, ranging from the World's Smallest Man to the World’s Tallest. As there’s no heating, wrapping up warm is a must, but you might get the shivers anyway – a mysterious dark figure is often sensed on the balcony, which is still littered with ticket stubs from shows gone by.
Address: 113-117 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HD
Website: britanniapanopticon.org
Opening times: Thursday - Saturday, 12-5pm
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel Spa
As one of the best spas in Scotland, a day at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel in the city centre is the remedy for inclement weather. The thermal experience was renovated in 2023 and now involves saunas, bubbling pools and even a snow room. For heavenly relaxation, finish with a specialist hot-stone massage. Or try the more stimulating Detox Body Wrap, which employs sea salt and algae to improve skin tone and eliminate toxins; natural products by Hebridean skincare brand Ishga use hand-harvested seaweed to transform and rejuvenate. Afterwards, make a reservation at Iasg, where the Cumbrae oysters, Shetland mussels and other Scottish seafood delights aren’t to be missed.
Address: 11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4AD
Website: kimptonblythswoodsquare.com
Opening times: Every day, 12-2.30pm and 5-9pm
Eoin CareyGlasgow Film Theatre
It feels a little crass to always compare everything outside of London to something in London (not least because it’s usually done with an ounce of “it’s not quite as good”), but the Glasgow Film Theatre is somewhat akin to the Prince Charles Cinema. If you’ll allow us the comparison, the similarities lie in the venues’ appreciation for arthouse media. In Scotland, you’ll find a roster of recent releases peppered with iconic classics and international specials. It’s also the host of the Glasgow Film Festival and runs regular screenings for people with additional needs, such as autism and dementia. The cinema is housed in a striking Art Deco building, which is category B-listed and worth a stroll past even if you’re not popping in.
Address: 100 Stobcross Road, Glasgow, G3 8QQ
Website: glasgowfilm.org
Opening times: Monday - Friday and Sunday: 12-11pm; Saturday: 11am-11pm
Neil Setchfield / Alamy Stock PhotoThe Mackintosh House
For a taste of inimitable design, the Mackintosh House holds the key to a look inside Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s home. Here you’ll find the recreation of his living quarters, which he shared with his wife, Margaret. The most striking thing about the space is its light, even on a grey Glasgow day. Rooms include a minimalist white bedroom, a large drawing room and the studio where Mackintosh would have worked on his various architectural and design projects. The museum limits visitors to twelve people at a time, too, so it never feels crowded.
Address: 82 Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Website: gla.ac.uk
Opening times: Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-5pm
Tommy Ga-Ken WanA Play, a Pie and a Pint
A Glasgow institution, A Play, a Pie and a Pint offers punters exactly that, all for the princely sum of £15.50 on Mondays. Even on Saturdays, it’ll only set you back £21.50, so any day of the week it’s great value. The shows are hosted in the Òran Mór, an atmospheric converted church at the top of Byres Road. It’s on every day at lunchtime and lasts no longer than an hour, so it's great to squeeze into a tour of the west end, which might include a look round the independent shops like Hoose, a walk in the Botanic Gardens, and a meal in one of the city’s best restaurants – like Crabshakk or the Hanoi Bike Shop. With an approachable price point, the plays are often a great way to see up-and-coming artists, as well as catching people prepping for larger tours like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Address: Òran Mór, Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QX
Website: playpiepint.com
Opening times: Monday - Saturday, 12pm until finish- sloansglasgow.com
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Holon
City breaks can be exhausting, and one way to recharge your batteries is to carve out some time to get some restorative rest. Holon is a holistic wellness centre with its roots firmly anchored in science. Rather than a clinical experience, it’s more like a spa, decked out in earthy tones and a pared-back aesthetic drawn out in natural materials like clay and cork. There’s a gorgeous private sauna and ice bath experience that two people can use simultaneously (which includes guided breathing exercises), plus a sort of à la carte list of treatments to pick and choose from. These include compression boots, red light therapy, yoga and breathwork, plus virtual reality meditation sessions and more. Little details like plush towels, herbal teas and tailored soundtracks elevate this wonderfully cossetting experience. If you need a steer in the right direction, the cheerful team are happy to tailor packages to clients depending on their needs. Don’t be surprised if a few hours slip by before you notice; you could get lost here for a whole afternoon wandering from one room to another.
Address: 528 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 8EL
Website: holon.co.uk
Opening times: Tuesday - Friday, 8am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am-5pmAttend a Ceilidh
If you’re in town and keen to get a taste of Scottish country dancing, head for one of Glasgow’s best bars, and it’s oldest at that: Sloans. There’s no edge here, just pure unadulterated warmth and hospitality with an everyone’s welcome policy. The team puts on a ceilidh every weekend, and all it will cost you is £16 and the willingness to either support from the sidelines or take to the floor. There’ll be a full band at one end, complete with a caller, which means that each and every dance is explained step-by-step as you make your way through it.
Address: 108 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8BG
Website: sloansglasgow.com
Opening times: Every Friday from 8.30pm
