A blog by Daisy Gribbons, Tour Coordinator with Aspen.
If you’re flying into Scotland or using Glasgow as a base before or after a trip to the Highlands, it’s well worth giving the city more than just a quick stopover. Glasgow has a habit of surprising people. It’s friendly, full of humour, creative, and packed with personality. Glasgow’s famous slogan People Make Glasgow gets used a lot, and honestly, I think it’s pretty spot on.
The name Glasgow comes from the Gaelic Glaschu, meaning “green hollow” or “green glen”, which feels fitting once you start exploring the city. Glasgow is one of the greenest cities in the UK and a natural gateway to the Highlands and the west coast. Whether you’re warming up for an adventure or winding down afterwards, it’s a city you really shouldn’t miss.
Things to do in Glasgow
One of the best things about Glasgow is how much there is to do without spending a penny. The city has around 20 museums, and every single one of them is free.
My favourite place to start is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It’s wonderfully eclectic with all of its art, natural history and plenty of unexpected finds, and it never feels dull. It also sits right beside Kelvingrove Park, making it easy to combine museum time with a wander outside.
Down on the River Clyde, the striking Riverside Museum helps to tell the story of Glasgow’s shipbuilding past. Just outside is the Tall Ship Glenlee, one of only five remaining Clydebuilt sailing ships still afloat.
For a sense of the city’s older history, Glasgow Cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings on mainland Scotland. Climb the nearby Necropolis afterwards for great city views and a quiet, peaceful walk.
Other highlights include the Glasgow Science Centre, the Tennent’s Brewery Tour, and football stadium tours at Hampden Park, Ibrox Stadium and Celtic Park.
Easy walks and green space
For a large city, Glasgow is surprisingly green and therefore ideal for relaxed walks.
Kelvingrove Park is perfect for stretching your legs, while the River Clyde Walkway offers a flat, scenic route through the city. Glasgow Green sits right beside the river and feels like an escape despite being so central.
Further out, Pollok Country Park almost feels rural and is home to many Highland cows, a great taster of the landscapes waiting beyond the city. In the West End, Victoria Park Fossil Grove is a fascinating stop, with fossilised trees that are even older than the dinosaurs.
Culture, history and wandering
Glasgow is officially recognised as a UNESCO City of Music, and its cultural energy is hard to miss. Live music, street art, galleries and performances pop up all over the city and give it a real buzz.
The University of Glasgow is another highlight. Founded in 1451, it’s the fourth-oldest university in the UK, and its main building looks more like a castle than a campus. The Hunterian Museum here is also an incredibly interesting place to visit and is home to the world’s first ultrasound machine, invented in Glasgow in 1956.
In the city centre, George Square is dominated by the City Chambers, one of the most beautiful civic buildings in the UK. If you get the chance to step inside, it’s worth it, with it being claimed that the building contains even more marble than the Vatican. Just around the corner, you’ll find the Duke of Wellington statue. More often than not, the Duke is wearing a traffic cone on his head – part of a long-running Glasgow tradition and a perfect example of the city’s sense of humour.
Other cultural stops include the Gallery of Modern Art, the Burrell Collection situated in Pollok Country Park, and the wonderfully restored Tenement House.
Where to eat and drink
For lunch or something casual, my favourites include Naked Soup, Absolute Roasters, Kozi Cafe and Spriig. If you’re in the mood for Italian, Paesano Pizza and Sugo Pasta are always solid choices. The iconic Indian restaurant Dishoom is always a popular option too.
Another great West End stop is The University Cafe. It’s a historic, family-run Scottish-Italian café that’s been around since 1918, with classic Art Deco interiors, proper fry-ups, fish and chips, and very good homemade ice cream. It’s also gained a reputation for its legendary deep-fried Mars Bars, which feels like a Glasgow rite of passage.
For dinner, there are loads of choices. Highlights include Ardnamurchan Scottish Restaurant & Bar for some traditional Scottish cuisine, or Sloans, which happens to be the city’s oldest restaurant. The Spanish Butcher, Six by Nico and The Anchor Line are all great options if you’re in the mood for a more refined dining experience.
Coffee-wise, it’s hard to go wrong with Papercup Coffee Company, Cottonrake, Ottoman Coffeehouse or The Devil’s Roast.
Getting around Glasgow
Glasgow is a really easy city to get around, especially if you’re only here for a short stay.
The city centre and West End are both very walkable, and many of the main sights sit close together. The Glasgow Subway is a simple way to move between areas and you can use it to get from the city centre to the West End and back again easily, with trains running regularly on a circular route.
For buses, the First Bus app is useful for planning routes and buying tickets. Trains are run by ScotRail, with frequent services from Glasgow Central Station and Queen Street Station if you’re heading onwards to the Highlands or anywhere else outside of the city. Taxis are easy to find, and Uber works well across the city too.
A brilliant base before or after an adventure
Glasgow works incredibly well as a base for exploring Scotland. Flying into Glasgow Airport/Glasgow-Prestwick Airport, settling in for a night or two, then heading onwards by train or road can help to keep your trip simple and relaxed.
More than anything, though, Glasgow is a city you shouldn’t skip. Even a short stay shows why people end up so fond of it, and why it makes such a great starting (or finishing) point for exploring the rest of Scotland.