Visit Glasgow, what are the best things to do and see in Scotland’s largest city?
A mix of industrial and sophisticated city, Scotland’s largest city has evolved over the past two decades to become one of Britain’s most fascinating cities. At first sight, Glasgow and its beautiful Victorian buildings, a legacy of a wealth generated by trade, give the impression of a guinated place. It’s the opposite, the city is full of stylish bars, high-end restaurants, lively clubs and has one of the best music scenes live United Kingdom. The combination of this agitation with the legendary kindness of its inhabitants is captivating. Forgotten her reputation, Glasgow became the British capital of architecture and design. The fans of architecture, art, history, nightlife... everyone will be surprised to visit Glasgow.
For a weekend or longer stay, here are the best things to do in Glasgow:
1. The Riverside Museum
geograph.org.uk – Gareth James
What was once known as Transport Museum has a new name and a new home. The Riverside Museum, the first major public building of the architect Zaha Hadid in the United Kingdom, is located on the site of a former shipyard, and tells the history of transport in Glasgow and Scotland that few cities or countries can compete. The architecture of this free museum is part of the visit, and represents a wave or movement in folds. The facades and roofs of the building are fully dressed with two hundred tons of zinc-titane. Despite its sought-after design, the museum alludes to port architecture.
The Glenlee or Tall Ship ("great sailboat") of the 19th century is moored on the Clyde along the building and beautifully illustrates the history of the museum of yesterday and today, as well as the exhibitions inside, which present skateboards next to steam trains. The collection also consists of a fascinating series of cars made in Scotland, as well as trams, bicycles (including a replica of the first pedal bike dating from 1847)...
2. Explore the Necropolis, a Victorian cemetery in Glasgow
Wikimedia – Postdlf
Nothing gives more to think about than a walk in a cemetery, especially after a pint. Just behind the brewery Wishart Street (Wellpark Brewery) is the Necropolis, which is described as a "unique representation of the Victorian Glasgow". Large monuments with complex motifs, designed by architects Glaswegian such as Charles Rennie Mackintosh , were erected in honor of the rich merchants. The necropolis is located on a hill and has a beautiful view of the city. The cemetery, where 50,000 people are buried, is open every day from 7am until dusk. In particular, there is a statue of John Knox that dominates the entire site that has airs of Father Lachaise in Paris.
3. Walk on the footsteps of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the world-famous Glasgow artist
La Glasgow School of Art – geograph.org.uk – Chris Downer
Ignore the souvenir shop that his work inspired, it has nothing to do with the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the most famous child in the world of art. Artist, architect and designer, Mackintosh was the main British supporter of Art Nouveau, and his most prolific. Take a walk in the Glasgow School of Art (adult entry: £9.75), one of the first and most important of his works. To discover it, make sure not to miss the small but beautiful library in dark wood, where absolutely everything, from luminaires to book shelves to chairs, comes from the hand of Mackintosh. Note that a fire in 2014 severely damaged the building and access can be limited by renovation work.
Then get back in front of the Mackintosh House , which is attached to the Hunterian Art Gallery . It was a reconstruction of the house that architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) purchased with his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald. The interior design was one of their strengths. The Mackintosh House is amazing, even today. The interiors with decorative motifs and the magnificent living room show how the artist was a pioneer of design. Free guided tours take place every half an hour.
The spiral of Lighthouse – Wikipedia – George Gastin
Then the admirers of the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh will love the Willow Tearooms , an authentic reconstruction of the tea room that Mackintosh designed and furnished in the early 20th century for the restorer Catherine Cranston . Go to tea time and enjoy it to admire the distinctive touch of the architect on almost all the elements: even the tea spoons received his attention.
Three other places remind us of Mackintosh's work: take a look at it Scotland Street School Museum , the architect Glasgownian realized. The museum The Lighthouse ("the lighthouse") and finally, the Mackintosh Church (the only religious building he designed) finish your “guided visit” around Mackintosh.
4. See the Duke statue, the Duke of Wellington and his cone on his head
geograph.org.uk – kim traynor
You can't leave the city without seeing the Duke of Wellington and his construction cone on the head. The equestrian statue erected in 1844 stands just outside the Modern Art Gallery. The statue has been cut for 30 years by a cone that "vandals" come to place as soon as the municipality removes it. But given the annual costs that this generates, it was decided that the crown of the winner of Waterloo would remain permanently. It has therefore become the most famous emblem of the city. Enjoy being there to visit the Gallery of Modern Art . In winter, go on the Royal Exchange Square nearby, where we find the most beautiful Christmas decorations of Scotland.
5. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
geograph.org.uk – Paul McIlroy
Another museum is yes, but this one is one of the most important museums in Scotland. Immanquable. Here you will find everything: art, stuffed animals, and micronesian shark tooth swords alongside a Spitfire plane, passing through the work of Dalí the Christ of Saint John of the Cross ... 8000 objects are exhibited in this museum which is worth a visit to its architecture. Although everything seems unorganized at first sight, each room has in fact its theme and we visit the museum fairly quickly. We can learn a lot about art and the fact that it is free encourages his visit.
6. A little shopping at the Barras market
Credit – news.stv.tv
The Barras exists in Glasgow for more than a century, and although it has also become synonymous with pirated DVDs and doubtful objects, a new generation of traders have given a new life to this iconic market. However, we are still far from a bobo and trendy market. It is an ideal place to stroll around the weekend from 10am to 5pm, where you can find stands to eat sausages and drink a pint, hipster craft, fresh vegetable stalls, clothing and cheap but useful small items. The Barras is between Gallowgate and London Road .
To make real shopping, go to Style Mile. The main shopping area around Buchanan Street includes hundreds of shops of all types.
7. Hampden Park, museum or Scottish football match
Wikimedia – Groundhopper2000
This is the National Stadium of Scotland. This is where the Queen’s Park FC team, Scotland’s oldest club, plays. It mostly houses Scottish Football Museum , which tells the story of Scottish football with the help of 2,500 exhibited objects, including the Scotland Cup, the oldest national trophy in the world.
8. Make a Subcrawl, a tour of bars by subway
Credit – theguardian.com
You may not know, but Glasgow has the third oldest metro system in Europe after those in London and Budapest. However, it is very small and serves no purpose if you stay outside West End, but its circular trajectory makes it an excellent means of transport for a pub crawl or, as we like to call it, subcrawl . Take a "Discovery" ticket and drink a drink in the pubs and bars listed here, which are close to every stop on the metro line.
9. Visit the University of Glasgow and the Hunterian Museum
Flickr – Chor Ip
The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest English-speaking university and was founded in 1451. It comes for its incredible Gothic architecture but also because it houses the Hunterian Museum . This original museum contains the collection of the famous student (who was at the university), William Hunter (1718-1783). The latter was above all an anatomist and a doctor, and was interested in everything that the world had to offer. Organs are found in glass formol jars, geological phenomena, dinosaur skeletons and deformed animals.
10. Take the air
Wikimedia – Candeo gauisus
Enjoy the green areas and parks of the city as well as the presence of the Clyde River to take the air and stroll. Kelvingrove Park gives on the university and its amphitheatre hosts concerts and shows during the year. The Botanic Garden , is distinguished by its twelve Victorian-inspired greenhouses which include tropical plants. I mean, Glasgow Green is the oldest park in Scotland, ideal for a walk.
11. Other ideas of visits to Glasgow and its surroundings
- The Burrell Collection, one of the most beautiful collections of art objects in Europe
- Saint-Mungo Cathedral of Glasgow
- For the best pubs in the city, go to Ashton Lane
- City Chambers (city hotel)
- Go to Loch Lomond, 25 minutes by car, for a sublime landscape
- Visit Edinburgh
Glasgow: How to get there? Where to sleep?
Low-cost easyJet and Flybe offer low-cost flights from France to Glasgow, but classic companies also fly to Scotland’s largest city. There are fewer choices of flights than in Edinburgh, and prices may sometimes vary significantly. To find the best flight for your stay, use the flight comparison Skyscanner .
Like everywhere in the world, Glasgow has a few hostels, allowing small budgets to stay cheap... The ideal is of find a hotel in the center , close to a metro stop on the city’s only line. To find the best hotel for your dates of stay, use this Compare hotels by looking for the interactive map.
Have you visited Glasgow?
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