Best Things To Do in Glasgow

There are many things to see and do in Glasgow, one of the most important cities in Scotland and the United Kingdom, especially in relation to culture and art, as it has a large number of museums, galleries and cultural centres. The streets are also a canvas for artists, who have been able to embellish the city with their street art.

If you are thinking of visiting this Scottish city, you will discover many different options to enjoy during your stay, such as seeing outstanding works of art from around the world or taking the best tours of Glasgow to get to know its culture, gastronomy and traditions, and even its passion for football. Here's what not to miss when you visit the city.

Glasgow is a city noted for its street art and every corner is a treasure trove of art to be discovered. This started with the City Council's initiative to breathe new life into the city's walls for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and was later joined by art galleries and independent artists.

There are around 30 murals that grace the city and can be seen during your visit to Glasgow. Most of them are in the city centre, so it's an ideal walking tour. You can start your tour near Glasgow Cathedral, along High Street, where you'll find the mural of St Mungo, the city's patron saint, and the mural of St Enoch and his son, both by the artist Smug.

Then take W George Street and explore the area around the Gallery of Modern Art, where you'll see many murals. Check out this map to make sure you don't miss any of them. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour with a local expert, which is a good idea if you want to get to know the meaning of the artworks and their cultural dimension more fully.

Glasgow is a city where football is alive and kicking and where you can experience two iconic stadiums for football fans. Hampden Park was the largest stadium in the world until 1950, while Celtic Park, founded in 1892, is one of the oldest in Europe. Both have hosted major sporting events.

The way to get to know these stadiums is to join guided tours with local guides. Please note that times may change depending on the matches being played, so it is best to book these tours in advance.

Hampden Park Stadium

Hampden Park Stadium is the home of Scotland's national football team, where tournaments of international importance have been played.

If you join a guided tour of Hampden Park Stadium, you can tour the entire stadium, from the pitch to the changing rooms, and even walk through the tunnel where the players appear on stage. You can also visit the Scottish Football Museum, where you can see the first Scottish Cup, old jerseys and other relics.

• Location: Letherby Dr, Glasgow G42 9BA, UK.
• Opening times: Every day between 11am and 3pm approximately. Times may vary when matches are taking place.

Celtic Park Stadium

Celtic Park is the home stadium of the legendary Celtic Park football team, one of the most successful in the country, along with Rangers. It is also the largest stadium in Scotland.

During one of the guided tours of Celtic Park Stadium you can see all the club's facilities, such as the changing rooms, press room and pitch, and relive the euphoria of the matches played there. You can also watch audio-visual material about the club's history and sporting milestones.

• Location: Janefield St, Glasgow G40 3RE, UK.
• Opening times: Every day between 11am and 5.30pm approximately. Times may vary when matches are taking place.

You don't really know a city until you've sampled its cuisine, so a taste of Glasgow' s traditional dishes is a must during your stay. And if you take a tour, the flavours of the city and the country will also accompany you on the best excursions from Glasgow to see the natural wonders that surround it.

Some of these dishes include haggis, Scotland's national dish made from lamb; Cullen Skink, the typical Scottish soup made with fish, potato and milk; and Scotch Pie, a pie filled with meat. You can also try cranachan, made with cheese, whisky, oats and raspberries. Whisky, which is considered a national drink, and Irn-bru, which is the addiction of many Scots, are a must.

One of the most recommended neighbourhoods for its gastronomy is Finnieston, where you will find a wide variety of restaurants. Here you'll find The Gannet, a restaurant offering traditional Scottish dishes, and Ox and Finch, where you'll find a varied menu.

In cosmopolitan Glasgow you can also sample food from around the world, such as the Hard Rock Café, where American dishes take centre stage. Be sure to book in advance if you decide to eat at one of these restaurants, as they are some of the most popular in the city.

Tasting whisky is a must on your visit to Glasgow, as it's considered Scotland's national drink and an important part of its culture. One of the best ways to do this is to visit Clydeside, a prominent distillery in the city on the River Clyde.

Clydeside is housed in an old building built in 1877, The Old Pump House, which used to be used for dock activities. It is one of the most interesting buildings in the city, with its large windows overlooking the river and old photos on the walls. You can join a guided tour of the factory to see how whisky is made and learn about the history of whisky in Glasgow.

If you join the guided tour, you can also enjoy a tasting of some of the whisky varieties. Clydeside specialises in a light, spicy single malt. You'll also be able to take a bottle home with you, if you wish, to enjoy during your stay.

Interesting details

• Location: 100 Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8QQQ, UK.
• Times: Tours usually run daily between 12pm and 3pm.
• Entry fee: Around €21 for adults.

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is a century-old institution which opened in 1901. It is Glasgow's premier museum and one of the most visited in Scotland and the UK. It is located in the West End, a vibrant cultural quarter, on the banks of the River Kelvin.

There you can explore its 22 galleries with diverse permanent and temporary collections, ranging from Ancient Egyptian archaeological artefacts, such as the Pa-Ba-Sa sarcophagus, to ancient armour, fossils, design objects and modern art. Highlights include Salvador Dalí' s Christ of St John of the Cross and **Rembrandt'**s Man in Armour, as well as works by Botticelli, José de Ribera and Van Gogh.

The building is also worth a visit for its impressive architecture, housed in a Baroque-style mansion in Kelvingrove Park, one of the city's main lungs. The museum, the park and the University of Glasgow are all must-see attractions on a Glasgow day trip itinerary.

As well as touring the collections, you can attend one of the free organ concerts held in the main hall. The organ was part of an exhibition in 1901, but was eventually installed in the museum, much to the delight of all visitors.

Details of interest

• Location: Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG, UK.
• Opening times: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am-5pm; Friday and Sunday 11am-5pm. Organ concerts Monday to Saturday 1pm and Sunday 3pm.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

If you want to take a break from the city and enjoy nature, the Glasgow Botanic Garden is the place to be. Located in the West End, it covers some 11 hectares along the River Kelvin. It is one of the most beautiful places in the city to stroll around and enjoy the diversity of plants from around the world.

The Botanic Garden consists of two Victorian wrought-iron glasshouses, Kibble Palace and Hopkirk Building, where you can see the diverse collections of plants, ranging from orchids to century-old ferns, trees and flowers. It is also a venue for events, talks, lectures, readings and workshops, so check their calendar to make sure you don't miss anything.

You can also sign up for one of the guided tours which run once or twice a day, depending on the season. These are run by volunteers and require advance registration. If you're coming to Glasgow with children, they'll love it, as the garden is surrounded by a public park where squirrels are often spotted.

An interesting way to get to the Glasgow Botanic Garden is on two wheels, as there are cycle paths along the River Kelvin. You can also join a guided bike tour, which often includes visits to green spaces such as the Botanic Garden and Kelvingrove Park, as well as museums and art galleries.

Interesting details

• Location: 730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UE, UK.
• Opening times: The park is open daily from 7am to dusk. The glasshouses are open from 10am to 6pm and from 10am to 4.15pm in winter.
• Admission fee: free.

The University of Glasgow is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK and is often listed among the top 100 universities in the world. It has had among its alumni illustrious figures such as the philosopher Adam Smith, and even Albert Einstein has taught in its classrooms. It is also one of Glasgow's most popular attractions.

Located opposite Kelvingrove Park, the University of Glasgow contains several museums within its walls: the Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery and the Zoological Museum. To get to know the university, you can explore it on your own or join some of the tours given by students of the institution.

One of the most beautiful parts of the university is its gothic cloisters, where you're sure to feel like you're in a Harry Potter film. You can't miss the gardens either, where you can take a relaxing stroll, or sit on the benches and enjoy the fresh air. If you've seen Outlander, you should know that the courtyards have been used as a set for the acclaimed series.

Glasgow University Museums

These are the museums you can explore during your visit to the University of Glasgow:

• Hunterian Museum: is one of the oldest museums in Scotland. Here you can see dinosaur fossils, minerals and many anatomical studies in formaldehyde. There is also a collection on Roman times in Scotland. Located in the University's main building, it is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
• Hunterian Art Gallery: contains works of art by painters such as Rembrandt and Rubens and an extensive collection dedicated to the Scottish architect, designer and artist Charles Mackintosh, who created his own architectural style, the Glasgow Style. The gallery is located in the University's main building and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
• Zoological Museum: is a museum dedicated to the animals that inhabit the United Kingdom. It is located in the Graham Kerr building. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Details of interest

• Location: 85 Rue Dalhousie, Québec, QC G1K 8R2, Canada.
• Hours: The university is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 10:50pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7:20pm. Guided tours are given by students from Thursday to Sunday at 2pm.
• Admission fee: Admission to the university and museums is free.

As well as whisky, Glasgow is known for its brewing culture and long tradition of brewing. One of the country's most popular breweries, Tennent's, is located in the city, so a visit is a must.

Tennent's is a traditional brewery whose origins can be traced back to 1556, when founder Robert Tennent established the first brewery in Glasgow. It began trading in the 18th century at the Wellpark brewery, which is the one you can visit in this city. The tradition has continued in the family to the present day.

During your visit to the brewery, you can join a guided tour of the brewery and learn about the brewing process. You can also learn about the history of beer in Glasgow and taste the different varieties. And if you're feeling peckish, you can take a few bottles home with you to enjoy on your trip.

Interesting details

• Location: 161 Duke St, Glasgow G31 1JD, UK.
• Opening times: Guided tours usually run daily between 11am and 4pm.
• Entry fee: around €26 for adults.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer and artist whose importance is often compared to that of Gaudí in Spain. He created his own architectural movement, known as the Glasgow Style, and you can see its main exponents in this city.

One of the artist's most celebrated buildings is The Lighthouse, an iconic building with a tower that emulates a lighthouse and houses the Scottish Centre for Design and Architecture and the Glasgow Style Interpretation Centre. Thespiral staircase is truly astonishing.

Another of the iconic buildings designed by Mackintosh is the Glasgow School of Art, considered his masterpiece. It has a style that combines aesthetics and functionality, as well as traditional Japanese architecture, art nouveau and Scottish architecture.

You can also visit The Willow Tea Rooms, where as well as admiring the artist's works, you can enjoy tea time, a tradition that is as Scottish as it is English. This tea room was founded by the artist's wife with Mackintosh's design, and offers objects inspired by his art. You can also visit The Mackintosh House, a recreated house as designed by the artist and his wife.

Details of interest

• The Lighthouse: 11 Mitchell Ln, Glasgow G1 3NU, UK.
• Glasgow School of Art: 167 Renfrew St, Glasgow G3 6RQ, UK.
• The Mackintosh House: 82 Hillhead St, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
• The Willow Tea Rooms: 97 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 3HF, UK.

The Riverside Museum is a museum dedicated to transport that stands out for its avant-garde and original construction of undulating forms. Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, it was built in the 21st century at the confluence of the rivers Clyde and Kelvin. It has two entrances, one in the city and one on the riverside.

Inside the museum, which received the European Museum of the Year award in 2013, you can see an extensive collection of some 300 vehicles from different periods, ranging from bicycles to trains and buses. You can also see a 100-year-old sailing ship, The Tall Ship at Riverside, which is anchored in the river in front of the museum.

Not only is the building of the Riverside Museum a work of art, but the way the vehicles are displayed is also very striking. Many of them, regardless of weight, are displayed on shelves on the walls defying gravity.

A must-see in this museum is the reconstruction of 3 Glasgow streets with carriages, trams and other vintage vehicles that you can walk through, and the two subways that you can board to transport you back in time.

Interesting details

• Location: 100 Pointhouse Rd, Govan, Glasgow G3 8RS, UK.
• Opening times: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm; Friday and Saturday 11am to 5pm.
• Admission: Free of charge.