Best Tours of Glasgow

Glasgow is a city with a lively cultural and artistic life where you can undertake the best tours to fully enjoy your stay. Here I tell you what they are.
Best Tours of Glasgow

More about: Best Tours of Glasgow

The city of Glasgow is one of the most important cities in Scotland and the United Kingdom. It stands out for its vibrant cultural and artistic life, being able to explore a large number of museums and street murals or visit ancient buildings and its nearly ninety green parks.

A good way to know everything there is to see and do in Glasgow is to join the different tours offered, with which you can soak up the most representative of its culture, from the art in the galleries and streets to its passion for soccer. Here I will tell you about the most interesting tours you can do in Glasgow.

1. Explore the most emblematic of the city on a walking tour

Streets of Glasgow| ©Metro Centric
Streets of Glasgow| ©Metro Centric

If you have little time to get to know Glasgow or you want to visit its representative sites in a short time, this tour is ideal for you. It can also serve as a first glimpse of the city, and then get to know the sites that interest you most on your own.

This type of tour is usually done on foot and in small groups of people, accompanied by a local guide who gives you lots of information about the sites you know. They usually take you to the attractions that are always included in Glasgow day tours, such as the High Street shopping street, the central George Square, Glasgow Cathedral and City Hall.

These tours run year-round, especially in the morning, and are open to people of all ages. They also often include visits to culturally important sites such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the University of Strathclyde, founded in 1726.

Details of interest

  • Price: from €15 per person.
  • Duration: about 1 hour and a half.
  • Means of transport: on foot.

Book a guided tour of Glasgow

2. Tour Glasgow by bike

People on Bike| ©Homeless World
People on Bike| ©Homeless World

Another interesting way to get to know Glasgow if you like pedaling is to join a bike tour to see its most representative sites. The tours usually take place mainly in West End, a vibrant neighborhood on the banks of the River Clyde that stands out for its intense cultural life, bars and restaurants.

West End is home to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, recognized worldwide for its historical and artistic collections; the University of Glasgow, one of the most iconic buildings in Glasgow; Kelvin Hall, an eclectic exhibition center; and the Riverside Museum, dedicated to transport.

In addition, you will surely take a stroll through Kelvingrove Park, an important lung of the city where the museum of the same name is located. In the West End neighborhood there are lively streets with bars and restaurants, such as Ashton Lane.

Most of these tours are conducted in small groups, which ensures safety along the way. They are usually guided by local experts who will tell you interesting details about the places you visit. They also usually provide you with all the equipment you need, such as a helmet and snacks to recharge your batteries during the tour. Children can usually participate, but not all tour companies have bicycles for them.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 69 € for adults.
  • Duration: about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.

Book a bike tour in Glasgow

3. Experience the soccer passion at Hampden Park soccer stadium

Hampden Park| ©Daniel
Hampden Park| ©Daniel

Hampden Park is the home of the Scottish national soccer team and where important events related to this sport have taken place. Therefore, taking a tour to see its facilities and history is one of the best things to do in Glasgow, especially if you are a soccer fan. Hampden Park was the largest stadium in the world until 1950.

These tours take place at different times during the day and are suitable for people of all ages and ideal if you are going to Belfast with children. They are usually conducted with expert guides who take you through the stadium facilities and tell you anecdotes and interesting details about the history of the stadium and its sporting milestones. They are usually done in small groups of people.

In addition to the stadium, you will probably visit the Scottish Football Museum, where you can see relics such as the first Scottish Cup and historic jerseys, as well as learn more about Scottish soccer. The stadium is also home to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, where you will discover the most outstanding footballers. You can also tour the stadium facilities and relive the euphoria of the iconic matches that have been played there.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 19 ¤ for adults and about 10 ¤ for children and teenagers from 5 to 17 years old and adults over 65 years old. Children under 4 years old do not pay the tour.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: not included.

Book a tour to Hampden Park Stadium

4. Explore the art that animates the streets of Glasgow

Streets of Glasgow| ©David Rowan
Streets of Glasgow| ©David Rowan

Glasgow is a city that stands out for its art scene and its lively cultural life, which can not only be seen in museums and art galleries, but also in the streets. That's why it's a great idea for you to join a guided tour to get to know Glasgow' s street art and let yourself be surprised with its vitality, creativity and critical eye.

These murals have been taking place since 2014, first on the initiative of the City Council and later by galleries and independent artists. Walls of buildings, bridges, train and subway stations have served to capture the creativity of local artists. Some of the most outstanding are Santa Enoch breastfeeding his son, by artist Smug, and Honour the roots, by Fearless Collective.

Most of the murals are located in the center of the city, so it is an ideal walking tour. They are usually done with expert art guides who can convey the meaning of the works and their cultural dimension in a deeper way. If you are interested in art, you can't miss this street art experience that will introduce you to the city of Glasgow under a new canvas.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 18 € per person.
  • Duration: about 1 hour and a half.
  • Means of transport: on foot.

Book a street art tour in Glasgow

5. Visit the legendary Tennent's Brewery

Tennent's| ©Francesca Sandri
Tennent's| ©Francesca Sandri

In Glasgow, beer is a cultural phenomenon, so exploring its breweries is a must on your visit to this city. One of the most recommended guided tours is the one that takes place in Tennet's, one of the most emblematic and historic breweries in Glasgow, whose origins date back to 1556. Tours are conducted at various times during the day, around noon.

These tours usually visit the brewery in Wellpark, founded in the eighteenth century, where you can see old and new machines and explain how this drink is made. They are conducted with professional guides who can tell you the history of beer in Glasgow and all the details of its production. In addition, they usually include tastings of different varieties of beer, which will certainly enrich the tour.

Tennet's is one of the most popular beers in Scotland and also recognized in the world. Glasgow's link with beer dates back to 1136, when the construction of the city's Cathedral began, and continues to this day.

If you decide to take this tour please note that there is a minimum age to participate, which is usually from 12 years old. It is also important that you wear closed shoes to be able to enter the areas where the beer is produced.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 26 € for adults.
  • Duration: about 1 hour and a half.
  • Transportation: not included.

Book a tour to Tennent's Brewery

6. Enjoy a tea time tour of Glasgow by bus

Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©Belfast Bus and Coach
Sightseeing Bus Tour| ©Belfast Bus and Coach

One of the best experiences you can have in Glasgow and that will connect you with the local culture is touring the city by bus while enjoying tea and other typical homemade delicacies. And is that in Scotland, as in the United Kingdom, is given much importance to tea time, so it is a good idea to recreate this tradition in your tour of the city.

On board the bus you will see places of interest such as the Glasgow Cathedral, which began to be built in the twelfth century; the Riverside Museum, which is dedicated to transport; the Glasgow Tower, the highest in Scotland; and the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, one of the most important in the country. You also get to see the curved Clyde Arc Bridge and Kelvingrove Park, two must-see attractions on your city tour of Glasgow.

The interesting thing about this tour, in addition to the iconic sites you visit, is the selection of teas, cupcakes, scones, sandwiches and jams with which these tours are usually enlivened and that connect you more deeply with this ritual of the United Kingdom. You will notice how every detail is taken care of to make it a special and memorable moment.

Most of these tours take place a few days a week, usually around 3 pm and in medium sized groups of people. They are usually guided by local experts who enrich the tour with interesting commentary on the history and culture of the city. They also usually include vegan and gluten-free options, but it is best to ask about them at the time of booking.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 51 € for adults and about 24 € for children from 5 to 9 years old.
  • Duration: about 1 hour and a half.
  • Means of transport: bus.

7. Discover how whisky is made at the Clydeside distillery

Clydeside| ©cessna152towser
Clydeside| ©cessna152towser

Whisky is considered Scotland's national drink, so taking a guided tour of one of the city's most prominent distilleries is highly recommended to learn more about its culture. In particular, the tour takes place at Clydeside, an iconic Glasgow distillery located on the banks of the River Clyde.

The distillery, which began operating in 2017, is housed in The Old Pump House, a former dock building built in 1877. The building is very interesting in itself, with its large windows overlooking the river. During the tour you can also see old photos of the building, as well as learn about the whisky making process.

These tours are usually guided by experts in the field, who can explain how whisky is made and its history in the city, as well as all sorts of interesting anecdotes. Clydeside specializes in producing a light and spicy single malt whisky. Of course, these tours usually include a tasting of different varieties of this prized drink, which you can buy in the store if you wish.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 21 ¤ for adults, about 19 ¤ for children and teenagers between 9 and 17 years old and about 20 ¤ for adults over 60 years old.
  • Duration: about 1 hour.
  • Means of transport: not included.

Book a tour at Clydeside Distillery

8. Visit Celtic Park, the largest stadium in Scotland

Celtic Park| ©Daniel
Celtic Park| ©Daniel

In addition to visiting Hampden Park stadium, soccer lovers can visit Celtic Park, one of the oldest stadiums in Europe and the largest in Scotland. Opened in 1892, the stadium allows you to discover the history of soccer in the city in a tour of all the facilities where major sporting events were played.

The stadium is home to the legendary Celtic Park soccer team, one of the most successful in the country. In addition to touring the stadium facilities, such as the tunnel, dressing rooms and pitch, you will be able to see audiovisual material about the history of the club.

These tours are conducted every day at different times, although these may vary when soccer tournaments are played. They are usually conducted with expert guides who can transmit the history of the club and the stadium with the passion that characterizes this sport. It is recommended not only for soccer lovers, but for all those who want to know more about the culture of the city.

Interesting details

  • Price: from 24 € for people from 12 to 64 years old, about 14 € for children between 5 and 11 years old and about 20 € for adults over 65 years old. Children under 5 years old do not pay admission.
  • Duration: about 1 hour.
  • Means of transport: not included.

Book a tour of Celtic Park stadium

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 50 Reviews
  • D
    D.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Amazing way to discover Glasgow! The bike tour took me through the most iconic places of the city.
  • E
    E.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    A fun way to learn about the city
  • L
    L.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and I was able to enjoy the views while exercising. highly recommended!
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Glasgow bike tour: fun and exercise in one - a must for cycling enthusiasts!".
  • S
    S.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    A fun and active way to explore Glasgow. The bike tour allowed me to see the city from a different perspective.