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 centers. The streets are also a canvas for artists, who have managed to beautify 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 learn about its culture, gastronomy and traditions, and even its passion for soccer. Here's what not to miss when you visit this city.

Glasgow is a city that stands out for its street art and where every corner is an artistic treasure 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 some 30 murals that grace the city that you can get to know during your visit to Glasgow. Most of them are located in the center, so it is an ideal walking tour. You can start your tour near Glasgow Cathedral, along High Street, where you will find the mural of St. Mungo, the patron saint of the city, and St. Enoch and his son, both by the artist Smug.

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

Glasgow is a city where soccer is lived with passion and where you can visit two emblematic stadiums for lovers of this sport. 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. Keep in mind that schedules may change depending on the games 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 soccer team, where tournaments of international importance have been played.

If you join a guided tour of Hampden Park Stadium, you can tour the entire facility, 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, United Kingdom.
• Hours: Every day between 11 am and 3 pm approximately. Times may vary when there are matches.

Celtic Park Stadium

Celtic Park is the home stadium of the legendary Celtic Park soccer 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, the press room and the pitch, and relive the euphoria of the matches played there. You can also watch audiovisual material about the history of the club and its sporting milestones.

• Location: Janefield St, Glasgow G40 3RE, United Kingdom.
• Hours: Every day between 11:00 am and 5:30 pm approximately. Times may vary when there are matches.

You don't know a city completely until you enjoy its gastronomy, that's why trying the typical dishes of Glasgow is a must during your stay. In addition, if you take a tour, the flavors of the city and the country will also accompany you when you make the best excursions from Glasgow to see the natural wonders that surround it.

Some of these typical dishes can be the haggis, the national food of Scotland made with 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, oatmeal and raspberries. What you can not miss is the whiskey, considered a national drink, or the soft drink Irn-bru, which is the addiction of many Scots.

One of the most recommended neighborhoods for its gastronomy is Finnieston, where you will find a wide variety of restaurants. There you will find The Gannet, a restaurant that offers typical Scottish dishes, and Ox and Finch, where you will find a varied menu.

In cosmopolitan Glasgow you can also try food from around the world, as in the Hard Rock Café, where American dishes are the protagonists. Don't forget 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 during your visit to Glasgow, as it is 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 located along the River Clyde.

Clydeside is located in an old building built in 1877, The Old Pump House, which used to be used in port 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. There 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 varieties of whisky. Clydeside specializes in a light, spicy single malt. You'll also be able to take a bottle with you, if you wish, to enjoy during your stay.

Details of interest

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

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is a century-old institution that opened its doors in 1901. It is Glasgow's premier museum and one of the most visited museums in Scotland and the United Kingdom. It is located in West End, a vibrant cultural district, on the banks of the River Kelvin.

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

The building is also worth visiting for its impressive architecture, as it is housed in a Baroque-style mansion in Kelvingrove Park, one of the city's main lungs. Both the museum and the park and the University of Glasgow are attractions that are always included in Glasgow day trip itineraries and are not to be missed.

In addition to 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, United Kingdom.
• Hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10am to 5pm; Friday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. Organ concerts Monday to Saturday at 1pm and Sundays at 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 perfect place. Located in the West End neighborhood, it covers about 11 hectares next to the River Kelvin. It is one of the most beautiful places in the city to take a stroll and enjoy the diversity of plants from around the world.

The Botanic Garden consists of two Victorian wrought iron greenhouses, 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 place where events, talks, lectures, readings and workshops are often held, so I recommend that you check their calendar so you don't miss anything.

In addition, you can sign up for one of the guided tours that take place once or twice a day, depending on the season. These are conducted by volunteers and require prior registration. If you are going to Glasgow with children, it is a tour they will love, as the garden is surrounded by a public park where squirrels are often seen.

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

Details of interest

• Location: 730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UE, UK.
• Hours: The park is open daily from 7 am to dusk. The glasshouses are open from 10 am to 6 pm and from 10 am to 4:15 pm in winter.
• Admission fee: free of charge.

The University of Glasgow is one of the most prestigious in the United Kingdom and is often listed among the top 100 universities in the world. It has had among its students illustrious figures such as the philosopher Adam Smith, and even Albert Einstein has taught in their 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 the students of the institution.

One of the most beautiful parts of the University are its gothic cloisters, where you will surely feel like you are in a Harry Potter movie. You can't miss its gardens either, where you can take a relaxing walk, or sit on its benches to enjoy the outdoors. If you have seen Outlander, you should know that the courtyards have served as a set in the acclaimed series.

Glasgow University Museums

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

• Hunterian Museum: it is one of the oldest in Scotland. There you can see dinosaur fossils, minerals and many anatomy studies in formaldehyde. There is also a collection on the Roman period in Scotland. Located in the main building of the University, it is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
• 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 an architectural style of his own, the Glasgow Style. The gallery is located in the main building of the University and is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.
• Zoological Museum: it 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 9 am to 5 pm.

Details of interest

• Location: 85 Rue Dalhousie, Québec, QC G1K 8R2, Canada.
• Hours: the university is open Monday to Friday from 7 am to 10:50 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 7:20 pm. Guided tours are given by students from Thursday to Sunday at 2:00 pm.
• Admission fee: admission to the university and museums is free.

In addition to whisky, Glasgow is known for its brewing culture and its long tradition of brewing. One of the most popular breweries in the country, Tennent's, is located in this city, so visit it is something you can not miss.

Tennet's is a traditional brewery whose origins can be traced back to 1556, when its founder Robert Tennent established the first brewery in Glasgow. This began trading in the eighteenth century in the Wellpark factory, 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 to learn about the facilities and the brewing process. You can also learn about the history of beer in Glasgow and taste its different varieties. And if you feel like it, you can take a few bottles with you to enjoy during the trip.

Details of interest

• Location: 161 Duke St, Glasgow G31 1JD, United Kingdom.
• Hours: guided tours usually run daily between 11am and 4pm.
• Admission fee: about 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 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 where the Scottish Center for Design and Architecture and the Interpretation Center about the artist are located. Thespiral staircase is truly amazing.

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 noveau and Scottish architecture.

You can also visit The Willow Tea Rooms, where in addition to admiring the works of the artist, you can enjoy tea time, a tradition 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 house recreated as it was 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 transportation 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 Clyde and Kelvin rivers. It has two entrances, one in the city and one on the riverbank.

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 eras, ranging from bicycles to trains and buses. You'll also see a 100-plus-year-old sailing vessel, 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 very eye-catching. Many of these, regardless of weight, are displayed on shelves on the walls defying gravity.

Something you can't miss in this museum is the reconstruction of 3 streets of Glasgow with carriages, streetcars and other antique vehicles where you can walk, and the two subways that you can board to transport you back in time.

Details of interest

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