Things to do in Glasgow

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a stunning, freely accessible green space in the West End. Established in 1817 by botanist Thomas Hopkirk, it is renowned for its vast plant collections and magnificent Victorian glasshouses, most notably the wrought-iron Kibble Palace. Entry is completely free.

Afterwards, take a walk along Byres Road home to a variety of lovely Cafes where you can treat yourself to a Croque Madame or a Croque Monsieur at Café Francoise.

If it’s a refreshing drink you’re after Tennant’s Bar or Curlers Rest on Byres Road are worth a visit.

Ashton Lane is a must-see. This vibrant, cobbled pedestrian street is located in Glasgow’s West End, next to Hillhead subway station, it’s a lively spot where you’ll find Briel a popular Belgian beer bar & Restaurant.

University Café is a historic family run eatery; it was founded in 1918 by Alfredo Verrecchia a ships carpenter who designed he interior in the style of a luxury ocean liner. You can enjoy traditional fish teas and rich double cream ice creams.

Kelvin Grove Art Gallery & Museum is a popular free visitor attraction, located in Glasgow’s West End. Housed in a stunning Spanish Baroque-style red sandstone building that opened in 1901, it features 22 themed galleries displaying over 8,000 objects, ranging from fine European art and Ancient Egypt to natural history and aviation. Entry is completely free.

Riverside Museum Glasgow's award-winning transport museum is known as the Riverside Museum, housed in a striking Zaha Hadid-designed building on the River Clyde, it displays over 3,000 objects, from vintage cars and locomotives to skateboards and ship models. Entry is completely free.

The Mackintosh Tearooms can be found on Sauchiehall Street, at the heart of Glasgow city centre. You will discover a variety of beautiful spaces, each with their own character and unique design, including the famous Salon de Luxe. The tearooms were first opened by Miss Cranston in 1903 and were designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in collaboration with his wife, Margaret Macdonald. You will find a gift shop, guided tours, Exhibition & Rooftop terrace & Slon de Luxe.

Pollok Country Park is Glasgow’s largest green space and its only Country Park. Located 3 miles southwest of the city centre, it offers over 360 acres of woodlands, open meadows, and river scenery. Famous for its resident fold of Highland cattle, the park combines natural beauty with world-class culture and history ;The Burrell Collection: Situated within Pollock park, is a world-famous, award-winning art museum set in woodland, housing over 8,000 objects.

In Merchant City, designer boutiques and stylish cafes fill former warehouses on Ingram Street and in the Italian Centre, an elegant shopping block surrounding a courtyard. Gourmet Scottish, Indian and Mediterranean bistros dot the area, while cocktail lounges and gin bars occupy renovated 18th-century buildings. Cultural venues City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket host classical and pop concerts.

Welcome to Provand’s Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, built in 1471. It is one of only four surviving medieval buildings in Glasgow. Displays at Provand’s Lordship celebrate the history of the building and the surrounding area and include some Scottish portraits and furniture. Behind the house you can visit the St Nicholas Garden, with its intriguing sculptures known as the Tontine Heads. Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, has reopened after a £1.6 million repair and improvement programme.

Days out near Glasgow

Boat trips on Loch Lomond range from relaxing 60-minute sightseeing cruises to high-speed tours. Major departure points are located just a short drive from Glasgow, such as Balloch, Luss, and Tarbet. You can enjoy live commentary, wildlife spotting, and stunning views of Ben Lomond.

The Kelpies are a pair of towering 30-meter-tall (100-foot) steel horse-head sculptures located at The Helix Park in Falkirk, Scotland. Designed by sculptor Andy Scott and completed in 2013, they are the world's largest equine sculptures. They act as a monument to the heavy Clydesdale horses that powered Scotland's industrial and agricultural past.

Stirling Castle, located in Stirling, is one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland. The castle sits atop an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times.