Things to do

23 Exclusive Things To Do In Glasgow, UK

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Glasgow the largest city in Scotland lies by the side of the River Clyde. Culture, music, and local history are the main features of the city and the inhabitants of Glasgow are known as the Glaswegians.

The city was also once a center for the shipbuilding industry. Today, it is famous for its museums and active musical life. It is well-liked by visitors due to its welcoming ambiance and extraordinary structures.

Check it out and find out why this city is special with the help of the following things to do in Glasgow.

1. Go On Glasgow Mural Trail

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A rather unique fun and one of the free things to do in Glasgow is exploring the Mural Trail. This trail operates with over 30 colorful murals painted by locals which are scattered all over the city.

The excursion is without any fees, thus everyone can easily make use of it. It takes about 2-4 hours on average, but it all depends on what you would like to observe on the trail.

The murals add vibrancy to some of the streets of Glasgow and art lovers should consider the city to be a destination to visit. Such tourism allows us to get to know the places from the inside and feel Glasgow's uniqueness.

2. Shop, Dine or Soak Up The Festive Charm At Princes Square

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If you are seeking a great place to shop, dine, and enjoy the decorations in Glasgow, head to Princes Square! This wonderful architectural construction is established on Buchanan Street and is among the most visited places in the city.

It was constructed in the nineteenth century. The mall has over thirty specialty stores and some renowned fashion brands and luxury brands including fashion accessories.

It is possible to dine in one of the numerous stylish restaurants in Glasgow or bars or watch a film in the Everyman Cinema.

3. Check the Amazing View of The City From Necropolis

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Glasgow is indeed stuffed with numerous fun places and one of them is called the Necropolis. This has been categorized as a garden cemetery in Victoria, and there are more than 50000 graves in this area.

It is located near the Glasgow Cathedral, and that is why you can see some parts of the city here. The Necropolis is well designed and sculptured thereby attracting history lovers and tourists who love to visit the world's strange places.

To get further information regarding the famous persons buried here and the history behind those tombs, you can also opt for a tour guide.

4. Look For Kibble Palace In The Glasgow Botanic Gardens

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If you are wondering what to visit in Glasgow, visit the Kibble Palace in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It is a Victorian glasshouse with a very interesting background of the construction.

It was erected by John Kibble at his residence, on the shores of Loch Long, and was transferred to Glasgow in 1873. Internally there are stunning plants from all corners of the globe and a collection of trees and ferns which is of national importance.

The palace also boasts marvelous marble sculptures. It is so fun to walk around in and take some amazing shots.

5. Offer Prayers At Glasgow Cathedral

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This is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and has a very good example of a Gothic architectonic structure. The cathedral was built in the 12th and 15th centuries and was dedicated to the Patron saint of the city, Saint Mungo.

This fine structure has passed through reformation and all those years up to the present and is still here. With it, you can visit the lower church, and view St. Mungo's tomb and stained glass too.

Thus, it became possible to include it in the list of things to see in Glasgow Scotland, since it is located a few steps from the city center.

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This fantastic place is one of the most visited attractions in Scotland and guess what? It costs nothing! Situated in the West End it currently hosts more than eight thousand fantastic pieces of art.

It includes paintings of Salvador Dali, Egyptian relics, and even a real Spitfire. This has to be one of the best examples of the Spanish Baroque style that any drop of eye passing by can make a halt.

For history lovers, and anyone interested in arts and culture, a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum could be entertaining. If time permits, explore these things to do in Scotland as well.

7. Catch A Game At Celtic Park

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This gigantic stadium belongs to the Celtic Football Clubs. The one in Scotland is the largest, with a capacity of 59500 fans. The vibe of the Scottish fans is electric; the energy is invigorating.

Housed in the Parkhead area, about 2 miles outside the central business district, the simplest ways to reach it are by bus or car. If you have time before or after the match you can check out the nearby attractions or the city to sample many good restaurants and bars.

Another opportunity to get to appreciate Celtic Park is by taking a stadium tour. It will be a rare and interesting trip, as you will get to travel behind the scenes, find out some of the history of the club, and sit in the dugout.

8. Snap Pictures At Instagramable Ashton Lane

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This popular road in the West End is lined with lots of fairy lights, interesting pubs, and great places to eat. It is especially for a summer day or an evening walk with friends or any companion.

Nightlife is available in many of the local bars or for something a bit more upscale you could try eating at Ubiquitous Chip or Brel. The lane itself is spectacular-lit with fairy lights and there are better photo shots within the vicinity.

One such spot is the monochromatic brick walls of Ubiquitous Chip. This activity is one of the popular answers to what to do in Glasgow.

9. Pay A Visit To The University of Glasgow

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This beautiful campus is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world and it was established in 1451. There is a possibility to take a guided tour which shares with you the most important sights like the grave of the philosopher Thomas Reid and the mysterious cloisters.

These tours also illustrate links to other noteworthy personalities such as James Watt and Adam Smith. The university is situated in the West End and it has a magnificent view of the tenants.

One might also find they can do a 'tour without a guide' which means a visitor gets to explore the campus in a rather flexible manner.

10. See Exquisite Artworks At The Burrell Collection

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Located centrally in the Pollok Country Park it houses over 9000 artifacts acquired by Sir William Burrell and his wife. The artwork from different countries is presented here.

Some of them are Chinese works, Roman sculptures, Egyptian pottery, and paintings of famous masters, among others. You can also get a view of such features as stained glasses and tapestries that were popular in the medieval age, and some of the households of the Burrells.

It was shut to the public for some years as part of its redevelopment process and later reopened in early 2022; the same year it received the Art Fund Museum of the Year award.

11. Take A Tour of Wellpark Brewery

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This place is very historical with more than 450 years of brewing history. The main advantage is that you get to visit Tennent's Story Heritage Centre and that is quite exciting.

The tour guides will let you know the long story of how Tennent's became the people’s champion of beers in Scotland. Also, you get to drink a pint of beer at the end of the tour! In addition, all Tennent's beers are vegan, which allows everyone to enjoy the beverage.

It is conveniently located and has daily operating tours throughout the day. As long as you come wearing comfortable shoes and no shoes that reveal the toes, then fine.

12. Dine In At The Spanish Butcher

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Positioned within the center of Merchant City, this sleek restaurant serves the finest Galician beef, Jamon Iberico, and seafood with a fusion of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

It is a fashionable building with New York loft-style interiors making it a popular place to have a meal. The Spanish Butcher has received recognition regarding the service provided and the nightlife aesthetics.

There is a variety of meals, starting from the Galician sliders and up to chateaubriand; everything is accompanied by a great selection of wines. Whether getting together with your loved one or going out with friends, it is the right environment.

13. Gain Knowledge At The Glasgow Science Centre

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Situated on the bank of River Clyde, it is a wonderful place for kids as well as for others. You can explore three main buildings: the Science Mall, Glasgow Tower, and an Imax cinema.

The Science Mall is the place to look for, which is three floors of live demonstrations and games that let you explore science. It has energy facts, roller coaster builders, and mind control games out of all places!

The planetarium is also worth visiting as it is designed to show the stars in the sky at night. The Glasgow Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the entire Scotland; it revolves with the wind.

14. Stroll Around The Buchanan Street

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This street is as big as a fashion parade; there exist all the brands and other classy shops one can imagine. There are thousands of stores ranging from Apple stores to Nike shops to Hugo Boss.

It is also incredibly vibrant which has several street artists and cafes where you can grab coffee and be a part of this atmosphere. It has been proven that Buchanan Street is among the most costly streets in the UK for shopping purposes.

Also, it has been awarded as a 'Great Street' by the Academy of Urbanism itself. During Christmas, it's like a different place with lights and beautiful Christmas trees all around.

15. Try The City Sightseeing Bus Tour

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Using the City Sightseeing bus tour is indeed great fun to explore the city of Glasgow! It is very advantageous because it is possible to get on and out at 21 stops and visit such areas as Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and Riverside Museum.

The tour runs throughout the year and buses leave regularly from George Square. What is fascinating is that, instead of listening to the live loud commentary of local guides, you can opt for the recorded guide in seven different languages.

For quite some time now, Glasgow has turned its attention to sustainable tourism, which is a perfect opportunity to explore the city and do it in an environmentally friendly manner.

16. Experience Live Music At The Barrowland Ballroom

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It is this hip musical establishment in the East End that has been around since 1934. The place is known for having some great sound and a good vibe. Many legends have graced these curtains, including U2, David Bowie, and Britney Spears.

It has been hosting some great functions such as the Scottish Music Awards. And there is a new mural based on Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain painted on the outside; it is quite awesome.

The Barrowland is also famous for its sign-in neon tubes; this is one of its pluses, for sure. Experiencing live music here is among the exciting Glasgow Scotland things to do.

17. Admire Outstanding Photography At Street Level Photoworks

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This is an incredible place that is completely dedicated to photography. It is a venue for photography exhibitions, as well as photography teaching workshops, and even a production floor where visitors can get their hands on taking photographs.

While the organization is local, Street Level Photoworks engages with artists and projects from all across the globe. For example, they were involved in a rather cool project titled "On the Edge."

This involved Scottish, Irish, and Finnish photographers who were given residencies as well as the chance to collaborate. Besides, they have many varieties of prints and books if you need some gifts or ideas.

18. Learn About Glasgow's Social History Through Tenement House

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This museum takes you through a journey to the early 20th century and shows what it was like during that time. It is situated in a tastefully restored Victorian flat at Garnethill where Miss Agnes Toward resided from 1911 right up to 1965.

She didn't change anything in her house and her possessions; like a snapshot in time. You can see original fixtures such as a coal-fired kitchen range and a jar of jam that is quite as old as 1929.

The Tenement House also represents the difference between the life of the middle class and the working class in Glasgow. For example, common toilets were a norm in working-class people families whereas this kind of middle-class tenements had indoor toilets and bathrooms.

19. Treasure-Hunting At The Barras Market

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A classic flea market located in the East End in which you can accidentally stumble upon some cool items. It simply contains old furniture, ornaments, and unique items that make it worth visiting.

The Barras is fun as it retains the traditional feeling unique to anyone who has a taste and side of culture. You can buy anything, including old furniture, solemn and antique pieces of furniture, as well as join the Barras Hunt, which means digging into unfamiliar relationships with things and the community.

Not only is it an area in which to shop, but it is also perfect for observing the goings-on and appreciating the buzz.

20. Cruise On The River Clyde

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You can board a boat and take a ride along a contemporary waterfront area that contains the museum, the shipyards, and modern ships like the Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship.

Clyde Cruises currently has numerous schedules available among which are The Doon the Watter, a downstream to Dumbarton Rock sail. The River Clyde formerly had been an important industrial center, especially in shipbuilding.

Even now you can observe that the facilities are industrial while the views are picturesque. Seaforce Powerboats also have a "The Clyde Ride" beneath ten bridges to discover the different sides of Glasgow's industrial area.

21. Marvel At The Finnieston Crane

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The Finnieston Crane is one of the most interesting sights in town. This huge cantilever crane is by the River Clyde; it represents how the city was incredibly important during the ship-building period.

It's 53 meters tall and can carry 175 tonnes! The crane was established in 1931 and it was majorly used to lift massive items like steam launch locomotives for export.

Uniquely it was the last of its type to be constructed on the Clyde and is now an icon of Glasgow's engineering history. Today it has been surrounded by new complex buildings, therefore it has a combination of old and new buildings.

22. Explore Glasgow's Transport And Travel History

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Riverside Museum focuses on transport and travel in the city, and it is very entertaining! The museum is situated where the River Kelvin meets River Clyde which is symbolic since the city was a major ship-building center.

This was built by the world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid and you can get to it easily if you alight at Partick Station and take a few minute walk. They include over 3,000 exhibit items, many vintage cars, trams, and a full-size steam locomotive among others.

Another worth visiting attraction is the historic reconstructed street; it is quite interesting to walk through.

23. Walk or Cycle Around Pollok Country Park

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The largest Park in Glasgow is the Pollok Country Park which is spread over an area of 361 acres and includes woodland, gardens, and riverside paths. You can cycle and walk along more than 11km of tarmacked paths traversing the area.

The park houses the Burrell Collection and Pollok House which belongs to the historic estate of the Maxwell family. It is also here that some parts of the TV show Outlander were shot.

You can even take a stroll around and expect to see award-winning Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses! There is no entrance fee and is one of the best things to do in Glasgow with kids.