Glasgow Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Glasgow

Glasgow’s compact city centre, leafy West End and revitalised riverside are packed with museums, galleries and striking architecture, many of them free to enter.

• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum — A grand red sandstone building in Kelvingrove Park with a vast collection of art, natural history and Scottish design, including works by Salvador Dalí.
• Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis — A rare medieval cathedral that survived the Reformation largely intact, beside a hilltop Victorian cemetery with sweeping city views.
• Riverside Museum — A striking museum of transport and travel on the banks of the Clyde, with vintage trams, cars and a recreated old Glasgow street.
• The Burrell Collection — An outstanding collection of art and antiquities set in the green expanse of Pollok Country Park on the city’s south side.
• The West End — Home to the Gothic Revival buildings of the University of Glasgow, the Botanic Gardens and lively lanes of cafés, pubs and vintage shops.
• Merchant City and George Square — Elegant historic streets in the centre, with the City Chambers, restaurants and bars.
• Loch Lomond — A popular day trip north of the city to Scotland’s largest loch by surface area, surrounded by hills and walking trails.

Best time to visit Glasgow

May to September is the best time to visit Glasgow, with the mildest weather and long daylight hours that are ideal for exploring parks, the West End and day trips to the lochs and Highlands. Summer temperatures are usually pleasant rather than hot, and June and July have the longest evenings.

Rain is possible at any time of year, so pack a waterproof jacket and layers whatever the season. Spring and early autumn are often a good balance of comfortable weather and fewer visitors, and the parks are especially colourful in May and October.

Winters are cool, damp and dark, with short days, but the city’s museums, music venues and cosy pubs keep it lively. The Celtic Connections folk and roots music festival brings a busy programme of concerts to the city every January, and festive markets and lights brighten the centre in December. Hotels can fill up during major concerts, sporting events and festivals, so it is wise to book ahead.

Getting from the airport

Glasgow Airport lies around 13 kilometres west of the city centre, near the town of Paisley. There is no direct rail link to the terminal, so most travellers use the bus or a taxi.

• Airport express bus — A frequent express bus runs from outside the terminal to the city centre, stopping near the main railway stations, in around 15 to 25 minutes depending on traffic.
• Bus and train via Paisley — Local buses and taxis connect the airport with Paisley Gilmour Street station, from where frequent trains reach Glasgow Central in around 10 to 15 minutes.
• Taxi — Taxis wait at the official rank outside the terminal. The drive to the city centre usually takes around 20 minutes, longer at peak times, and is the most expensive option.

Tickets for the express bus can usually be bought from the driver or at the stop, and return tickets are available if you are flying back from Glasgow.

Where to stay

Glasgow’s main areas are linked by buses, trains and the compact Subway, a circular underground line, so it is easy to explore beyond your chosen base.

• City centre — Ideal for first-time visitors, with major shopping streets, theatres, music venues and both main railway stations within walking distance.
• Merchant City — A stylish historic quarter of restored warehouses and townhouses, with restaurants and bars, suited to couples and food lovers.
• West End — A leafy area of Victorian terraces near the university, Kelvingrove and the Botanic Gardens, popular with culture lovers and those wanting a relaxed base.
• Finnieston — A lively strip between the centre and the West End known for its restaurants and bars, and close to the city’s main concert and exhibition venues.
• Southside — A residential area with large parks and the Burrell Collection, good for longer stays and families.

Travel tips

• Getting around — The city centre is walkable, and the Subway, local trains and buses connect most districts. Contactless card payment is accepted on most public transport.
• Weather — Conditions can change quickly, even in summer. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for walking on wet streets.
• Payment — Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Scottish banks issue their own banknotes, which are pounds sterling like those from elsewhere in the UK.
• Tipping — In restaurants, leaving around 10 to 15 percent for good service is customary unless a service charge has already been added to the bill. Tipping in pubs is not expected.
• Driving — Traffic drives on the left. Take extra care when crossing roads and look right first.
• Entry requirements — Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality. Check the latest requirements with official sources before you travel.