Glasgow – Got five minutes? Then let us tell you a little about one of the best cities in the world…
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Glasgow: former city of culture and home of a permanently cone-headed statue of the Duke of Wellington. A city dissected by the glorious River Clyde – whose murky depths have seen shoes, wheelie bins, and even the odd shopping trolley passing through. Glasgow is a city of pride, of depth, but above all: of history.
The Clyde Arc Bridge is a sight to see especially at night.
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From the high arches of Central Station to the underground tunnels of Argyle Street, Glasgow is a delight for any urban explorer. Whether you are in the area long term, or just passing through; we have put together a five-minute guide to Glasgow, to make sure you get all the best bits. Read on and find out what the Glaswegian local’s get up to while the rest of the world isn’t looking.
Glasgow at a Glance
If we were in Glasgow for an afternoon and could only squeeze in a few sights, we would make sure that the places below were on the list.
The Glasgow Necropolis
Starting on a macabre note, one of the most popular city cites is the old Victorian mausoleum that dominates part of the skyline. Some visit for war graves, some visit for the architecture by Alexander Thomson, John Bryce, and David Hamilton, and some come while visiting the epic Glasgow Cathedral that adjoins it.
If you have even a mild interest in British history then the statue of John Knox that overseas all from the hillside has been in situ since 1825. Some of the monuments are of stupendous scale, with some of the graves still covered by the wrought iron bars designed to stop grave robbers. Sealed off tunnels even litter the area… so watch your step!
The Necropolis includes a Victorian garden cemetery – its open 24 hours but you might want to avoid it at night unless you are a die-hard George Romero fan!
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Buchanan Galleries
The Buchanan Galleries and Buchanan Street itself is where the other half goes shopping in Glasgow. The Argyle Arcade is one off-shoot of this shopping district – and it was built to house jewellery shops alone. If you are in Glasgow for an afternoon and want to go shopping in style then pop off the Subway at Buchanan Street station and ascend the stairs. There are stores for everything you could ever want…
If, however, you want a shopping trip without the added expense of haut-couture; try getting off at Argyle Street station instead and heading for the St. Enoch Centre. At Christmas time, this whole area comes to life with a culturally diverse blend of outdoor market stalls. The rest of the year, you will find slightly cheaper shops than the up-market one’s next door.
The Botanic Gardens
Nestled in the middle of the bustling west end of Glasgow, the Botanic Gardens are open from dawn till dusk, all year round. There are quaint little tearooms included along the way and you can even have a staff-led tour. If you are in Glasgow with your Granny or if you just want somewhere free to visit, we would recommend a wander around. The Botanic Garden is also great for kids, contains an arboretum, and has a rich history dating back to Thomas Hopkirk, in 1817.
You can easily while away a few hours wandering around here – a great choice for when it is raining, a frequent occurrence in Scotland!
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The Science Centre
The Science Centre is an awesome sight in Glasgow if you have kiddies. They run regular events in their conference rooms, can teach kids about science through a variety of interactive activities and, even if you’re not a kid, everyone loves going up in the revolving glass tower for the spectacular city view.
Tickets are a little on the pricey side if you are going in a large group – but the kids will have a blast. There is an on-site café and gift store, too, so be prepared to open that chequebook! Keep an eye on Groupon for this one and try to align your visit with special offers.
George Square
George Square bustling today but with a dark past.
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While technically George Square is another open-air market area, it also turns into a large ice-rink at Christmas. It is lit up spectacularly in a very romantic part of the city. You can skate surrounded by some of the oldest architecture in Glasgow… but George Square, for all its shopping goodness, has a darker history than most suspect.
George Square is the site of Black Friday, a terrible day in Scottish history. During the worker’s strikes, protestors and police clashed in this area. Six tanks were brought into Glasgow and George Square was where the leaders of the strike were rounded up. It was a dark moment in Scottish history. To this day, the memory of tanks in George Square is something the guide books just don’t like to admit to.
Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Glasgow?
So where do you eat? For pre-theatre we would suggest a nice Italian meal at Azzurro on Sauchiehall Street. The best vegan food in Glasgow can be found at the Soul Food Kitchen. If you are eating out with family try the Black Sheep Bistro. You won’t be short of choice for places to eat just walking around the city centre, though.
For high-class bars and entertaining business colleagues, you want any bar in the Merchant City – but Blackfriars is an old favourite of ours with multiple options for on-tap, odd beers. If you like rock and roll then try the Cathouse nightclub. If you like techno and electronic, stick to the Garage.
The in-place to go especially at night. Image By Gordon Saunders/Shutterstock
Oh and the best LGBT bars? Try Del Monica’s or the Polo Lounge.
Other Notable Glaswegian Places
For a free day out:
- GOMA – the Gallery of Modern Art, you can go in and have a wander for nothing. It is right behind the statue of Wellington with the cone on his head, which we were absolutely not joking about, before.
- The Botanic Gardens we mentioned above are a free attraction!
- The People’s Palace – is free to have a wander around. It is a beautiful building full of interesting objects that belong, in essence, to the people.
The Dukes Statue with its near-permanent adornment
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- The Riverside Museum – Scotland’s award-winning transport museum lets you in for nothing.
If you don’t mind a splurge:
- Glengoyne Distillery – One of the top-rated attractions of the city on Trip Advisor.
- Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium – whether you are team Celtic or team Rangers both are great stadia to visit.
- Take a tour to nearby Loch Lomond… you absolutely won’t regret it.
- Catch a gig at the Hydro.
- Or the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, depending on your taste in music.
Got Five Minutes?
So if you are in Glasgow and you have five minutes free, follow our guide and visit all the best bits. Glasgow might be freezing but the Scots are a warm hearted bunch. If you play nicely, they usually don’t even bite.
