20 Things to do in Glasgow

Explore the "tourist paradise" called Glasgow, one of the most beautiful cities in the UK! To help you make the most of the city, we have listed 20 things to do in Glasgow. From the best Museums to Restaurants and other good places to visit, we have listed it all; let's get started!

Things to see in Glasgow

Pollok Country Park

Pollok Park is one of Glasgow's many lovely green parks. Ten minutes from Glasgow Central, experience the picturesque countryside. See the best Spanish paintings in the country and take a walk around the peaceful grounds with Highland cows and horses. You can view the collections of antique furniture, silverware, pottery, and fine art inside Pollok House. For everyone who loves to take a walk or run, a visit to Pollok Country Park is one of the best things to do in Glasgow!

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Continuing with the parks, next up on our list of best things to do in Glasgow is a visit to the Botanic Gardens, one of the most beautiful Glasgow tourist attractions, brimming with history, plants, and exquisite architecture. The gardens were first built in 1841 as part of the University of Glasgow and were later bought by the city. The most notable structure, the quirky domed glasshouse Kibble Palace, was built in 1873, followed by the Main Range teak glasshouse. The gardens have been exquisitely conserved and are filled with unusual plant species ranging from shrubs to tropical rainforests.

Kelvingrove Park

This is the final park on the list, we swear! Another well-known one in the city is for a tranquil day out. Kelvingrove Park, located along the Kelvin River, could be ideal for you. There's a chance you'll see species as uncommon as kingfishers and otters or as omnipresent as red foxes. The park is popular with dog walkers and local university students when the weather is beautiful. Take a stroll or picnic in Kelvingrove Park; both activities are certainly some of the best things to do in Glasgow!

Glasgow Cathedral

If history, architecture or photography is your cup of tea, then one of the most fascinating things to see in Glasgow is to visit the Glasgow Cathedral! Everywhere you look, there is art, be it the dazzling arches, intricately carved pews, and memorial sculptures that are seen on every wall. Most ancient cathedrals in the United Kingdom are already in ruins, so take advantage of viewing one of the last major cathedrals while in Glasgow. It has been a place of worship for over 800 years and features one of the most valuable assets of post-war stained glass windows.

City Chambers

Step into the city chambers' ballroom, and you'll feel like you're in an episode of Bridgeton! You will not even get the idea of the magnificent interior chambers that sit within city chambers by the outside architecture of this Glasgow attraction. The tour instructors are all excellent, providing just the proper amount of knowledge to explain what you see and thus making it to our list of best things to do in Glasgow!

Does Glasgow sound fun? Check out our Glasgow city guide.

Glasgow Film Theatre

Glasgow Film Theatre is the place to go whether you enjoy watching classics of international cinema or contemporary art house films. It hosts multiple film festivals each year, and you'll likely discover something you'll appreciate within the building. The Glasgow Film Theatre takes pride in providing a nice, friendly setting for its audiences to see the film. Stop by the Café Cosmo at the Theatre, where you can discover anything from artisan beer to cake.

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

Looking for a trip? Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, a quirky Glasgow attraction, is a psychedelic theatre where hundreds of carved figures and pieces of old junk perform remarkable choreography to eerie music and choreographed light, depicting the funny albeit tragic stories of the human soul as it strives against the never-ending cycles of life and death. 

Buchanan Street

Buchanan Street is the core thread of the city's shopping district, connecting you to many stores in each direction. This Glasgow attraction is most recognised for the diversity it provides to both visitors and residents, and most customers spend a significant amount of time inside Buchanan Galleries. You can find everything from Hollister and Pandora to Millie's Cookies and The Whisky Shop at Buchanan Street. 

The People's Palace and Winter Gardens 

Do you like learning about the history of the cities you visit? The People's Palace is one of the best things to see in Glasgow to learn about Glasgow from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The main house contains a collection of artefacts, photographs, prints, and films from various eras. The Winter Gardens outside the home are lovely, which is why it is such a weather-dependent Glasgow tourist attraction; you may wander through exotic plants and see the magnificent Doulton fountain.

The West End 

Many consider Glasgow's West End the most beautiful part of the city, so don't miss out on seeing it when you're out and about. It's one of those places that leaves an impression on you while you're travelling, with its own distinct personality that is difficult to pin down. It has some of the cutest vintage shops and alleyways full of small, intimate bars and restaurants, and it has a lovely blend of character and wonderful architecture. You may find everything from vegetarian Indian restaurants to small Thai restaurants.

Does Glasgow sound like your city? Check out the best places to live in Glasgow & book your next home in Glasgow.

Best Museums in Glasgow

Riverside Museum 

To learn more about Glasgow's history, you should visit The Riverside Museum, undeniably one of the best things to do in Glasgow. At the Riverside Museum, you'll find something for everyone while delving into Glasgow's rich past. There's everything from locomotives and old cars to an actual Stormtrooper on display. So, go back in time and wander around the interactive "shops" you'll be presented with, jump aboard the exhibits, and have a good time.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum are located in the heart of Glasgow's famous West End. It has been standing for almost a century and was purpose designed to be what it is today, with spectacular architecture and a variety of unique exhibit halls. It's a free attraction that shouldn't be missed, which makes it one of the best things to do in Glasgow, and it's only a short walk from the Kelvingrove metro station, making it accessible. Inside, you'll find over 22 themed galleries and over 8000 artefacts to pique your interest. Visit displays about dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals after visiting Salvador Dali's Christ of St. John of the Cross.

The Scottish Football Museum

This museum, which has one of the world's most outstanding collections of football-related things, is a must-see for football fans. It houses a large collection of artefacts, including the Scottish Cup, the world's oldest surviving association football trophy. Visit the Scottish Football Hall of Fame and practise your victory dance in the 52,000-seat National Stadium.

Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art 

Faith is tangled with everything from education to work to athletics in Glasgow, whether Protestant, Catholic, Muslim or Hindu. So it's only fitting that the city is home to one of the world's only public museums exclusively on religion. Consider a cross-faith encounter that will help you develop bridges of understanding and respect between different religious groups or persons with no faith. It is home to some stunning religious art and artefacts worldwide. There's also a tiny, peaceful zen garden if you want to practise your meditation which makes this item on our list one of the most peaceful things to do in Glasgow.

Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is a public museum in Scotland. It is a magnificent temple to the glories of art, science, and history. There's a lot to see here, but you must see a permanent gallery dedicated to the Antonine Wall, one of the world's finest collections of James McNeill Whistler's works. You will also find iconic artworks such as Rembrandt's Entombment, objects associated with revolutionary scientific discoveries and advancements, and various zoological, paleontological, and geological specimens, among many others. A visit to Hunterian Museum and art Gallery is one of the most unmissable things to do in Glasgow!

Best Restaurants in Glasgow

Willow Tea Rooms

One of the best things to do in Glasgow is to visit one of the two Willow Tea Rooms locations in Glasgow. The legendary Rennie Mackintosh played a large part in designing Will Tea Rooms, from the architecture to the waitress's outfits. This restaurant is situated on Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, a well-known shopping district. With the fantastic collection of teas and coffees available, you will also find homemade sandwiches to traditional scones with clotted cream and jam; there is something for everyone. 

Nippon Kitchen

The Nippon Kitchen is an eatery on the right of the iconic Hunterian Museum. Using special ingredients imported directly from Japan and fresh produce from local vendors, you can expect the best food and service here. The food is a traditional, simple Japanese design set among gorgeous hardwood panels. Because they import their sake from Japan, they have a large selection and are ready to make recommendations if you are unsure. Tempura, ramen, and sushi are all must-have delicacies here.

Head to our blog to find out about the best restaurants in Glasgow.

Tiffney's Steakhouse

If you're looking for a place to eat in the West End of Glasgow, Tiffney's Steakhouse should be on your list, considering it is one of the best things to do in Glasgow. This is situated behind the streets and between flats, making you feel like you have found a hidden gem! You can be confident that the food is of the highest quality because it is entirely acquired from local sources. We suggest you visit the steakhouse on a Sunday to have the famous Sunday Roast.

Bread Meats Bread

Feel like a house guest at Bread Meats Bread, which has easily become one of Glasgow's top eating venues since its establishment. One thing that has gained it the reputation it deserves is the fact that there are no reservations. Everyone is treated the same, giving it the feel of a genuine family-owned business where each customer is handled with care, literally! Come in for a delicious burger and choose between something simple like a traditional burger or their iconic Wolf of St Vincent Street burger.

Mono

Mono is a place for independent music, arts, drinking, and dining. It's a vegan café-bar, record store, performance venue, and gallery all rolled into one. Mono's food improves yearly, so whether you're a diehard vegan or a meat eater looking for a change, you'll find something to enjoy. The quality of performers is filtered and booked at Mono, frequently stuff you won't find at other venues, be it cult and indie bands and singer-songwriters or experimental noise artists - puts the club at the very heart of the Glasgow music scene.

Are you a student living in Glasgow? Check out our cost of living in Glasgow blog.

So there you have it, a list for you to explore Glasgow. We tried to add a bit of everything to ensure you don't miss out on the glory of Glasgow. We hope you found this blog helpful on the best things to do in Glasgow; now, scram and unwind in Glasgow!