things-to-do
Things to Do in Glasgow: A Local Guide to the City
From free museums and riverside walks to live music and green spaces, here is how to spend your time in Scotland's largest city.
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Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and one of the most rewarding places to explore in the United Kingdom, with a mix of free museums, historic architecture, riverside walks and a live music culture that runs every night of the week. Whether you have an afternoon or a full week, the city rewards visitors who wander on foot and hop on the Subway between neighbourhoods.
Start in the West End, where the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum offers free entry and sits beside the leafy expanse of Kelvingrove Park and the University of Glasgow's Gothic tower. A short walk away, Byres Road and Ashton Lane are lined with independent shops, cafes and pubs. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens and their glass Kibble Palace are also free to enter.
Down on the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum tells the story of Glasgow's transport and shipbuilding heritage, and the Tall Ship Glenlee is moored alongside. In the city centre, George Square is the civic heart of Glasgow, surrounded by Victorian buildings including the City Chambers.
Culture runs deep here. Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music, and venues such as the Barrowland Ballroom, the Royal Concert Hall and the SEC host everything from local bands to international tours. The Gallery of Modern Art in Royal Exchange Square is instantly recognisable thanks to the traffic cone that regularly appears on the Duke of Wellington statue outside.
For green space, Glasgow Green is the city's oldest public park and home to the People's Palace, while Pollok Country Park on the Southside is home to the Burrell Collection and a herd of Highland cattle. With most major museums free to visit, Glasgow is an easy city to enjoy on any budget.