Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is a true cultural capital, home to world-class museums, vibrant festivals and one of the UK’s best live music scenes. The town has a number of first-class restaurants, is known for its friendly inhabitants and their cheeky sense of humour. Glasgow’s compact size makes it easy for visitors to explore the different neighbourhoods and the incredible diversity of its historical heritage, which ranges from Victorian to Art Nouveau.
Live music, entertainment and festivals en masse
Glasgow was the first city in the UK to be named a City of Music by UNESCO. It has a legendary music scene and is home to the SSE Hydro, a global top ten arena, as well as many prestigious venues. When it comes to music and entertainment, Glasgow has it all. With an annual calendar of events full of world-class cultural highlights such as the Celtic Connections, colourful summer festivals and sporting events.
A creative and cultural hub that is home to all but one of Scotland’s national performing arts organisations, including the Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland. Independent arthouse films, comedy clubs, glitzy casinos or underground club nights, Glasgow has it all.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
In the heart of Glasgow’s famous West End lies the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. As a free attraction, you really shouldn’t miss it. It is a short walk from Kelvingrove tube station, making it easy to get there. Inside, more than 22 thematic galleries and 8,000 objects attract the attention of visitors. From Salvador Dali’s Christ of St. John of the Cross to exhibitions on dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals.
St. Aloysius Church
There are a number of magnificent churches in Glasgow. Among the most impressive is the Roman Catholic Church of St. Alois, which features an opulent Renaissance design modeled after the Chiesa del Gesù in Rome . Inside it stands a statue of Our Lady of Montserrat, one of only two outside Catalonia. Another must-see is Mackintosh Queen’s Cross, the only church designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The Riverside Museum
If you want to learn more about Glasgow’s past during your stay in the city, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Riverside Museum. It is a seven-minute walk from Partick Subway Station. Inside the Riverside Museum, you’ll find something for everyone as you immerse yourself in the rich history that Glasgow has to offer. From locomotives to vintage cars to a current Stormtrooper, everything can be seen there. There are presentations in numerous interactive rooms.
Ashton Lane
Although well-known and loved by the locals, visitors to Glasgow could easily miss out on the charm of Ashton Lane if they don’t keep their eyes open. Tucked away in the city’s West End, this quaint cobblestone street is adorned with fairy lights and is home to a number of great bars and restaurants.
Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre is the perfect attraction for families with children. It has been specially set up for teaching and entertaining children, giving them an insight into the world of science and technology. Children under the age of seven can use the Big Explorer area, where they have to balance a cargo ship with water and a crane. Or they can host their own little puppet theater under the sea while having some fun with a musical shark and a walk on a giant piano. If the children are still very young, then they will probably have a lot of fun in the soft play area on the ground floor. The planetarium captivates children and adults alike.
Bread Meats Bread
Since opening Bread Meats Bread, it has quickly become one of the best restaurants in central Glasgow. There are no reservations, everyone is treated equally and so Bread Meats Bread gives the feeling of a real family business, where every customer is treated like a house guest. The name could be deceiving, because vegetarian dishes are also offered. There is a choice between something simple like a classic burger or the signature Wolf of St. Vincent Street Burger. Bread Meats Bread now also serves poutine, Canada’s national dish. Since then, there seems to be a decline in the number of Glasgow residents suffering from a terrible hangover.
Tick Tock Unlock
Live Escape Games have really caused a stir in the UK in recent months. Original computer games were played in real life. Participants must collect clues to solve puzzles that allow them to escape from a room. Usually teams play two to six players. Unlike some venues that host similar escape games, the rooms are all quite large, making them safe for people who suffer from claustrophobia.
