How to visit Glasgow on a budget and experience a vibrant city offering world-class shopping, arts, culture, architecture and some incredible street art.
Less touristy than Edinburgh, Glasgow is a city that attracts young and old travellers due to its eclectic mix of attractions and entertainment.
Glasgow was to be my final destination on my three-week long travel around Scotland. I had heard people making unnecessary comparisons to Edinburgh with many saying that Glasgow was an ‘edgier’ city with a much better nightlife and less focus on tourism.
Things To Do In Glasgow
Whether it’s world-class museums and art galleries or street art and live music, Glasgow has it all! Don’t restrict your visit to the city centre. The west side is very bohemian with numerous independent stores, coffee shops and cafes. Over on the east you will find more historical places such as the cathedral and the necropolis.
3 in 1 Xtra
Fast food restaurant around the corner from the popular Garage nightclub. I came here on the first night and had a fantastic lamb tikka kebab. The next day I had a shawarma kebab which didn’t quite have the same wow factor. They do pizza, burgers, curries, kebabs and all the food is freshly made. For a fast food takeaway, this is a good option. Map.
Accento Cafe
A small but charming Italian coffee shop located in Glasgow’s west side. The coffee is good and they also offer a selection of pastries and sandwiches. Buy 10 coffees to get a free takeaway cup and 20p off all drinks. Map.
Ashton Lane
Ashton Lane is a cobbled street in west Glasgow filled with bars, restaurants and a cinema. With fairy lights twinkling above, this cute street is entirely dedicated to to eating, drinking and having fun. Map.
Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens is a beautiful 27 acre park in the west side of Glasgow. If you like squirrels, you’re in for a treat as there are dozens of them roaming the park. Visit Kibble Palace, a large, historical greenhouse with plants from all over the world. Map.
Glasgow Botanics Opening Times: Grounds – 7 am – dusk, all year. Kibble Palace – 12 pm – 4 pm.
Glasgow Botanics Entrance Fee: Free admission.
Breweries Of Glasgow
To the south of the Glasgow Necropolis, there are three breweries. Two of them, Tennents (map) and Wellpark (map), offer tasting tours whilst the third, Drygate (map) has a craft beer bar. I didn’t visit the tours but I did enjoy the street art on the outside of Tennents brewery.
Cameron Memorial Fountain
I came across this whilst on the street art trail. It has long stopped providing drinking water but Glasgow’s ‘leaning tower of Pisa’ does have an amusing story. It’s known locally as the ‘drunk fountain’ because of the way it leans. What is even more amusing is the fact it was built in honour of one of the city’s most active Temperance Movement campaigners, Sir Charles Cameron. Map.
Centre For Contemporary Arts
Although most of the galleries were closed on my visit, it was still worth a visit to this interesting Victorian building with a cafe at its heart. As well as art exhibitions, there are also occasional live concerts and a cinema. Check http://www.cca-glasgow.com/programme for more info. Map.
Duke Of Wellington Statue
Why is the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 most bizarre monuments on earth? The statue, located outside the museum of modern art was erected in 1844 but it wasn’t until the 1980s that it become an iconic monument in Glasgow. People came into the city centre to discover a traffic cone on the Duke’s head. More than likely the work of a drunk student, it was removed but then kept re-appearing. The council planned to make the monument harder to climb at a cost of £65,000 but a Facebook petition forced them to back down and the statue now stands as a display of the Glaswegian sense of humour. Map.
Gallery Of Modern Art
Another free gallery in the heart of the city, the Glasgow Gallery Of Modern Art offers permanent and temporary exhibitions and occasional events. The gallery addresses social issues through its exhibitions; when I visited, there was an exhibition related to gay male culture in 1970s San Fransisco. Map.
Click here for Glasgow Gallery Of Modern Art opening times and more information.
George Square
George Square is is Glasgow’s main square and is the location for many events throughout the year. The square was named for King George III and there are many statues of notable Scots. The Glasgow City Chambers are situated on the square’s east side. Map.
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow. #It was a place of pilgrimage as it holds the tomb of Saint Mungo, the apostle that brought Christianity to Scotland. The cathedral is visually stunning, both outside and inside. Map.
Click here for Glasgow Cathedral opening times and further information.
Glasgow Necropolis
Located to the rear of the Cathedral, Glasgow Necropolis is the resting place to over 50,000 people. As was usual at the time, only a small amount of the dead were named on a monument or were given a headstone. The necropolis offers great views over the city and of the cathedral in particular. Map.
Glasgow Necropolis Opening Times: 7.30 am – 4.30 pm, every day.
Glasgow Necropolis Entrance Fee: Free admission.
Horseshoe Bar
I was a little concerned that this was a Wetherspoons pub when I saw the menus. After some research, I discovered to my relief it was not a Wetherspoon. I refuse to give any money to that godawful pub chain. I came here for a mid-afternoon beer and found it friendly, quite busy and, most importantly, the beer was good. Map.
Hunterian Art Gallery
Free art gallery in the university buildings, the Hunterian Art Gallery is part of the Hunterian Museum: Scotland’s oldest museum. It is quite a large gallery containing work by Rubens, Rembrandt and the Scottish Colourists and Glasgow Boys. Opposite the museum is the Fraser Building Restaurant which is open to the public. It’s mainly frequented by students but it is a good place to get a decent, cheap meal. Map.
Click here for Huntarian Art Gallery opening times and further information.
Hunterian Museum
Located in the University of Glasgow, The Hunterian Museum has collections of human and non-human anatomical and pathological specimens, models, instruments, painting and sculptures. Map.
Click here for Huntarian Museum opening times and further information.
Kelvingrove Gallery & Museum
A must-visit when in Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is located in the Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow’s West Side. With over a million artefacts and free admission, the museum hosts an impressive collection of Scottish and international art and many interactive displays. The building itself is worth a visit on its own. There are 22 galleries with everything from art to animals and work from Dali, Van Gogh and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Map.
Click here for Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum opening times and further information.
Nice N Sleazy
Nice N Sleazy Glasgow is a very cool bar with a young clientele. There is live music and a club night every day of the week. They also have a Japanese food menu that offers many vegan dishes. The music is excellent; they played some classic rarities on the nights I visited. It was my favourite bar in Glasgow. Map.
NY Slice
Pizza takeaway and delivery with some tables inside for casual eating. I visited here for lunch as you are able to buy by the slice (£3 each). The pizza was already made and warmed up for me but it was delicious. It’s a popular choice in Glasgow where there are hundreds of places to buy pizza. Map.
Old Hairdresser’s Bar
The Old Hairdresser’s Bar is a cool bar with a chilled vibe. They also have mixed media events every night. I enjoyed having a drink here. It’s slightly hipster but not pretentious. It’s easy to forget you are in a city centre bar. Map.
People’s Palace
People’s Palace is a free museum displaying exhibits relating to Glasgow’s industrial and recent past. It is a fun museum and the information isn’t overpowering meaning it is suitable for younger visitors. The history is presented by artifacts, paintings, prints and photographs, film and interactive computer displays. Outside the museum, on Glasgow Green, is the Doulton Fountain. Map.
Click here for People’s Palace opening times and further information.
Police Boxes Of Glasgow
Designed to help the public and serve as a mini-station, the Glasgow Police Boxes found fame due to the British sci-fi series, Doctor Who. There are only 4 left; this one is located near the cathedral gardens and is now a coffee shop! For more info, visit http://www.discoverglasgow.org/police-box-walk-02/4578988612
Roman Catholic Church of St Aloysius
I walked by this church as I was on the street art trail. I almost walked on but then decided to take a look inside. I’m glad I did as it is a beautiful church. Map.
Smile Cafe
Italian cafe serving homemade sandwiches, soups, pizzas and salads. The coffee is good and the vibe of the cafe is very chilled. A friendly, warm welcome sets the tone on arrival. Map.
St George’s Tron, Church Of Scotland
In the heart of Nelson Mandela Place is St George’s Tron, a Christian Church whose mission is to feed the needy of Glasgow. The church acts as a cafe during daytimes when there is no service and they provide free food for those in need. Located to the rear of the church is the ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture. Map.
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art
Housed in a castle-like building, the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art has religious art and artefacts spanning centuries. It covers all the major religions and its aim is to bring understanding and tolerance between different religions and people of no faith. It is free to enter and there are some very interesting pieces of art and artifacts. Map.
Click here for St Mungo Museum Of Religious Life & Art opening times and further information.
State Bar
State Bar is a traditional pub serving many cask ales and craft beers. The friendly staff were happy to serve me after I had been refused entrance to Howlin’ Wolf for having trousers that were too funky. Good prices. Map.
Street Art Of Glasgow
When it comes to street art, Glasgow beats Edinburgh by miles! There is so much of it and, for your convenience, there is a street art trail with map at https://www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/. The map is a bit strange in places so you don’t have to follow it exactly. There are a couple of pieces of art that have since disappeared. It is a great way to explore all of the Glasgow Street Art and get around the whole of the city centre.
Tchai-Ovna House of Tea
Tchai-Ovna House of Tea is a charming tea-house near the River Kelvin. Serving over 80 types of tea, shisha and vegetarian food, this is a real quirky, off-the-beaten-track, hidden treat. I had a caramel tea for £3.20 which was delicious and served me 4 cups. Highly recommended. Map.
University Of Glasgow
Whilst it might not be the most obvious tourist attraction, the University of Glasgow is definitely worth a visit. The building looks like Hogwarts so Harry Potter fans will love it (even though none of the movies were filmed here). The grounds are open to non-students and there are a number of free museums and art galleries to visit. Map.
Is Glasgow Worth Visiting?
It’s wrong to compare Glasgow and Edinburgh, as if there has to be a winner or you have to choose between them for some reason. They are both wonderful cities, in my opinion. Glasgow feels less touristy and a little livelier with a much busier nightlife.
Before visiting, I was under the impression that Edinburgh was the more pretty city but Glasgow also has many beautiful streets and buildings. The centre isn’t that big so the best way to explore is by foot.
Glasgow is a vibrant, exciting city with something for everyone. I loved the time I spent here and would highly recommend it to other thrill-seeking travellers.
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