Explore Glasgow: Scotland’s Largest City

What would one do in the largest city in Scotland? Well, the city is not quite popular among tourists. While this might make the city’s attractions a bit unknown, it gives Glasgow an advantage. The city’s attractions are usually not crowded, which allows visitors to enjoy the city even more.

The city has different activities and sights that satisfy every taste and interest. Glasgow is the perfect destination for solo travellers, groups, and families. The list of things to do while exploring Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is long.

Explore Glasgow

Planning to explore Glasgow? That’s a great choice!

Glasgow has been rewarded with various names for its treasures. It is the “City of Culture,” “City of Architecture and Design,” and “City of Sport.”

To help you create a good itinerary, we have compiled this upcoming list of places worth visiting. The list includes all the different types of attractions: museums, art galleries, religious sites, and more.

Here are the most important places to visit in your trip to explore Glasgow:

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has one of Europe’s best art collections and is the most visited museum in the United Kingdom. It was built in 1901 and has been catering to art-loving visitors ever since.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum underwent restorations recently and reopened in 2006. After the restorations, the museum was organized into two sections: Life and Expression.

The Life galleries showcase natural history, human history, and prehistory. These galleries simply represent life in the big scheme of things. It follows life as we know it from the beginning until now. On the other hand, the Expression galleries have significant fine art collections.

The Expression galleries’ collection of paintings comes primarily from Archibald McLellan’s bequest. The paintings include works by great painters and artists like Monet, Gauguin, and Renoir. The galleries also display famous paintings, including Rembrandt’s ‘Man in Armour’, Titian’s ‘Christ and the Adulteress’, and Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’.

Scottish art is another thing to look for at the museum. The collection has paintings by the Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys.

The museum has free entry, which makes it even more of a must-do when exploring Glasgow. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is open Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The museum is usually closed on the following dates: 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 and 2 January.

George Square

George Square is Glasgow’s main square. It was established in 1781 and named after King George III. George Square has a number of famous statues, dedicated to Robert Burns, James Watt, William Gladstone, Queen Victoria, and Sir Walter Scott.

George Square is located right in the centre of the city. The square is the focus of Glasgow’s urban life. To the east side of the square, you can find Glasgow City Chambers along the square.

The square can be reached by walking along some of the city centre’s principal streets. You can also take the Glasgow City Tour bus. George Square is the end point of the bust tour. So, if you take the bus from any point, you will end up at the square.

The square is a common meeting place for residents and tourists alike. Exploring Glasgow would never be complete without a visit to George Square.

Glasgow City Chambers

On your quest to explore Glasgow, the itinerary that includes George Square must lead to Glasgow City Chambers. The building is located on the east side of George Square and should be visited right after.

The Glasgow City Chambers is a Victorian-style building that was constructed back in 1888. The edifice has served as a government building since 1889. Nowadays, it is the headquarters of the Glasgow City Council.

The building of Glasgow City Chambers is as beautiful from the outside as it is from the inside. Before entering the Glasgow City Chambers, admire its outside beauty.

The city offers free tours to visitors. The entrance shows the city’s coat of arms. During the tour, you will learn more about the building’s history and how it functions. The building has beautiful interiors. You will observe the marble staircases, mosaic ceilings, and mahogany panelling.

Glasgow City Chambers offers free tours twice daily from Monday to Friday. Tickets are available at the entrance. The tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The City Chambers tours are available and are conducted twice daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. You can check when the next free tour is by checking the City Chambers’ website.

The attraction is open on weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. This grand edifice symbolises Glasgow’s historic wealth and has been the headquarters of successive councils serving the City of Glasgow for more than a century.

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral was built to be dedicated to Saint Mungo, the city’s patron saint. This is why, until this day, the cathedral is also known as the Mungo Cathedral. If you decide to explore Glasgow, the cathedral should be on your itinerary.

The cathedral has brilliant architecture and a rich history. With its bedazzling arches and construction in the 12th century, Glasgow’s iconic Cathedral is worth visiting.

Glasgow Cathedral is one of the last standing medieval cathedrals in the UK. Most of the other cathedrals are now only ruins. The Cathedral has been a place of worship for more than 800 years.

Located on a hill, Glasgow Cathedral attracts many visitors annually. Besides being one of the oldest standing cathedrals in the UK, the cathedral has a great collection of post-war painted glass windows.

Glasgow Cathedral is the most famous monument in the city. It has an amazing architectural style, brilliant hand-carved pews, and walls adorned with memorial pieces.

The cathedral has no entry fees and is open to the public; however, it might be closed during services. Once you are here, you can walk around the cathedral to explore its incredible history and architecture.

The Necropolis

The necropolis is a Victorian cemetery located next to the Glasgow Cathedral. It is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. The cemetery was modelled on the Parisian cemetery Pere Lachaise.

The cemetery is adorned with flowers that bloom during summer and attract butterflies and bees. It covers around 37 acres and features 50,000 monuments.

You’re safe to explore for free, and you’re safe knowing that Park Rangers patrol the cemetery daily. Chances are you’ll recognize an area or two, as The Necropolis has featured in many television programs and films!

Pollok Country Park

Pollok is the only country park in Glasgow. It is trendy and has a good reputation. It has been awarded the Best Park in Britain and the Best Park in Europe.

Pollok Country Park is huge. It stretches over 146 hectares and is located on the south side of Glasgow. The park has some open spaces that are used for shooting movie scenes. Some of the most famous scenes shot at the park are the outdoor scenes for Outlanders and the surroundings of Doune Castle.

Pollok Country Park is ideal for cycling if you are into physical activities. The park has different cycling routes. The park’s various routes will take you through the park’s vicinity and woodland. In addition, Pollok Country Park has three mountain bike circuits.

The park was originally a part of the Old Park Estate. It now offers a collection of different activities to its visitors. These activities allow visitors to explore the different parts of the park. The park also offers different courses in mountain biking.

Cycling Scotland and Glasgow City Council offer courses at the park, which are run by accredited trainers. The courses range from basic training to professional tracks.

The visit to Pollok Country Park is suitable for the whole family. Both children and grown-ups will love the park. The green areas are excellent for a relaxing picnic or a nice walk. The park also has different areas specially built for children to play.

Modern Art Gallery

Explore Glasgow’s artistic side!

Located at the centre of Glasgow, the Gallery of Modern Arts is Scotland’s most visited art gallery. The building at which the gallery is located was built in 1778 for William Cunninghame, a wealthy tobacco merchant.

The building has a rich history. It has served as a house, a library, and a museum. It was turned into a museum in 1996 since it has been housing a great collection of artworks by both local and international artists.

Due to its location, the Modern Art Gallery is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. This museum is perfect for anyone who enjoys cultural tourism.

In addition to the art inside the gallery museum, there’s a monument worth a look. Right in front of the museum lies the Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington, one of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks.

The exciting thing about the statue is the long-running placement each evening of a traffic cone on the top of the Duke’s head or his horse’s head (or both!). This long-running prank shows you a little of the local humour.

The museum welcomes visitors for free. The gallery museum is a must-see during any visit to explore Glasgow.

The Riverside Museum

Travel back in time with Glasgow’s Riverside Museum and explore Glasgow’s transportation history. The architecturally brilliant museum features a great collection of different modes of transportation. You can check out almost every type of transportation that has ever existed, from prams and skateboards to steam locomotives and rare cars.

The museum’s components are not the only thing that makes the Riverside Museum stand out. The building was designed by the brilliant Zaha Hadid. The brilliance and originality of the architecture are worth seeing.

In addition to this, the museum also features historical objects and an old cobbled street area with shops dating from various points in the 19th and 20th centuries. You can take your time to walk around the area and explore the place.

In 2013, the Riverside Museum won the European Museum of the Year Award, which speaks volumes about its brilliance. Your trip to Glasgow would never be complete without a visit to the Riverside Museum.

The museum is open to visitors from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. It also opens on Friday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Riverside Museum has free admission, so you can visit at any opening hours without worrying about charges.

Kibble Palace

Kibble Palace is a prestigious iron structure dating back to the Victorian era. It is home to a breathtaking collection of plants from all over the world and another marvellous collection of marble statues.

Situated within Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens, the Kibble Palace is where the national collection of Australasian tree ferns has been growing for the past 120 years. The glasshouse is unique in its style.

It is structured as a large dome and rotunda connected to a smaller dome by a link corridor. The small dome forms the main entrance area, and extended transepts are attached to the north and south.

Kibble Palace and the Botanic Gardens are free to visit. They are open all year round to offer a green space for residents and visitors alike. A teahouse on site serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea if you fancy something to eat or drink after your visit.

The palace and surrounding gardens are very popular. Whether you are a tourist trying to explore Glasgow or a resident looking for a place to blow off steam, they disconnect you from the madness of everyday life.

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

We have come to the most unique attraction in Glasgow, the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. This theatre offers a one-of-a-kind show. The show has motorized sculptures, known as kinematics, that are synchronized to light and sound, precisely the sound of music at the show. 

The theatre was initially established by Eduard Bersudsky, a Russian man who created all of the show’s characters. The Kinetic Theatre opened in Glasgow in 1996, when Bersudsky moved from Russia.

The theatre’s shows tell stories from the creator’s life and homeland and about life and death. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre presents various dynamic shows that tell cross-cultural stories with breathtaking visuals.

During the show, the audience moves around, checking the different kinematics as each lights up and performs. The theater also provides handouts with information about each kinematic.

The shows presented at the theatre are of two durations: 40 minutes and 60 minutes. Tickets should be booked in advance, and you must attend before the show starts. To check show times, visit the theatre’s website.

Sharmanka Kinetic Theater offers a unique experience like no other. The theater rates are high on TripAdvisor. Visitors described the theater and its shows using comments such as “A must see!”, “gorgeous craftsmanship,” “magical and slightly sinister,”… . A visit to this machine-heavy theater must be included on your itinerary to explore Glasgow.

Glasgow Science Centre

Do you want to explore Glasgow with your kids? Glasgow Science Center will keep them interested and entertained!

Glasgow Science Center opened in 2001 and has been a favourite place for children ever since. The centre was originally built to entertain and teach children. 

Glasgow Science Museum gives children insights into science and technology. It features interactive exhibitions to show children cool scientific tricks.

Children under the age of 7 can use the Big Explorer area to use water and operate a crane to keep a pretend cargo ship balanced. If they want, they can also put on their own little puppet show under the sea while having some fun with a musical shark and a giant walk-on piano.

If you have tiny children, you should plan to allow them some time at the soft play area on the museum’s ground floor. The museum also features a captivating planetarium that piques the interest of all the visitors, adults and children.

Unlike other museums in Glasgow, Glasgow Science Center charges an entry fee. The museum’s official website provides ticket prices and opening hours.

The Lighthouse

At the heart of Glasgow lies the Lighthouse, where design and architecture are promoted. The Lighthouse contains a visitor centre, an exhibition space, and an event venue.

The Lighthouse has multiple floors, each serving a different purpose. The first floor holds alternating exhibitions and events about how design and architecture impact our daily lives. 

The second floor embraces a library of Scotland’s sustainable building materials, which offers visitors a chance to explore various sustainable building materials. 

The Lighthouse has four more floors with multi-purpose spaces. These can be rented out for different occasions, such as corporate events, evening receptions, or weddings.

If you decide to visit the Lighthouse, you will get the chance to explore Glasgow from a bird’ s-eye view. On the top of the building sits a viewing platform. People go up to the platform to get a view of the whole city of Glasgow. 

The most famous attraction at the Lighthouse is the permanent Mackintosh Center. It charts the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who designed the historic part of The Lighthouse. It also allows access to the Mack Tower, providing unrivalled views of Glasgow.

The Lighthouse offers guided tours each Saturday. They are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. You can check the tour times on the Lighthouse’s official website.

People’s Palace

Have a walk through history at People’s Palace. The People’s Palace Museum tells the history of the people of Glasgow from the 18th century until the modern day. This free museum offers an excellent account of the living conditions of Glaswegians throughout the centuries.

The People’s Palace Museum is located in a brilliant building. The Doulton Fountain is located in front of the museum’s building. This terracotta fountain represents the former colonies of the United Kingdom, such as South Africa and Australia. It is the largest fountain of its kind in the world.

The museum encompasses a collection of historical artefacts, art, photographs, and other objects that tell the story of Glasgow and its people. Right next to the palace is the former carpet factory. It is a beautiful multi-colored building that is also worth a visit.

The People’s Palace Museum is open 7 days a week for all visitors. The opening hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, except for Friday and Saturday. On these days, the opening hours are 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Scottish Football Museum

This attraction is for hardcore football fans everywhere. The Scottish Football Museum has a huge collection of football-related items. 

The museum’s focus is the rich Scottish football heritage. It holds the Scottish Cup, the world’s oldest surviving association football trophy, and the English FA Cup.

The museum is open three days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. To check the timings and book tours, check the museum’s official website.

A trip to Glasgow’s history, culture, and beauty will surely be a full one. The city is full of museums, art galleries, and parks waiting to be discovered. If you are planning to visit, allow yourself at least three days to explore the city.

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