Exploring Glasgow: A Resident's Recommendations - 13 Must-Visit Spots
Glasgow Ain't No Ordinary City
A place that grabs you by the heartstrings and lodges itself deep in your memory, Glasgow is a city that'll leave you wanting more. From the moment you step foot here, you're treated like family, with a welcome so warm it'll light up the dreariest of Scottish winter days.
Born and raised in this city, we've got a wealth of wonderful spots to share. Whether you're into history, culture, food, or partying the night away, Glasgow's got you covered.
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Navigate through Glasgow:* Top Experiences in Glasgow* Unusual & Offbeat Sights* Eating & Drinking in Glasgow* Glasgow Nightlife* Festivals & Events* Exploring Glasgow Further
Top Experiences in Glasgow
Discover Glasgow with a Tour
Want the inside scoop on Glasgow's past and present? Then join one of the city's many walking or hop-on hop-off bus tours. These will give you a comprehensive look at Glasgow's history and culture, and highlight the best sights the city has to offer.
We suggest starting your journey with a City Centre Guided Walking Tour – it's a fantastic way to get an overview of the city from a local perspective.
Glasgow Mural Trail
Hidden amidst the hustle and bustle of Glasgow's streets, beautiful pieces of public art adorn the city, making up the Glasgow Mural Trail. This vibrant collection of murals, launched in 2008 by Glasgow City Council, boasts over 20 unique artworks throughout the city center.
Take a guided tour to learn about the stories behind each artwork, or wander the trail on your own, taking in the beauty of these striking murals. It's a great way to spend a few hours and best of all, it's completely free!
Clydeside Distillery
Scotland's newest distillery, the Clydeside Distillery, sits beautifully on the banks of the River Clyde in a historic pumphouse building. Unfortunately, it's too young to sell its own whisky yet, as scotch must be aged for at least three years and a day before sale. However, the distillery offers tours that give you an in-depth look into the whisky-making process, as well as the history of the Clyde ports and Scottish whisky.
As is customary with distillery tours, you'll get to sample a few different types of spirits at the end of the tour.
Unusual & Offbeat Sights
Sunset at the Lighthouse
In the winter months, the sun sets early enough in Glasgow that you can take advantage of the best sunset spot in the city center. Perched on Buchanan Street is a building called the Lighthouse, an exhibition center dedicated to showcasing Scotland's architectural greats, including the work of renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Head to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibition, climb the twisting staircase to the viewpoint at the top, and watch the sun set over Glasgow in its golden glow.
Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis
North-east of the city center, you'll find the Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, a more historic side of the city that's far removed from Glasgow's modern grid-system further south. This area is less crowded than the center and offers beautiful, quiet spots to explore.
Top Tip: The Necropolis sits atop a small but steep hill that overlooks the cathedral. The best time to visit the Necropolis is at sunrise, when you'll be treated to stunning views over the city.
Eating & Drinking in Glasgow
La Vita Italian
Our go-to spot for a romantic dinner in the city center, La Vita offers the best authentic Italian food in Glasgow. This cozy restaurant, set across three floors, is popular with couples, families, and friends alike, thanks to its delicious Italian cuisine.
Our tip: The lunch menu at La Vita offers fantastic value between 12pm and 5pm every day of the week. There are also two other locations in Glasgow – La Vita Spuntini on George Street and Byres Road – that offer the same quality food.
TriBeCa
At the foot of Byres Road, you'll find TriBeCa, one of Glasgow's best pancake spots. Visit this NYC-themed diner for all your American breakfast, lunch, and brunch cravings. The pancake stack is a must-try!
Duck Club
In the West End of Glasgow lies Duck Club, a quirky café/restaurant with a focus on the Glasgow brunch scene. This popular eatery has been serving quality food and drink for over 15 years, with a collection of ducks scattered throughout the venue. Stop by and see how many ducks you can spot!
Glasgow Nightlife
Ghost Tours of Glasgow
As the night sets in, a darker side of the city emerges down alleyways and old, narrow streets. For those looking for an otherworldly experience, a Ghost Tour of Glasgow is the perfect thrill.
With a range of ghost tours to choose from, catering to those with strong nerves and a fascination with the supernatural, you're sure to find a tour that suits your interests.
Ashton Lane Bar Crawl
If spirits of a different kind are more your thing, head to Ashton Lane in the West End. This cobbled street is lined with bars and restaurants, twinkling with fairy lights and offering a taste of authentic Glasgow nightlife.
Dress up or dress down for the night and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Ashton Lane.
Festivals & Events
Glasgow Christmas Markets
Every year, as the winter nights draw in, the Glasgow Christmas Markets return, lighting up the city with twinkling lights, mouth-watering treats, and a festive atmosphere. These markets can be found in George Square and St. Enoch Centre.
TRNSMT
If music is more your thing, mark your calendars for TRNSMT, Scotland's largest music festival. Taking place in Glasgow Green every year, TRNSMT attracts huge names from all over the world to entertain and amaze audiences of over 100,000 people.
Keep in mind that tickets for this festival sell out fast, so plan ahead if you're hoping to attend. Also, when booking accommodation in Glasgow around this time, be sure to book early, as hotels fill up quickly.
Next Dates: 11-13 July 2025
Exploring Glasgow Further
Glasgow is often overlooked by tourists, but anyone lucky enough to visit soon discovers that it's a city unlike any other, its locals creating a unique charm that's hard to find elsewhere. It's no wonder Glasgow is consistently voted one of the friendliest cities in the world.
Come to Scotland's largest metropolis and witness its mix of Victorian architecture, cutting-edge urban art, and social awareness, all wrapped up in the warm embrace of its locals.
Read More
Visit our other local's guides to cities across the UK for more travel inspiration, or check out these posts for more things to do near Glasgow and beyond...
25 Unusual Things to do in Edinburgh
Why you NEED to watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Best Things to do in Dundee
Is there anything you'd add to this list of the best things to do in Glasgow? Let us know in the comments!
Author Bio
Gemma and Campbell are two Scots trying to escape the 9-5 grind. After years of dreaming, they finally took the plunge and left their jobs to explore the world. Currently in Australia, they're living the van life, touring the gorgeous Australian coast in their campervan. You can find their travel stories and tips on their blog, highlands2hammocks.co.uk
- Embark on a City Centre Guided Walking Tour to get an overview of Glasgow's history and culture from a local perspective.
- Explore the Glasgow Mural Trail, a collection of over 20 unique artworks throughout the city center, by taking a guided tour or wandering the trail on your own.
- Visit Clydeside Distillery, learn about the whisky-making process, and enjoy a spirit tasting at Scotland's newest distillery.
- Experience a romantic dinner featuring authentic Italian cuisine at La Vita, one of Glasgow's top restaurants.
- Discover Glasgow's ghostly side by joining a Ghost Tour of Glasgow, perfect for those with a fascination for the supernatural.
