Best attractions in Glasgow: Top 25
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If you decide to start exploring Scotland, the sights of Glasgow are a worthy starting point. Musical events, free museums, interesting shopping. On your daily walks, you won’t even have the question of what to see in Glasgow, because the city is known for its rich historical heritage and the novelties of modernity. From here, it’s easy to continue your tourist itinerary further afield, to the islands or to the highlands of the country.
What to see in Glasgow first
When considering Glasgow attractions photos with names and descriptions in preparation for your trip, first choose the most deserving of them, which are famous throughout Scotland.
1. Merchant City District
Be sure to include this legacy of a once thriving neighborhood that was home to affluent merchants on your trip. Over time, the neighborhood has been redeveloped, complete with office centers and trendy industrial-scale stores. The success of the architectural metamorphosis and the level of development was so high that the neighborhood was named an Academy of Urbanism Laureate in 2006. This place is often referred to as a hangout because of the large number of entertainment venues.
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2. City Hall
A striking architectural landmark, past which no tourist will pass distractedly. The building is interesting with its richly sculpted central pediment, the interior is dominated by mosaic inclusions. The marble columns, granite staircase, murals lavishly painted in gold leaf, faience, and precious stones are particularly noteworthy. Everything here seems to silently but eloquently convince of the prosperity and wealth of the city.
3. Glasgow University
One of the four oldest universities in England is one of Glasgow’s best attractions, thanks to its neo-Gothic architecture. Today it is a large research center. Nine faculties, almost 6,000 employees and more than two tens of thousands of students testify to the magnitude and prestige of the institution.
Official website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/
4. Mitchell Library
A public library, one of the largest in Europe. The architecture of the building is notable for the statue mounted on the green dome, which is a kind of symbol of Glasgow. The library collections are huge, the main part of them collected in the western part of the library. There is a small theater within the building with a capacity of up to 500 spectators.
5. Botanical Garden
Though not a major, but still a Glasgow landmark. The small, well-kept grounds greet visitors with blooming greenery. Mowed lawns, lots of flowers and plenty of people idly strolling about set the mood for relaxation. The greenhouse with tropical plants and succulents is quite beautiful.
Official website: http://www.glasgowbotanicgardens.
6. Royal Concert Hall
Most of the large-scale musical performances are given on the stage of this hall. The main concert hall is relatively young architecturally and can seat an audience of 2,500. The genre in which the performers are performing is wide: from rock to classical music. In addition to music, ceremonial and festive civic events are held here.
Official website: https://www.glasgowconcerthalls
7. Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum
There are interesting places in Glasgow with huge displays of paintings by famous artists. This Gallery was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the red sandstone building is massive and recognizable. The author of the project conveyed the Spanish Gothic style through several towers topped with sharp spires, arched windows with characteristic frames and an arched colonnade on the façade. In the exhibition of paintings you can see works by Rubens, Degas, Titian, Rembrandt, Botticelli, Van Gogh, Picasso. In addition to paintings, there are sculptures, weapons, and archaeological treasures.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife
8. The Burrell Collection
While listing the main attractions of Glasgow briefly, let us focus separately on this collection. The building in which it is kept is in a country park. Burrell was a businessman who collected works of art. In the middle of the last century, he gave them to his hometown, though with the condition of a certain approach to choosing a building for his exhibits. As a result, the Burrell collection settled in Pollock Castle, and today it displays art from various periods.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.
9. Gallery of Contemporary Art
The city’s most striking cultural landmark, which opened in 1996. An exhibition of works by artists, both emerging and well-known, focuses on the avant-garde movement. In addition to paintings, there are statuettes, mosaics, photographs and press cuttings. It is worth noting that some of the exhibits, while impressive in scope, are difficult to understand.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife.org
10. Glasgow Science Center
The interestingly designed building, gleaming in the sun with its metal hemispheres, deserves a strong recommendation from those lucky enough to visit here. It is worth seeing the rotating tower, the planetarium, and the experiment room. Children really like it here - in the center there are a lot of things you can touch, take in your hands, turn on. A great place for the flight of fancy and the development of creativity.
Official site: https://www.glasgowsciencecentre
11. Clyde Arch Bridge
This landmark in Scotland is known as an “oblique bridge” because of its curved design spanning obliquely across the River Clyde.The unusual design, created in 2006, has doomed this arched structure to fame not only in Glasgow, but across the country.
12. The People’s Palace and Winter Garden
Another pride of Glasgow. The red brick palace building, topped with a large green dome and statue on top of the facade, is interesting. Your trip to Glasgow wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the magnificent greenhouse with ferns, palm trees, and other tropical plants. The glass building with metal structures can be visited even on rainy days, and the photos taken here are quite colorful.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk
13. House for Art Lovers
Advice on what to see in Glasgow for art lovers. They’re guaranteed to be impressed by the showroom, art gallery, and art cafe with their unusual, exotic ambience. The building was built in the modernist style, with reconstructions of interiors designed by the author-architect. It is surrounded by a wonderful garden, which is fenced on all sides by a stone fence.
Official website: https://www.houseforanartlover.
14. Glasgow School of Art
The foundation of the higher art school dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. It was originally planned to teach design here. Today, more than 1,500 students study film, sculpture, painting and photography in 10 faculties.
Official website: http://www.gsa.ac.uk/
15. Provence Lordship
It is the oldest building in the city, adorned with its ancient coat of arms. Under the shield you can still read Glasgow’s frayed but still distinguishable motto. The unique building depicts the staggered struggles of the city’s inhabitants for this place, clearly tracing the life of the Middle Ages. Surprisingly, the structure has survived since its construction, even the apothecary’s garden remains.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.
16. Glasgow Cathedral
For those interested in the city’s history, here’s advice on what to see in Glasgow in 1 day. King David initiated the building of the cathedral in the 12th century and chose the austere Gothic style. Because of its location on a slope, it is divided into Upper and Lower. Inside, on a sunny day the cathedral sparkles with colorful reflections thanks to the beautiful stained-glass windows. The ashes of the patron saint of the city, St. Munge, are buried here and pilgrims come here. Good acoustics, the amazing sound of the organ.
Official website: http://www.glasgowcathedral.
17. St. Andrew’s Cathedral
The neo-Gothic style in which this early 19th-century Catholic cathedral is built is reminded by the pointed towers with twisted elements and the general outline of the building, as if striving upward. Reviews mention the rather restrained, uncluttered interior, while people admire the Gothic façade, which has remained unchanged since its construction.
Official website: http://www.cathedralg1.org/
18. Glasgow Necropolis
Nestled on top of the hill, the cemetery holds some 50,000 deceased in its grounds. It seems that what could be interesting here? But the reviews mention interesting monuments and sculptures, marvelous alleys on top, where you can just wander, reading the inscriptions on the tablets.
Although the tombstones look old, they date from the 19th century. They are arranged in rows, for ease of visitation, some of them impressive in external luxury.
Official website: https://www.glasgownecropolis
19. The Aybrox Arena
Soccer fans have a lot to visit in Glasgow. It is here that the legendary Glasgow Rangers soccer club “lives”. It is one of the oldest stadiums in Great Britain. In addition to its “soccer” fame, the stadium is also interesting architecturally. It became sadly famous because of two tragedies in the last century, when about a hundred people died because of the collapse of the structures.
Official website: https://rangers.co.uk/club/ibrox/
20. Celtic Park
This location of the soccer club of the same name is known to all who are partial to soccer. The Glasgow tour guides always recommend it to soccer fans, describing it as the second largest stadium in the country and today it plays host to matches at various levels.
Official website: http://www.celticfc.net/mainindex
Glasgow sights: what else is there to see in Glasgow?
There are places here that are a must-see, even if you’re not very interested in history, architecture or art. Wondering where to go in Glasgow, you should plan to visit them.
21. Riverside Transport Museum
Many Glasgow tours include this museum, one of the city’s main attractions. The original museum building is made in a futuristic style and resembles a floating iceberg with jagged tops. There is a huge exhibit with all sorts of vehicles, including vintage bicycles and the first subway cars. The interactive equipment makes it easy to get information and makes the visit more “lively,” interesting.
Official website: https://www.glasgowlife.org.
22. Titan Clydebank Lift Crane
This giant crane, 46 meters high, was built to move warships and ocean liner parts. Its power was used in the construction of large British ships of the last century. Today the crane belongs to the Glasgow Shipbuilding Museum.
23. Glasgow Green Park
In its sixth century, the park not only serves the citizens and tourists as a place of recreation, but also houses the most ancient architectural monuments in its territory. Among them - the People’s Palace with a historical museum, the Arch of McLennan. The park is located in the city center with access to the river. People come here to walk along the numerous paths, sit on a bench by the fountain, organize a picnic or play sports.
Official website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk
24. Pollock Park
The city’s most expansive park has received a high tourist rating because of its purpose. It is the only park in the country designed in a country format. It was once donated to the city by the Maxwell family, so today you can see a house that belonged to them on the grounds. The farms are home to cows and bulls. Be sure to go to the museum, located in the main building, with the Burrell Collection. There are amazing sculptures, tapestries, paintings, and medieval weapons on display. The beautiful scenery and clean air will make you forget the hustle and bustle of downtown Glasgow.
Official website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk
25. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
The national park, covering about 2,000 square meters, is spread over an area of stunning beauty. The Trossachs is only a small part of it with lakes, mountain valleys and uplands. Loch Lomonge is a 37 km long freshwater lake with 30 islands scattered across it. The lake provides opportunities for water sports, while on land they offer biking and hiking on interesting trails. Nearby are Glasgow hotels with impeccable English service.
Official website: http://www.lochlomond
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the festivals that take place here regularly. In any case, you’ll enjoy your holiday in Scotland’s second-largest city with its busy and interesting life.
