Glasgow is a city that stole my heart from the moment I arrived. As a traveler, I’ve been fortunate to visit many places, but few have captured my imagination and sparked my curiosity like Glasgow. With its rich history, welcoming locals, and vibrant energy, Glasgow is a city that has it all. In this article, I’ll be sharing my top 10 must-see places in Glasgow, based on my own experiences exploring this incredible city.
1. Glasgow Cathedral
The Glasgow Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Glasgow, is one of Scotland’s most magnificent medieval buildings. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is one of the few Scottish medieval churches to have survived the Reformation relatively intact. The cathedral features stunning stained glass windows, intricate stonework, and a peaceful crypt where visitors can pay their respects to the city’s medieval saints. The cathedral is located in the heart of Glasgow and admission is free.
2. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most popular museums, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. The museum is located in a stunning Victorian building in the city’s West End and features an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum’s collection includes works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh, as well as a range of artifacts from ancient Egypt, Scotland, and beyond. The museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions, talks, and events, and admission is free.
FUN FACT: Glasgow is home to the world’s first ever international football match. The match was played in 1872 between Scotland and England at the West of Scotland Cricket Club’s ground in Partick.
3. The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel is a state-of-the-art museum that showcases the history of transport and travel in Scotland. The museum is located on the banks of the River Clyde and features a range of exhibits, including vintage cars, locomotives, and ships. The museum’s collection includes some of the most iconic vehicles from Scotland’s history, such as the famous Glasgow trams and the QE2 ocean liner. The museum also features interactive displays and hands-on exhibits, making it a great destination for families with children. Admission to the Riverside Museum is free.
4. Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre is a world-class science museum that is dedicated to promoting science and technology education. The museum features interactive exhibits, live science shows, and planetarium shows that are designed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages. The museum’s exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from physics and astronomy to ecology and biology. The Glasgow Science Centre also has a tower that offers stunning views of the city skyline, and an IMAX cinema that shows science-themed documentaries and feature films.
5. The Necropolis
The Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery that is located on a hill overlooking Glasgow Cathedral. The cemetery is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and is home to over 50,000 graves, including those of many famous Glaswegians. The cemetery features stunning monuments and sculptures, and its Gothic architecture makes it an atmospheric and eerie place to explore. The Necropolis is free to visit and offers stunning views of the city.
FUN FACT: The world-renowned detective Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in Edinburgh, but he studied medicine at the University of Glasgow. The University’s main building appears in his works as “Old College.”
6. The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens
The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is a museum that is dedicated to the social history of Glasgow. The museum features a range of exhibits that explore the city’s working-class culture and history, including displays on the city’s sports, music, and art scenes. The museum is located in a beautiful glasshouse that houses a range of exotic plants and flowers, making it a great destination for nature lovers. Admission to the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens is free.
7. The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art is a world-renowned art school that has produced some of Scotland’s most famous artists, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The art school is located in a stunning Victorian building that is considered one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Visitors can take guided tours of the art school’s studios and galleries, and see works by its students and faculty. The Glasgow School of Art also hosts regular exhibitions, talks, and events that showcase the best of Scottish contemporary art.
FUN FACT: Glasgow has more parkland per capita than any other city in Europe. The city has over 90 parks and gardens, including the famous Kelvingrove Park, which covers 85 acres and features a bandstand, skate park, and several monuments.
8. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s most popular museums, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. The museum is located in a stunning Victorian building in the city’s West End and features an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum’s collection includes works by Rembrandt, Monet, and Van Gogh, as well as a range of artifacts from ancient Egypt, Scotland, and beyond. The museum also hosts regular temporary exhibitions, talks, and events, and admission is free.
9. Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art is one of Scotland’s premier contemporary art galleries, featuring a range of works by both local and international artists. The gallery is located in the city centre and is housed in a beautiful neoclassical building that was once the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. The gallery’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, and installations, and it hosts regular exhibitions, talks, and events. Admission to the Gallery of Modern Art is free.
FUN FACT: The Gallery of Modern Art is home to a famous statue of the Duke of Wellington, who served as a military commander during the Napoleonic Wars. What makes the statue unique is that it is topped with a traffic cone, which has become an iconic symbol of the city. Despite repeated attempts by the local council to remove the cone, it continues to be replaced by pranksters and has become a beloved symbol of Glasgow’s irreverent spirit. The statue and its cone have even been featured in films and TV shows set in Glasgow, cementing their place in the city’s cultural identity.
I hope this personal guide to Glasgow’s must-see places has inspired you to add this amazing city to your travel bucket list. As a traveler, I know how rare it is to find a city that offers so much in terms of culture, history, and entertainment. From the grandeur of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery to the quirkiness of the Duke of Wellington statue, Glasgow is a city that will surprise and delight you at every turn. So if you’re looking for a destination that’s full of charm and character, look no further than Glasgow. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
