You’re going to Glasgow! Congratulations! This is honestly one of the best cities I’ve had the privilege of visiting. But…..what if you don’t have a lot of time? Just one day, perhaps? Or maybe you don’t want to overwhelm yourself, rushing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction? Well, you’re in luck; I’m outlining my favourite areas of Glasgow, which aspects may attract you to them, and the things to see while you’re there.
For those looking for the all-in-one stop: University of Glasgow
Perfect for those interested in: architecture, museums, sit down lunches, boutique shopping
Architecture: The university itself is a wonder to wander around, you could spend hours in the main building. Be ready to feel like you’re at Hogwarts; the gothic influence on the main building leaves you searching for your wand and looking over your shoulder for Snape. You can also wander down University avenue to see other stunning buildings in the same style.
Don’t miss the university cloisters, Lion and Unicorn staircases, and the Quadrangles. See if you can sneak into Bute hall, and if you make it, marvel at the stained glass work of Shakespeare, Plato, and other influential intellectual figures in history.
Food: At the base of the University campus, parallel to Byers road, you can find Ashton lane. Filled with highly ranked restaurants, shops, and an Innis and Gunn pub, this is the perfect place to have a leisurely lunch. If my family were travelling through Glasgow, my father and brother would likely end up here while my mum and I would go to the museums. With beautiful patios and beer on tap, it’s hard to beat.
Top rated is the Ubiquitous Chip, known for its classic Scottish fare with a modern(and more palatable for the non-scot) twist. If you’re looking for something a little more beige(and wallet-friendly), the University Cafe on Byers road is a staple for anything soft and beige. You may be disgusted by the sound, but the weather has you craving the comfortable neeps and tatties in a heartbeat. Alternatively, stop off at Pret or Tinderbox on Byers road for a cheap lunch and a coffee to go, and continue your exploring.
Museums: If you’re interested in museums, put aside a whole day in the Glasgow University area. As the university itself is home to some of the best museums in the city, you can easily spend a day wandering around just one, much less going between all of them. Despite not being massive (ROM and Smithsonian, I’m looking at you), they have a really high ratio of stuff-worth-seeing : stuff-you-might-enjoy-walking-through-but-won’t-actively-seek-out. It’s a high value for the time investment. If you enjoy natural history and science, do not miss the Hunterian museum in the main quadrangle building for some quality artefacts, skeletons, biodiversity exhibits, and medical history.
MOre of an art fan? The Kelvingrove is a short 10-minute walk from campus to see some of the top painters in history. Be sure not to miss the piece by Dali, and the impressionist room houses the works of the likes of Monet and Van Gogh. Seriously, you could spend days in here. I’m also a sucker for the automated model of the solar system and the Scottish historical artefacts that call the Kelvingrove home. There is also the Hunterian Art Gallery, which houses a Rembrandt and works by several famous scots through history.
For those looking to stroll the streets of an ancient city in modern style: Buchanan street and St Enoch’s Square
Perfect for those interested in: Cafes, Brew Pubs, Shopping, Trinkets, Buskers
This is your typical shopping area, just transplanted into a historic city. You can appreciate the architecture as you stroll through the pedestrian walkways and listen to buskers. With standard international brands like Zara, H&M, Primark, House of Fraser, and Waterstones, the stuff in the area is pretty predictable, but fun nonetheless.
Don’t miss peaking into the Prince’s Square Shopping Centre for stunning architecture and lunch off the main street, and keeping an eye out for the remarkable murals painted throughout.
The main street is also littered with brewpubs, cafes, speciality stores, and trinket shops; just try not to get suckered into paying tourist’s prices! There is the added benefit of, on a beautiful day, an incredible array of buskers playing music and singing in the pedestrian street.
While in the area, it’s also fun to check out the Duke of Wellington statue-complete with a pylon hat!
For those looking to wander through the historic city: Cathedral Precinct
Perfect for those interested in: Churches, Architecture, History, City Skyline Views, Gardens
In the Cathedral precinct, there are three main sites I’d recommend: The Cathedral itself, the Necropolis, and the Provand’s Lordship.
The cathedral is breathtaking. The amount of detail and care that went into it is evident. I spent a day going through the messages written in the stained glass and searching for doorway protection runes in every room. I went in the middle of the day in the middle of the week, and it was busy. If you’re here during the summer or on the weekend, I would double-check to see how many tour buses have dropped people off before making plans to visit.
Beneath the floor is a crypt space, which supposedly holds the body of St Mungo and other important Glaswegians. It’s a good oppertunity to read up on the spiritual history of the city.
The Necropolis is immediately behind the cathedral and worth the hike to the top. Many of the stone markers are exquisitely carved, and the view of the city(and the cathedral) is incredible. It’s best to do the hike late afternoon; the sunset view at the top is unlike anywhere else in the city.
Additionally, there is the Provand’s Lordship, which is the oldest house in the city. It’s now converted to a museum and has a stunning medical garden out back. It really gives you a glimpse into the way the city has played a role in Scotland’s history and the day to day life of the people who made the city what it was through the ages.
Bonus: The People’s Palace
Bonus round: about a 20 minute downhill walk from the cathedral precinct, the people’s palace is a beautiful museum with botanical gardens, a fantastic park, walking trails, and cafe. If you have an extra few hours, it’s worth it to check it out. You can get even more insight into what Glasgow was like, and walk through the park is beautiful on a warm day.
So those are my recommendations for your visit to Glasgow! Any of the museums I mentioned are free, but they all ask for donations, so it’s a comfortable budget option! Let me know your favourite part of the city or your favourite thing to search for in a new city in the comments!
Wonderful description of Glasgow; we enjoyed it thoroughly. It brought back many memories for both of us and makes me want to go back!
Fantastic post!
Thank you!
Great post, Titia! You are making me want to stroll glasgow with coffee and book!
That’s honestly the best way to see the city-in my first few days here, I did a ‘bookstore hop’ around the city, where I and browsed all the bookstores(and had a coffee at each one) I could find in the downtown area!
Titia, this is incredible! Thank you for sharing a little glimpse into your experiences and loves. Historical beauty brought to life with your insightful, present day descriptions! Wish I had the power of ‘bewitched’ in order to instantly zap myself there to enjoy a cafe with you. Keep writing and sharing your gifts.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Still using those $100 words from class hahahahahaha 🙂 And I wish you did too-maybe a scottish adventure with Mychaela? 🙂 ahahahahaha
Happy Halloween!