Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Places to visit in Glasgow offer a blend of rich history, colorful culture, and modern attractions that cater to all types of travelers. Scotland’s largest city is famous for its stunning Victorian architecture, world-class museums, and thriving music scene. From historic landmarks like Glasgow Cathedral to hipster hotspots in the West End, the city seamlessly combines the old and the new. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or foodie, Glasgow tourist places have something for everyone. These places for the Glasgow trip provide a mix of tradition and contemporary charm.
10 Best Places To Visit In Glasgow
Tourist places to visit in Glasgow showcase a perfect mix of historic grandeur and modern vibrancy, making it one of the most exciting cities to explore in Scotland.
1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum
Photo: Stinglehammer / Wikimedia Commons
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a top destination and one of the best places to visit in Glasgow, has been a favorite since opening in 1901. This free attraction houses 22 galleries with over 8,000 objects, including natural history, arms and armour, and art from various movements. Explore Salvador Dali’s “Christ of St John of the Cross” and Sir Roger the Asian elephant. The building itself, designed in a Spanish Baroque style with Locharbriggs red sandstone, is a work of art. Live organ concerts take place in the Centre Hall. Kelvingrove is easily accessible and welcomes families.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Partick (15-minute walk) and Charing Cross (10-minute walk)
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: July to August
2. Glasgow Cathedral
Photo: Michael Hanselmann / Wikimedia Commons
Glasgow Cathedral, a magnificent medieval building and Church of Scotland place of worship, stands as the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland. Consecrated in 1197, it was constructed on the site where St. Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo) was buried in AD 612. The cathedral is known for its striking Gothic architecture, rows of pointed arches, slender tracery windows, and post-war stained glass windows. Its lower crypt houses St. Mungo’s tomb, which was a pilgrimage site until the Scottish Reformation. The cathedral is near the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art and the Glasgow Necropolis, making it one of the must-see places to visit in Glasgow.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Glasgow High Street
Timings: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Best Time To Visit: March to August
3. George Square
Photo: dave souza / Wikimedia Commons
George Square, the nucleus of Glasgow’s city center, was laid out in 1781 and named after King George III. The square has become both a formal and informal meeting place. As one of the popular places to visit in Glasgow, it is home to eleven statues of historical figures, including royals, politicians, authors, poets, and inventors. The oldest monument is the Sir Walter Scott monument erected in 18372. Other statues include James Watt (erected 1832), Sir Robert Peel (erected 1859), Thomas Campbell (erected 1877) and William Ewart Gladstone (erected 1902).
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 14 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Queen Street Station
4. Glasgow Green
Photo: Kim Traynor / Wikimedia Commons
Glasgow Green, a 136-acre park, stands as Glasgow’s oldest public space, rich in history and attractions. It is one of the best places to visit in Glasgow. Originally common lands gifted in 1450, it has evolved from a marshy area used for washing and grazing into a leveled parkland. Key features include the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, which houses a museum of Glasgow’s history and a collection of exotic plants. The Doulton Fountain, the world’s largest terracotta fountain, and the McLennan Arch, reflecting the city’s trading past, are also popular sites.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 13 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Bridgeton (15-minute walk)
Best Time To Visit: June to August
5. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Photo: Finlay McWalter / Wikimedia Commons
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens, a 27-acre park in the city’s West End by the River Kelvin, offer a peaceful escape with diverse plant collections, woodland copse, and riverside walks. A highlight is the Kibble Palace, a magnificent glasshouse housing tropical rainforest plants and the national collection of tree ferns. The gardens also feature formal displays, an arboretum and herbaceous borders that change with the seasons. The Botanic Gardens have been awarded a Green Flag, marking it as a first-class attraction. It’s a great alternative to museums and malls and is one of the best places to visit in Glasgow.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 16 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Hillhead Subway Station is a 5-minute walk
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Best Time To Visit: Spring or summer
6. The Glasgow Necropolis
Photo: Finlay McWalter / Wikimedia Commons
The Glasgow Necropolis, a Victorian garden cemetery, is a hauntingly beautiful place to visit in Glasgow, offering views of the city and Glasgow Cathedral. Established in 1831 by the Merchants’ House of Glasgow, the 37-acre Necropolis was modeled after Père Lachaise in Paris. It reflects Victorian fascination with death and progress, housing approximately 50,000 burials within 3,500 tombs and monuments. The Necropolis is the final resting place of prominent Glaswegians, including William Miller, Charles Tennant, Hugh Tennent, and Alexander “Greek” Thomson.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Queen Street Station (15-minute walk)
Timings: 7 AM – 4:30 PM
Best Time To Visit: March to May
7. The Riverside Museum
Photo: Cutkiller2018 / Wikimedia Commons
The Riverside Museum, a multi-award-winning structure designed by Zaha Hadid, is a hyper-modern museum that houses Glasgow’s transport and technology collections. With over 3,000 objects on display, the museum features everything from skateboards to locomotives. Visitors can explore recreated Glasgow streets from 1895 to the 1980s and engage with interactive exhibits, including climbing aboard a train or helping to put out a fire. Located on the banks of the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum is one of the best places to visit in Glasgow.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Partick (15-minute walk)
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Thursday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Friday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Saturday to Sunday)
Best Time To Visit: March to August
8. The Hunterian Museum And Art Gallery
Photo: Ham / Wikimedia Commons
The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Scotland’s oldest public museum, established in 1807, is home to diverse collections ranging from meteorites to mummies. As one of the leading university museums in the UK, it showcases items of national significance, including scientific instruments, Roman artifacts, natural and life sciences holdings, and ethnographic objects. The gallery also holds the world’s largest permanent display of works by James McNeill Whistler and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, making it one of the must-see places to visit in Glasgow.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Partick (15-minute walk)
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
9. The Burrell Collection
Photo: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) / Wikimedia Commons
The Burrell Collection, a treasure trove of over 9,000 art objects collected by Sir William Burrell, is located in Pollok Country Park, Glasgow’s largest green space. The collection includes works from artists like Rodin, Degas, and Cézanne, as well as medieval, Chinese, and Islamic art. The Burrell Collection is a unique place to visit in Glasgow, with its award-winning building nestled in a beautiful woodland setting. Both the park and the Collection were gifted to Glasgow, ensuring that visitors can enjoy these wonderful experiences.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 15 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Pollokshaws West
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Monday to Thursday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Friday), 11 AM – 5 PM (Saturday to Sunday)
Best Time To Visit: May to September
10. The Finnieston Crane
Photo: Bjmullan / Wikimedia Commons
The Finnieston Crane, also known as the Stobcross Crane, is a disused giant cantilever crane in Glasgow, Scotland, symbolizing the city’s engineering heritage and shipbuilding history. It was commissioned in 1928 by the Clyde Navigation Trust and completed in 1931. The crane’s primary purpose was to lift heavy machinery, like tanks and steam locomotives, onto ships for export. Today, it stands as a reminder of Glasgow’s industrial past, juxtaposed with modern buildings along the River Clyde. There’s a plan to transform the landmark into a major visitor attraction with a restaurant and museum, making it one of the places to visit in Glasgow.
Nearest Airport: Glasgow Airport, 13 km
Nearest Railway Stations: Exhibition Centre (10-minute walk)
Best Time To Visit: July to August
Places to Visit in Glasgow take you on a journey through time, from medieval churches to contemporary art hubs. Whether you’re admiring the grandeur of Kelvingrove, exploring the quirky Ashton Lane, or immersing yourself in The Hunterian Museum’s national importance, tourist attractions in Glasgow offer a unique experience for every visitor. The city’s welcoming atmosphere, vast heritage, and thriving creative culture make it an unforgettable destination. Plan your trip today with TripXL exclusive travel packages and discover the best Glasgow tourist places list.
Cover Photo: Artur Kraft / Unsplash
