Leisure Business
VisitGlasgow

Museums in Glasgow

The grand, vaulted interior of a museum with a plane suspended from the ceiling and taxidermy animals, including an elephant and a giraffe, on the floor.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow is packed with world-class museums, many of which are free to visit. Explore tales of Glasgow's past or take in grand buildings in city parks.

Iconic museums

A modern, angular building with a jagged roofline sits next to a historic, three-masted ship docked on a river.

History and heritage

A large, stone building with a castle-like appearance stands on a street corner with a red double-decker bus passing by.

Hidden gems

A life-size statue depicts two 19th-century footballers tackling each other, with one player falling and the other standing over him. In the background are historical posters and displays.

Iconic museums

The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park is a must-visit. Set within the city's only country park, the museum was awarded the title of 'Best Building in Scotland' (2024). From paintings by artists like Manet and Degas, to Roman sculptures and Egyptian pottery, you could easily spend an entire day there. Visit The Burrell Collection to plan your visit.

A modern museum building with large glass windows and a prominent stone sign that reads "The Burrell Collection" in front of a grassy lawn.
The Burrell Collection

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was ranked in Lonely Planet's top 500 experiences in the world (2020). With 22 galleries, there's so much to discover. From art to animals, dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scottish history, and more. Plus be sure to catch the organ recitals at 1pm every Monday-Friday, and 3pm on Sundays. Find out more at Glasgow Life.

A large, ornate red sandstone building with multiple towers and a curved entrance is surrounded by a green lawn and trees under a blue sky.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship

The award-winning Riverside Museum houses the city’s vast transport collection and street scenes from a bygone era. Moored alongside the museum is the Tall Ship – an icon of Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage. Plan your visit to the Riverside Museum and check out The Tall Ship for visitor information.

A modern, angular building with a jagged roofline sits next to a historic, three-masted ship docked on a river.
Riverside Museum and Tall Ship

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

Explore Glasgow's vibrant art scene by visiting the Gallery of Modern Art. Located within a stunning neo-classical building, it's Scotland's most popular modern art museum. Discover works of art by Turner Prize winners and emerging artists. Visit Glasgow Life to find out what is on at GoMA.

The classical facade of a museum with a statue of a man on a horse in front.
Gallery of Modern Art

Peoples' Palace

Located in Glasgow Green, The People's Palace offers a glimpse into how Glaswegians lived, worked, and played from 1750 to the present day. Discover photographs, prints, and other historic artefacts that helped shape the city. Please note: The People's Palace is closed until 2027 for major refurbishment.

An aerial view of a large, brown brick building with a glass roof surrounded by a series of circular green lawns and paved paths.
Peoples' Palace

History and heritage

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

Find the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow’s old town, next to the medieval Glasgow Cathedral. The museum explores the importance of religion in peoples' lives and also has a beautiful zen garden. Discover more about the museum, which is named after the city's Patron Saint, by visiting Glasgow Life.

A large, stone building with a castle-like appearance stands on a street corner with a red double-decker bus passing by.
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

The Hunterian Museum

Located within the University of Glasgow, the Hunterian Museum is Scotland's oldest museum. Home to over a million items, discover natural history specimens, science instruments, art collections, and more.

The Mackintosh House

The Mackintosh House at The Hunterian Art Gallery, recreates in beautiful detail, the home that Charles Rennie Mackintosh shared with his wife Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The art gallery is also home to the world’s largest permanent display of James McNeill Whistler work.

Head to The Hunterian for more information and opening hours for each of these.

A pristine white room with minimalist furniture, including a table and chairs, and a white fireplace. A stylized floral painting hangs on the wall.
Mackintosh House

House for an Art Lover

Inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh's drawings from 1901, House for an Art Lover was built in 1996 within Bellahouston Park. Explore the grand rooms inside and take a stroll around the walled garden while admiring the stunning exterior of the building. Visit House for an Art Lover to find out more, including details on their Art Lovers Cafe.

A white, two-story building with a dark roof and many windows sits on a green lawn with colourful, bell-shaped sculptures.
House for an Art Lover

The Tenement House

A true hidden gem, The Tenement House lets you discover tenement life as it was in the early 20th century. The house was lived in by Miss Agnes Toward from 1911 until 1965, who lovingly preserved many of her possessions. Find out more at the National Trust for Scotland.

A dimly lit kitchen from the early 20th century. A large cast-iron range stands against one wall, and laundry hangs to dry above a wooden table.
The Tenement House

Hidden gems

Glasgow Police Museum

In the heart of the Merchant City is the Glasgow Police Museum. Discover the history of the oldest police force in the UK. For opening times visit Glasgow Police Museum.

The Glasgow Women’s Library

The Glasgow Women’s Library celebrates the lives and achievements of women, sharing fascinating stories from the past through heritage walks, exhibitions and archives. Find out more about the collection and what events they have coming up at Glasgow Women's Library.

A wide shot of the Glasgow Women's Library reading room, featuring bookshelves filled with books, a round table with chairs, and patterned carpeting
The Glasgow Women's Library

The Museum of Piping

The Museum of Piping holds 300 years of piping heritage. The themed display focuses on the Scottish tradition, with bagpipes thought to date back to the 18th century. Visit The National Piping Centre to discover more.

A man in a kilt plays bagpipes on the steps of a building with a sign that says "The National Piping Centre" above the entrance.
The Museum of Piping

Scottish Football Museum

Inside Hampden Park, the national stadium of football in Scotland, you'll find the Scottish Football Museum. Explore over 2,000 objects, learn about the history of Scottish football, and marvel at the world’s oldest national football trophy. Visit Scottish Football Museum for more info.

A life-size statue depicts two 19th-century footballers tackling each other, with one player falling and the other standing over him. In the background are historical posters and displays.
Scottish Football Museum

Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum

The Glasgow Royal Infirmary changed the world of medicine forever, find out how by stepping inside this small museum. The Museum also has a focus on sustainability, with a medicinal garden and beehives onsite, as well as 200 newly planted trees. For opening hours please visit Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Article last updated: October 2025

Related articles

Visitor experiences

A majestic, arched stone cloister at the University of Glasgow, with light streaming in from the sides.

Contemporary art trail

A ground-level artwork with colourful stripes, each labelled with a musician's name and a date.

Family activities in Glasgow

Three people, including an older person and two teenagers, stand smiling in front of a red city tour bus. They each wear matching sunglasses.