Glasgow on a budget
Free or low-cost attractions
Glasgow is unique in that many of the city's top museums and galleries are free to visit. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and The Burrell Collection are 2 of Scotland's cultural gems. They have world-class cultural collections and are set in beautiful parks.
Located side-by-side on the River Clyde are the Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship. Explore the city's maritime history and transport museum. Both are ideal for families.
Explore what life was like in Glasgow 500 years ago at Provand’s Lordship. It is one of only 4 remaining medieval buildings in the city. St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art's displays focus on the importance of religion in people's lives. In the city centre, the Gallery of Modern Art hosts world-class work by leading artists.
For details on each of these free-to-visit attractions, go to Glasgow Life.
Glasgow City Chambers is one of the city's most majestic buildings, set in George Square. Take a free tour of its Instagram-worthy interiors. Visit Glasgow City Council for details.
Fairfield Heritage Centre explores when Glasgow was home to the greatest shipyard in the world. Book a free tour at Fairfield Heritage.
Is sport more your area of interest? Then check out the museum and stadium tour at Hampden Park. Find out more about tours at Scotland's National Stadium at Scottish Football Museum.
Budget-friendly tours and trails
A great way to take in many of the attractions is on the City Sightseeing Glasgow bus tour. Once you've got your day ticket (£20), enjoy sights and attractions on the move with 21 stops to choose from. Too much to take in on 1 day? Upgrade your ticket to a 2-day ticket costing £27. Book at City Sightseeing.
Self-guided tours by foot
• City centre mural trail takes in the giant street art that brightens up city buildings. Visit our mural page for details.
• City centre contemporary art trail takes a tour around public artworks by national and international artists. Visit our art trail page.
• Get ideas on where to visit to recreate scenes from the big screen by checking out our film and TV locations page.
• Looking for beauty? Then check out our top Instagrammable spots in Glasgow page for a seasonal list.
Parks and outdoor activities
Glasgow is known as the Dear Green Place due to its large number of green spaces. The southside is home to the city's 2 biggest parks, Pollok Country Park and Linn Park. The west end has some of the prettiest parks, Botanic Gardens and Victoria Park.
The east end is where you can find the city's oldest park, Glasgow Green. And the north has the newest green space in the award-winning Hamiltonhill Claypits. Visit our parks and gardens page for more inspiration.
Free to visit outdoor hidden gems
• Hidden Gardens: The back of Tramway opens out to a green urban space that is great for relaxing or attending events. Visit The Hidden Gardens.
• Glasgow Necropolis: A beautiful Victorian cemetery with great views of the city. Visit The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.
• The Children’s Wood: A green space designed to connect children to nature and bring people together. Visit The Children's Wood for more information.
• Lane wanders: The west end is the place to go for strolls down cute, cobbled lanes full of creative businesses. Check out Ashton Lane, The Hidden Lane and Ruthven Mews.
Active and sporty
For fun outdoors, there are many different activities to enjoy. At Kelvingrove Park, you can play lawn bowls for free. Tennis is £2 before 4pm on weekdays and £10 per court on weekday evenings and weekends. Book courts in advance by visiting Glasgow Life. The skate park is also free to use for all ages.
Electric Voi bikes are a great way to explore the city on 2 wheels. Hire one for £2.99 for 30 minutes or £9.99 for 2 hours, with other pricing options available. Check out Voi to find out more.
Popular across the UK, Parkruns are free 5km timed events taking place in various parks. Known for a friendly atmosphere, visit Park Run to find a local event to take part in.
Entertainment for all
Music is all around in Glasgow, the UK's first UNESCO City of Music. A must-experience is an evening in a cosy pub listening to traditional musicians. The best spot for this is in Finnieston, where you can enjoy live music at The Ben Nevis Bar, Islay Inn, and Park Bar.
From blues music at The Howlin' Wolf to trad nights at Stravaigin, there are lots of free live music sessions across the city. Visit our bars in Glasgow with free live music for details on each of these and more.
Cinema and theatre
For cinema lovers, the Glasgow Film Theatre offers deals throughout the week. They have £6.90 tickets before 5pm on Fridays and on Tuesdays they offer one select screening for the same price. Check out Glasgow Film Theatre to see what's on.
From independent to blockbuster, expect luxury recliner seats at the Vue cinema at St. Enoch Centre. From £8.99, you can enjoy a film at any time. They also run family deals on weekends. Visit Vue for listings.
For theatre, try out A Play, A Pie and A Pint at the beautiful Òran Mór in the west end. Enjoy an original play and lunch for £18.50 during the week (£16 on Mondays). Visit A Play A Pie and a Pint to see what's on.
Culture in the neighbourhoods
Platform Arts Centre, Glasgow Women's Library and The Glad Café are 3 community venues that organise budget friendly cultural events. Check out what's on at Platform, Glasgow Women's Library or The Glad Café.
Also, check out our what's on section and tick free events. You can also search for a certain price range to find out what's coming up soon.
Affordable dining options
Glasgow's food scene is perfect for budget-conscious foodies. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, you'll find plenty of affordable options.
Sugo Pasta and Paesano Pizza are 2 sister restaurants open for walk-ins only. They serve yummy pasta and pizza at reasonable prices.
There are also many great spots for sitting in or on the go. Try Korean meals from Kimchi Cult! or award-winning kebabs at Shawarma King.
For great street food in casual surroundings, try the Dockyard Social. Visit our cheap eats in the city page for more inspiration.
Article last updated: October 2025
