City centre
Top attractions
Start your Glasgow adventure in the heart of the city at George Square. This lively civic space attracts everything from global events to people watchers. The square is lined with beautiful historic buildings, like the City Chambers. Join one of their free daily tours to see their impressive interiors. Visit Glasgow City Council for tour times.
*George Square is under renovation until 2027. For updates, visit Glasgow City Council.
Wander in any direction from George Square to find some of the UK’s best-preserved Victorian architecture.
Glasgow's architecture and US-style grid street system have caught the eye of Hollywood filmmakers. Check out our top film and TV locations page to find out which city centre spots have starred on screen.
A short walk from George Square, Royal Exchange Square is perfect for outdoor dining. In the centre is a neoclassical building housing the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). GoMA hosts top contemporary art and the Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Visual Art. Visit Glasgow Life to see what’s on.
GoMA is just one of many city centre historic buildings restored to feature a restaurant, hotel, or gallery space. The Corinthian Club, voco Grand Central Hotel, and The Anchor Line are some examples of modern places inspired by the 1800s.
Another building worth visiting for the exterior alone is The Mitchell Library. As one of Europe's largest public libraries, The Mitchell has one of the world’s largest collections of work by Robert Burns. It also has a family history centre to discover your ancestry. Find out more at Glasgow Life.
Look out for huge pieces of street art on the sides of buildings. The City Centre Mural Trail is a fun way to see Glasgow’s creative side. Take a self-guided tour or an expert-led tour. Find out more about the mural trail.
The ‘hop on and off’ City Sightseeing Bus Tour is an accessible way to see the city's must-see sights. Check out our tours page for more information.
Discover the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh at Mackintosh at the Willow. This beautifully restored 1903 tearoom is now a visitor centre, exhibition space and gift shop. It's a must-see for design lovers.
Learn more about Glasgow’s most famous architect on our Charles Rennie Mackintosh page.
Try out the bagpipes at The National Piping Centre. Visit The Piping Centre for more information.
Many hidden gems are in the Merchant City. Discover the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, Britannia Panopticon, and Glasgow Police Museum. Visit the Merchant City neighbourhood page to learn more about these unique attractions.
Top places for food and drink
From cool and casual to fine dining, brunch and nightcaps, Glasgow's city centre has it all.
Family-friendly favourites
Sugo and Paesano: Enjoy pasta and pizza in relaxed surroundings.
Mowgli Street Food: Try tasty butter chicken and paneer.
Check our family-friendly restaurants and cafés page for more ideas.
Start your day right
Singl-end and Café Gandolfi: Popular spots for breakfast and brunch.
Flight Club: Every weekend, enjoy Brunch Social with prosecco, bottomless pizza, and darts.
See our top picks for brunch in Glasgow.
Foodie hotspots
Miller Street: Home to Margo, Sebbs, Thundercat Pub and Diner, and The Spanish Butcher. Exceptional dishes for every taste.
Glamorous dining
The Anchor Line and The Ivy: Enjoy brilliant food and cocktails in stunning interiors.
Sisi’s rooftop bar at The Social Hub: Take in city views with Mexican flavours.
Find menus and book a table online.
International flavours
La Lanterna: Authentic Italian, run by the same family for over 50 years.
Swadish: A top spot for Indian cuisine that's won 2 AA Rosettes.
Dishoom: Enjoy Bombay comfort food in a stylish setting.
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe: Iranian-inspired dishes.
Non Viet: Vietnamese meals.
Lychee Oriental: Exceptional Chinese food.
Maison by Glaschu: French and Scottish cuisine.
Nippon Kitchen: Where modern Japan meets old Glasgow.
Check each restaurant’s website for menus and bookings.
Merchant city: the city's most stylish quarter
Merchant City is where Glasgow’s past meets its creative present. You’ll find some of the city’s oldest sites alongside boutiques, arts spaces, and lively bars. There is always something to do, whether you’re shopping, eating, or soaking up the culture.
Explore our Merchant City neighbourhood guide for tips on where to shop, eat, and more.
One of the best shopping areas in the UK
Glasgow is famous for shopping. Buchanan Street and the nearby streets make up a square mile of fantastic shopping.
St. Enoch Centre and Buchanan Galleries have large malls with the best high street brands. St. Enoch Centre is a family-friendly spot for shopping and entertainment. Buchanan Galleries has everything from The Lego Store to the Scottish Design Exchange, which supports local makers.
On Buchanan Street, you’ll also find:
Princes Square, a stylish mall with designer shops, restaurants, bars, and a boutique cinema.
The original House of Fraser store has a history dating back to 1849.
Argyll Arcade is regarded as the finest jewellery centre in Scotland.
Visit our shopping page for more information on Glasgow's shopping scene.
Parks and green spaces
Glasgow Green is the city’s oldest park. Here you’ll find the Doulton Fountain, the McLennan Arch, Nelson’s Monument, and the People’s Palace*, a museum about Glasgow’s social history. The park is also home to Templeton on the Green, one of the city’s most unusual buildings.
There’s lots for families to enjoy, including adventure play parks and walks along the River Clyde.
See our Parks and Gardens page for more about green spaces in the city.
*Please note: The People’s Palace is closed for refurbishment until 2027.
Arts and music in the heart of the city
Glasgow city centre is packed with iconic venues. Check out The Theatre Royal, The King’s Theatre, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Each offers shows from ballet and theatre to comedy and orchestras.
If you like cutting-edge art, performance, events, and film, visit the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA). Just around the corner is Scotland's original independent cinema, the Glasgow Film Theatre. It is a great place for film lovers all year round and hosts the Glasgow Film Festival each February. See our what's on section for more about events in the city.
Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music known for its legendary music scene. At King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, you'll discover local bands and catch the next big thing in an intimate venue. Explore what's on at King Tut's.
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls, and Old Fruitmarket are at the heart of the city’s music and arts scene. You can enjoy live concerts, film screenings with a live orchestra, and much more. See what’s on at Glasgow Life Tickets.
For free live music in a relaxed setting, try bars like Howlin’ Wolf, Macsorley's, or Berlinkys. Many of these spots also host comedy, cabaret, and other unique nights. Find more bars with free live music.
If you want to experience the famous Glasgow crowd, try a city centre music festival. People come from across the globe for Celtic Connections in winter, and the World Pipe Band Championships. Each summer, some of the world’s biggest stars play at TRNSMT in Glasgow Green.
Visit our music lovers' section for more information on Glasgow's iconic scene.
Want to find out about another area of the city? Visit our neighbourhood page to decide where to explore next.
Article last updated: October 2025