Top 10 reasons to visit Glasgow

Glasgow is home to some of the UK’s most impressive museums, galleries and attractions. Highlights include Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and The Burrell Collection. They, along with many others, are both free to visit and packed with inspiring exhibits. Explore more on our museums page.

You’ll also find hidden gems like the Britannia Panopticon, the world’s oldest surviving music hall. Discover 7 stories from Glasgow’s musical history.

Families love the Glasgow Science Centre and Riverside Museum. There, interactive displays and hands-on fun bring learning to life. Find more family-friendly activities.

If contemporary art is your thing, head to Tramway or the Gallery of Modern Art. Browse our galleries page to plan your visit.

Glasgow knows how to put on a show. The city’s legendary music scene is built around iconic venues like the Barrowland Ballroom and the Ovo Hydro. Both are regularly voted as two of the UK’s best live venues by audiences and artists.

As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is home to all but one of Scotland’s national performing arts organisations. Its packed calendar of festivals and events brings world-class talent to the city all year round.

Explore Glasgow's music scene with music venues and itineraries, and check out our what’s on section for the latest event listings.

Glasgow means “Dear Green Place” in Gaelic, and it lives up to the name. The city has more than 90 parks and gardens to explore, each offering its own slice of nature.

Head to Pollok Country Park to see its fold of Highland cattle, or take in the views from Queen’s Park in the southside. In the west end, Kelvingrove Park sits along the River Kelvin. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are known for their glasshouses and tropical plants.

Visit our parks and gardens page to discover green spaces in every neighbourhood.

Glasgow is known around the world for its warm welcome. It regularly tops the charts as the UK’s friendliest city, most recently in the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards.

Whether you're chatting to taxi drivers, tour guides, or regulars in whisky bars, you’ll meet people who are down-to-earth, full of character and proud of their city. Glasgow’s charm lies in its mix of Scottish hospitality and a progressive urban spirit.

It's no wonder the city's official slogan is People Make Glasgow.

Visit Glasgow for the ultimate urban Scottish experience. Enjoy a distillery tour, take a whirl at a ceilidh, get a photo with a Highland cow, or tap your toes to live traditional music at a world-renowned festival. You can also discover the taste of Scotland with a meal at a Scottish restaurant. Visit our Scottish experiences page for more info.

Glasgow’s food scene is cool, creative and full of flavour. From brunch spots and street eats to Michelin-starred menus and plant-based plates, there’s something for every taste. And it won’t break the bank.

It’s no surprise Which named Glasgow one of the UK’s best cities for food and drink in 2024, and the MICHELIN Guide Awards chose the city as its host in 2025.

Hungry for more? Head to our food and drink pages for tasty inspiration.

Glasgow is a city steeped in history. One of the best ways to uncover its past is on a guided tour. There are lots of walking tours on offer, themed around everything from food and music to history and architecture.

You can also take guided tours of many of the city’s spots. These include Glasgow Necropolis, Tennent's Brewery, and Glasgow Central Railway Station. Check out our tours page for more details.

Read more about Glasgow's history on our history and heritage page.

Glasgow’s streets are a showcase of architectural brilliance. From the neo-Gothic towers of the University of Glasgow to the Art Nouveau masterpieces of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The city’s heritage spans centuries.

You’ll also find Glasgow’s creative spirit alive in its design scene. Explore work by local makers at markets and in hubs like The Hidden Lane. And don't miss the striking urban artworks across the city in the form of street murals.

Discover more through our City Centre Mural Trail and Mackintosh Trail pages.

Glasgow is a compact city, which makes it easy to explore more than one neighbourhood in a day. Each area has its own personality, from the buzz of the city centre to the laid-back charm of the west end.

Discover the historic east end, the leafy streets of the southside, and the creative energy of the north. Whether you're into vintage shops, green spaces or vibrant food spots, there's something to uncover in every corner.

Visit our neighbourhoods pages to find out more.

Glasgow is the gateway to Scotland's great outdoors. It has beaches, castles and rugged coastlines to discover. Experience unforgettable day trips less than the average daily commute away. From the historic Stirling to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, there are legends and adventures to uncover. Visit our unforgettable day trips page for ideas.