Glasgow's ultimate 48 hour music guide
Day 1
Evening arrival
Check into a music-themed hotel
Start your trip as you mean to go on by checking into one of Glasgow’s music-themed hotels.
Be surrounded by music memorabilia at the Ibis Styles Glasgow Central, which has music murals and vinyl displays. Visit Accor Hotel to book.
Or follow in the footsteps of music icons Frank Sinatra, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, by staying at the voco Grand Central Hotel. To find out more and book your stay, visit voco Grand Central Hotel.
Radisson Red is also a good option. It boasts views overlooking the OVO Hydro and a year-round exciting line-up of international DJs, local artists, and world-renowned singers. Visit Radisson Hotels to book.
Experience some traditional Scottish music and culture
Enjoy some traditional pub grub while you listen to the music of a Scottish trad band. In Finnieston, you’ll find a number of Scottish bars including The Ben Nevis Bar and The Park Bar. While in the city centre, you can visit The Clutha and Babbity Bowster. Both are known for their jamming sessions and friendly locals. Check out our bars with free live music page to learn more.
Discover new talent in intimate venues
Want to discover Glasgow’s up-and-coming grassroots talent? The city is packed with brilliant small venues where you can catch new acts from Glasgow and beyond. Head to Saint Luke's in the east end, The Glad Cafe in the southside, The Hug and Pint in the west end, or Nice N Sleazy in the city centre. You might just be among the first to see the next big thing. For more ideas on where to enjoy live music, visit our music venues in Glasgow page.
Day 2
Morning
Take a tour through Glasgow's music history
Discover decades of music history on the City Sightseeing Bus Music Tour. The tour is narrated by the singer-songwriter, Eddi Reader. Expect interesting stories, facts and some insider knowledge from Eddi herself. Visit City Sightseeing Glasgow to book.
If you prefer to walk, then try the Glasgow Music City Tours. Their expert guides bring alive the stories of Glasgow’s legendary music scene. Visit Glasgow Music City Tours to book.
There are also some self-guided music tours that can be enjoyed at any time and pace. Visit GuidiGo and download the Walking Heads' Glasgow Music Celebrated audio tour.
Afternoon
Grab some street food
Time for a lunch pitstop. Glasgow’s indoor street food markets are great for casual dining. Head to Dockyard Social at SWG3 in the west end, which has street food vendors, specialist bars, live bands, and DJs each weekend. Visit Dockyard Social to learn more.
If you head east to the Gallowgate, you'll find the world-famous Barras Market. The market is a Glasgow institution that serves up a range of sweet and savoury food. To get more information, check out the Barras Market Facebook page.
Visit some iconic locations and hidden gems
Barrowland Ballroom - The legendary venue with the neon sign is on many a band's bucket list. Visit Barrowland Ballroom to see what's on.
City Halls and Old Fruitmarket - 2 stunning and historic venues with original features. Check out Glasgow Life for more.
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - Continually named the best small venue in the UK, King Tut's does not disappoint. In 2024, they also received the Legacy Award from Access All Areas. It recognises their extraordinary contributions to live music. Visit King Tut's for tickets.
Album Pathway at Barrowland Park - Revisit music memories at this grand outdoor piece of art. Find out more on our city centre contemporary art trail page.
Britannia Panopticon - Discover incredible stories from the oldest surviving music hall in the world. Visit Britannia Panopticon to book a tour.
The Musician mural - Music is everywhere in Glasgow, and you’ll find a striking example on Sauchiehall Lane. The Musician mural celebrates the city’s creative spirit and love of live music. Find out more on our city centre mural trail page.
Evening
Enjoy dinner in a cool music venue
In Glasgow, vegan bars go hand-in-hand with music. And not only is Glasgow one of the UK's top music cities, but it happens to be one of the UK's most vegan-friendly cities too. Visit sister venues Mono, The Flying Duck or Stereo and enjoy a hearty meal, while surrounded by music scenesters. And check out Mono's record store Monorail while you're there! You can find more information about all of these venues by visiting Mono, The Flying Duck and Stereo.
See the headline act
You may have based your entire city break around one special event. Perhaps you're seeing a global megastar at the OVO Hydro or taking in an old favourite at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom. No matter what genre of music you love, the perfect gig is waiting for you. Still to choose? Check out our what's on page for event listings.
No matter where your main event takes place, one thing stays the same: Glasgow’s passionate audiences. It’s not just the music scene that stands out in the city; the crowd itself makes every experience memorable.
Day 3
Morning
Visit a record store
Glasgow is home to some great independent record stores where you can pick up some new vinyls. Visit Monorail Music for new releases and delicious veggie food or Palais de Danse for secondhand house, disco and pop. Missing Records is where you can get vinyls for as little as 50p. Discover more at Monorail Music, Palaise de Danse and Missing Records.
Wind down with some classical music
What better way to wind down your trip than with some classical music by some of Scotland's most talented musicians? The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, one of the top 3 places to study performing arts in the world, hosts lunchtime concerts every Monday and Friday at 1pm. Visit The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for more information.
Or, why not head over to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, where you can enjoy a free organ recital. Taking place at 1pm Monday to Saturday, and 3pm on Sundays, this happens to be the longest-running organ recital in the world.
For some more inspiration on how to build your perfect itinerary, why not check out our Glasgow for music lovers hub?
Did you know that Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music makes it one of 13 UNESCO sites in Scotland? In a world first Scotland's UNESCO sites have been brought together to form a trail. Discover more about each of these 13 wonders and the UNESCO trail at Visit Scotland.
Article last updated: October 2025
