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Big-hearted and solidly down to earth, Scotland's biggest city promises a good time and great company. Glasgow is a captivating city set on the banks of the mighty River Clyde and filled to the brim with stately and state-of-the-art architecture, from the Riverside Museum's zig-zagging roof to Glasgow Cathedral's soaring spire. Glasgow offers plenty of things to do, from admiring the magnificent landscapes of nearby Loch Lomond to diving into the city's notoriously wild nightlife. Its music and arts scenes are the stuff of legends, too, while its locals are some of the friendliest you'll meet.
Glasgow’s winters are characterized by bitterly cold days and long, dark evenings, so visit between March and September for brighter skies and warmer temperatures. Always carry an umbrella regardless of the season, though, as showers are common. Glasgow has a jam-packed cultural program, hosting festivals dedicated to jazz, food, whisky, music, dance, books, and more year-round; check to see what’s on before your visit. The city’s longest-running event is January’s Celtic Connections festival, which celebrates Celtic music and culture.
Glasgow’s regularly running subway system covers 15 stops across the city center, West End, and South Side. It’s a great way to cover more sights in less time, but Glasgow’s city center is compact enough to navigate on foot. You’ll see OVO Bikes docks scattered throughout the city, offering a cheap and convenient way of getting around. Before you start exploring, register using the OVO Bikes app and choose how long you want to ride.
Once you’ve ticked off Glasgow’s top sights, take a day trip to the seaside town of Oban. The fishing village boasts a brightly colored marina, sumptuous seafood feasts, distilleries specializing in single malt whiskies, and the crumbling ruins of Dunollie Castle. Not only that, it’s on the famous West Highland Line, which often features on lists of the most beautiful train rides in the world. The train ride from Glasgow takes around three hours, so you might consider staying overnight.
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Gabriel is a Brazilian who lived in Scotland for a while and fell in love with its most populous city, Glasgow.
take a walk through the city centre. There's lots of places to visit but don’t miss George Square. Pay attention to the various murals in the area, too.
involves heading to the West End. Spend the day at the park, visit Kelvingrove and the University of Glasgow, then have a beer at one of the many pubs.
the Necropolis. A cemetery may seem like a weird place to visit but it’s a beautiful place with so much history and a wonderful view of Glasgow Cathedral.
visit the Barras Market. It’s a bit of an unusual place where you can find antiques and chat with Glaswegians.
go to the Lighthouse. At the top of the building there’s a nice vantage point that looks out over the city (although you have to walk up more than 300 steps to get there).
Scotland’s biggest city is known for its rich cultural scene—some of Britain’s most renowned artists and musicians are from Glasgow. The city’s earthy character is a striking contrast to the more refined Edinburgh, but its museums rival those of the capital and its food and nightlife scenes are the country's best.
...MoreTwo days should be enough time to see all of Glasgow’s major attractions, but you should try to spend longer to get a feel of the city’s distinctive, down-to-earth character. With more than three days to spare, you could also take a day trip to nearby Loch Lomond or Ayrshire.
...MoreGlasgow’s top visitor attractions include the striking Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum on the Clyde; the red-brick Victorian Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum; Glasgow Cathedral and the grand Victorian Necropolis; the lush Glasgow Botanic Gardens; and the eclectic collections of the Hunterian Museum and Burrell Collection.
...MoreStart your day in the West End, among the shops and cafes of Finnieston. Explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Riverside Museum. Then walk along the Clyde to the center. Wander Merchant City, have a picnic on Glasgow Green, and see some live music—Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music.
...MoreGlasgow is filled with creative people, so going to art galleries and watching live music are popular activities. Design lovers visit for the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, while foodies enjoy exploring the food scene. Although a big city, Glasgow has green space and easy access to surrounding mountains and lochs.
...MoreYes. Visitors to Scotland should not miss Glasgow. The city has a unique, earthy character, and Glaswegians are renowned as a friendly and talkative bunch. The art and music scenes are among the best in Britain, and the city is filled with interesting architecture and free museums and galleries.
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