Glasgow City Break: My Perfect Ten

A wee city break in Glasgow? Count me in! I’ve spent a lot of time in the city, on my own personal escapades, and on blog trips; most recently on a paid campaign ‘The Heart & Soul of Scotland’ with Wild About Argyll and People Make Glasgow. Here’s a round-up of my ten favourite things to do, featuring street art, sightseeing, and scran! 

This post contains affiliate links to experiences which I love, and may make a small commission from, at no extra cost to you. 

Edinburgh vs. Glasgow. Rival cities you say? Oh aye, there’s a wee bit of that – but it’s only playful. Our cities are wonderfully different; it’s a comfortable sort of contrast. Edinburgh is home, but I can see beyond our fairy-tale aesthetics and give our lively cousin through the west the credit she deserves.

Edinburgh is a blatantly beautiful woman, a real head-turner. Oh, and doesn’t she know it! Immensely photogenic, she’s a bit of a poser. Glasgow on the other: if she were a lassie, she’d be bonnie too, just less polished and more modest. A right down to earth type, colourful and full of banter. I bet she’d drink you under the table too.

‘People Make Glasgow’ really does hit the nail on the head. Have you ever met someone who doesn’t mention the warmth of the people when synopsising Glasgow’s appeal? I’ve not. I mean, one only has to look at the hilariously iconic Duke of Wellington statue with a traffic cone on his head to understand the banter-filled psyche of the Glaswegian people. Legends.

I love a wee city break in Glasgow, and here’s what I like to get up to.

Combine your city break with a scenic adventure

1) Follow the Glasgow Mural Trail.

Possibly my favourite thing about Glasgow is the vibrant street art scene. Edinburgh has been dipping its toe in with some recent installations, but this expression of art just isn’t encouraged as much in the capital city as it is in Glasgow. Not only is street art considered to be a valuable addition to Glasgow, it is even supported by Glasgow City Council. Street artists can apply for funding to cover the costs of a new installation through the City Centre Mural Fund, which aims to:

“Enhance the look of the area and add to the experience of visitors to Glasgow while also contributing to local regeneration“

I think it’s really inspiring to see such a bold and modern style of art be both welcomed and financially backed by the city council. Street art breathes new life into sites around the city, and gives locals and visitors a wee treat for the eyes. Every time I visit Glasgow, I seek out new murals, or revisit my favourites.

I absolutely love St Mungo by Glasgow-based Australian street artist Smug; it depicts a modern-day St Mungo, and can be found on a large gable end on High Street. Crazy Cat Lazy by local street artist Rogue One is another of my favourites, as well as his giant Mackintosh mural at the Clutha Bar to celebrate the 150th birthday of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which was in 2018.

• Learn more and follow the Glasgow Mural Trail using the interactive map here

2) Wander through the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Glasgow is blessed with numerous free museums, which means your time in Glasgow doesn’t have to assault your bank balance. The museums cover a variety of subjects, from transport at the Riverside Museum to design and architecture at The Lighthouse. My favourite is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which has a bit of everything. The architecture is a sight to behold, with vibrant sandstone and a beautiful Spanish baroque style.

The museum itself is one of the best I’ve visited. You’ll find the popularly photographed ‘Expressions’ installation, as well as Scottish artwork, a display of Scotland’s lost wildlife, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibition, and the world-famous St John of the Cross painting by Salvador Dali. There’s also a random Elvis statue, and the much-loved Sir Roger the (stuffed) elephant. You can also time your visit for one of the organ recitals in the stunning main hall.

To make the most of your visit you may wish to pay for a tour with Clare McLeod @IntermezzoArts for her super-impressive and enviable knowledge of everything. My attention span doesn’t generally allow for the absorption of too much information from the descriptive texts, so having Clare show me around on my first visit was truly invaluable.

• Visit the Glasgow Life website for more information

3) Go for afternoon tea at Mackintosh at the Willow.

In 1903, Kate Cranston’s ‘Willow Tea Room’ opened on Sauchiehall Street, and it quickly became the place to be. Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed every detail of the tea room, from the interior and exterior, to the furniture and staff uniforms. As with all his work, the designs were truly unique and way ahead of their time.

The Willow Tea Rooms Trust, founded by Celia Sinclair was established after the original building was purchased in 2014. The plan was to bring the tearoom back to its former glory, and over the next few years it was meticulously restored. Some original features were uncovered, and others were expertly crafted to replicate the originals. The afternoon tea is an absolute treat, and you can pay an extra £5 (the same price as it was over 100 years ago) to enjoy it in the elaborate Salon de Luxe. It is the only one of Kate Cranston’s original tearooms which still exists, and if you spend £10 or more in the tearoom, you get free entry into the onsite exhibition – which I thought was super-interesting and very well done.

• For more information check out my post on where to discover Charles Rennie Mackintosh in Glasgow

4) Spend an evening on Ashton Lane.

Ashton Lane is an absolute dream-boat of a place with inviting bars, a retro-look cinema, and cutesy cobbles illuminated by overhead fairy lights. Admittedly, my exploits in Glasgow throughout my 20s didn’t extend far beyond the vicinity of the train station, unless it was for a ‘cultural’ night at The Arches (RIP), or a gig at the SECC or Carling Academy. The West End was an unknown to me, and visiting for the first time was like discovering a whole new city. This little street there is the prettiest of them all!

Ashton Lane is home to Ubiquitous Chip, a beautiful fine-dining restaurant. The glass ceiling, fairy lights, and foliage entwined around the wooden features create a sublimely romantic atmosphere. For something more casual, the beer garden at Brel is an enchanting wee spot when the weather permits, and you might be lucky enough to time your visit for live music at the Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen. Perfectly contained within its own wee micro-atmosphere, your night out – from restaurant to bar – needn’t venture outwith this street’s perimeters.

5) Admire the magical architecture at the University of Glasgow.

Admiring the university’s enchanting aesthetics, it wouldn’t take much to convince me that the art of magic was taught in its classrooms. The attractive Cloisters are one of the key visual attributes of the building, and appeared in the filming of Outlander. Despite the unfortunate lack of actual magic, Glasgow University is still something of an ancient wonder.

Established over 500 years ago, its walls have witnessed the education of many a famous face; John Logie Baird, Adam Smith, Nicola Sturgeon, Neil Oliver and Gerard Butler among others. Even the most famous of brains, Albert Einstein, graced the premises, giving a lecture on his ‘Modern Theory of Relativity’ to an audience of 1,500. How cool is that?

• Find out more on the University of Glasgow website

6) Ride the hop-on hop-off bus.

I always like to explore destinations on foot, but when time is limited, your limbs can’t always carry you as far as you’d like. This is where the hop-on hop off bus comes in. Guaranteed to hand your bearings to you on a plate, you’ll see all the sights from the comfort of your seat. It’s wise to study the route map before you set off, to choose the points of interest that tickle your fancy, and merit a closer look.

The bus stops at the new Clydeside Distillery, as well as some of Glasgow’s top attractions – as mentioned above – including the Riverside Museum, Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, and Glasgow University. I’ve hopped on the bus a few times, and always enjoy seeing the city’s sights and street art from the top deck, while listening to the commentary about Glasgow. Proper tourist!

• Read more about the tour route here

7) Eat Street Food at Platform at the Arches.

Platform is a new event venue and street food market in Argyll Street Arches, which was once home to the famous nightclub The Arches which, sadly, closed in 2015. This new lease of life somewhat softens the blow, as it brings together some of the city’s top independent food vendors every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Shrimpwreck stall – which has been featured in Lonely Planet and on the BBC – is the most popular, and the Shrimp Bun is not to be missed. I also loved the chicken pachos (poppadom nachos) from Ginger & Chilli, and couldn’t resist a cheeky cocktail from the bar.

• Find out more in my full blog post on where to find the best street food in Glasgow

8) See the city from above at The Lighthouse.

I love a city skyline, and the entry to this viewpoint doesn’t cost a thing – aside from some physical exertion. The Lighthouse was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and was the home of the Glasgow Herald newspaper for the best part of 100 years. Today, it is Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, with a permanent Mackintosh exhibition. The helical staircase within the tower is a statement feature of the museum, and highly Instagram worthy. The spiralling incline is worth it to reach the top and look out over the roofs of Glasgow.

• Visit The Lighthouse website for more information

9) Go for pizza at Peasano.

There’s pizza and there’s pizza. It has such a mass appeal, yet so many fail to do it justice. Paesano Pizza have got it so wonderfully right, thanks to their quality Napoletana ingredients and authentic cooking methods. The wood-fired ovens were built in Naples, and immense passion and expertise are channeled into the process of proving the dough, and cooking it at the perfect temperature for maximum tasting pleasure. I highly recommend the prosciutto cotto, with Portobello mushrooms, tomato sugo, mozzarella, fresh thyme and evoo. While you’re waiting on your pizza, go and watch the talented pizza chefs perform their magic in the open kitchen.

• You can’t pre-book a table at Paesano – it’s first come first served
• For more info and to see the menu visit the Paesano Pizza website

10) Stay in a quirky hotel.

My go-to hotel in Glasgow is the lovely ABode, which is less than a 10-minute walk from Queen Street Station. The building dates back to 1829, and was once home to a Prime Minister. Inside the Edwardian townhouse, you’ll find the hotel’s signature cage lift, stone staircase and Lion Rampant patterned wallpaper. The rooms are modern and homely, the breakfast is amazing, and there are usually special offers which include breakfast, dinner and cocktails.

For something a bit funkier, I love Citizen M. The rooms are compact and contemporary, with colourful remote-controlled lights, music and window blinds. The interior design is striking and modern, the beds are huge, and the buffet breakfast is spot on. A really quirky and comfortable place to stay for a reasonable price.

Finally, and even more budget friendly is the Ibis Styles on Miller Street. The hotel has completely embraced the humour and personality for which Glasgow is known. ‘Have a Belter’ dons the doors as you enter, the carpets are in Rennie Macintosh style, there’s a giant Tunnock’s Teacake print in the hallway, and sketches of Glasgow scenes are dotted around the reception/dining area. Oh, and the ‘Duke with the Cone’ makes an appearance in the bedrooms. Brilliant! The rooms are clean and comfortable, the location is super-central, and continental breakfast is included.

How would you like to spend a city break in Glasgow? 

Happy travels!

Kay 💙