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Top Things To Do In Glasgow: A First Timers Guide

From the best brunch spots, to the coolest shopping areas and some great activities too, here are the top things to do in Glasgow, perfect for first timers to the city! 

Helloooo my wee pals! I’ve just returned from my first proper trip to Glasgow. While I’m sure a few more of you have been to Edinburgh rather than the big G, I loved it, and I promise I’m not just saying that. If I were to describe it in two words, I’d say it was surprising and underrated.

The biggest surprise… how beautiful Glasgow is! I marvelled at the stunning Victorian architecture, medieval cathedral and broad shopping streets. I snapped endless photos of works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scotland’s most celebrated architect and designer of the 20th century.

I captured blue skies and epic views of the city from both The Lighthouse and the Glasgow Necropolis. And as for the fairy lights? I don’t think I’ve seen a city use so many strings of twinkly lights. It was so magical at night! So budge over Edinburgh, it’s time to put Glasgow in the limelight.

Beautiful architecture in Glasgow
Beautiful architecture in Glasgow

I also loved the creative vibe in the city. From the enormous murals on the buildings, to the artists and creators working in The Hidden Lane, the imaginative, independent spirit was undeniable.

The food – oh the food!! Glasgow is a foodie city filled with gorgeous brunch spots (top marks to Café Strangebrew for their chorizo hash!) gourmet offerings and street food. To be honest, I hadn’t heard much about this scene before visiting, but perhaps the locals were trying to keep it a secret!

Finally, the people. Glasgwegians are SO friendly. In London, people are so busy. They keep themselves to themselves and rarely look up from their phones. In Glasgow, people stopped for a chat, helped me with my bags and one guy even went out of his way to show me the best viewpoint of Glasgow Cathedral.

There’s a real warmth in the city as a whole and in some ways, that’s enough to make me want to go back!

For a quick flavour of my adventures in the city, check out my video, then scroll down for my top things to do in Glasgow.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Glasgow?

Contrary to what you may have heard, the weather isn’t always awful in Scotland. However, it can be unpredictable and varies from region to region.

You can expect average lows of around 2 °C in Glasgow in January / February, and highs around 19°C in July / August.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Glasgow, I’d suggest planning a trip in May or June. The weather is warming up, rain is at a minimum and it’s out of peak season, so you shouldn’t be battling any big crowds either. The longest day is around 20th June every year, so it’s a time you can enjoy maximum daylight hours exploring!

I’ve never been a fan of November or January in Scotland. They’re the wettest months of the year and tend to be very bleak. While December can be pretty cold, there’s a Christmas magic which is absolutely lovely!


TOP THINGS TO DO IN GLASGOW

The Mural Trail

As a street art fan, I love that Glasgow has its very own mural trail. You can grab a map or follow the directions on the website, and head off on your own street art tour of the city. It’s one of the best Glasgow tours you can do.

Many of the creations are by Rogue-One, an amazing graffiti artist from Glasgow. I particularly liked ‘Wind Power’, which features a girl blowing a dandelion that transforms into wind turbines.

‘The Barras Pirate’, also created by Rogue One was really impressive, meanwhile it’s hard to miss ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids’ – a huge artwork moments from The Lighthouse.

Honey I Shrunk The Kids mural in Glasgow
Honey I Shrunk The Kids mural in Glasgow
The Barras Pirate, one of Glasgow's murals
Seeing the murals is definitely one of the top things to do in Glasgow (The Barras Pirate mural)
A mural in Glasgow
A mural in Glasgow
Wind Power mural in Glasgow
Wind Power mural in Glasgow

Glasgow Vintage And Flea Market (And Braw Wee Emporium)

Sundays were made for visits to places like this! This weekend market in Glasgow’s East End is housed inside Barras Art and Design, a stunning building with a curved glass roof. Inside is a treasure trove of vintage clothes and nic-nacs, from vinyl to cameras and vases to broaches.

If you visit, be sure to stop by Braw Wee Emporium, a lovely gift shop selling 100% Scottish items. Owner Jennifer recounted how the store had started with just a few items but had really developed and grown in popularity. She was immensely proud of the creative talents in Scotland, and it was a lovely place to pick up some gifts to take home.

Glasgow Vintage And Flea Market
Glasgow Vintage And Flea Market – one of the top things to do in Glasgow

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a worth a visit for the architecture alone. The stunning museum opened all the way back in 1901 and has been a big attraction for tourists and locals ever since. Exhibits are varied, and on my visit included paintings by Rembrandt and Van Gogh, a hanging spitfire, an exhibit about rainforests and one about Glasgow-born artists!

The most photographed feature? The floating heads installation by Sophie Cave. There are over 50, displaying different emotions including laughter and despair. It’s a stunning museum to wander the corridors of, so allow time to take in the architecture, along with the exhibits too.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – one of the top things to do in Glasgow
Exploring Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Exploring Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
 

The Hidden Lane

One of the most creative spots in Glasgow, this colourful area in Finnieston is a real hidden gem! There are around 100 studios tucked away off Argyle Street, with jewellery, illustration, art, baking and more all happening in this fun little hub! You can pop in and watch the creators at work, book a course to learn some new skills or head to the tearoom and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake.

I loved seeing illustrator Libby Walker in action, meticulously detailing her quirky illustrations of places in Scotland. The colourful jewellery at Bonnie Bling was a lot of fun too. It was also wonderful to meet the team at Vanilla Ink, a jewellery company who have been successfully running courses and helping people develop new skills.

Colourful building in The Hidden Lane, Glasgow
Colourful building in The Hidden Lane, Glasgow – a unique place to visit in Glasgow
Illustrator Libby Walker at work in Glasgow's Hidden Lane
Illustrator Libby Walker at work in Glasgow’s Hidden Lane

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

There are plenty of free attractions in the city, and Glasgow Botanic Gardens in the west end is one of them. Step inside and enjoy a wander through the toasty atmosphere, checking out orchids, ferns and other greenery. The Kibble Palace is beautiful inside and out, and definitely worthy of a few snaps for Instagram!

Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens – one of the top things to do in Glasgow
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture and as it was the first public commission completed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, it’s the perfect place to begin a Mackintosh tour of Glasgow. Moments from Buchanan Street (Glasgow’s busy shopping street) it’s a wonderful place to head on a sunny day.

After climbing up one of the most Instagrammable staircases I’ve seen in a while (an amazing spiral creation) I emerged at the top of the tower and enjoyed stunning views of the city. On a clear day you can see for miles! Meanwhile, downstairs there are galleries and exhibitions to check out too.

Views from The Lighthouse, Glasgow
Views from The Lighthouse, Glasgow – one of my top places to visit in Glasgow
Spiral staircase at The Lighthouse, Glasgow
Spiral staircase at The Lighthouse, Glasgow

The Clydeside Distillery

Newly opened, this distillery in the old pumphouse right on the dock in the west end is a fantastic addition to Glasgow’s lengthy history in whisky production.

I headed off on a tour to learn more about the area’s history, the city’s connection with whisky through the ages, and to see some of the machinery at work. Then it was on to the tasting room for a sip of three different Scottish whiskies. The perfect way to get a dose of Scottish spirit before heading home!

Check availability and ticket prices here

The Clydeside Distillery, Glasgow
A tour of the Clydeside Distillery is an interesting way to spend a day in Glasgow

TOP PLACES TO EAT IN GLASGOW

Café Strangebrew

The award for my favourite brunch in Glasgow goes to Café Strangebrew in the city’s Southside. The food is next level, generous and full of flavour. Oh and the coffee is strong, frothy and everything you need to start the day. I’d recommend the chorizo hash with fried eggs. It’s a hearty plate of yumminess!

There were plenty more appetising dishes on the menu including baked eggs with various extras, pancakes and standards like avocado on toast. There’s also a specials board which featured dishes including confit duck leg hash and a BBQ benedict made with ox cheek.

Brunch at Cafe Strangebrew, Glasgow
Brunch at Cafe Strangebrew – definitely one of the top things to do in Glasgow

Wilson Street Pantry

Another lovely spot for brunch, Wilson Street Pantry in Merchant City was heaving when I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon. They have a menu of toasts topped with delicious ingredients.

I went for the avocado and hot smoked salmon with poached eggs, but was very tempted by the parma ham and fig toast too! There’s a lovely vibe in this place, with big tables and lots of chit-chat. The perfect weekend hangout!

Brunch at Wilson Street Pantry, Glasgow
Brunch at Wilson Street Pantry, Glasgow
Wilson Street Pantry, Glasgow
Wilson Street Pantry, Glasgow

Singl-end Café

I was about to leave Glasgow when my friend Amy (Little Magpie), a Glasgow local said “You can’t leave without seeing the cake table at Singl-end” and promptly marched me up the hill!

This café is another buzzy spot, and a great place for brunch, lunch or a cuppa and a slice of cake. She visits regularly because they have plenty for her gluten free diet, plus they also have lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Don’t worry though, this isn’t a super healthy spot!

You can get the most indulgent of cakes and pastries, and yes… she was right – you can’t leave Glasgow without seeing the cake table!

The legendary cake table at Singl-end in Glasgow
The legendary cake table at Singl-end in Glasgow

Hillhead Bookclub

I popped by Hillhead Bookclub while shopping in the West End of Glasgow. It’s a very cool spot, with arcade games, ping pong tables and a relaxed vibe. I tucked into a triple decker vegetarian club sandwich. It was massive, with tasty hummus, mozzarella, pesto and a chickpea fritter inside. While I visited on a quiet Monday afternoon, I’d love to revisit in the evening as I could tell it’d be a great spot for drinks with friends.

The Hanoi Bike Shop

Tasty Vietnamese food in the heart of the city! Tucked down a side street in Glasgow’s West End is The Hanoi Bike Shop. Grab a few friends and head here for cocktails and a million dishes to share. It’s easy to get carried away with their street food menu, and it wasn’t long before we’d totally filled the table with tasty snacks.

We enjoyed the fried squid with chilli and salt, the lemongrass poussin, fried prawns and crispy spring rolls. They also make their own tofu, and while I’d never been a huge tofu lover before, theirs was tasty – slightly sweet and fried with spices. We never made it to the pho menu, but that’s what I’ll try on my next visit!

Dinner at The Hanoi Bike Shop, Glasgow
Dinner at The Hanoi Bike Shop, Glasgow

Brel Bar

Wandering Ashton Lane at night has to be on your Glasgow to do list. It’s so magical, with its cobble stones and fairy lights. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the street, but we headed to Brel Bar – a cool cocktail bar and restaurant. There’s a huge garden out the back (perfect for warmer months) but we settled inside near the cosy fire and… more fairy lights!

Walking down Ashton Lane, Glasgow at night
Walking down Ashton Lane, Glasgow at night – one of the top things to do in Glasgow
Brel Bar on Ashton Lane, Glasgow at night
Brel Bar on Ashton Lane, Glasgow at night

The Willow Tea Rooms

One of the best ways to appreciate the design genius of Glasgow’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh is to head for tea in Willow Tea Rooms. There are two sites to visit, but I headed to the one on Buchanan Street and enjoyed breakfast downstairs, before venturing up to the incredible blue Chinese Room for a coffee. It’s an absolute must-do in the city! Along with the beautiful décor in the blue room, I loved the chairs – such icons in the city, some with high backs, other with geometric cut outs.

Chinese Tea Room at Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow
Visiting the Chinese Tea Room at Willow Tea Rooms is one of the top things to do in Glasgow

The Dockyard Social

If you love street food as much as me, you’ll love this amazing Glasgow food market. The Dockyard Social currently runs every other weekend (no doubt that will increase soon as it growns in popularity) and once inside the warehouse venue, you’re faced with the challenge of choosing between tasty fish tacos, spicy sushi, pizza, katsu curry, indian snacks and more!

There were ten vendors when I visited, but they change regularly, so you could never get bored.  You can’t visit and NOT try a bubble waffle. They’re as messy, naughty and indulgent as they look.

The Dockyard Social, Glasgow
A unique place to eat in Glasgow – The Dockyard Social

It was also great to meet the guys behind this project, who have heart-warming plans of transforming the area by opening a training kitchen for homeless and those living in poverty. I wish them the best of luck, it would be an amazing addition to the community in that area of Glasgow.

The Dockyard, Glasgow
The Dockyard Social, Glasgow
The Dockyard, Glasgow
The Dockyard Social, Glasgow
The Dockyard, Glasgow
The Dockyard Social – one of my favourite places to eat in Glasgow
Click here to find out the top places to stay in Glasgow, for all budgets. 

I stayed at the Apex Hotel, a stylish city centre hotel that provided a great base for my time exploring the city.  If you’re wondering where to stay in Glasgow, check out my guide here

I visited Glasgow in partnership with peoplemakeglasgow.com as part of the #NextStopGlasgow campaign. As always, all opinions are my own.

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With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

5 thoughts on “Top Things To Do In Glasgow: A First Timers Guide”

  1. I worked in Glasgow Kings theatre for some time, people were so welcoming, Glasgow has such a vibe!. You never feel alone there like i have experienced in other major cities. Great Place, Fantastic people.

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