There’s a particular buzz around Glasgow this year, as Scotland’s largest city prepares to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games from 23 July to 2 August. But international athletic events aside, there’s always plenty of exciting activities taking place across Glasgow year-round. Here are the 15 best things to do in Glasgow, from local markets, music and watering holes to hands-on family activities, world-class museums and even the city’s very own distillery.
1. Take a walking tour
One of the best things to do in Glasgow is simply stroll through it; the city center and West End is wonderfully walkable, and giving time to see it on foot is ultimately rewarding. See the iconic George Square and its monuments, sight of its world-class museums, and lay eyes on gothic Glasgow Cathedral (plus so much more).
When you travel with us, our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Glasgow will take you on a striking street art on a walking tour with a Local Specialist. Start your walk at The Clutha, a much-loved pub supporting young people through the Clutha Trust. Discover stories of shipbuilding, comedy, creativity and community as you pass powerful murals across the city.
2. Glasgow Cathedral
Seeing Glasgow Cathedral is to see the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 intact, giving us a stunning example of Scottish gothic architecture. Built in the 1100s, it sits where St. Mungo founded the city, it features a 13th-century crypt where you’ll find St. Mungo’s tomb, a striking green-copper roof, and a stunning collection of post-war stained glass. If history hasn’t got you hooked, then its use as the filming location for Guillermo del Toro’s star-studded Frankenstein movie might. Another perk? Entry is free.
3. Clydeside Distillery
Glasgow has its very own Scotch whisky distillery, The Clydeside Distillery. It’s unusual to see a whisky distillery in the heart of a city, but Clydeside sits (perhaps unsurprisingly) on the banks of the River Clyde. When it opened in 2017, it was the first single malt Scotch whisky distillery in the city for over 100 years. When you travel to Glasgow with us, you’ll be treated to a tour and a whisky tasting, sampling their delicious liquid as you learn of Clydeside’s fascinating history with views over the river.
4. Glasgow Women’s Library
Glasgow Women’s Library isn’t just a lending library – it’s also the only Accredited Museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements. Housed in a historic former public library building, you can explore collections and exhibitions from Suffragette memorabilia and 1930s dress making patterns to rare 1970s Scottish Women’s Liberation newsletters. Look out for any events or workshops taking place during your visit, such as their guided walks through the city.
5. Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow is famous for its dark, gothic architecture – but its plentiful green spaces (over 90 of them) are a welcome balance to its grey streets, earning the city the nickname. One of the most iconic is Glasgow Botanic Gardens, sprawling over 50 acres of leafy parkland in the West End. The Kibble Palace glasshouse is a highlight, made with iron and glass and home to an impressive collection of tropical species, tree ferns, and carnivorous plants. If you have time, explore the self-led Heritage Trail throughout the grounds.
6. Catch a ceilidh
Discover an alternative evening out and take part in a ceilidh to experience a lively part of local Scottish culture. One of the city’s most famous venues is Sloans, which hosts a ceilidh every Friday night in the Grand Ballroom. With a live in-house ceilidh band and the chance to win prizes for the best jig, it’s always a night to remember. Of course, there are plenty more venues where you can move your feet. Ask your Travel Director or locals you meet on your trip for their favorite ceilidh spots – just don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!
7. Explore local markets
Soak up the local atmosphere and perhaps secure a souvenir or two at one of Glasgow’s markets. Taking in place in the West End every Saturday and Sunday, the world-famous Barras market is the perfect place to hunt for treasures from vintage clothing to antique nick-nacks, and great Scottish produce. Many stallholders come from families with a trading background spanning three or four generations, and the market itself has a history dating back over 100 years.
Other popular markets include Park Lane Market, taking place on the first, second and last Sunday of the month, selling vintage clothes, homemade produce, jewelry and more, and The Rail Yard, a weekly farmers market held in the old Kelvinbridge railway yard each Saturday offering baked goods, gifts and local crafts.
8. Enjoy a dram
Enjoying a wee dram in one of the city’s cozy whisky bars is certainly one of the best things to do in Glasgow. Learn about Scotland’s national drink from knowledgeable bartenders while soaking up the atmosphere of a classic Scottish boozer. Fan favorites include the Pot Still, featuring over 1,000 whiskies, the Bon Accord, with a knowledgeable team behind the bar, and the Ben Nevis, set in an old-school pub with regular live music.
9. Tall Ship & Riverside Museum
If you’re visiting Glasgow, it’s well worth brushing up on its fascinating maritime history. A trip down to Pointhouse Quay at the junction of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde takes you to the Tall Ship, one of the last few remaining ships out of the hundreds that were built here. Step aboard the restored 1896 ship and explore interactive exhibits, the captain’s cabin and crew quarters – a particularly fun, interactive day our for families.
It’s located directly next to the Step off the ship and enter the Riverside Museum (formerly known as The Transport Museum), an architectural wonder and purpose-built museum created to house the city’s fabulous transport and technology collections, documenting Glasgow’s global contributions to shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering industries.
10. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is often cited as one of the best things to do in Glasgow, not least because it’s one of Europe’s most well-regarded, eclectic civic collections, but as it’s also completely free. Inside the 1901 Spanish Baroque building, there are 22 themed galleries and 8,000 exhibits, ranging from art to natural history – from dinosaurs to Dali, and even Barbie. Look out for Sir Roger the Elephant, a taxidermy from 1900 towering at 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) tall.
11. Grab a coffee
While whisky might be the first drink you think of when it comes to Glasgow, it also has a rich history of coffee culture which dates back to the 17th century – thanks to the city’s port location.
While they began more as social spaces and less about artisan coffee, throughout the 19th century they became more sophisticated, gradually leading to the specialty coffee scene thriving in Glasgow today. One of the best places to experience the old-school coffee shops of the 1900s is the Willow Tea Rooms, opened by Art Nouveau artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1903 – though there are countless more modern cafes on every corner, many of which sell their own beans for you to take home as a memento.
12. University of Glasgow
You needn’t be a student to wander through the University of Glasgow’s historic campus. It’s open to the public and even offers guided historical tours led by students. The university was founded in 1451, and its beautiful Gothic architecture is transportive – both back in time, and to fantasy worlds reminiscent of Hogwarts, particularly in the cloisters. Though they weren’t used in the Harry Potter movies, they have been used for many other movies and TV shows, including Outlander.
It’s also home to the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, the oldest museum in Scotland and home to artworks by artists including Rembrandt and Rubens. Architecture buffs will be in for an extra treat, as Mackintosh House is also found on campus. The beautifully preserved Victorian home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is decorated with interiors replicated very close to the originals, while also containing many of his original furniture and works.
13. Live music
Glasgow was recognized as a UNESCO City of Music and Scotland’s music capital in 2008, hosting around 130 music events each week – so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something to enjoy while you’re there. Whether you’re after intimate gigs, traditional Scottish music, or even opera or orchestra, take a look at what’s on in this vibrant city during your visit (and you can always ask your Travel Director for their local tips).
14. Glasgow Mural Trail
Glasgow is a brilliantly creative city, and the Glasgow Mural Trail is a beautiful, interactive way to explore its artistic DNA. Initiated in 2008, the street murals were produced to rejuvenate streets, buildings and vacant sites that had deteriorated over the years, reincarnating them as works of public street art. The whole trail covers around 4.5 miles (7.2km), so allow around 3-4 hours to explore it at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops along the way. Find a map of the full Mural Trail here.
15. Glasgow Science Centre
For an interactive day out and something for every age, head to the Glasgow Science Centre. Watch science experiments in action at the Science Theatre, and choose from three floors of interactive activities: ‘Explore!’, for hands-on X; ‘Powering the Future’ focused on energy sources; and ‘Bodyworks’, covering everything from DNA to cardiovascular activity. For an additional fee, the planetarium is a firm favorite with plenty of shows to choose from.
Discover the best things to do in Glasgow with our Travel Directors and Local Specialists on our incredible Scotland tours.