As much as I enjoyed my visit to Glasgow, the average tourist doesn’t really need to spend a lot of time there. Not unless you want to do a really deep dive. But it’s still a great launching point for any Scottish vacation and a decent intro to the Scottish way of life. After all, this city is home to half of Scotland’s entire population. That being said, don’t step on the locals’ toes while traveling! You’re only spending one day in Glasgow, so be respectful of local customs and the like. (Except drinking the complementary whisky. Much like Cotton-Eyed Joe, no one knows where it came from or where it will go.)
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Where To Stay in Glasgow
We stayed in a hotel on George Square during our visit to Glasgow, which is probably your best bet in terms of convenience. So for that reason, I’d recommend the Maldron Hotel Glasgow City. It has great staff and a subdued, modern design. It’s nice and relaxing after a full day of sightseeing. Definitely much better than having your eyes assaulted with the BTW DID YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN SCOTLAND tartan tile I’ve seen in other hotels.
PHOTO CREDITS: MALDRON HOTEL GLASGOW CITY VIA HOTELS.COM
PLANNING A TRIP TO GLASGOW SOON?
Below are some of the best tours, hotels, and more to kickstart your plans!
Popular Tours & Activities in Glasgow:
- Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting
- Glasgow Ghouls, Ghosts and Gruesome Tales Tour
- City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Top Places to Stay in Glasgow:
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If You Only Have One Day in Glasgow, Do These Things
If you only have one day in Glasgow, you’ll need to balance old cathedrals, street art, museums, food, and pubs without completely exhausting yourself before sunset. Luckily, most of the city’s best spots are easy to connect in one chaotic but very fun day.
Use the map below to plot your route through Glasgow’s gritty streets, historic corners, and dangerously tempting bars.
A Scottish Breakfast at Stravaigin
If you’re staying at one of my recommended hotels, then you’ll need to stop at a restaurant to get the day started right. And for that, I’d suggest Stravaigin. It has the perfect traditional Scottish vibe, with wooden beams crisscrossing overhead and exposed stone walls within arm’s reach of your table. The menu is also spot-on if you want the full Scottish brunch experience, at least on weekends. For the rest of the week, they have a nice offering of burgers, fish, and other pub classics.
If that’s not your style, try Café Gandolfi instead, which offers an English breakfast many say is the best in the city. If you’re an American like me and always wondered what black pudding tastes like, this café-bar will satisfy your curiosity.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Morning Stroll through a Cathedral
After breakfast, head off to the Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis. The Cathedral itself was actually three different cathedrals built one on top of the other, with the earliest bits dating back to the 12th century. Utter insanity, that you can walk into something so old. My personal favorite was the underground chapel – it just oozed with mystery, and having that low ceiling over me gave me a thrill.
Once in the Necropolis, you have to look around a bit for the right path. Don’t copy our mistake and step on old gravestones, thinking they’re a stone path! The real path is paved and leads up the hill to some awesome views of both the mausoleums and the city itself.
Next, you can wander around the neighborhood to see some Glasgow street art. The area might seem a little sketchy at first, but it’s a city college area. So, you know. Probably safe. And even if you do get mugged, I’d say the street art is worth it.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Lunch at Buchanan Street
Head west to Buchanan Street, famed for its shopping and eye-popping beauty. The buildings are old but in great shape, with lots of amazing detailing here and there. You’ll also have your pick of restaurants along the way for lunch. Personally, I’d recommend Waxy O’Connor’s, an Irish pub with a rustic, woodland-esque interior and indoor balcony. It’s a bit of a maze inside, but the atmosphere and food are top-notch. Quick warning, though: their festive vegan burger, while tasty, is not vegan. Just vegetarian.
Luckily, Glasgow is overflowing with restaurants of all sorts, from Suissi Vegan Kitchen (which is genuinely vegan) to Indian to Asian cuisines, so you’re bound to find something to suit your diet. And if not, you can always drink your hunger away. Pretty sure there are more bars and pubs than restaurants.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Spend the Afternoon at Kelvingrove Art Gallery
If you have any interest at all in the arts or culture, a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a must. The building itself is already a work of architectural art, but the wide variety of exhibits guarantees a fantastic time with tons to see. The interactive exhibits also ensure a fun time for kids, if you have any with you. There’s even a free guided tour, so you don’t have to break the bank to learn a bit more about Scotland’s art and culture.
Afterward, swing by the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, if only to take a picture of the building’s unique exterior. It’s like the greenhouse version of the Taj Mahal.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Wind Down on Ashton Lane
Ashton Lane is a fairly short alley, but it’s also the perfect place to wind down after a full day of sightseeing. I mean, you could go during the day, too, but at night, you’ll be able to walk under the fairy lights strung over the sidewalk. If you’re around at the right time of year, you might even catch one of two seasonal street parties held on the lane. Warning, though: it gets super crowded during the street parties. The rest of the year, though, it’s lively without getting too wild.
Ashton Lane also has plenty of places to eat, with tons of variety. You can have curry, fondue, ramen, or traditional Scottish fare. And if you’re tired after your long day, you can catch a movie at the Grosvenor Picture Theater and take a rest on one of their comfy sofa chairs.
PHOTO CREDIT: DepositPhotos.com
Why Glasgow Is Scotland’s Most Underrated City
Glasgow has a way of sneaking up on people. One minute you’re planning a one-day itinerary for a quick stop, and the next you’re stuffing your itinerary with fantastic free things to do and ending the night several drinks deep at one of the city’s thrilling rooftop bars or authentic cocktail bars.
It’s gritty, loud, creative, and wildly underrated in the best possible way. Honestly, if Edinburgh is Scotland in a pressed blazer, Glasgow is Scotland ripping shots and dragging you onto the dance floor.
