Before visiting Glasgow, I have to admit something slightly embarrassing: I had completely underestimated it.

I’d always thought of Glasgow as Scotland’s working city—the practical, industrial counterpart to Edinburgh’s pretty streets and tourist crowds.

Then I spent a week there with my husband and our three children.

We explored a different part of the city every day, and somehow, each one surprised us.

From Gothic architecture that made us feel like we’d wandered into Hogwarts, to world-class museums, hidden green spaces, street art, brilliant food—and even a swimming spot I almost don’t want to share—Glasgow completely changed my mind.

If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to do in Glasgow, I’ve narrowed down the five sights and experiences I enjoyed most, along with the practical tips I wish I’d known before we arrived.

Things to Do in Glasgow Scotland – My Experience

For this guide, I thought id put together a list of my favourite activities in Glasgow. On one hand there’s sightseeing: museums, tours and landmarks you can’t miss. On the other hand, there’s the atmosphere; the part that is most enjoyed in and around the many eateries, coffee shops and bars in its neighbourhoods.

‘Working Life’ that I referred to earlier in the blog is such a big part of Glasgow, this list is a mix. You’ll find classic spots here, but also some activities that make the city what it is.

This list is not exhaustive, and does not include every single museum and landmark in Glasgow, it is simply a compilation of my favourite highlights.

1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks. If you’ve researched places to visit on Social Media, you’ll no doubt have seen the iconic floating heads piece in the central atrium of the ‘Expression’ part of the building.

We spent the best part of a day in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The museum is split into two halves: ‘Life’ and ‘Expression’. ‘Life’ really captivated the kids’ attention for a couple of hours, learning facts about animals from around the world.

For me, ‘Expression’ was what made me stop and take some time. A real mix of Art from around the world, from different genres and historic periods meant this Art Gallery had a little something for everyone to enjoy. There was a Barbie Exhibition on while we were there, but check out the website before you go to see what is on before you travel.

One thing I’d recommend is timing your visit for the 1 pm organ recital in the centre of the building. It gets busy in the atrium during this time, so if you’d like to watch from the atrium, I recommend getting there 15 minutes early to get a seat.

Top Tip: The art gallery empties out at 1 pm as most people go to see the recital. However, you can still hear the music from the art gallery. So if, like me, you like to get lost in thought looking at artwork, I suggest hanging back in the gallery at 1 pm to enjoy the music and space in peace.

2. Visit the University of Glasgow

Right around the corner from Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is one of my favourite spots around the city of Glasgow. Its Gilmore campus is compact, right in the centre of the West End, bordering Kelvingrove Park.

I shouldn’t have really been surprised given the rich architectural presence of the West End, but somehow I wasn’t expecting to feel like I was in Hogwarts in the centre of Glasgow!

So, if you want an abundance of architecture, then this is the place to be. Its striking Gothic Revival architecture was never actually featured in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, but you can certainly believe the rumours when you wander beneath the soaring spires.

After our initial visit, I made sure we walked through the campus at least a couple more times to take in the beauty. It was very close to where we stayed in the West End, so luckily this was never too much of a detour!

Top Tip: Don’t forget to look up! Both in the cloisters and beneath the arches.

3. Explore Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow has a lot of green space to choose from if you are craving a fix of Mother Nature. Out of them all, my favourite was the Botanic Gardens. These compact gardens are just off the Great Western Road and are a welcome escape from the urban chaos outside.

At the centre of the gardens are two glasshouses full with space to explore. Adults and kids alike will love walking amongst the giant palms and learning about species from around the world. Personally, I love the history of the Botanic Gardens and love picturing the gentry of generations gone by enjoying the spaces too.

If you are visiting Glasgow in the summer and want to mix a trip to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens with some culture, then I can highly recommend getting a ticket to Bard in the Botanics. This is a seasonal celebration of Shakespeare marked by performances in and around the glasshouses throughout July & August each year. Depending on the venue, you will need to bring a chair along or be prepared to hire a stool.

So if atmospheric theatre is your thing, then this must be up there with one of the best experiences!

4. Follow the Glasgow Mural Trail

The Glasgow Mural Trail is a celebration of street art around the City of Glasgow. The trail is documented on the Mural Website, and is a self-guided walking tour around the city centre. We did this on foot, but I would actually have really loved to have done it on Voi bikes.

What is really clever about this Glasgow City Council initiative is that it adds charm and intrigue to the not-so-pretty buildings of the city. So even when you’ve left the historic quarter, you still find yourself looking up and marvelling at the buildings, for a totally different reason!

We followed the mural trail in non-numerical order starting at the Kingston Underpass. Obviously it would be rude not to stop along the route for some refreshments in the city centre. Why every city doesn’t adorn its buildings with artwork is a mystery to me!

Lets celebrate our local artists, add colour to otherwise tired looking buildings, and celebrate art. Well done Glasgow City Council!

Explore Glasgow’s Food Scene

Okay, technically food isn’t a Glasgow “sight”—but I’d be doing the city a huge disservice if I left it out.

One of the things I loved most about Glasgow was its food scene. It’s independent, a little edgy and full of places that feel like they’ve been discovered rather than designed for tourists.

Whether you’re after a five-star brunch and matcha on Great Western Road, fresh pasta in Cresswell Lane, Michelin-starred food in Finnieston or cocktails and a late night around Ashton Lane, there’s something for every mood.

We stayed in the West End, so naturally most of our favourite places were within easy reach.

For coffee and a sweet treat, Pasteis Lisboa near Glasgow University became a firm favourite. Their pastel de nata are genuinely worth stopping for—and don’t blame me if one turns into two!

For dinner, Ubiquitous Chip on Ashton Lane was one of the experiences that really summed up Glasgow for me. From the outside, it looks like an old-fashioned bar. Inside, it feels like you’ve walked into a rainforest. The food was excellent, but the setting made it memorable.

And if you’re a pasta lover, put Sugo Pasta on your list. We visited their West End location, and there’s something reassuring about a restaurant that knows exactly what it’s good at. The menu is focused, the pasta is excellent and it was exactly the kind of relaxed meal we wanted after a day exploring the city.

The best part? You don’t necessarily need to plan every meal in advance. Some of our favourite Glasgow food experiences came from simply wandering around the West End, spotting somewhere that looked good and stopping for a coffee, drink or bite to eat.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Glasgow, don’t just think about the museums and landmarks. Leave some room in your itinerary for the city’s food scene too.

You might find that it’s one of the things you remember most.

The Glasgow Swimming Spot I Nearly Kept Secret

I’m reluctant to share this spot on the blog because it’s a 150-year-old private members’ club in the heart of Glasgow’s West End, open only to members and their guests. You could very easily walk straight past the building without ever realising what lies behind its historic walls.

So, consider this an education piece rather than a recommendation for an accessible public swimming spot.

The Western Baths Club, Glasgow

If you’re lucky enough to know a member, you may get the chance to experience the club’s sporting facilities—and, quite frankly, the most unique swimming pool and Turkish Baths I’ve ever visited.

The swimming pool feels like something from another era. Original trapezes and swinging hoops hang above the water, allowing swimmers to practise their agility skills high above the pool. For my kids, it was completely irresistible. There was something wonderfully old-fashioned about being able to climb, swing and take the occasional plunge into the water below.

The whole building feels like stepping back in time, but nowhere more so than the Turkish Baths.

Access alternates between male and female members depending on the day, and inside you’ll find a plunge pool, warm room and, my personal favourite, the reading room.

It’s an extraordinary space: an atrium-style hall with chairs, changing cubicles and large wooden tables covered with newspapers. Rather than feeling like a modern leisure centre, it feels like you’ve stumbled into a piece of Glasgow’s social history.

And that’s exactly what made it so memorable.

It wasn’t just the swimming. It was the feeling of discovering a completely different side of Glasgow—one that most visitors would never know was there.

For obvious reasons, I didn’t take any photographs inside the building, but Soo Burnell has captured the Baths beautifully in a series of poolside shots. Soo is a fine art photographer whose work beautifully captures the history and character of the building.

One important note: this isn’t a public swimming pool, so you can’t simply turn up and swim. Access is restricted to members and their guests.

FAQs About What to Do in Glasgow

What are the best things to do in Glasgow?

Glasgow is packed with things to do, whether its exploring museums, doing a walking tour or wandering the West for some independent eateries. You’ll never run out of things to fill your days here.

What are the best things to do in Glasgow with kids?

Id say the Riverside Museum is the best sight to see with kids in the city of Glasgow. I have included this in my 5 Things to do in Glasgow with Kids Blog. Alongside this, scooting and rollerblading along Kelvingrove Park’s wide boulevards is such a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Is Glasgow worth visiting?

Yes! Don’t overlook Glasgow for a Scottish trip. Its raw, edgy and oozing with history and culture.

What are the best free things to do in Glasgow?

Quite a lot! Kelvingrove, Glasgow University, the Botanic Gardens and the Mural Trail can all be explored without paying an entrance fee.

Final Thoughts on the Best Activities in Glasgow

This guide on my favourite things to do in Glasgow is just a tiny portion of what the city has to offer. You could keep coming back and still have things to see.

5 Best Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland: My Favourite Sights & Secret Swimming Spot