Glasgow Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Posted Jan 12, 2023

Glasgow is a Scottish city known for its shipbuilding history, rich culture, and spectacular architecture. As the largest city in the country, Glasgow is no stranger to tourists. Many people flock to the metropolis each year for both leisure and business purposes.

The city showcases some of the best Scotland has to offer and is one of those places that caters to everyone. From beautiful art galleries and educational museums to iconic tourist attractions and nights on the town, Glasgow will not disappoint. The residents of the city are extremely friendly and it’s easy to immerse yourself in local life.

5 Best Ways to Experience Glasgow in 2024

Glasgow is an underrated city with a lot to offer visitors. Once you’ve seen the main attractions of the Scottish metropolis, you’ll probably find you want to dive a little deeper. The following tours can help you do just that. Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Glasgow and get ready to see a lesser-known side to this fascinating town.

Best distillery tour — Wester Distillery

If you’re a whiskey fan, you can’t visit Scotland without learning more about the country’s most famous export. And even if you don’t know much about whiskey, Glasgow is the perfect place to learn. Take a tour of the Wester Distillery in Glasgow and see how spirits are made. Wester makes more than just whiskey, too. You’ll also find an eclectic selection of rums here. Best of all, you’ll get to sample the product for yourself and learn all about the best way to enjoy their products in cocktails. A bottle of one of their unique products makes the perfect gift for folks back home. Contact Wester at hello@westerdistillery.com or 44 (0)77670019469.

Best walking tour - Walking Tours in Glasgow

Glasgow is such a walkable city, and getting around on foot lets you burn up some calories while learning more about the town. Walking Tours in Glasgow can show you all the city’s top sights and fill you in on the stories behind them. Custom tours let you learn about the impact of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh on the city, or see a more modern form of art with a Street Art tour. If you really want to get to grips with the city, you could even take a private tour that explores the darker side of Glasgow’s history. Book a tour at walkingtoursinglasgow@gmail.com or 44 141 474 0746.

Best Music Tour - Glasgow Music City

Glasgow has a proud heritage of musical excellence and exploring it will give you a unique view of the city. Music fans won’t want to miss this tour that takes in the Music Mile and some of the prestigious music venues in the city. To balance things out, you’ll also visit underground clubs to get a glimpse of the grassroots music scene in the city. Alternatively, bagpipe fans can explore the best venues for traditional Scottish music in Glasgow. Whichever you choose, these tours are a great way to learn about places most tourists never get to see and give you a list of places worth visiting for later. Contact Glasgow Music City at info@glasgowmusiccitytours.com or 44 1315582715.

Best day trips — Alba Experiences

Glasgow itself has tons to offer visitors, but if you want to explore more of the surrounding area, Alba Experiences is the company to call. They can take you on day trips outside the city or even multi-day excursions that let you really immerse yourself in Scottish history and culture. The knowledgeable guide James will make sure you know everything you need to about the historic forces that have shaped this part of the world. They also offer photography tours to make sure you get plenty of shots of an unforgettable trip. Contact them at james@albaexperiences.com or 44 7446228213.

Best personalized tour — Ecotour Scotland

For those who want a truly unique experience, Ecotour Scotland allows you to completely customize their tours to see more of what you want and less of what you don’t. Head out to explore the lakes and lochs of Western Scotland, or see locations made famous by the Harry Potter series. Whether you’re intrigued by history or wild about nature, these custom tours can help you tailor your experience to exactly what you want to see. Contact Ecotour Scotland at Luke@ecotourscotland.com or 44 (0) 7903 000 739.

A weekend in Glasgow

If you arrive in Glasgow for a short trip, you’ll quickly realize that two days is not nearly enough in this vibrant city. That being said, you can absolutely put together an itinerary that ticks off the major attractions and gives you a taste of this destination.

Just remember that you’ll want to take advantage of every second in Glasgow if you have limited time. Use Bounce luggage storage service in Glasgow so that you don’t waste any time stuck with your bags while waiting for a late check-in or perhaps your flight.

We’ve put together some suggestions of must-see attractions that you’ll want to add to your itinerary for a weekend in Glasgow. These are also great ideas for business travelers or people who are passing through the city as part of a longer vacation.

Riverside Museum - As a port city, Glasgow’s history is rooted in boating. This museum offers an informative view of the evolution of the city with some fantastic ship displays.
George Square - This public square is a must-see when in Glasgow. Offering exceptional shopping opportunities, the square often hosts events and markets that you will definitely want to check out when in town. There’s also plenty of places to grab a bite to eat.
Glasgow Cathedral - This cathedral boasts intricate medieval architecture that will have you mesmerized. Make sure to check out the impressive stained glass windows.

Glasgow Lockers

There’s nothing more frustrating for a traveler than being stuck with your luggage. You arrive in a new destination and all you want to do is explore, but your check-in isn’t for a few hours. Bounce offers a solution so you never have to be inconvenienced again. This bag storage service in Glasgow will store your belongings in a secure environment while you head out into the city. Then, you pick them up when it suits you. It’s really that easy!

Off the beaten path in Glasgow

Looking to get off the beaten path in Glasgow? There are plenty of hidden gems that will provide you with a unique perspective of this diverse city. If you are willing to veer away from the well-trodden paths and tourist haunts, you will be rewarded!

Ashton Lane - A favorite amongst locals, this lane is often overlooked by tourists. With quaint cobblestones and endless charm, it’s a real shame that more people don’t know about this one. Head to Ashton Lane for a wander and a cafe meal.
Tchai Ovna - It’s no secret that the Scottish love their tea and there’s no better place to try some of the country’s best brew than Tchai Ovna. This cafe offers an extensive range of tea accompanied by a vegan and vegetarian menu.
Kibble Palace - Many visitors take a walk through Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens, but they quite often miss Kibble Palace. Make sure that you aren’t one of these people - this impressive greenhouse is worth a visit!

What to do alone in Glasgow

Glasgow is no stranger to solo travelers. With a range of backpacker-style accommodation, a friendly atmosphere, and an endless array of interesting activities, it is no wonder that the city is a popular choice with those traveling independently. Bounce even has luggage storage lockers in Glasgow so that you can check your bags into a secure facility while you explore if you have nobody to watch them.

For some ideas on things to do alone in Glasgow, check out our list.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Sometimes art and museums are best appreciated alone. This impressive museum houses a huge amount of exhibitions that will keep you entertained for hours.
Glasgow University - Are you a Harry Potter fan? Glasgow University should be top of your list. It was used as a location for filming the movies so you’ll definitely recognize some areas.
Buchanan Street - If you feel like indulging in some retail therapy, head to Buchanan Street. It offers a diverse range of stores so you’re guaranteed to find what you are looking for.

The best souvenirs in Glasgow

If you are looking to purchase some gifts or perhaps a token of your trip for yourself, you’ll want to head to the best souvenir shops in town. The Gallery of Modern Art has an excellent gift shop where you can find unique Scottish items to take home, while the gift shop at Glasgow School of Art is another good option. Alternatively, head to Tartan Plus for all things tartan. After all, nothing says Scotland more than this print!