Top Things To Do In Glasgow: A First Timers Guide

From brunch spots and museums, to the coolest shopping areas, these are the top things to do in Glasgow, perfect for your first trip.

Helloooo my wee pals! I’ve just returned from a brilliant trip to Glasgow. While I’m sure a few more of you have been to Edinburgh rather than the big G, I’m happy to say I loved it. If I were to describe it in two words, I’d say it was surprising and underrated.

The biggest surprise… well, just how beautiful Glasgow is! I marvelled at stunning Victorian architecture, its 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.

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.

Oh, and let me tell you about 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 the city’s food scene before visiting, but I’m assuming the locals were trying to keep it a secret.

Finally, I must mention the people. Glasgwegians are SO friendly. I find that Londoners are so busy, so stuck in their phones and seem stressed. In Glasgow, people actually stop for a chat. I had people offering to help me with my luggage and one guy even went out of his way to show me the best viewpoint of Glasgow Cathedral. There’s a real warmth to the city as a whole. I can’t recommend it enough.

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.

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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.

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 too.

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!

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The Very Best 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.

Visit one of Glasgow’s markets

Weekends were made for mooching around Glasgow’s markets. I liked the market inside the 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.

However, depending on your plans, there are several great markets in the city to choose from…

• Merchant Square Market
  A charming city-centre courtyard hosting craft and design stalls. You’ll find locally produced handmade jewellery, candles, cards, art and photography
• Park Lane Market
  Held on the 1st, 2nd, and last Sundays of each month in the city’s southside. Expect second-hand fashion, homemade bread, food stalls, and live music in a quirky lane setting.
• The Barras
  Glasgow’s iconic east-end market bursting with character and variety. You’ll find fashion, furniture, antiques, art, and plenty of banter. I really enjoyed this one.
• Farmers Markets
  A rotating selection of seasonal produce and local street food. Held alternately on Saturdays in Partick (West End) and Shawlands (Southside).
• The Railyard Farmers Market
  Adjacent to Kelvingrove Park, this weekly market sells slow food, local gifts, and traditional live music in a relaxed setting.
• The Forge Market
  East End’s largest indoor, purpose-built market, open Thursdays through Sundays. Over 80 stalls offering goods, services and produce.
• Govan’s Saturday Market
  A lively southside market on Saturdays, featuring clothing and fresh produce stalls. There’s often a car boot sale nearby too.
• Sloans Market
  Running Saturdays and Sundays on Sloans Lane (between Buchanan Street and Argyle Street), this market showcases independent Scottish traders offering bespoke jewellery, unique food items, clothing, and more.
• Partick Farmers Market (Mansfield Park)
  A popular West End market on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, featuring over 40 producers, music, samples, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Finnieston Food Market
  Opens on the 3rd Sunday of each month in the trendy Finnieston area. This one is great for foodies exploring this vibrant neighbourhood.

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.

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 local artist Libby Walker in action, meticulously detailing her quirky illustrations of places in Scotland. Sadly, she’s now moved on, but there are lots of other amazing creators you’ll see hard at work.

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!

Visit the Riverside Museum and Glasgow Tower

This striking museum of transport history is housed in a Zaha Hadid-designed building. It’s really impressive, both inside and out, and features over 3,000 exhibits. There’s everything from vintage cars, to retro buses, boats and motorbikes. As you can probably imagine, it’s as popular with young kids as adults!

Just next door, you can visit the Glasgow Tower for amazing panoramic views over Glasgow. It’s the tallest fully rotating freestanding structure in the world.

The Lighthouse

Please note, when I last checked The Lighthouse was closed temporarily – check before you visit!

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.

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!

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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.

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!

Singl-end Café

I was about to leave Glasgow when my friend Amy, 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!

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.

Ha Noi Pho

Tasty Vietnamese food in the heart of the city! Grab a few friends and head here for cocktails and a million dishes to share. It’s easy to get carried away with the tasty menu, and it wasn’t long before we’d totally filled the table!

We enjoyed the fried squid with chilli and salt, the lemongrass salad, fried prawns and crispy spring rolls. We never made it to the pho menu, but that’s what I’ll try on my next visit!

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!

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.

The Dockyard Social

If you love street food as much as me, you’ll love this amazing Glasgow food market. The Dockyard Social is open every weekend, 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 around ten vendors when I visited, but they change regularly, so you could never get bored. I spotted they’ve got baos, pizza, gyros and ice cream among the vendors currently.

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.

Michelin Starred Dining in Glasgow

If you’re looking for somewhere in Glasgow for an extra special dining experience, the city proudly boasts two restaurants that have been awarded coveted Michelin stars. Both offer something unique, combining world-class culinary talent with Scotland’s incredible natural larder.

Cail Bruich – Tucked away in the West End, Cail Bruich has become a true destination restaurant under the leadership of Chef Lorna McNee. It was the first Glasgow restaurant in nearly two decades to win a Michelin star, and it’s easy to see why!

The menus celebrate Scotland’s seasons, with dishes that feel both refined and deeply connected to the landscape. You’ll find locally foraged herbs, fresh game, and the finest produce from nearby farms on the menu.

Unalome by Graeme Cheevers – Located near Kelvingrove Park, Unalome brings a modern, stylish flair to Glasgow’s dining scene. Chef Graeme Cheevers, who earned the restaurant its star within a year of opening, draws inspiration from contemporary European cuisine while letting Scottish ingredients shine.

Expect delicate plates such as hand-dived Orkney scallops, North Sea cod, and inventive tasting menus that balance sophistication with bold, memorable flavours.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the best things to do in Glasgow. Have an amazing trip!

If you’re looking for hotels for your trip, don’t miss my detailed guide to where to stay in Glasgow. There are options for all budgets. 

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