One Day in Glasgow, Scotland (Best Things To Do in 2024!)
Set aside the river Clyde in the west of Scotland, Glasgow is often overlooked in favour of the capital Edinburgh. A former trade and maritime hub, its historical and cultural gems are not displayed as obviously as those in its more famous counterpart. However, scratch the surface, and you’ll learn many fascinating stories about Glasgow’s history, art and vibrant culture.
In Glasgow, historic museums tempt visitors with art collections by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, streets are adorned with colourful murals, and the shopping opportunities and eclectic restaurants are as diverse as the city’s demographic.
Glasgow is also home to some of the proudest, friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Don’t be surprised to engage in ‘banter’ (witty chat) with a stranger in the street, or to be joined for a ‘wee dram’ (small whisky) in a bar.
Should you decide to spend 1 day in Glasgow, you’ll be greeted with dynamic communities, lush parks, and a wealth of historic architecture.
In this article, I’ll showcase the most popular things to do in Glasgow in one day. Even if you don’t have time for them all during your Glasgow itinerary, it’s also a great introduction for a longer stay.
Morning in Glasgow
During your Glasgow one day itinerary, explore historic architecture, visit art galleries and follow street art trails before heading to the shops to splurge on your credit card.
Some of my favourite activities to enjoy in the morning are listed below. Of course, it won’t be possible to visit all the best places on a day trip to Glasgow. I suggest choosing the highlights that cater to your own interests, then plan a return trip to discover more.
Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
This gothic behemoth is built in the region’s signature stone, marking the birthplace of Glasgow. The cathedral is constructed on the tomb of the city’s patron saint, St. Mungo, and houses some of the country’s finest stained-glass collections.
It’s free to enter, but to understand more of its fascinating story – cross the road and take a walking tour of the Glasgow Necropolis. Here you can learn all about John Knox – the leader of the country’s Reformation movement.
Discover how and why Glasgow Cathedral survived the challenges of the 1500s, and how it became the only Scottish mainland cathedral to remain in the aftermath.
The Victorian-era park has far-reaching views of the river Clyde. During your stroll, you can observe beautiful sculptures adorning the tombs of John Knox and prominent city merchants, shipbuilders and architects.
Midday in Glasgow
Following your tour of the cathedral and Necropolis on your Glasgow one day tour, walk (15 minutes west) or jump on the subway or bus into the heart of the city.
Glasgow’s centre is home to many of the city’s architectural and cultural wonders including George Square, the Gallery of Modern Art, Trongate and Merchant City. Choose to explore your favourite activities from the list below, before breaking for a delicious lunch.
Learn About Scottish History at George Square
During the 1700s, Glasgow’s wealth had begun to increase exponentially. The city had signed trade deals with America to import sugar and tobacco. Its riverside location in the west made it the perfect hub for distribution to the rest of the country.
With the influx of money, a local business known as the Glasgow Corporation purchased several acres of swamp land stretching from the river. It was later developed into a grand residential area, known today as George Square.
Surrounding the square, you can still see a few of the original buildings from that time alongside some notable wealthy merchant’s townhouses. Several statues punctuate the square, paying homage to prominent Scots such as the bard Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and James Watt.
If time permits on your Glasgow itinerary, pop into Glasgow City Chambers. They host tours during which guides tell fascinating tales of Glasgow’s maritime and industrial heritage. The tours are free – simply turn up on the day and spend 45 minutes being captivated by the stories.
Alternatively, do as the locals do, and relax on the grass with a freshly brewed coffee while soaking up the scenery and atmosphere.
Shop Till You Drop on Buchanan Street
This is Glasgow’s primary shopping street. A place where Victorian and Edwardian buildings knit together alongside French Neoclassicism and Gothic styles.
The pedestrianized thoroughfare is a shopper’s paradise with high street stores, designer shops, jewellers, chocolatiers and perfumeries.
While here, pop into the charming Willow Tea Rooms for a refreshment. The interior was inspired by artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh with leaded glass, high-back chairs and Art Nouveau designs.
Listen to buskers play your favourite tunes, observe street performers, or stop to listen to artfully delivered Scottish poetry to break up your retail therapy.
If the weather isn’t conducive to window shopping, pop inside the Buchanan Galleries shopping mall for your fashion fix instead.
Visit the Gallery of Modern Art & Duke of Wellington Statue
Located inside an impressive Neoclassical building with fluted columns and a grand entrance, GOMA – Gallery of Modern Art – is one of Scotland’s most-visited art galleries.
A former centre of trade and business, the iconic building has had many lives – namely as a merchant’s home, a bank and a public library. The structure, dating to 1775, contains four galleries showcasing contemporary art by a variety of Scottish and international artists. Expect to see classics by Andy Warhol, David Hockney and works from Scottish artists such as Ken Currie and John Bellamy.
You can browse the gallery for free, but certain exhibitions are ticketed. When we visited recently, they even had a coveted Banksy exhibition taking place! You can book tickets online, or show up and try your luck with walk-in tickets.
If you happen to notice the Duke of Wellington statue on entering the art gallery, the duke’s head may be adorned with a traffic cone. This is a long-standing prank that has frustrated authorities for over three decades. It highlights the quirky Glaswegian sense of humour, but it is not, as most tourists believe, part of an art installation to promote the GOMA.
Spend Time in Hip Merchant City
The district located between George Square and Glasgow Cross wasn’t always called Merchant City, it was renamed in the 80s – and the name was a fitting choice. It has many architectural features and buildings that hark back to the city’s maritime and trading history.
Several historic buildings constructed from tobacco wealth have been repurposed here, while still retaining an old-world feel. On a visit, you’ll see the City Halls (home to the Scottish Symphony Orchestra) and the Old Fruitmarket. Dating to the mid-1800s, the latter is a charming, vaulted building hosting regular jazz and contemporary music events.
Also in Merchant City, you’ll find abundant opportunities to shop, drink and dine. Time your visit well and arrive for the Merchant City Festival, usually held in July – a family-friendly cornucopia of song, dance, parades and street food.
Don’t leave without spending time in nearby Merchant Square. The covered courtyard festooned in twinkling lights, is home to weekend craft and design fairs and boasts a plethora of independent cafes, bars and trendy dining restaurants.
See One of Glasgow’s Oldest Streets – Trongate
If you’re planning to see Glasgow in a day, take a walk along the Trongate – one of the city’s oldest streets. It is so-called for the weigh beam (a large set of scales) called a ‘tron’ that stood here in the 16th century. The scales were used to measure all incoming goods from ships docking along the river Clyde.
One highlight of the Trongate is Glasgow Tollbooth, a 126-foot tall, towering steeple designed in ashlar stone in a unique Scots Baronial style. See the 17th century Tron church – one of the street’s best-known monuments, now a theatre.
The artsy neighbourhood is punctuated with galleries, characterful cafes, restaurants and bars. Nearby, check out Britannia Panopticon, the world’s oldest music hall and kids may enjoy Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre – a place where figures made from scrap metal come to life.
Follow the City’s Street Art/Mural Trail
For art appreciators, a wonderful way to spend a Glasgow one day tour is to follow the city’s mural trail. The main purpose of the artworks, first painted in 2008, was to add colour to old buildings that had begun to look a bit worn and tired. Today, years later, the mural trail is one of the top things to do in Glasgow, and it’s free!
This is a must-do activity for keen photographers. You can see as few or as many artworks as you choose, with subject matter ranging from spacemen and Scottish comedian Billy Connolly to murals dedicated to residents, saints, and the world’s most economical taxi!
Several are painted by an Australian artist who lives in the city known only as ‘Smug’. His photo-realistic artworks include a magnificent depiction of St. Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint, and a mural named Fellow Glasgow Residents depicting the flora and fauna found in Glasgow’s green spaces.
To follow the trail, pick up a map from the information centre or use the Street Art Cities app to find those nearest to your location.
Break for Lunch in the City Centre
Many visitors to Glasgow aren’t aware that dozens of different ethnicities live in the city – many of whom emigrated here in the 1960s and 70s.
With this in mind, consider trying the excellent Chaakoo for lunch on St. Vincent Street. This classic 1950’s Bomba Cafe is characterful with photographs on the walls, intimate booths for seating, and they offer lunchtime menus and sharing plates infused with delicious Indian flavours.
If you prefer to dine on easy-going Vegan food, Mono Café Bar in King’s Court serves a multitude of meat-free platters alongside an in-house record store and bands playing live music! Enjoy salads, sourdough pizzas, veggie merguez sausage and vegan Philly cheese steak sandwiches in this welcoming and ethical eatery in Merchant City.
A little further away, but worth the extra steps, Little Vietnam is the go-to place for fresh and authentic Vietnamese food. Vegans are also well-catered for here, and their pho is so amazing – I went back twice on a recent trip to Glasgow!
Afternoon in Glasgow
Glasgow’s West End stretches from the river Clyde, inland towards North Kelvinside, incorporating several neighbourhoods along the way. It takes around 50 minutes to walk from the city centre, or 20 minutes by bike or subway from St. Enoch station on Buchanan Street.
If you’re wondering what to do in Glasgow, the West End has a cool, bohemian vibe with cobbled streets, picturesque parks, interesting museums, and universities, and there’s an enviable food and nightlife scene too.
Although there won’t be time to explore all the wonders of the West End during a day in Glasgow, you can select your favourite activities from these thrilling options below.
Discover Hillhead in the West End
Hillhead forms part of the hills that surround Glasgow’s city centre. It’s a vibrant district, popular with students, due to its location near the University of Glasgow.
Nature lovers will enjoy discovering Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens – a five-minute walk away. The 27-acre park is home to Kibble Palace – a listed Victorian glasshouse brimming with exotic plant species and marble statues, and a World Rose Garden.
Hillhead also has a laid-back café culture and hip restaurants serving flavourful Scottish cuisine, plus a range of Mexican, Italian, Indian and Spanish food.
Tread the Cobbles on Ashton Lane
A short stroll from Hillhead (two minutes) is the hidden gem known as Ashton Lane. Just four decades ago, this lane was run-down, dotted with empty shops and residential houses.
Today, it’s known as the Scottish equivalent of Dublin’s Temple Bar with cobbled streets, twinkling lights, trendy bars and restaurants. It even has a fully licensed cinema serving drinks!
If arriving during daylight hours, a gallery of specialist shops and lunchtime eateries reside here making it a popular destination to visit during a Glasgow 1 day itinerary. Should you decide to stay longer, Ashton Lane dazzles at night becoming the beating heart of the West End.
See the Old Trade Buildings on Byres Road
Byres Road dates to medieval times when Glasgow’s bishops would travel through here on route to Partick Castle. During the late 1800s, it became a main hub of trade – a few establishments still exist from that era, including The University Café and The Curlers Rest pub.
The cosmopolitan road, popular with students, stretches from Dumbarton Road to Hillhead. It is abundant with shops, delicatessens, and bars, with a whole host of international restaurants ranging from Thai and Korean to Indian and Italian.
Discover Ruthven Lane – an eclectic cobbled shopping space with vintage comic stores and restaurants developed from 1920s garages. Alternatively, see remnants of an old farmhouse – now converted into The Bothy a fine Scottish restaurant serving culinary artwork on a plate.
Discover Scottish Creatives at The Hunterian Art Gallery
A must-visit for history and art enthusiasts, The Hunterian Art Gallery is situated within the University of Glasgow campus just off Byres Road.
It’s the oldest public museum in Scotland, holding the largest collection of James MacNeill Whistler and Charles Rennie Mackintosh works, in addition to world-famous paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and Chardin.
Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish designer, artist and architect famous for his stained glass and lead work – he is classed as one of the most important advocates of the British Art Nouveau style genre.
If your interest is piqued, and if time permits, pop into Mackintosh House next door. It’s a replica of his home with additional works by Margaret Macdonald – his talented artist wife.
Explore the Halls and Museums of the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is set on a hilltop next to Kelvingrove Park. Founded by a papal bull from Pope Nicholas V, it is known as one of Scotland’s ancient universities and was instrumental in the Scottish Enlightenment movement during the 18th century.
With gothic spires and dark-coloured bricks, it bears more than a passing resemblance to J.K. Rowling’s Hogwarts University – inside and out. In fact, Bute Hall looks remarkably like the Great Hall of Hogwarts.
Highlights to see during your visit include The University Chapel, The Library Archives, and the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum.
The Hunterian Museum sector showcases displays dedicated to the Antonine Wall, ancient Egypt, medical instruments, and ethnography.
Stay for Dinner in Glasgow’s West End
The Ubiquitous Chip opened on Ashton Lane way back in the 1970s. It’s home to an upstairs bistro, a fine dining establishment downstairs and labyrinthian bars throughout.
The restaurant focuses on upscale Scottish cuisine (no deep-fried Mars Bars here) – it’s more hand-dived scallops, steaks and ricotta dumplings. The eatery also offers a generous veggie-tasting menu. After dining, pop into the Wee Whisky bar to sample a few drams of the fiery nectar.
Non-carnivores will relish dining at Hanoi Bike Shop in the West End. With hanging lanterns and bold oriental-style interiors, menus showcase dishes such as sweet potato fritters and mushroom and organic tofu pho.
In addition to its culinary prowess, this restaurant was also named by Wanderlust as one of the ’15 coolest places to eat around the world’!
Immerse Yourself in the Glasgow Nightlife Scene
Glasgow is known for its dazzling nightlife and friendly, outgoing people. Stylish bars, music cafes, traditional pubs and buzzing nightclubs span the city from the West End to Sauchiehall Street, Merchant City and throughout the city centre to the east.
After dark, you can watch ballet, opera, comedy sketches or bands play, then dance till dawn to music sets from world-class DJs. There are also cultural venues where organised ‘Ceilidh’s’ take place – a fun Celtic dance party.
The city has abundant live music venues too. One of which is the legendary King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut. This unassuming venue on St. Vincent Street has played host to the likes of Oasis, Coldplay, Crowded House and more recently Lewis Capaldi, all before they became household names.
Getting Around Glasgow
If you plan to visit Glasgow in one day, it’s easy to reach the city by air, with two international airports – Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick (although beware that the latter is quite some distance from the city).
The city is home to two main railway stations – Glasgow Central Station and Queen Street Station – and has an array of bus, taxi and subway services.
You can easily walk around the city centre, and I think it’s the best way to take in the colourful street art and architecture. It takes just 15 minutes to walk from Glasgow Cathedral to George Square and around 50 minutes on foot from the centre to the west end of Glasgow.
Bicycles can also be hired through a city bike share scheme. Visitors should simply register and download the dedicated app to rent a bicycle for their chosen duration.
There are also 15 subway stations sprinkled throughout the city linking the main destinations. If you’re short on time, single-journey tickets or Smartcard subway tickets can be used.
Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by bus, Glasgow has 80+ routes, one of which includes an express bus service to the airport taking 15-20 minutes.
If you are on a whistle-stop visit of the Scottish city, a hop-on/hop-off bus tour is a great way to see the top sights in a short time frame. The sightseeing city tour stops at Glasgow Cathedral, People’s Palace and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, among others. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Buy tickets here.
Exploring Further on a Day Trip from Glasgow
Planning to extend your Glasgow one day trip? There are lots of places to visit within a short drive or train ride.
Edinburgh
Spend a day in Scotland’s historic capital Edinburgh, just 45 minutes by train from Glasgow Queen Street Station. Visit the castle, set atop a dormant volcano, explore the botanical gardens, discover the many shops and bars along George Street and Rose Street or climb Arthur’s Seat for spectacular views of the Firth of Forth.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a popular excursion 50 minutes drive from Glasgow. The picture-postcard loch or lake is a great choice for hikers, cyclists, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Hop on a boat, and go sailing, passing ancient forests of the Trossachs National Park and quaint loch-side villages, and break for lunch waterside. Before returning to Glasgow, make a stop at Glengoyne Distillery to learn all about the Scottish whisky-making process.
There are plenty of affordable tours departing Glasgow that take you to Loch Lomond as part of a day trip. My favourite is this one from Robbie’s Small Group Tours.
Falkirk Wheel
Families may enjoy spending a day discovering the Falkirk Wheel half an hour away. It’s the world’s only boat lift that rotates at 115 feet above ground connecting the Forth and Clyde canals.
Enjoy an educational canal boat ride and marvel at this magnificent feat of engineering. The nearby centre also has an activity zone with woodland walks, cycling and water zorbing.
Read More: Best Day Trips from Glasgow
Many of the best things to see in Glasgow in one day include stunning architecture, discovering local artists, and learning about the city’s maritime history. It’s fair to say the best of Glasgow can not be discovered in a single day, but that just means there’s plenty to enjoy on a return visit!
