The warmer spring and summer months from March to August are the best time to visit Glasgow, when nice temperatures and long daylight hours treat you to pleasant city walks and plenty of other outdoor activities. And with festivals filling the city's entire calendar from Piping Live! in the summer to Burns Night in the winter, the colder months are no less interesting — and have the added bonus of smaller crowds.

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Best Time to Visit

Citizens of the European Union member states, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland, and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) only need a valid passport to enter the UK. Residents of the following ten countries do not need an entry visa for stays under 6 months: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Nationals of some further countries do not need a visa but must hold an entry certificate. Use the UK Government website below to check for specific requirements.

stamped passport with camera and documents

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Passport & Visa

Glasgow's main airport, located a mere 15 km from the city, has great connections to the city by bus and by train. Glasgow Airport Express is the airport's official bus service, with multiple buses departing every 10 minutes from the airport (Stance 1), most passing through Buchanan Street Bus Station along the way. Tickets can be purchased directly on board, pre-bought online or using the "First Bus mTickets" app. The closest train station to the airport is Paisley Gilmour Street, a mile away from the terminal building. McGill's 757 bus service operates that stretch and tickets can be purchased at any Scottish train station or online, via the ScotRail website.

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Glasgow International Airport (GLA)

Glasgow's second busiest airport is located in the town of Prestwick, approximately a 40-minute drive away from the city centre. The Stagecoach Western X77 Express Service runs to and from Glasgow Buchanan Street Station directly. There is also a late night and early morning service (X99). Prestwick Airport also has its own railway station.Taxi service, provided by Streamline Taxis, is also available just outside the terminal building and can be pre-booked.

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)

Public transport services in Glasgow are provided by SPT and consist of a circular underground line with 15 stations and a range of train and bus routes. There are several ticket options including day passes for both the city and the surrounding areas.Subway tickets can be purchased at any underground station: a single ticket is at a fixed price and takes you to any station of the network. Bus tickets are available to purchase from the driver on board (have the exact change ready). Smartcards are a great way to save time and money and are a convenient solution for both commuters and visitors.

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Public Transport

The classic London cabs are available all over the city, and can be hailed in the street or ordered by phone. Glasgow Taxi Ltd is a well-established and the largest service provider in the area.

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Taxi

Stamps are available from post offices and newsagents. Post offices are generally open between around 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and some are also open on Saturdays.Merchant City post office is only a few minutes from Buchanan Street, but there are other post offices in the centre in West Nile Street, Hope Street and Sauchiehall Street, among others.

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Post

Boots has a wide network of pharmacies in Glasgow with multiple locations in well-frequented places such as Buchanan Street and Central Station, where stores are open every day of the week.

pharmacy green cross on building in evening

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Pharmacy

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Telephone

The standard voltage in Scotland is 230 volts. Plug type G is in use.

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Electricity

Glasgow is the 21st-century magnet of Great Britain, with an energetic yet sophisticated vibe. Formerly Britain's major centre of industrial prowess, it has transformed into a booming hub for art and culture in the past decades. The city prides itself on a never-ending stream of up-and-coming musicians and a thriving nightlife. Glasgow is also home to many excellent modern Scottish restaurants dedicated to preserving their Scottish heritage. Some of the best shopping in the country can be found here, too.

Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow is an ideal destination for those with limited time to explore the city, offering free admission to its imposing premises in a leafy Victorian park bearing the same name. With 22 galleries spanning diverse themes, the museum caters to a wide range of interests and is also particularly child-friendly. Visitors can immerse themselves in natural history, art, local history and explore a vast array of artifacts from around the globe, with highlights that include works by Salvador Dalí and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

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Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

This floral haven in West End is the place to end all city walks and give rest to your senses amidst a plant collection spreading over 20 hectares. Visit the imposing Kibble Palace, join guided tours and follow the events organised for various ages, all free of charge.

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Glasgow Botanic Gardens

With the first stones laid in 1136, Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest in mainland Scotland, but its origins date back even earlier to the 6th century. Here you can immerse yourself in the details of Gothic architecture and the relics of medieval history.

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Glasgow Cathedral

Established in 1823, Auchentoshan Distillery proudly proclaims its ties to a city with such history as Glasgow, the establishment also being an essential part of the local heritage. Through various guided tours and tasting events, visitors can explore the history and the whisky-making process of this single malt distillery, while also indulging in unique cocktail creations and a remarkable gift selection.

Scottish whisky glass at distillery in Glasgow

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Auchentoshan Distillery

A guided tour by bike is a great way to explore Glasgow's landmarks from a new angle, meet new people and work off last night's haggis. The tours often touch upon big-name watering holes, and you can choose from a range of themes or even organise a completely custom trip.

Cyclist in Glasgow over an aqueduct by Forth and Clyde Canal

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Cycling in Glasgow

Inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1888 and housing the Glasgow City Council since 1996, the City Chambers in George Square is one of the most iconic elements of Glasgow's cityscape. The building is open for the public to admire the marble ornaments, paintings and imposing rooms such as the banqueting hall.

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Glasgow City Chambers

Whether it's cycling or a relaxing picnic you are after, the city's only, 146-hectare country park is a scenic location for any outdoor programme. Beyond the treasures of nature — such as the popular Highland cattle — the park also houses the Pollok House and the Burrell Collection with their impressive art collections.

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Pollok Country Park

East of the city's prominent cathedral, the Glasgow Necropolis is where fifty thousand — including numerous prominent figures — found eternal rest over the course of the 19th century. Guided tours are available to explore the architecture and stories preserved in this 15-hectare Victorian cemetery.

Necropolis Victorian cemetery in Glasgow, Scotland

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The Necropolis

Designed inside and out by the internationally acclaimed Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the House for an Art Lover is an arts centre in Southside's spectacular Bellahouston Park. The venue is also a popular choice for private celebrations, and houses a café that well lives up to its environment, making for a sublime location for afternoon tea.

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House for an Art Lover

The Celtic Football Club was founded in Glasgow in the late 1880s by two Irish priests in a bid to raise money in the city's poor East End. The club has since become one of the most successful in Scotland and is the winner of over 50 Scottish League Championships and dozens of other cups, including one European Cup. Celtic Park is the perfect place to get a taste of the spirit surrounding the club, and other events too are hosted here at times.

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Celtic Park

Through guided tours or individually, visitors can stroll through this imposing campus and explore its 500-year history. On-site landmarks include the Hunterian Museum, Art Gallery and the Zoology Museum — or why not just soak up vibes at the students' favourite cafés and restaurants.

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University of Glasgow

Spanning 270 kilometres, this picturesque route traces its path from Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William. Majestic mountains — including the highest, Ben Nevis — stand tall on either side of the road, accompanied by twists and turns leading to notable sights such as the legendary Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. Other engaging landmarks include castles like Urquhart and adventurous trails for climbing and hiking, most notably Glen Coe.

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Road A82 to Inverness

This train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig — and through another branch to Oban — transports you into the breathtaking wilderness of western Scotland not many eyes get to see. Admire the highlands, lakes, national parks and some of the smallest stations in the network, and keep your eyes peeled for the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in Harry Potter movies.

Glenfinnan Viaduct Scotland on west highland

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West Highland Line

When it comes to architecture in Glasgow, Charles Rennie Mackintosh is the name you'll hear time and again. Best known for his work in the Art Nouveau style, Mackintosh left an indelible mark on the city, with the 1898 Glasgow School of Art as the crown jewel. Nowadays, the school isn't just about educating the next generation of artists — it's also about appreciating its rich history.

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Glasgow School of Art

The Burrell Collection, held by many to be one of the world's finest private art collections, was founded in 1983 and donated by industrialist Sir William Burrell to the City of Glasgow. It includes everything from Chinese porcelain to paintings by Renoir and Cézanne. Various happenings occur throughout the year.

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The Burrell Collection

With a mission to bring science to all kinds of audiences, Glasgow Science Centre on the south bank of the River Clyde houses numerous events, workshops and exhibitions. Surely they have IMAX, but it has some serious competitors on the entertainment front, such as the bodyworks show and the science theatre.

girl using VR goggles in science center blue photo

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Glasgow Science Centre

A cherished cultural gem, King's Theatre has been enchanting audiences since its opening in 1904. This historic venue hosts a diverse array of shows, including dance performances, musicals and comedy shows. The theatre also offers workshops as unique opportunities of insight into the world of performing arts.

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King's Theatre

This rather peculiar museum consists almost exclusively of items donated by one collector, and Glasgow University student, William Hunter. These range from rather normal geological artefacts to deformed animal skeletons, scientific curiosities, human organs preserved in jars, and even a mummy.

Moose (1770), oil on canvas, Hunterian Art Gallery

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Hunterian Art Gallery

The museum tackles a rather complex task of exploring the global religious faiths and taking a closer look at what it is that makes them different from one another: their perceptions of life and death, as well as brief histories, are presented in an artistic way.

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St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art

One of Scotland's favourite breweries now offers tours conducted by knowledgeable guides, who provide visitors with an insight of the over 450-year old brewing tradition of Wellpark Brewery. Beer tasting is included in the tour price and bookings should be made in advance.

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Tennents Wellpark Brewery

Visit the Tenement House and learn all about what everyday life was like in the early years of the 20th century. The house belonged to Miss Agnes Toward, whose personal belongings are still contained in the building, where gas lighting was installed to portray the original atmosphere of the home.

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Tenement House

When you think of theatre, you might not immediately think of mechanical sculptures — but that's exactly what you'll find at the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. The theatre showcases intricate mechanised figures that "perform" thought-provoking shows on life's big questions. Perfect for both kids and adults, it's a collaborative wonder featuring the work of sculptor-mechanic Eduard Bersudsky, theatre director Tatyana Jakovskaya, and light and sound designer Sergey Jakovsky.

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Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

For motor sport fans, the Glasgow Tigers Speedway is a must with weekly competitions, excellent viewing points (including from the in-house bar) and even a children's "Growlers Club" where the young ones get to meet the Tiger's mascot.

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Glasgow Tigers Speedway

The West End area contains some of the best cafes, bars and stores in town (check Woodlands Road for eateries). It is home to the stunning Botanic Gardens, the University campus and Kelvingrove Museum & Park. Make sure to include Byers Road, Great Western Road and Ashton Lane into your itinerary.

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Glasgow West End

In the 1870s, four young fellows met to talk about their dream to have their own football club. Rangers Football Club was founded soon after and is, nowadays, the most successful Scottish football team and eternal rival of Celtic Football Club.

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Ibrox Stadium

One of Glasgow's most exhilarating guided tours is one that takes you on an adventure through the hidden, underground part of the iconic central train station building. Explore the tunnels, winding stairwells, abandoned stations and railway lines all hidden beneath the busy transport hub.

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Glasgow Central Tours

Winner of the European Museum of the Year award (2013), the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel contains some rare example of vintage vehicles, ranging from old-model trams to cars and even chariots. The state-of-the-art interactive displays and exhibits are guaranteed to appeal to various age groups.

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Riverside Museum

Learn everything about the history and significance of the Highland Bagpipe, the quintessential Scottish musical instrument, and possibly get a chance to have a go at playing a tune yourself on one of the guided tours offered at the National Piping Center.

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National Piping Centre

Fancy a journey for your taste buds? Look no further than the Wee Food Tour, guided by locals who know their haggis from their "cullen skink" — that's a hearty Scottish soup made with haddock, onions and potatoes, by the way. This popular tour will whisk you away to hidden gems serving the best of Scottish fare, from the traditional to the downright indulgent — think deep-fried pizza! It's a cracking way to get a real flavour of the area, led by people who know it best.

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The Wee Food Tour

A visit to SV Glenlee is a glimpse into Glasgow's nautical history. This former cargo sailing ship has been lovingly restored and transformed into one of Glasgow's prime attractions. Climb aboard and roam from the captain's quarters to the engine room, soaking up the maritime atmosphere. Got little adventurers in tow? They'll be well entertained in the ship's dedicated play area. Audio guides are at your disposal for a more enriching visit. It's not just a ship; it's a glimpse into Glasgow's nautical history.

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The Tall Ship Glenlee

One of Glasgow's main arteries is a lively, pedestrian-friendly street with an abundance of shopping locales, eateries, street performers, and some prime examples of fine Scottish architecture. A shopping hotspot by day, it's also home to some very popular bars and remains busy until late.

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Buchanan Street

If you are a football fan, then head over to this museum and learn more about the history of Scottish football. The museum is located at Hampden Park and includes a great football collection, 2,500 objects on display to be exact. This is a great pastime pick for the whole family.

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