10 Incredible Free Things to Do in Glasgow
Glaswegians take great pride in their city’s ‘open doors’ policy. There are several world-class museums and galleries across Glasgow, most of which are completely free for locals and visitors to enjoy. Combine this with an abundance of green spaces and you can have an action-packed day in Scotland’s largest city without spending a penny. Here are our top 10 free things to do in Glasgow.
1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The jewel of Glasgow’s west end, it’s worth taking a trip just to admire the grand Victorian sandstone building alone. Inside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, you’ll find a treasure trove of over 8,000 objects in 22 different galleries, with the most famous works including Salvador Dali’s ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’, Sir Roger the Asian elephant, and Sophie Cave’s now iconic ‘Floating Heads’.
2. Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis
Arguably the country’s most majestic medieval building, Glasgow Cathedral is the only one on the Scottish mainland to have survived intact beyond the 1560 reformation act. Within the magnificent Gothic structure in the east end of Glasgow is the crypt which houses the tomb of St Kentigern, or Mungo, the city’s founder and patron saint. The adjacent Necropolis, inspired by Paris’ revered Père Lachaise, is the site of around 50,000 burials and 3,500 tombs, offering a unique look over Glasgow from its hilltop position by the cathedral below.
3. George Square and City Chambers
The city’s focal point, George Square serves as a gathering spot for Glaswegians, celebrating the country’s historical figures. Statues depict notable Scots including poet Robert Burns and playwright Sir Walter Scott. A regular stage for high-profile music events and festivals, George Square also appeared in Hollywood blockbusters World War Z and, more recently, Hobbs & Shaw. The prestigious City Chambers dominates its eastern edge, where you can explore on a free guided tour.
4. Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
Located in the heart of the city centre, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is the most visited gallery in the country. Works from local and international artists are all housed within the striking Royal Exchange Square building, a former townhouse of a Glasgow tobacco merchant. On GoMA’s front doorstep, you’ll encounter the statue of the Duke of Wellington – famously topped with a traffic cone, a landmark as notable as the gallery itself.
5. Kelvingrove Park
An oasis of calm in the middle of the city, Kelvingrove Park is Glasgow’s most popular green space. Surrounded by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow University, the park offers raw beauty throughout every season of the year. Expect to be greeted by cheeky squirrels and dogs out for a stroll with their west end owners. Make your way north to Gibson Street for a fine row of coffee shops and restaurants, including the superb Stravaigin.
6. Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship
Replacing the much-loved transport museum at Kelvin Hall in 2011, Zaha Hadid’s architectural masterpiece has transformed the look of the Clyde, reflecting the river’s storied shipbuilding past. Artefacts on display at the Riverside Museum illustrate transport and travel through the ages, ranging from skateboards to stormtroopers. The Tall Ship, rescued from ruin and sailed back to Glasgow from Seville in 1990, remains a major attraction.
7. People’s Palace
The People’s Palace offers an interactive history lesson on the city and its people. This stunning 19th-century building, located in the expansive and lush Glasgow Green, houses hundreds of paintings, prints, and photographs illustrating the life of Glasgow from 1750 until the present day. Visitors can also marvel at the impressive five-tier Doulton Fountain and the former Templeton Carpet Factory, modeled on Venice’s Doge’s Palace.
8. City Centre Mural Trail
Over the past decade, run-down areas of Glasgow have been transformed by vibrant murals, all thanks to a growing local street art scene and contributions from international artists. The City Centre Mural Trail is a self-guided walking tour featuring 25 remarkable sights, many depicting the story of Glasgow and its residents. The popular Instagram spots are easy to locate with a straightforward mural map available on the trail’s website.
9. The Hunterian Museum
Your visit to Glasgow wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Hunterian Museum located at Glasgow University. Within this real-life Hogwarts, you’ll discover a fantastic array of items like an Egyptian mummy, artifacts from the voyages of Captain Cook, and the largest collection of works by famed Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
10. The Lighthouse
Located just off Glasgow’s busiest shopping strip, Buchanan Street, Scotland’s national centre for design and architecture is a creation of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It hosts regular events and exhibitions showcasing modern Scottish design, encouraging visitors to climb The Lighthouse’s helical staircase for a panoramic view across the city, arguably the best viewpoint in Glasgow.
