Spend one day in Glasgow and discover why “People Make Glasgow”—the city’s motto and a perfect reflection of its unique, quirky charm. While it’s true that it may not have the polished allure of Edinburgh, Glasgow’s edge comes from its vibrant personality, fueled by the warmth and wit of its people.
After living here and visiting again and again, this city has truly found a special place in my heart. I’m so excited to share this guide with you!
From its quirky venues and signature Scottish humor to its rich history, let’s dive into the best that Scotland’s largest city has to offer with this 1 day Glasgow itinerary.
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Where to Stay in Glasgow
With just one day in Glasgow, I suggest staying something within the city centre bubble for ease of access.
- The Z Hotel in Glasgow: My go-to in Glasgow; it’s budget-friendly and centrally located
- Motel One Glasgow: Trendy, modern hotel by the Glasgow Central Station
- Point A Hotel Glasgow: At the heart of Glasgow with functional, compact rooms
- Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa: Elegant, 5-star hotel with views
Is 1 day in Glasgow enough?
If you’re spending 1 week in Scotland, then allocating one day in Glasgow is sufficient. However, this is a truly unique city with a quirky personality, numerous characteristic neighborhoods, and endless events and things to do.
So, if you’re a city person who loves entertainment, charming streets, vast parks, and a little rough-around-the-edges spirit then you might want to spend more than just a day in Scotland’s largest city.
Nonetheless, this Glasgow itinerary will easily help you scratch the surface of what the city has to offer. We’re covering everything from the oldest church in Scotland to picturesque lanes and Glaswegian humor.
1 Day in Glasgow Itinerary
Here’s everything you can expect spending 1 iconic day in Glasgow, Scotland.
Buchanan Street
If you’re coming from Glasgow Central Station or the Buchanan Bus Station (which you likely are), you will want to start your one day Glasgow itinerary at Buchanan Street.
This is one of Glasgow’s most famous streets. It’s smack dab in the center of the city. Its vertical position on a hill gives the street a beautiful perspective from the top. On a clear day you can see the countryside in the distance.
While the street is largely for shopping, it’s still a cultural hub with different events taking place here – especially since it’s one of the few pedestrian-only streets in the city centre.
So, take a leisurely walk up (if you’re coming from Central) or down (if you’re coming from the bus station). There are several stops to enjoy along the way.
For a bit of cultural shopping, pop into Princes Square. This is a 19th-century ornate shopping center with a lovely architectural design. At the very top there is a nice place for drinks called Barca Tapas and Cava Bar.
Glasgow Cathedral
Make your way east toward the oldest parts of Glasgow. The Glasgow Cathedral is actually the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow.
The church opened in 1197, though construction began in 1136, and has been standing ever since.
It’s free to visit and volunteer guides do offer free guides on the cathedral, should you like a more in-depth look at the history of the city’s oldest building.
However, if you’d like a unique tour experience covering all things ghosts and ghouls, you’ll love this popular walking tour covering all of the eerie and old bits of Glasgow east of the city centre.
Glasgow Necropolis
After visiting the cathedral, cross the Bridge of Sighs to reach the Glasgow Necropolis. This is one of my favorite places in the city; maybe because I’m an eerie girly at heart or simply because this place is so captivating.
The Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery that overlooks the cathedral. The first burial dates back to 1832, so it’s not nearly as old as the cathedral. Nonetheless, it’s often described as one of the most significant cemeteries in Europe.
The path winds around the hill, giving you tons of angles of the city. Eventually, you’ll reach the top and you can enjoy the stunning perspective of the cathedral and surrounding historic buildings.
Lunch Break in Merchant City
After your trip into the east end of the Glasgow city centre, head back toward Merchant City, one of the city’s oldest, trendiest neighborhoods.
It will probably be about lunch time by now, and there are a lot of quality choices in the area. Most popularly, Paesano Pizza is the perfect lunch option if you’re looking for something fast, delicious, and Glasgow famous. It’s neapolitan-style pizza and it hits the spot every time.
Otherwise, Indian food is a big deal in the UK and Glasgow is no exception. Dakhin is one of the most popular places for Indian cuisine in the city centre.
GOMA – Gallery of Modern Art
Glasgow has its own Gallery of Modern Art. While it’s definitely worth checking out its ever-changing installations and collections, the main reason for stopping by during your 1 day in Glasgow is to see the Duke of Wellington Statue that stands right outside the building.
A true symbol of Glasgow humor. The Duke can be seen sporting a bright orange traffic cone on top of his head. You may be asking yourself, “Why on Earth would anyone do that?” Then you think about Scottish people and Glaswegian humor and it makes absolute sense as to why locals would consistently plop a cone on the Duke’s head.
The city council planned to double the height of the statue in order to prevent future ‘coning’ of the Duke, but the locals petitioned with 100,000 signatures in support of keeping the cone. Alas, the cone remains – though the cone itself frequently changes.
George Square
Right up from GOMA is George Square. It’s a large, 18th-century square home to the Glasgow City Chambers buildings. Here is also where a lot of different events, demonstrations, and celebrations are held.
The square a popular meeting point for locals and it’s a great place to sit before catching a train from Glasgow Queen Street or whenever you need a moment to relax.
If you want to get a drink before continuing on, Waxy O’Connor’s is a really cool, treehouse-like pub. Sloans is considered the oldest pub in Glasgow. Otherwise, The Pot Still is a famous old-fashioned pub with an extensive whisky menu.
Subway to Kelvinbridge
Next up on your 1 day in Glasgow itinerary, you will return to Buchanan Street to catch the subway to Kelvinbridge Station.
The Glasgow subway is very easy to use. It goes only two directions, an inner and outer loop. To get to Kelvinbridge on the west end, you will follow the inner circle and get off at the 3rd stop after Buchanan Street.
I recommend getting a return subway ticket. A return costs £3.40 and you can purchase them from machines to the left of the escalators.
P.S. Glasgow is fantastic base to begin a 4-day west coast of Scotland road trip.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
One of the absolute best free things to do is visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It’s stunning inside and out, and it’s no wonder why it’s one of the most popular museums in all of Scotland.
The sandstone architecture makes it a picture-perfect spot from the outside. Then, the inside with its marble floors, swanky staircases, and art displays make it an easy choice with 1 day in Glasgow.
There are a lot of different rooms, divided up by time period and country. There is a cool room full of Scottish history with everything from kilts and dresses to portraits of historic Scots.
And if art isn’t your thing, there’s also archeology, geology, and other fun stuff for my fellow earthy people.
University of Glasgow
Near the museum, you’ll find the gorgeous University of Glasgow. It’s a Neo-Gothic university that stands as the second oldest in Scotland, dating back to 1451. It’s also rumored to be the inspiration for Hogwarts, so you know what to expect.
Explore the campus, have a drink at the university’s pub, and walk through its courtyard – the East and West Quadrangles. These are split by The Cloisters with its lovely arched ceilings and sandstone design.
There are walking tours available or you can do a self-guided walking tour.
Ashton Lane
One of the best tucked aways spots of Glasgow’s West End is Ashton Lane. This is a cozy, cobbled lane lit with string lights. It’s right off Byres Road, one of the main shopping streets on this side of the city.
It’s super picturesque, and I highly recommend coming down this road. To make it even better, there’s a fantastic pub to have a quick drink before dinner.
It’s called the Grosvenor Café and it’s set inside a former cinema. They serve a wide range of creative cocktails and classic drinks. They do serve dinner, a mix of pizza and pasta, so you’re welcome to stay for dinner as well.
However, I do have a few (perhaps better) dinner options listed below.
Dinner on the West End
If you’re staying a full 1 day in Glasgow, then definitely stick to the West End for dinner. There are numerous cuisines and places to choose from; here are some of my recommendations.
- Òran Mór: Set in a historic church, this cool restaurant has a Victorian bar, laidback dinner menu, and ongoing events.
- Ubiquitous Chip: Popular spot for upscale Scottish cuisine
- Bantawala by Masala twist: Excellent Indian joint on Byres Road
- Hillhead Bookclub: A nostalgic spot for myself; laidback menu with retro games, ping pong, and cocktails
Glasgow Comedy Show
If the night is still young, keep it going into the wee hours with a bit of comedy. It’s no secret Scots are some of the funniest people in the world, and if you love stand-up, you’ll have several good options to check out.
The Stand Comedy Club is Glasgow’s most iconic place for comedy, showcasing a range of local and traveling comedians with shows every night of the week.
Otherwise, if your accommodation is back in the city centre, The Glee Club Glasgow is another easy option.
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