Glasgow Staycation Guide: Where to Stay, What to Do and Where to Eat

Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city and one of the best-value city breaks in Britain. Its grand Victorian centre, the free museums in the West End and along the Clyde, and a music and food scene out of proportion to its size make it easy to fill a weekend, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are close enough for a day in the hills. This guide covers where to stay in Glasgow, what to see and how to plan two days.

How long to stay

Two nights is enough for the city centre, the West End and the riverside museums. A third night lets you add a day trip to Stirling, the Ayrshire coast or Loch Lomond.

Where to stay in Glasgow

The city centre around Central and Queen Street stations is the most practical base, while Finnieston puts you closer to the West End and the river. See the full list on the Glasgow hotels page.

City centre

voco Grand Central is built into Central Station, so you can step off the train and into the lobby. citizenM Hotel Glasgow on Renfrew Street is a compact design hotel close to the bars and theatres, Motel One Glasgow on Oswald Street is a good-value choice right by the station, and Point A Hotels Glasgow on Bath Street is a budget option that accepts dogs.

Finnieston and the river

Radisson RED on Finnieston Quay has a rooftop bar and is rated 4.7 from over 4,600 Google reviews. Next to the SEC and the OVO Hydro, Crowne Plaza Glasgow has a pool, gym and spa, handy if you are in town for a concert.

Things to do

Glasgow's major civic museums are free. Browse everything on the Glasgow attractions page.

The West End

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the city's showpiece, a red sandstone palace holding everything from Dalí's Christ of St John of the Cross to natural history galleries, rated 4.7 from over 25,000 reviews. A short walk up through Kelvingrove Park and past the university, Glasgow Botanic Gardens has Victorian cast-iron glasshouses, including the Kibble Palace, and welcomes dogs.

Along the Clyde

The Riverside Museum, in a zigzag building designed by Zaha Hadid, is packed with trams, cars, locomotives and a recreated old Glasgow street. Moored outside is the Tall Ship, a restored Victorian sailing ship you can explore. Across the river, Glasgow Science Centre has interactive exhibits and a planetarium, a good bet with children on a wet day.

Parks and the city's edges

Pollok Country Park on the south side is the city's largest park, with woodland, gardens and the Burrell Collection, and it is dog friendly. To the north, Mugdock Country Park has walking and cycling trails on the edge of open countryside. Football fans can book the Celtic Park Stadium Tour in the East End.

In the centre, look out for Charles Rennie Mackintosh's buildings, and walk up to Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis on the hill beside it for one of the best views of the city.

Where to eat

Finnieston's Argyle Street is the busiest strip for restaurants and bars. Dishoom is one of the most reviewed places to eat in the city, Chaakoo Bombay Cafe serves Indian and Persian dishes, and Coia's Cafe in Dennistoun is an Italian cafe and deli known for its homemade ice cream. More are on the Glasgow restaurants page.

A two-day plan

Day one

Start at Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, then walk through the Merchant City to George Square and Buchanan Street for lunch. In the afternoon, take the Subway to Kelvinhall for Kelvingrove, and finish with dinner in Finnieston.

Day two

Spend the morning at the Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship, then walk up to the Botanic Gardens and the West End cafes around Byres Road. If you have children, swap in the Science Centre, or head south to Pollok Country Park.

Day trips from Glasgow

Stirling is under an hour by train, with its castle and the Wallace Monument. Linlithgow has a ruined royal palace by a loch, Falkirk has the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, and trains run down the coast to Ayr and its long sandy beach. Paisley, with its medieval abbey, is only a few minutes away, and Edinburgh is an easy trip too.

Camping and cottages near Glasgow

Loch Lomond Glamping has pods and bell tents by the loch and welcomes dogs. Craigmaddie Glamping near Strathblane sits at the foot of the Campsie Fells, and Eden Leisure Village near Cumbernauld has lodges, glamping and touring pitches. Browse all campsites near Glasgow or Glasgow cottages.

Practical tips

Glasgow Central has direct trains from London Euston via the West Coast Main Line, and Queen Street has frequent services to Edinburgh. The Subway's single loop links the centre with the West End, so you will not need a car; see staycations without a car. With its free museums, Glasgow is one of the best rainy-day staycations, and UK city breaks without flying compares it with other cities.