autoeurope

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, nestled on the River Clyde with quick access to the sea. From its humble roots as a rural settlement, it grew into a thriving city and Scotland’s largest seaport. Since its founding, it’s transformed time and again, and most recently made the shift from an industrial city to the nation’s cultural center. The city is known for its music and sports, and boasts being home to the Royal Scottish Orchestra and the Gourock Highland Games. Glasgow is also famous for its extensive parklands and greenery, so much so that “Glasgow” is thought to translate in Gaelic as “lovely green place.” Given its 70 parks and open plazas, the title seems fitting.

Arriving in Glasgow

If you’re traveling to Glasgow, you’ll most likely touch down in Glasgow Airport, about 10 miles west of the city center, and for quick access, take advantage of the Glasgow Airport Express. It’s a shuttle operating 24/7 that will get you into town in a matter of minutes. Alternatively you can hire a car, which will provide you with transportation for the duration of your stay in Scotland.

Once in the city, it’s time to start exploring. One of the best places for you to start is Glasgow Cathedral, perhaps the city’s most historically significant, and definitely its oldest. It was built in the 12th Century and is a fantastic example of Scottish Gothic architecture, and it is the only medieval cathedral still on the Scottish mainland.

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral was built prior to the Protestant Reformation as a Roman Catholic church, but with the conversion to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, all other cathedrals were torn down. It’s a beautiful, pristinely constructed building of high lines and towers. Right beside the Cathedral is its Necropolis, a Victorian Gothic garden cemetery that’s filled with sculptures and buildings designed by prominent artists, as well as intricate Celtic crosses mingling with weeping angels.

Buchanan Street

For some more modern fare, make your way over to Buchanan Street, Glasgow’s shopping district. It’s a unique area of the city in that it attracts both locals and tourists alike, and has shops and stores stretching for blocks. The most notable stop on Buchanan Street is the Buchanan Galleries, an indoor shopping area with selections like Pandora and Millie’s Cookies. Being covered, it’s also a great stop to escape the iconic rainfall of Scotland.

West End in Glasgow

Glasgow’s West End is perhaps its most picturesque neighborhood and offers an independent sense of character for a city neighborhood. Take a stroll through it and find out for yourself, you’ll find its unique identity in its beautiful architecture, lovely vintage shops, and cozy bars and restaurants with a full spread of multicultural delights. Kelvingore Park is also a nearby attraction in the West End, and it is a magnificent city park of 85 acres. It’s a great escape from the urban hustle and bustle and one of the few places you can see animals like the kingfisher, otter, and red fox in such dense civilization.

Glasgow's Museums

You’ll also find no shortage of wonderful museums to visit, which are fantastic on their own or just a nice back up depending on the season or those random rainy days. The Riverside Museum is a great dive into the city’s history and showcases everything from old locomotives to vintage shops. There’s also the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which, aside from its own amazing architecture, has thousands of items to see from dinosaur bones, Dali’s “Christ of Saint John of the Cross,” and a full show of prehistoric mammals.