Glasgow in one day: Best things to do & see!

1 december 2023

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3 Where to eat during one day in Glasgow?

So, you’re planning a day trip to Glasgow during your stay in Scotland? Great!
In this blog post, I’ll share some tips on how to make the most of your time in this city.

Many people wonder whether they should visit Edinburgh or Glasgow. If you have enough time, I highly recommend visiting both cities!

Glasgow and Edinburgh are two different cities with unique features. Edinburgh is known for its history, Edinburgh Castle and charming streets, while Glasgow has a modern and industrial feel and is the biggest city in Scotland. If you have the option, I recommend visiting Glasgow before Edinburgh. It’s a unique city you shouldn’t miss during your visit to Scotland.

One day isn’t a lot of time to explore Glasgow, but if that’s all you have, you can still see the most famous attractions. However, I recommend spending at least two days in the city if possible.

How to get around in Glasgow?

Airport:
When you arrive in Glasgow by plane, the quickest and most affordable way to reach the city centre is by taking the 500 Airport Express bus. The airport is about 8 miles from the city, and the ride takes approximately 15 minutes.
The bus service operates 24/7, starting from Stance 1 at Glasgow Airport,
and ending at the Buchanan bus station in the city centre, with some stops along the way.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi, which will take you directly to your destination, but this option is more expensive.

Bus:
If you get to Glasgow by bus from Edinburgh or other towns in Scotland, you will arrive at the Buchanan bus station, close to the city centre. Buchanan bus station is the largest bus station in Scotland. From there, you can take the subway, which has a stop at the bus station.
Many day trips start from Buchanan bus station, and it is the starting point for journeys between the city and other towns in Scotland, as well as long-distance services to other parts of the UK.

Subway:
Glasgow has one subway line, the Circle Line. This line has 15 stops, including Buchanan bus station and Kelvinbridge.
It connects the east part of the city to the West End and the other way around. The inner circle goes in one direction, and the outer circle goes in the opposite direction.

Train:
The two main train stations in the city centre of Glasgow are the Central Station and the Queen Street Station. Glasgow Central Station offers connections to South West Scotland and almost anywhere in the UK, such as London, Manchester and Liverpool. Glasgow Queen Street Station will take you to the rest of Scotland.

Walking:
Glasgow is a large city, but it’s highly walkable! Although you’ll be covering many steps, exploring the city on foot is the best way to see most of its attractions.
Walking around the city can lead you to discover places you may have missed if you took the subway. You never know what beautiful spots or street art you may stumble upon while walking in Glasgow.

So, how can you fill one day in Glasgow?
I suggest starting with a Scottish breakfast to keep you going throughout the day. Cafe Wander, located in the city center, is a great place to start your day with a delicious breakfast!
Once you have fueled up, it’s time to explore. So, where should you begin?

Glasgow in one day: what to see?

Cathedral Glasgow
A great way to start your day is to visit the Cathedral of Glasgow, on the city’s east side. This Gothic Cathedral is an impressive building that you have to see! It’s the oldest building in Glasgow, with stunning stained glass windows and a medieval atmosphere that will make a lasting impression. The lower crypt in the Cathedral was a filming location for Outlander in season 2!
Visiting the Cathedral is free.

Glasgow Necropolis
Located next to the Cathedral of Glasgow, you will find this Victorian cemetery with ancient tombs and fascinating architecture! You have to cross the Bridge of Sighs to get there.
As a traveler, I enjoy visiting cemeteries in other countries, particularly older ones, because of their mysterious and peaceful atmosphere.
The Necropolis, also known as the City of the Dead, is a must-see during your day in Glasgow!
The cemetery is on a hill, which offers stunning views of the city and the Cathedral!

Glasgow Green
Glasgow Green is the oldest park in Glasgow, dating back to the 15th century. It is located on the north bank of the River Clyde and is home to the impressive McLennan Arch, which serves as a grand gateway to the park. Although it may not be a must-see spot, it’s a good place for a stroll, a picnic, or simply relaxing and watching people pass by. It’s an ideal spot for those who want to take it easy and enjoy the scenery, especially on a nice day :).

Merchant City
This quarter is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Glasgow, situated between the east side of the city and the city center. The area has a lot of street art and stunning architecture.
You can find many designer shops and cafes, with Ingram Street being the main street of Merchant City.
Places to see in the area are St. Andrews in the square, the Tron Theatre Clock Tower, and Mercat Cross. Merchant Square, located in the heart of Merchant City, houses a variety of bars and restaurants and has a covered courtyard. Every Saturday and Sunday, there’s a craft and design fair.

Streetart
Glasgow is a fantastic place for street art lovers! You can find stunning street art all over the city! Some famous examples are St. Mungo, with the bird that never flew, on High Street near the cathedral of Glasgow. On Ingram Street near Merchant Square, in a parking lot, you can find a large mural with Scottish wildlife. The floating taxi on Mitchell Street is another well-known one.

There are street art walking tours in Glasgow, but if you only have one day in the city, it may be too short to do a tour like this. However, if you plan to stay longer, you could consider it.
If not, you can still try to spot most of the street art by yourself during your day in Glasgow!

George Square with the City Chambers
George Square, surrounded by impressive Victorian architecture, is one of the six squares in the city center of Glasgow. One of the standout buildings in the square is the City Chambers, with an impressive entrance hall and staircases. Guided tours of the City Chambers are available twice daily, at 10.30 AM and 2.30 PM, from Monday to Friday, and are free of charge. You can obtain tickets at the City Chambers reception desk 30 minutes before the tour starts. You cannot pre-book them online.
George Square is also a popular spot to relax, sit and people-watch.

Kelvingrove Park
Kelvingrove Park is a beautiful park located on the west side of Glasgow, including the Kelvingrove Museum within its grounds. It takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to walk from the city center to this part of the city. However, if you’re short on time, it’s best to get there by bus, subway, or taxi.

The park is a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a picnic on a sunny day! It offers wooded trails, monuments, a skate park, and a duck pond, among other things. You can visit the Kelvingrove Museum before or after spending time in the park, making it a perfect combination of activities.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
During your one day in Glasgow, make sure to add a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum! It is one of the top attractions in the city and definitely worth a visit. The stunning architecture of the building will surely impress you!

The museum owns 22 themed galleries that are displaying over 8000 objects! The collections are wide-ranging, including natural history exhibits, arms and armour, artworks from different movements, Scottish history, and much more.
Admission to the museum is free, and it’s open from 10 AM to 5 PM, except on Fridays and Sundays when it opens at 11 AM. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours if you want to see most of the museum.

University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is also on the west side of Glasgow, near the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. If you still have some extra time, you can visit the university, which is one of the top things to see in the city.
The ancient buildings are reminiscent of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, but unfortunately, it was not a filming location. However, if you are an Outlander fan, you will be excited to know that the university was a filming location in the series.

Glasgow University was founded in 1451 and is a world top 100 University.
It is famous for its medical and veterinary medical studies.
You can explore the university on a self-guided tour or take a scheduled tour on Tuesdays or Sundays at 2 pm.

I guess your day in Glasgow will already be pretty full with the previously mentioned places. If you, by any chance, still have some time left, there are some other notable spots to visit during your one day in Glasgow.

Botanic Gardens
Depending on how much time you still have left on your day, you can squeeze in a little visit to the Botanic Gardens of Glasgow.
The gardens are home to a wide variety of plants from all over the world.

The gardens are open to visitors for free all year round, from 7 am till dusk. However, the glasshouses are open from 10 am to 6 pm (4:15 pm in winter). Kibble Palace is the most famous glasshouse in the Botanic Gardens.

The Hidden Lane
Also located on the west End of Glasgow, there’s this hidden alley at 1103 Argyle Street. The Hidden Lane is a community of artists, photographers, musicians and other creatives. It’s a pretty little area with a few colourful individual shops. While it’s not a main attraction or a must-see place, The Hidden Lane Tearoom is worth a visit for some tea and delicious home-baked treats and scones!

Where to eat during one day in Glasgow?

There are countless excellent places to eat in the city! Too many to discover in one day, of course ;).
If you’re looking for affordable and delicious food, I highly recommend the following places:

Café Wander
Start your day with a Scottish breakfast at this cute little basement cafe with good food and affordable prices! Café Wander is open from 8 am to 5 pm, and on Saturdays, it opens at 9 pm. They’re closed on Sundays.
Address: 110 W George Street.

Mono
Mono is a vegan restaurant and a unique spot where you can eat, drink and discover new music. Mono is under the same roof as Monorail Music, a music and DVD shop. You can enjoy a delicious vegan lunch or dinner here.
Mono is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm (Sunday 12-10 pm).
Address: 12 Kings Court, King Street.

Maki & Ramen
If you’re in the mood for Japanese food during your stay in Glasgow, this is the place to go. There’s a good atmosphere, a cosy interior, and delicious ramen and sushi!
There are 2 locations in the city, one on 21 Bath Street and one on 90 Renfield Street. They are open from 12 to 10 pm.

Tantrum Doughnuts
Tantrum Doughnuts is a hidden gem in Glasgow, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth cravings (like I did) with freshly hand-crafted delicious doughnuts and coffee. They offer a great selection of flavours, with various options ranging from filled to rings and vegan. Tantrum Doughnuts has three locations in Glasgow: 27 Old Dumbarton Road (near Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum), 28 Gordon Street (in the city centre), and 20 Minard Road (south of the city centre).

Bread Meats Bread
If you are looking for a great burger joint in Glasgow, Bread Meats Bread is the place to go. They work with fresh products, offer affordable prices, quick service, and friendly staff. Open from 11 am to 10 pm, Bread Meats Bread has several locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The closest ones to the city centre of Glasgow are 65 St Vincent Street (city centre) and 701 Great Western Road (West End).