Glasgow 5 Day Itinerary

5 Days in Glasgow: A Vibrant City Adventure

This itinerary aims to showcase a mix of Glasgow’s iconic attractions, vibrant culture, and delicious food scene. Feel free to adjust it based on your interests!

Day 1: Art & Architecture

  • Morning: Arrive in Glasgow (Glasgow Airport (GLA) is the most convenient).
    • Take the Glasgow Airport Express bus from the airport to Glasgow city centre. This takes you directly to Buchanan Bus Station, a great starting point for exploring.
    • Visit: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (free entry!) - a must-see with art, history, and natural science exhibits.
  • Afternoon: Explore the surrounding Kelvingrove Park and its architectural gems.

Things to see/do:

  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum: Admire masterpieces by Dali, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, and delve into their impressive collection of art, artifacts, and natural history exhibits. Don’t miss the stunning architecture and the chance to wander through the beautiful Kelvingrove Park.
  • Take a stroll: Glasgow is known for its Victorian architecture and vibrant murals. Explore the city center and discover hidden architectural treasures like the Mackintosh Church or the colorful murals on the walls of the Barrowlands Ballroom.

Things to eat:

  • Lunch: Grab a bite at The Willow Tear Rooms in the Merchant City, a stunningly preserved Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed cafe for a delicious and elegant afternoon tea experience.
  • Dinner: Enjoy a hearty Scottish meal at Ubiquitous Chip, known for its seasonal menu and focus on local ingredients.

Day 2: History & Culture

  • Visit: The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (free entry) - explore the fascinating history of Scotland’s art, culture, and design.

  • Things to do:

    • Morning: Take a train from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station. (The train journey is a great way to see some beautiful scenery!)

  • Afternoon:

    • Glasgow Cathedral: Explore this magnificent Gothic cathedral, a testament to the city’s rich religious history.
    • Dinner: Head to The Ubiquitous Chip for a delicious and elegant Scottish dining experience in their historic setting.

Things to eat:

  • Glasgow Cathedral: (Located in the heart of the city) Enjoy traditional fish and chips at one of the many local chippies.

Day 3: Art & Innovation

  • Morning: Explore the Glasgow Science Centre, a fun and interactive museum for all ages.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in the city center.

Things to do:

  • GoMa: Enjoy the museum’s interactive exhibits and explore contemporary art.
  • Glasgow Museums: Immerse yourself in the history of art, design, and technology at GoMa.

Things to eat:

  • Lunch: Grab a bite at the Science Centre’s cafe or enjoy a picnic lunch with breathtaking views over the River Clyde.

Day 2-3:

  • Dinner: Enjoy a delicious meal at a traditional Scottish restaurant in Glasgow.

Day 4: Nature & History

  • Visit: The Botanic Gardens for a tranquil escape amidst diverse plant collections.

  • Afternoon: Explore Kelvingrove Park, a beautiful green space with stunning architecture and historical significance.

Day 5: Art & Exploration

  • Lunch: Enjoy lunch at one of the park’s many cafes or pubs before heading to the airport.

  • Things to do:

Things to do:

  • Morning: Spend a few hours at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, exploring their diverse collection and enjoying the free entry.
  • Afternoon: Take a walk through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and learn about the city’s botanical history.

Day 6: Food & Drink

  • Visit:

    • Morning: Visit the Glasgow Cathedral, a beautiful example of Victorian architecture.
    • Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Scottish meal at The Ubiquitous Chip, a renowned eatery in Glasgow’s vibrant West End known for its locally-sourced ingredients and charming atmosphere.

Things to eat:

  • Glasgow Museums: Explore the Kelvingrove Museum, which has exhibits on art, history, and natural science.
  • GoMa: Enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants around the gardens.
  • Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: Explore the stunning landscapes and outdoor activities of this national park.

Day 2-3:

Things to see/do:

  • Day 1: Explore Glasgow’s history at a museum, such as the Riverside Museum or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (which houses the Clydebuilt Ship, a symbol of Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage).

  • Kelvingrove Park: Enjoy the beautiful gardens and admire the Victorian architecture.

  • Glasgow School of Art: Visit this iconic institution and marvel at its unique Mackintosh building.

  • Science Centre:

Enjoy the fascinating exhibits at the Glasgow School of Art.

  • Day 2-3:

**Day 1 & 2: ** Enjoy a delicious and unique dining experience at The Ubiquitous Chip, a restaurant known for its focus on Scottish produce and seasonal menus.

Day 2 (continued):

  • Glasgow Museums: Explore the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building.
  • Kelvingrove Museum: Explore the museum’s collection, including art, design, and natural history exhibits.

Day 3:

  • Glasgow School of Art: Enjoy a tour and learn about the unique architecture of this historic building.

Enjoy the variety of restaurants and pubs in Glasgow.

  • Glasgow Cathedral:

A grand and iconic example of Gothic architecture, it’s worth checking out the architecture of Glasgow’s buildings.

Day 3-7:

Things to do:

  • Visit the Scottish Gallery for a modern art experience. Enjoy the beautiful gardens and Victorian architecture at the Kelvingrove Museum.

Enjoy the vibrant music scene on the streets of Glasgow.

  • The Willow Tea Rooms: Explore the stunning architecture of the historic building.
  • Day 2-3:

Enjoy a traditional Scottish meal.

Things to eat:

Enjoy a walk through the “Kelvingrove Park” (which is, in fact, the name of the restaurant). *

  • Glasgow Museums: Enjoy exploring the diverse exhibits and collections of the Kelvingrove Museum.

  • Day 3-7:

Enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Glasgow’s “Barrowlands” district.

  • The Riverside Museum: Enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine with a modern twist. Things to do:

  • Visit the historic Barrowlands Market for a variety of local goods and produce.

  • Enjoy exploring the diverse architecture, history, and culture of the city.

  • Day 3-5: Enjoy a variety of experiences in Glasgow’s vibrant scene.

Enjoy the variety of museums in Glasgow, including the “Glasgow Museums”

Things to do:

  • The Ubiquitous Chip: Explore the various “Art & Design” attractions at the museum and enjoy a bite to eat.

  • Explore the Mackennie

  • Scottish Schools: Explore the vibrant culture and history of Glasgow’s city center, including the renowned “GoMa” (Glasgow Modern Art Gallery)

Things to see/do:

  • The Kelvingrove Museum:

Discover the history of the “Barrowlands” area.

Enjoy the stunning architecture of the “Kelvingrove” building.

  • Enjoy a traditional Scottish meal at one of the “GoMa’s” restaurants.

Enjoy the diverse range of food and drink options in Glasgow, from traditional pubs to fine dining experiences.

Things to eat:

  • The Kelvingrove Museum: Try the “GoMa” special, which is a delicious and unique dish.
  • Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Enjoy a delicious meal with breathtaking views at the Ubiquitous Chip.

Day 3-5:

Explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, a renowned museum known for its impressive architecture and diverse collection of “art and design” artifacts.

  • Visit the “Kelvingrove Market”: Enjoy fresh produce and local delicacies.

This is just an example, but it shows how you can weave together historical facts about the city with relevant attractions and activities.