Forget Edinburgh, Glasgow is Scotland’s best city break. Filled with restaurants, theatres, and some of the best free attractions in Europe, this city should be high on your wish list of weekend getaways.
Here are just five great reasons to visit this fantastic city and experience everything it has to offer.
Glasgow’s Architecture Is Its Living History
One of the greatest sights awaiting you in Glasgow is its architecture. Walking down its city streets is like taking a trip back in time, with many of the buildings there still standing strong after more than a century. Most city-centre buildings date from the 19th Century and are a living testament to Glasgow’s role in the industrial revolution. It was an incredibly important city to Queen Victoria and the British Empire, seen as a Northern centre for trade and finance.
If you want to experience one of these amazing buildings first-hand, inside and out, then look for an Airbnb in the city centre. Many of these short-term holiday rental apartments are a grand way to stay in the city and get a taste of life in these buildings. This Airbnb management company in Glasgow manages some fantastic Glaswegian properties, right in the heart of the city. They also offer Airbnb management in the rest of Scotland, making short-term let management easy.
In The Summertime, When The Weather Is High
The best time to visit Scotland, in general, is probably between May and September. Winter in Scotland is not for the faint-hearted. Cold winds can add a lot to the chill, so unless you want a break away spent wrapped up warm, aim for the spring and summer months. That said, if you enjoy a winter weekend away, Glasgow is a good choice. For most travellers, the best breaks are in t-shirts and shorts, so look for a deal in June or July.
The vast majority of Glasgow’s attractions are open all year round, so whenever you decide to go, you will have access to its plethora of restaurants, theatres, and tourist hotspots. The best way to get around the city is on foot, so bear this in mind when you are choosing a time of year to visit. When the weather turns cold public transport gets crowded, and taxis become difficult to flag down.
Food Is Glasgow’s Love Language
When you take a trip to Glasgow, put a new notch in your belt before you travel. This city knows how to eat. Your idea of Scottish cuisine may be haggis and deep-fried everything, and you can find all of that to be sure, but there is plenty more on offer at Glasgow’s numerous restaurants. The city was an early settling place for Indian immigrants in the early 60s and 70s. Glasgow is home to some of the best Indian restaurants in the United Kingdom, and the chicken tikka masala was invented here. Though its creator has sadly passed, the dish lives on in the hearts and stomachs of Glasgow.
If a Glaswegian take on traditional Indian cuisine is not up your street, have no fear. Glasgow has no shortage of great restaurants, from fine dining to fish and chips. Top of your list of dishes should be Hebridean smoked salmon, which you should be able to find just about anywhere. This smoked salmon is the best in the world and brings traditional Scottish oat cakes to life. Do not miss out on the opportunity for a ‘chippy tea’ either. Deep-frying haggis makes it much more palatable to most people, and is great on the side of freshly fired ‘tatties’. Wash it down with some Irn-Bru for extra authenticity.
The Best Things In Life Are Free
For a great time in Glasgow, you do not need a bulging budget. Some of the best activities in the city are free. The first free activity is simply walking around the city and admiring its architecture and history, and it has both in abundance. The centrally located George Square is a great destination for a stroll. Named after King George III and constructed in 1781, it is the architectural jewel in Glasgow’s crown. Here you can find monuments to Queen Victoria, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and William Gladstone.
Next to the square is Glasgow City Chambers, a huge Victorian-era building that dominates the area and is a sight to behold. It is a common meeting place for the city’s residents, who often arrange to meet up with friends ‘at the Chambers’. Not only is it free to view from the outside, but there are free tours throughout its interior These allow you to see even more to see of this impressive building, and you will learn a lot about the history of this amazing city, its wonderful people, and its place in the British Empire.
Art, Culture, And Religion Combine
The epicentre of Glaswegian history, architecture, art, culture, and religion is Glasgow Cathedral. It is the city’s oldest building, with parts of it dating back to 1136. It goes by many names too, including the High Kirk of Glasgow and the Cathedral of Saint Mungo. If you ask anyone where the cathedral is, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Though once a Roman Catholic Cathedral, it is now home to the Church of Scotland.
From the outside, its Scottish Gothic architecture is incredibly impressive. The best views are of its interior, however. Here you can get a much better look at its incredible stained-glass windows, huge, vaulted ceiling, and intricate stone arches. If you call in advance, you can get a guided tour of all its amazing architecture and artwork. The nearby St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art is another free attraction, though donations are always welcome, and covers the history of Scottish religion and all other world religions.
When you are planning your next trip to a European city, put Glasgow at the top of your list. You will not regret it. This city has everything you should be looking for, and more. With so many amazing places to stay, eat, and tour, you would be mad not to.
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