From wandering through fascinating museums to learning about history and culture, you can do it all in the musical city of Glasgow.Â
Known for its impressive architecture, welcoming atmosphere, and endless natural beauty, Glasgow is a city brimming with bewitching charm and personality. Not only does this Scottish city have culture for days with more than 20 world-renowned museums to explore but it’s also recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Music so listen out for a tune or two from one of over 130 musical events hosted in the city each week on our tours and holidays in Glasgow. Whether you fancy taking a stroll through Pollock House & Country Park or prefer to sip on a wee glass of whisky at one of this vibrant city’s best bars, your tour guide will point you in the direction of all the iconic attractions to make your Glashow trip an unforgettable one.Â
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Things to do in GlasgowÂ

Visit The Lighthouse
Get up close and personal with Glasgow’s stunning architecture at The Lighthouse, a meticulously built exhibition centre displaying the very best of Scottish design and construction. Equipped with its very own jaw-dropping helical staircase that offers unmatched views of the city at the top, this cultural hub offers an in-depth look at Glasgow’s architectural history and gives thanks to those who made the stunning city what it is today.Â

Marvel at the Glasgow Cathedral
Boasting the title of the first-ever Glasgow Cathedral to be built by stone in 1136, this beautiful place of worship has stood the test of time, perfectly preserving its details for visitors to marvel at and take photos of. Featuring impressive architectural details, intricate carvings, and one of the world’s finest collections of post-war stained-glass windows, this cathedral is not only an extraordinary structure but a spectacular piece of Christian history.Â

Walk through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens
There’s perhaps no better place to appreciate all of Glasgow’s natural beauty than at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Featuring several trails that’ll lead you past flowering plants and native trees including the Heritage Trail and a trail designed specifically for families, a stop at these gardens is a must on your next Glasgow trip. From walking through the recently restored Kibble Palace, a curved Glasshouse full of lush greenery, to enjoying a snack at the delightful Tearoom, these gardens are nothing short of spectacular.Â

Explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
Another day spent in Glasgow, another museum to explore. This time around it’s the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. Beautifully showcased in a sandstone building, there are several collections of iconic artworks from famous artists such as Monet, Dali, and Rembrandt on display, with each piece more vivid and fantastical than the next. There’s also a whole gallery dedicated to human, natural, and prehistoric history including dinosaur skeletons and armor so put on your walking shoes and get ready for an epic day out.Â

Learn about transport at the Riverside Museum
If you want to deep dive into Glasgow’s past as a major port city in the 18th and 19th centuries, then the Riverside Museum is the perfect place to do it. Filled with interactive displays and exciting exhibits detailing the city’s transport history, this impressive museum is shaped with a striking, jagged-like façade, making it a beautiful and interesting inclusion to the banks of the River Clyde. From playing with old-school locomotives to hopping aboard trams, you’re guaranteed to have fun among this museum’s extensive and fascinating collection of all things transportation.

Wander around the vibrant Merchant City
Consider taking an afternoon to stroll around the bustling and pulsating quarter of Merchant City for a multicultural experience like no other. Absolutely packed with the best bars, restaurants, galleries, shopping boutiques, and other social attractions in all of Glasgow, this area is the perfect destination for a fun-filled day or night out. But Merchant City is so much more than trendy eateries and hip places to hang out. Dating back to the 1750s, this wonderfully historic quarter is full of beautiful architecture that’s bound to take up some serious space in your camera roll.Â
Glasgow Tour ReviewsÂ
Glasgow FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city and one of the best (and easiest) ways to travel there from other parts of the UK is by train. Glasgow's biggest train station is Glasgow Central, located in the city centre. There are several train companies that offer services to Glasgow from major cities in Scotland and parts of England with routes including London to Glasgow, Manchester to Glasgow, and Edinburgh to Glasgow.Â
Glasgow is a fascinating city full of different attractions and landmarks and thankfully, there are a number of ways for you to get around and see everything this vibrant Scottish town has to offer. Driving is a good option if you want to get around Glasgow in a time-efficient way but you can also walk, cycle, or catch public transportation with the commuter rail system, Glasgow's Underground network, and bus tours all providing services to the most popular parts of the city.Â
Glasgow is known to have a moderate sea climate which means cold (and sometimes freezing) winters and relatively sunny, dry summers. It's unlikely for temperatures in the summer to reach extreme levels with an average temperature around 20°C. Rainfall is likely to occur throughout most seasons, especially winter, spring, and autumn, and days often see only 6 hours of sunshine.Â
While temperatures in Glasgow in winter can get to freezing levels, it doesn't always snow. Some years experience heavier snowfall, whereas other years hardly get any snow at all, and if they do, it doesn't stick around for long. Generally, you can expect some type of snowfall between the months of December, January, and February but it's likely to be mild.Â
The best time to visit Glasgow largely depends on what kind of holiday you want to have but generally, the summer months are the best time to explore everything Glasgow has to offer. This is because the average temperatures in summer sit around 20°C and these days often have the most amount of sun, making it the perfect weather to enjoy outdoor activities. While you might experience a rain shower or two, these usually pass quickly so you can get back to your Glasgow adventure.Â
The time of year you're travelling in goes a long way in figuring out what you should pack for your trip. If you're planning on visiting Glasgow during the seasons of winter, spring, and autumn then keep in mind you'll likely expect a rain shower or two so pack your wellies, an umbrella, and other waterproof gear such as jackets and coats. It never gets hot in summer so t-shirts and shorts will be appropriate but make sure to pack sunscreen and hats to protect yourself against the sun. Also, remember to pack a camera with you and a reusable water bottle for your many activities and adventures.Â
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
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