Glasgow: Museums, history and special experiences

Glasgow brings together art collections, industrial history, religious heritage, gardens and markets. When planning your trip, it’s worth first choosing the experiences you want to shape your stay: a museum visit will lead you to different subjects than a tour of historic sites or a glimpse of the city’s market life.

Art and technology in Glasgow’s museums

Kelvingrove opened in 1901 as part of the International Exhibition in Glasgow and became Glasgow’s municipal art gallery and museum in 1902. Its collections cover fine art and design, natural history, arms and armour, human history, and ancient Egypt. Temporary exhibitions, educational programmes and events are also held throughout the year. The subjects featured in the current programme may change.

At the Burrell Collection, different art forms meet digital interpretation: visitors can find more than 90 digital displays, as well as interactive and immersive experiences. Featured subjects include Chinese ceramics from various dynasties, medieval stained glass and Impressionist paintings. The presentation may continue to evolve, so checking the current offering can help with planning.

The Riverside Museum is located at the confluence of the Kelvin and Clyde rivers. Its transport and technology collections reflect Glasgow’s contributions to shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. It complements the art and cultural themes of the other collections with the city’s industrial history.

The cathedral and Victorian heritage

Today’s Glasgow Cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is the only cathedral on mainland Scotland to have survived the Reformation with its fabric completely intact. It is also still an active Church of Scotland parish church, where worship has been held continuously for fourteen centuries. The tomb of St Mungo is in the crypt. If you’d like to combine your visit with a service, check the current times.

The Glasgow Necropolis is a historically significant Victorian cemetery covering 37 acres, or 15 hectares. Guided tours tell the stories of some of the around 50,000 people buried there. As well as the cemetery’s size and historic character, the tours bring individual life stories into focus.

Gardens and the planetarium

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens were founded in 1817 and opened at their current location in 1842. They are free and open to the public; check access arrangements before your trip. The Kibble Palace houses the National Collection of tree ferns, and also features carnivorous plants, sculptures and a koi pond. The visit offers a different focus from the art and technology museums, with plants and garden features taking centre stage.

At the Glasgow Science Centre’s planetarium, fulldome films are shown on a 15-metre hemispherical dome. The digital fulldome projection system is also used for live shows hosted by astronomers. As the programme may change, it’s a good idea to check the current showtimes in advance.

Markets and getting your bearings during your stay

Markets also offer different insights into Glasgow’s local offering. Merchant Square Market features arts and crafts and design, including jewellery, candles, cards, artworks and photographs handmade in Glasgow. The Rail Yard holds a weekly farmers’ market on Saturdays, with produce, baked goods, gifts and crafts from local producers.

Further markets take place in the West End and Southside: in Partick and Shawlands, Scottish produce such as seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat and local cheeses is available alongside a variety of street food. The markets alternate on Saturdays. Southside’s Park Lane Market features local traders, food and live music; it takes place on the first, second and last Sunday of the month. Market dates, participating traders and programmes may change, so it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.

You can explore Glasgow on foot, by bike or by public transport, following routes, trails and themed itineraries. Cycling is described as a convenient way to get around the city. If you’re driving, the Burrell Collection can be reached via 2060 Pollokshaws Road and Junction 2 of the M77; check the details before setting off.

This makes it easy to plan your stay around the experiences you’d like to enjoy in Glasgow before looking for a hotel for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Glasgow, Carmunnock, Balmaha, Perth And Kinross, Falkirk, Lothian, Angus, Clackmannanshire

For the main travel overview: Scotland.