Glasgow: How to Visit Scotland’s cultural gem on a Budget

Introduction

Glasgow is a lively city in western Scotland. This culture-rich city is full of loving and enthusiastic people. Glasgow is the cultural hub of Scotland unique to the rest of the country. With a history of a strong industrial sector, the city has bloomed into much more than that following the second World War. It is now famous for its ecstatic energy, live music every night, a famous university, and wonderful people.

Many travelers think of Edinburgh when they think of visiting Scotland. As much as I love Edinburgh, I would say that If you want a true Scottish cultural experience… visit Glasgow. As it may not be the gothic architectural masterpiece of Edinburgh, however, it is the real heart and soul of the culture in Scotland. It is true what they say: “the people make Glasgow.”

I enjoyed a fabulous week in this city with one of my friends who lives there. This guide will take you to the places that we visited, a list of pub recommendations (from a local), and some day trips you can take from the city when visiting. I also explain some practical tips that will help you save money when visiting. Overall, Glasgow is a very affordable city and a perfect place to start or end your journey through Scotland!

Things to do in Glasgow on a Budget

Glasgow is packed with fun activities. Plenty of which are completely free! The following list will describe some places that I particularly enjoyed.

Check out the Kelvingrove art exhibit

Highlights: Internationally influenced art collection, Glasgow Photo Gallery, Floating Heads exhibit.

Cost: Free!

Address: Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG, United Kingdom

The Kelvingrove art exhibit mixes art with history as it blends tradition and culture nicely. The museum is huge and the building itself is stunning. It is well organized with the exhibits labeled and floor plans posted everywhere, making it easier to get around.

Upstairs you will find art installations from Dutch, French, and Scottish artists donated to Glasgow over the years. I liked this part because it connects cultures well and explains how art from different regions at the time all influenced each other. Downstairs there are more exhibits related to more recent times and historic times. Within, you will find the Glasgow Photograph Gallery which depicts city life from the 20^th century, and a stuffed animal exhibit.

If you only have a few hours at the Kelvingrove art exhibit, do not waste your time at the stuffed animal exhibit. Every city museum in the world has this type of installation, and to make use of your time efficiently, cut this part out. The rest of the museum will be well worth your time.

Arguably my favorite part of the Kelvingrove art exhibition is that it is completely free. As it is one of Scotland’s most visited museums, it can get very crowded on weekends. Nonetheless, the gallery is huge, and you are bound to find something that interests you.

Walk around the University of Glasgow

Highlights: Harry Potter, architecture, beautiful neighborhood.

Cost: Free!

Address: Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom

The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451. Incredibly, this university is only the fourth oldest in the UK. The University is world-famous for its exceptional education standards. The pictures of these old buildings may remind you of something quite familiar… Hogwarts in Harry Potter was influenced by the buildings in the University. I recommend walking around these beautiful buildings while you are visiting the west end of Glasgow.

Stroll around “The Square” located right off University Avenue for some nice pictures. After checking out the University, stop for some drinks on Glasgow’s west end. This neighborhood has a real University vibe to it, and it comes alive at night. I recommend walking down Argyle street and Dumbarton road for fun places to drink.

Visit the Hunterian Museum at the University

Highlights: Ancient Rome exhibit, general history collection.

Cost: Free!

Address: Gilbert Scott Building (University Ave, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom)

The Hunterian Museum is located in the Gilbert Scott building at the University of Glasgow. The museum is packed with the history of the university, the ancient history of the city, studies of the university, and more history-related exhibitions. The museum is a bit unorganized, and I recommend finding 2 or 3 exhibitions that interest you and diving into them specifically. My favorite was the Ancient Rome explanation towards the entrance of the Museum. Another amazing part about this attraction is that it is also free!

Wander around the Glasgow Cathedral

Highlights: 2-storied cathedral, glass-stained art.

Cost: Free!

Address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ, United Kingdom

The Glasgow Cathedral is an underrated attraction in Glasgow. It was incredibly well-designed for its time. the Cathedral was built on a hill, so there happen to be two stories. Upstairs you will find the main section of the church with gorgeous glass-sained art. Downstairs hosts smaller processions like weddings and funerals. It also acts as a museum, with explanations about time periods, the Catholic church, the history of the chapel itself, and former bishops and priests. The basement also acts as a history museum and there are even QR codes available around the mini-exhibit for an audio guide.

You can easily spend an hour at the Glasgow Cathedral, reading the graphics and listening to the walking tour. The best views of the cathedral are from the Glasgow Necropolis, which towers over the back end of the church.

Explore the Glasgow Necropolis

Highlights: fancy gravestones, city views, picknick area.

Cost: Free!

Address: Castle St, Glasgow G4 0UZ, United Kingdom

The Glasgow Necropolis is located on a grassy hill that overlooks the Glasgow Cathedral to the west, and the rest of the city to the east and south. It is a massive burial site of more than 37 acres and 50,000 bodies of people from wealthy families. The Necropolis is one of the tallest points in the whole city, making it a perfect place for a picnic and stunning views.

It may sound strange having a cemetery as a top attraction in a city, but the view of the cathedral and the city are worth the visit. The gravestones are also a work of art and there are countless monuments scattered throughout the hill. I recommend finding yourself here during sunset over this amazing city.

They have a free walking tour that explains the various gravestones and the history of the park. Their website encourages donations in exchange, so make sure to bring some change.

Stroll down the city center mural trail

Highlights: city tour, St. Mugo Mural, Space Man Mural, Strathclyde University Mural.

Cost: Free!

Glasgow is full of beautiful urban art. The mural trail takes you around the city to check out some of the famous art pieces. Even if you are not seeking to walk the whole thing (it is quite long), it still makes for great scenery. The mural trail has a website where you can locate some of the known work, along with an interactive map that dives into the explanation of each piece. Guess what part I love about it most? That’s right… its free (of course).

Window shop at the electric Buchanan Street

Buchanan street is the center of the action in Glasgow. At all times of the day, you can expect some sort of live street music right in the heart of Glasgow. Keep in mind that this is the main commercial district, so if crowds are not your thing, pick something else on this list! Buchanan Street has someone playing live music at all times of the day, which represents what you can expect of Glasgow right as you step off the train.

Get cozy at one of Glasgow’s countless pubs

Below is a list of some of the 10 best bars Glasgow offers. These are recommendations from a local! Generally, the west end of Glasgow has the most lively bars but is generally a quid or 2 more expensive. Hop around and check out the different spots!

1. Bunker Bar (193-199 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HU, United Kingdom)
2. Slouch (203-205 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HZ, United Kingdom)
3. Driftwood (2 St George’s Rd, Glasgow G3 7UL, United Kingdom)
4. Nice n’ Sleazy (421 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3LG, United Kingdom)
5. Tingle Bar (33 Mitchell St, Glasgow G1 3LN, United Kingdom)
6. The Arc (North Frederick Street, Glasgow G1 2BS, United Kingdom)
7. Horseshoe Bar (17-19 Drury St, Glasgow G2 5AE, United Kingdom)
8. The Pot Still (154 Hope St, Glasgow G2 2TH, United Kingdom)
9. Block+ (117 Bath St, Glasgow G2 2SZ, United Kingdom)
10. The Counting House- Wetherspoons (2 St Vincent Pl, Glasgow G1 2DH, United Kingdom)

Take the train to Stirling Castle for the day

Highlights: Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey.

Cost: £20 castle entrance, £20 train ticket to and from Glasgow.

Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ, United Kingdom.

Stirling Castle is a historical masterpiece located just northeast of Glasgow. It is also one of the most culturally significant sites in the country. The castle is a steep £16, but even from the stinginess of a budget traveler, I fully recommend it. The castle is well preserved and acts as a massive museum for all corners of Scottish history.

A train from Glasgow Queens Street to Stirling will cost about £15. Make sure to include a return train ticket in your transaction, as it will be cheaper than purchasing it separately.

I loved this site so much that I wrote an entire article on it. Stirling has a fascinating castle, but the town has much more to offer.

Spend a day in Edinburgh

Highlights: Arthur’s Chair, Royal Mile, free museums.

Cost: £14-19.

Edinburgh is a must-see when spending some time in Scotland. It is a huge advantage having the city only an hour and a half train ride from Glasgow, making it a viable option for a day trip. My favorite thing to do in the city is taking the hour(ish) hike up to the top of Arthur’s Chair, an old volcano mountain that towers over the town.

A second-class day ticket to and from Edinburgh from Glasgow Queens Street will cost you roughly £14-19. Trains leave multiple times per hour but depend on the time of day. Make sure to buy your return ticket at the same time! You will save a lot of money if you buy it together. Also do not worry about buying your ticket online in advance. It is the same price if you buy it at the kiosk in the station before departure.

I do not, however, recommend only seeing this city in a day. One can easily spend a weekend in Edinburgh. If you are interested in visiting Edinburgh for longer than a day, I wrote a whole blog post articulating what to do and other practical tips.

Random tips on saving money in Glasgow

Get lunch or breakfast at Gregg’s. They are everywhere in the city and throughout Scotland. It is basically an easy and cheap way to get some food on the go.

Get a Tesco Meal Deal for lunch. This is a general UK deal that the grocery giant, Tesco, offers. Basically, you can snag a sandwich, snack, and drink for anywhere between £3-4, depending on the location of the store.

Use Gigguide.com to find local live music. Glasgow is filled with live music venues and tons of nightly shows. This website helps you filter the results to the type of music you are looking for.

Always buy a return ticket with your train pass. This goes for either ScotRail train travel or subway. For some reason, it is only £0.40 additional charge for a two-way. If you buy your return ticket on a separate transaction, you will lose about £5 on the subway, and more than £5 on ScotRail tickets.

Conclusion

Glasgow is by far my favorite city in Scotland and you will soon see why. As it may not be the most attractive city you have been to, but the city’s rich character and significant culture take the trophy. The energy of Glasgow will make you want to stay longer. It is also a budget-friendly destination, as most of the city’s attractions are free of charge! I hope you enjoy Glasgow as much as I did!