Travel Diaries: Glasgow Travel Recommendations
This list will be periodically updated as I continue to explore more of Glasgow
Edinburgh might have the Old Town, the architecture, and the deep history, but Glasgow has the people.
I have lived in Edinburgh for over a year now, and although my general experience with Scots here has been quite pleasant, I am enamored with the warmth and friendliness of Glasgow. The city is easy to navigate (Glasgow’s grid street system served as the inspiration for New York City’s grid system), there are fewer tourists than in Edinburgh, and many say that Glasgow offers a better glimpse into the “real” Scotland. Once you’ve lived here long enough, you pick up on the subtleties of the rivalry between the cities - Edinburgh is posh, full of foreigners, and offers a marketable brand of kilts-shortbread-castles-whisky Scotland. By comparison, Glasgow has traditionally had working class roots, is younger, and offers more shopping and nightlife. “The People Make Glasgow” is splashed across banners and signs throughout the city, highlighting Glasgow’s unique energy.
I say all this to say that most tourists prefer Edinburgh and skip over Glasgow, and although I am deeply in love with Edinburgh, I wholeheartedly encourage a stop in Glasgow on your Scottish adventure, especially if you’re the type of traveler that wants to feel like a local in a new place.
I haven’t spent as much time in Glasgow as in Edinburgh, so I will update this list of recommendations as I explore the city more.
Accommodation
The Address is in the heart of the city, only a short walk from the train station. It is a new hotel with modern/eclectic decor, a bottom-floor restaurant, and a Wellness Suite that offers a gym, sauna, dipping pool, and lounge chairs. The Address is a great option if you prefer to walk everywhere, as the hotel is surrounded by restaurants and shopping areas.
Food and Drink
If you love cozy libraries and inventive cocktails, you will love this bookstore-themed bar on Hope Street.The walls are lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the cocktail list is inspired by famous authors, and they bring the check tucked into a book. I’d describe the vibe as warm, inviting, and lively. The food menu is limited to bar bites and small plates, so I would personally recommend it more for pre-dinner drinks or a nightcap, and make sure you make a reservation.
Matcha lovers MUST stop at this cafe in between Merchant City and Trongate!! I went nearly every day on my recent trip. I love how creative the menu is - the owner used to be a bartender and brought his mixology knowledge into developing the drink flavors. You can choose between guinness or aperol spritz-inspired iced matchas, keep it classic, or go for fun additions like rose or lavender. I believe the menu changes, but they update their instagram regularly, and the best part of visiting is the precious Labrador Retriever in the corner of the shop who is Pineapple Espresso’s continual Employee of the Month.
It’s in the name - this small and cheerful spot is a great option for breakfast and brunch. I walked to it after a morning exploring the West End, and I loved the earl grey iced matcha special and chicken caesar salad wrap.
Mezcal > tequila in my PERSONAL opinion. Mezcal is not easy to find in the UK! It is much less popular here than it is in the states, but I prefer the smoky richness of a mezcal over the flavor of tequila. I saw this restaurant while perusing google maps and went over immediately. Mezcal proudly states that they are the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Scotland on their website, and I met the owner during my dinner and can confirm he is very passionate about the menu there. I confess to being picky about Mexican food, but I would go back if I was in town and had a craving. The cocktails are the real star of this menu - chili and pineapple margaritas, strawberry mezcalitas, and mezcal mules and negronis are just a few examples of the offerings there.
Activities
Founded in 1451, the uni is home to beautiful gothic architecture that reminds visitors of Hogwarts. Travelers are welcome to wander around the public grounds and enjoy the campus. The uni is also home to The Hunterian Museum, which is the oldest public museum in Scotland.
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
This museum houses 22 collections that span from historic art pieces to Scottish wildlife and early peoples to ancient Egypt to the history of Glasgow. Entry is free, but it’s polite to donate a few pounds to help support the museum.
If Glasgow’s grid system inspired NYC’s streets, consider Kelvingrove Park to be the Glaswegian Central Park. I spent hours roaming around in the sunshine, enjoying such a large green space in the middle of the city. I would love to go back and take a picnic and book.
The West End is a neighborhood in Glasgow that is stuffed full of bookstores, cafes, and pretty streets. If you have a few spare hours, it’s worth wandering over just to mosey around.
GoMA houses several contemporary and modern art collections. It is quite close to Royal Exchange Square and Buchanan St, so it’s easy to make an afternoon of the city centre.
This public square in central Glasgow is home to several restaurants with outdoor sections, making it a great spot for a little break.
Buchanan St, Ingram St, Argyll Arcade
Buchanan St in the city centre is a completely pedestrianized shopping hub. It offers a mix of high end and local shops, and nearby Ingram St is full of designer stores.
You should check out the Mitchell Library, Glasgow Women’s Library, and a trip to Pollok Park/the Burrell Collection to see the highland cows and the museum is my favorite way to spend the day. ~Sincerely an American girl who immigrated to Scotland to do her Masters in Museum Studies and then worked there!
I’m heading back to Scotland this winter and this is goin to be extremely helpful! Thanks girl ❤️