Glasgow Travel Itinerary

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Few visitors have unlimited time on their hands during a city break, but want to make the most of the time that they do have. The suggested itinerary tries to highlight the main attractions, some of the best dining locations and a sample of the available entertainment, to make searching out how to fill your short break easy.

Read more on this destination in the AA Key Guide to Scotland.

Suggested Glasgow itinerary

Day One

Morning
A great place to start, would be to get your bearings of the city but catching one of the open-top tour buses, that leave regularly from the city’s main plaza, George Square, in front of Glasgow City Chambers. The tours take you on an entertaining and informative tour of all the main sites of the city and with a ticket that is valid for 24hours, you can get on and off as many times as you want.

Lunch
Much has been written about the Glasgow Tearoom experience but you can live it for real at here Miss Cranston’s tea room (see eating out)

Afternoon
Head out of the city to take in the sights of the recently renovated Kelingrove Art Gallery and Museum and/or the Botanic Gardens with its highlight the Kibble Palace, with its huge domed glasshouse

Dinner
You needn’t go back to the centre for dinner, there are some exceptional restaurants right where you are. Why not try Stravaigin (see eating out), with its exotic menu, or Ubiquitous Chip (see eating out), that offers a modern slant to Scottish Cuisine.

Evening
After a busy afternoon and full from a some tasty Scottish fair, end the day at a bona-fide traditional Glasgow Pub. Choose between the Horse Shoe Bar (see entertainment) or Uisge Beathe (see entertainment), depending on your tipple (drink)

Day Two

Morning
Take a trip out to the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, on Glasgow Green. The museum can introduce you the real heart of Glasgow and help you to understand the history and character of the city, while in the gardens you can find sanctuary to enjoy the exhibition of the moment.

Lunch
You could stay for lunch in the café of the Winter Gardens, or if you prefer to head back into the centre, you could eat at Michael Caines at the Abode Hotel (see eating out)

Afternoon
There are a number of ways to enjoy the splendour of the Mackintosh Trail. You could choose to select your own choice of the sites you want to see and to control your own time and route. On the otherhand, you could take advantage of one of the organized bus tours or walks

Dinner
Dine at Gamba (see eating out), which has the reputation of being the best seafood restaurant in Glasgow. The stylish and relaxing atmosphere compliments the exceptional service and delicious dishes.

Evening
With the restaurant offering post and pre theatre dining, this may well be the evening to enjoy a performance at one of the many theatres that Glasgow has to choose from (see entertainment). Whether you head for one of the larger renowned locations or select a smaller resident company, you are sure to be enterained.

Day Three

Morning
A must, while in Glasgow, is a trip to the Burrell Collection, a priceless array of 9,000 items from around the world donated to the city by Sir William Burrell in 1944. Public transport should make this easy either by bus or via the underground network.

Lunch
The famous Willow Tearooms (see eating out), are a great place to have lunch, though slightly on the expensive side it is yet another chance to enjoy a design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Afternoon
Take the afternoon to now visit any of the sites that have caught your eye during your stay but if you are not sure then the Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis are well worth a look. You can enjoy the stunning architecture of the building and amazing details on the monuments within the burial ground itself. Then finish off your trip by visiting The Princes Square shopping centre, with a variety of high quality shops.

Dinner
If you find yourself in the shopping centre in time for dinner you can enjoy your final dining experience at the Restaurant Bar and Grill (see eating out), a relaxed yet elegant restaurant.

Evening
End your trip with either a touch of music, at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut (see entertainment) the heart of Glasgow’s music scene (be aware you may need to arrange tickets) or comedy at the Stand (see entertainment) with its nightly offering of local and international performances.