Things to do in Glasgow for students
If you’re planning on a stint in Scotland's second city and want to know what’s on offer, look no further. Here are some of the best bits of Glasgow in a nutshell!
1. George Square
Right in the centre of the city, close to Queen Street and Central Station, the Square is a must-see for history fans.
You'll find 12 statues of famous Scottish figures including Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. Queen Victoria also makes an appearance; she opened the iconic City Chambers there in 1888.
You can get a free guided tour of the Chambers and see the stunning Victorian architecture and decor. The building’s Insta-worthy marble staircase and mosaic ceilings are truly beautiful.
2. Merchant City
Close to George Square is Merchant City, one of Europe’s busiest shopping destinations. Bustling with gin bars, cocktail lounges and restaurants serving international and Scottish cuisine, this is a must-visit!
Once 18th-century industrial warehouses, now it’s a shopper’s paradise, full of designer boutiques and an elegant shopping block looking out onto a courtyard.
City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket also host classical and pop concerts here.
3. Go on a shopping spree!
If you love shopping but prefer high street brands to the designer labels found in Merchant City, then head to Argyle Street. Along with Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, it’s the main shopping street in the city, with shops lining its 2.1 mile distance!
The shops on Buchanan Street are a little more upmarket than those found on the surrounding streets, so there’s something for everyone.
Shops, offices, cafes and restaurants are close at hand in the nearby Royal Exchange Square. Get your camera ready for this one. The architecture and history make it a real landmark.
4. Glasgow Cathedral
Don't miss out on a visit to Glasgow Cathedral. It's the only medieval building in Scotland to survive the Protestant Reformation and it's built on the burial site of Saint Kentigern. Make sure you check out the fine stained-glass windows and the carved stone bosses.
5. Gallery of Modern Art
The GoMA is a must-see for any visit to Glasgow. It’s the most visited modern art gallery in Scotland with colourful artwork and thought-provoking contemporary exhibitions. Outside the gallery you’ll find one of Glasgow’s most famous attractions: the statue of the Duke of Wellington which almost ALWAYS wears a traffic cone!
6. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Another art gallery that’s well worth a visit is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It’s easy to lose yourself for hours in the remarkable exhibitions here. Amongst its 22 galleries, you can also see fossils, dinosaur bones, minerals and furniture from around the world - and look out for the iconic Salvador Dali painting ‘Christ of Saint John of the Cross’.
As if that wasn't enough, there’s also a skate park, bandstand, children’s area, waterfall and the surrounding Kelvingrove Park. Chances are you’ll need to visit more than once to be able to see everything!
7. Glasgow Botanic Gardens
This beautiful attraction is situated just 10 minutes away from the University of Glasgow and is the perfect place for a day out.
The Kibble Palace, a glasshouse designed by John Kibble, James Boucher and James Cousland, is home to an array of orchids, carnivorous plants, and tree ferns.
8. The West End
The West End of Glasgow is one of the most beautiful parts of the city and is full to the brim with shops and restaurants. Ashton Lane hosts a number of bars with deals on cocktails while the Grosvenor Cinema screens new films and cult classics.
Eating out here is easy with options like Ramen Dayo and Ubiquitous Chip.
Make sure you pay a visit to Byers Road, often described as ‘the main artery flowing through the heart’ of the West End!
9. The architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Glasgow is proud of its many architectural gems, several of which were designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Lighthouse on Mitchell Lane was his first public commission and was once owned by the Glasgow Herald. Now it’s an exhibition centre and events space. You can go inside and climb the spiral staircase to the tower and enjoy views over the city.
The recently-restored Willow Tea Rooms in the city centre is worth a visit too, as is Queen’s Cross Church. Both are Mackintosh masterpieces, as is the Glasgow School of Art.
10. Riverside Museum
Don’t rush your visit to the Riverside Museum. It’s absolutely packed with 3,000 objects on display. You can board trams, walk down cobbled streets and enter shops from the early 1900s in this favourite for tourists and locals alike.
11. The River Clyde
Glasgow is built around Scotland’s most famous river, the River Clyde. It stretches over 100 miles and is an ideal location for a morning walk or cycle. What’s more, it's also lined with attractions such as the Glasgow Science Centre, The Tall Ship, Springfield Quay, and Intu Braehead.
12. Glasgow Science Centre
Open since 2001, the Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland’s most popular paid-for visitor attractions. On the south bank of the River Clyde in the Clyde Waterfront Regeneration area, this isn’t just a place for families and children. On the last Wednesday of every month, it hosts adults-only ‘Science Lates’ events where guests can drink, dance in a silent disco and explore the museum after hours.
13. The People’s Palace
Telling the story of the evolution of Glasgow and its people, from tobacco lords to Trade Unions, the Palace is in the historic Glasgow Green area.
After enjoying the permanent exhibitions, have a cuppa in the cafe or wander around the tropical plants in the winter gardens and Victorian glasshouse.
14. Follow the Mural Trail
Art in Glasgow isn’t only to be found in galleries and museums. You'll also find it in the streets in the form of murals. In the city centre, look out for a floating taxi, the Hip Hop Marionettes and Strathclyde University’s Wonderwall.
15. Barrowlands Park
In the East End's Barrowlands Park, this is a unique addition to your to-see list. The park was commissioned for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and at first sight looks just like any other. But if you look more closely, you’ll see that it's decorated with a long rainbow-coloured path which cuts through the park. This piece of street art is a chronological record of all the artists that have played at the iconic Barrowlands music venue nearby.
16. Barras Market
While you’re in the East End, check out the Barras Market which opens on Saturdays and is one of the UK’s oldest markets. The name refers to wheelbarrows (the Glaswegians pronounce ‘barrow’ as ‘barra’), which was the old traditional way of carting wares to the markets.
Nowadays this authentically Glaswegian market is full of indoor and street stalls. Everything is on sale from fresh fruit and vegetables, to boots, kilts, antiques and collectables.
17. Live music
Glasgow is famous for being a musical city and is home to many iconic live music venues. One of the most famous is King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, which has hosted many famous artists includin Coldplay, Snow Patrol, the White Stripes and Radiohead. It was here that Oasis were discovered and signed to a record label in 1993.
You’ll definitely have an amazing time here, and who knows, you could be watching the next big thing!
18. Pollok House
On the outskirts of Glasgow City, and surrounded by the greenery of Pollok Country Park, this elegant stately home was formerly the family seat of the Stirling-Maxwell family and is now protected by the National Trust for Scotland. You’ll feel like royalty as you walk through the passages of this grand, beautiful building. Its luxurious rooms, art collection, servants’ quarters and cedar-panelled smoking room look like they belong in Downton Abbey!
Once you’ve taken in the vast array of wonders within, you can take a stroll through park or have a bite to eat in the Edwardian Kitchen Cafe.
19. The Hunterian Museum
Dedicated to William Hunter, this museum is part of the University of Glasgow and is the oldest in Scotland. Consisting of various buildings on the main campus of the university, in the West End, it could be the inspiration for Hogwarts with its delightful architecture.
It includes the Hunterian Museum, the Hunterian Art Gallery, the Mackintosh House, the Zoology Museum and the Anatomy Museum. There’s plenty to take in, so make sure you have lots of time to see everything!
With so much to do in Glasgow, you’ll never get tired of exploring. Yugo’s stylish space provides the perfect base from which to explore the sights and sounds of the city!