Often overlooked for the tourist-friendly city of Edinburgh, Glasgow is a diamond in the rough.
If you’re traveling to the Scottish Highlands or the Western Highlands, chances are you’ll be spending some time in Glasgow.
To be completely honest I originally thought Glasgow would be a totally boring city. I had assumed it was more a residential city and hence there wasn’t much to see.
How WRONG was I???
I ended up falling in love with Glasgow in the short time I had to explore. Having had time to digest my experiences, I definitely want to visit again!
I mean.. What’s not to love?
Amazing food, friendly people, lots of free museums and endless parks to explore.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like my kind of city!
Now, if you’ve only got 24hrs in Glasgow, I’ve put together an itinerary for you…
9am
Start off your day right with a Scottish Breakfast, including the ever famous blood pudding! You’ve only got 24hrs in Glasgow, so make sure you fill up at breakfast. Filling up now means you can have a quick lunch or make it all the way to tea time without starving to death.
Our favorites in Glasgow are either:
- Café Wander: a great budget-friendly cafe or
- Café Gandolfi: so popular amongst Glaswegians that on weekends you’ll need to book a table!
If you’re planning to visit Cafe Gandolfi, definitely book ahead… Don’t show up on the weekends without a booking or you’ll find yourself waiting, or you’ll be given a table with a short time frame to enjoy your food (no one wants to scoff down a Scottish Breakfast!)
Can you spot the black pudding??
10am
I’m all for filling up on delicious food but do love to follow-up a delicious meal with a walk. I mean, no matter how many times I try, I can’t quite convince myself that sausages are healthy…
Head to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and make sure to check out Kibble Palace, the indoor greenhouse.
11am
Make your way to Kelvingrove, one of Glasgow’s many museums. You’ll even be able to enter for free – a bonus for the budget travelers out there!
When there, make sure you check out their pipe organ – it was built in 1901 (and if you need a couple of hours to check out the museum, hang around for the daily performance at 1 pm Monday to Saturday or 3 pm or Sundays)
If you’re feeling hungry, stop by the café for a quick meal, and if you’re on a budget make sure to check out the soup of the day. It’s super filling and a great stomach filler on a cold day at only £3.75!
3pm
A 7minute walk from Kelvingrove is the hidden lane tea room- located down a lane that’s called… Wait for it… The Hidden Lane! The laneway is filled with local businesses and artists and is painted bright colors.
Super cute right??
The laneway is painted in bright colors and is filled with local businesses and artists.
Make sure you try the afternoon tea or the dessert tea. Super filling and not too hard on the wallet!
4pm
If you’re feeling full after all that food, now would be a great time to check out all the beautiful architecture at the University of Glasgow. Just a 12min walk from the Kelvingrove Museum or a 15min walk from the Hidden Lane tea room, the architecture is well worth the detour!
Make sure you check out the main quadrangle (next to the visitor’s shop) for these beautiful archways. I totally got Harry Potter vibes when visiting here (what is it with universities in the UK being so damn photogenic?!)
5pm
You’ve spent most of the day walking (talk about an intense 24hrs in Glasgow), so head back to your hotel for some well-needed rest!
If you’re feeling particularly enthused, take a walk through the Glasgow city center.
Some other great places to explore:
- George Square
- Glasgow City Chambers
- The Princess Square Shopping Centre
6pm
Now, you can’t finish up your 24hrs in Glasgow without a trip to the pub to fill up on local favorites.
One thing I miss from being at home is good pub food – as much as I love the US, it’s been a struggle when it comes to pubs!
Our favorite was The Drum & Monkey, a great local pub with seating in the back if you want a sit-down meal. They’ve got an amazing beef pie (with pastry that melts in your mouth) and a great selection of local Scottish favorites (including Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties!)
If pubs aren’t your thing, it’s also worth visiting The Chippy Doon the Lane, a small hidden restaurant with delicious fish and chips.
I loved my time in Glasgow, and I wish I had planned my stay for longer. It’s an unassuming city that you can’t help but fall in love with!
Are you planning a trip to Scotland? Make sure you download our Scotland packing list! Click the image below to download this free PDF:
Planning a trip to Scotland?
Download our FREE Scotland Packing Checklist! Enter your email here and we'll send your freebie, PLUS you'll get access to our travel lover's resource library, filled with checklists and budget-friendly guides.
Ahh, my home city! Glad you liked it, it’s such an amazing city and like you say, too often overlooked in favour of Edinburgh. Nice itinerary for a quick trip! Kim
Thank you, Kim!! What a beautiful place to call home – I think of Glasgow much like my home city of Melbourne, Australia. Often overlooked, but also incredibly livable!