Exploring Glasgow

Scotland’s second city is enjoying a cultural renaissance, and now boasts a burgeoning number of Michelin star restaurants as well as a growing collection of edgy galleries, excellent museums and luxury hotels. If you’re considering a weekend in Glasgow then here’s how to see the city at its best.

Discover Art Deco: Glasgow has a stunning Art Deco heritage, and fans of the iconic period will be able to see numerous examples around the city. Check out the Willow Tea Rooms, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, then wander around a replica of the architect’s Southpark Avenue House – complete with original furniture and designs.

Indulge your cultural side: The Kelingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland’s finest cultural venues. With more than 200,000 items and a diverse range of exhibitions and events, this stunning Spanish Baroque-style building is well worth a visit. Just like GOMA – the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art in the city centre – admission is absolutely free. If you’re keen on architecture, you should also enjoy a tour of the cathedral with its majestic façade and impressive interior.

The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in the city centre

Enjoy the night life: A visit to Glasgow isn’t all about grand monuments and high-brow exhibitions – one of the greatest attractions of the city is its party scene. Whether you’re an Indie chick or an RnB fan, Glasgow has a packed calendar of events, live music and festival that are sure to appeal. Check out the old ABC cinema for great DJs, the Glasgow School of Art for a young, student-style scene, or the Nude bar for killer cocktails. For those who prefer their nightlife more sedate, the city boasts a selection of top restaurants associated with some of the biggest British celebrity chef names.

Retreat for the festival: It’s almost impossible to find a well-priced hotel room in Edinburgh during festival season, but if you fancy sampling the festive atmosphere then the excellent train connections make Glasgow the perfect place to base yourself. There are several luxury hotels Glasgow wide – check out the Millennium Hotels website for more details. You can nip across to the Scottish capital for a lunchtime performance at the Edinburgh Festival and be back in time for tea and cakes in the afternoon.