View of the Music Room in the House for an Art Lover, with art-nouveau chairs, chandeliers and piano, with Charles Rennie Mackintosh motifs

Glasgow Welcomes - The Glasgow Experience

Supporting front of house hospitality staff to play their very important part in welcoming visitors to Glasgow

Glasgow is one of Europe’s most vibrant and diverse destinations and is recognised as a world-class city in which to live, work, study, invest, meet, and visit. The city is regularly named as one of the friendliest in the world.

The city’s official visitor website: www.visitglasgow.com

The city’s official website for tourism and hospitality businesses, conference planners (Glasgow Convention Bureau), travel trade and event organisers: www.visitglasgow.org.uk

City brands

Blue toned logo reading Global Destination Sustainability Index, #8 in the world, #1 in East & West Europe, #1 in the UK

Blue toned logo reading Global Destination Sustainability Index, #8 in the world, #1 in East & West Europe, #1 in the UK

Our sustainable city

Glasgow is the most Sustainable UK Destination, according to The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS Index).  The GDS Index measures and benchmarks more than 100 destinations across their sustainability activity. Since 2016, Glasgow has ranked within the top 10 destinations in the world and we are now 8th in the world.

Read more about our sustainability journey Read more about our sustainability journey

Things to see and do in Glasgow

Glasgow is a city of culture, bursting with experiences and a warm personality. From grand architecture to green spaces, colourful street art to contemporary cuisine, there is much to discover.


Glasgow combines the best of both worlds – the culture of the city and the scenery of Scotland, with coastlines and castles on the city’s doorstep. With this unique proposition for visitors, it is no wonder that Glasgow was named one of the 'best UK city breaks' by Conde Nast Traveller (2021, 2022, 2023).

Here are some of the best things for people to see and do in Glasgow. 

An internal view of the Kelvingrove East Court, set up for a private dinner, taken from a first storey balcony. A long, vaulted, room adorned with carved sandstone walls and a polished-stone floor. An artwork of white heads is suspended from the ceiling, the event's lighting makes them look pink and yellow. Down the centre of the floor is a long table covered in an ivory tablecloth, wooden chairs surround it, the table is set and decorated. Glass vitrines, carved busts and other objects surround the table.

An internal view of the Kelvingrove East Court, set up for a private dinner, taken from a first storey balcony. A long, vaulted, room adorned with carved sandstone walls and a polished-stone floor. An artwork of white heads is suspended from the ceiling, the event's lighting makes them look pink and yellow. Down the centre of the floor is a long table covered in an ivory tablecloth, wooden chairs surround it, the table is set and decorated. Glass vitrines, carved busts and other objects surround the table.

MUSEUMS

Glasgow is proud to have Europe’s largest civic arts collection and many of the city's museums and art galleries offer free entry. Find out about our Museums.

Most visited museums across the city:

  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
  • Riverside Museum
  • The Burrell Collection
  • Gallery of Modern Art

CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

Glasgow has the Art Nouveau magic of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh was a prolific artist, architect and designer whose work is a key attraction, and his innovative and influential style can be seen throughout the city. Many visitors come to the city to see examples of his work. Key sites for visitors include:

  • Mackintosh at The Willow
  • The Mackintosh House 
  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum 
  • Mackintosh Queen's Cross 
  • House for an Art Lover 

Read more on VisitGlasgow.com  Read more on VisitGlasgow.com 

An interior shot of The Gallery of Modern Arts, Gallery 1. The image shows a large room lined with large arched windows. 2 rows of dark Roman-style columns line the room, reaching up to the gold, arched ceiling covered in decorative plaster work. The art installation covers the floor in a striped black and white pattern and concrete shapes and a colourful, wiry sculpture can be seen in the distance. Spotlights can be seen between the columns and the outer walls are uplit.

An interior shot of The Gallery of Modern Arts, Gallery 1. The image shows a large room lined with large arched windows. 2 rows of dark Roman-style columns line the room, reaching up to the gold, arched ceiling covered in decorative plaster work. The art installation covers the floor in a striped black and white pattern and concrete shapes and a colourful, wiry sculpture can be seen in the distance. Spotlights can be seen between the columns and the outer walls are uplit.

ARTS

Glasgow has produced many famous artists: John Byrne, Peter Howson, Jim Lambie and perhaps the most famous of all Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The city's contribution to contemporary art is very valuable with no fewer than seven Turner Prize winners having hailed from, trained in, or worked out of the city.

Here are some please to enjoy contemporary art in the city.

Read more about the Contemporary Art Trail Read more about the Contemporary Art Trail

White tote bag with the words Glasgow Music City Tours and a stylised microphone

White tote bag with the words Glasgow Music City Tours and a stylised microphone

MUSIC

Glasgow is one of only five cities in the world to be named a UNESCO City of Music. Glasgow has a rich musical history and a diverse, thriving music scene. 

Leading music venues include:

Learn about Glasgow for music lovers. Learn about Glasgow for music lovers.

An orchestra perform on stage, with a snowy mountain backdrop.

An orchestra perform on stage, with a snowy mountain backdrop.

EVENTS

Glasgow has a spectacular programme of events and festivals. Here is a list of the annual event taking place in the city. 

Annual events include:

Find out about the best live music experiences Find out about the best live music experiences

Various Indian food dishes on a table with exotic juice drinks.

Various Indian food dishes on a table with exotic juice drinks.

EATING

Glasgow is the envy of many European cities for its amazing restaurant and café scene.

The range of night spots in the city is equally varied and exciting with traditional pubs, cocktail bars and everything in between. Guide to some of the best places to eat in Glasgow no matter your taste or budget.

White bar set up with lots of glasses for a whisky tasting

White bar set up with lots of glasses for a whisky tasting

WHISKY

Known as 'water of life' in Gaelic, whisky is Scotland's national drink. While in the city, visitors should be sure to sample a dram, take a distillery tour and find out more about the globally-renowned drink. 

Whisky distilleries in and around Glasgow include:

Find out more about enjoying whisky in the city Find out more about enjoying whisky in the city

Sunny view of a small, tree-lined pond in Queen's Park, with cyclists and people strolling along a path, with a church spire in the background

Sunny view of a small, tree-lined pond in Queen's Park, with cyclists and people strolling along a path, with a church spire in the background

PARKS AND GARDENS

The Gaelic translation of Glasgow, Glaschu, literally means “Dear Green Place” - a very appropriate name for a city which boasts over 90 parks and gardens within its city boundaries. 

Some of the most popular parks and gardens and what to see there:

  • The Botanic Gardens – Kibble Palace
  • Pollok Country Park – The Burrell Collection and highland cows
  • Glasgow Green
  • Kelvingrove Park - Kelvingrove Museum
  • Queens Park 
  • Bellahouston Park - House For and Art Lover

Read more about the parks and gardens to be enjoyed across the city. Read more about the parks and gardens to be enjoyed across the city.

GETTING TO KNOW THE CITY

Read more for tips on using public transport, walking, or cycling for getting around the city.

Enjoy the City Centre Mural Trail for a fun way to see the city on foot.

Discover Glasgow also provide a paid-for virtual tour to help you get to know the city.

Remember to sign up to our Glasgow Tourism Industry newsletter to keep up to date with city developments and news from the tourism sector.