Supporting Glasgow’s Visitor Experience
Key resources & highlights supporting visitor-facing teams in welcoming visitors to Glasgow
This page aims to provide visitor facing colleagues in the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors with a quick guide to Glasgow that can help them to provide the best experience for their customers.
As well as an overview of the city's main attractions you'll also find details about the city brand, our sustainability plan and links to useful resources.
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: visitglasgow.com
The city’s official website for tourism and hospitality businesses, conference planners (Glasgow Convention Bureau), travel trade and event organisers: visitglasgow.org.uk
City brands
You make 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.
In 2022, Time Out's global survey, based on responses from over 20,000 residents worldwide, ranked Glasgow as the friendliest city globally.
Additionally, in 2024, Condé Nast Traveller's UK-focused Readers’ Choice Awards named Glasgow the friendliest city in the UK, with its residents praised for their charm and openness.
Our sustainable city
Glasgow is the most sustainable Scottish destination, according to The Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS Index) report 2024.
The GDS Index measures and benchmarks 99 destinations on their sustainability activity. Glasgow is ranked 12th in the current 2024 report.
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.
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.
Most visited museums across the city:
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:
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.
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:
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:
Food and drink
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. Read our guide to some of the best places to eat in Glasgow no matter your taste or budget.
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.
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
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 keep up to date with city developments and news from the tourism sector and follow us on social media on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) @GlasgowTourism