Your guide to Glasgow
Don’t hesitate at the concept of moving to Glasgow as Glasweigians are famously friendly and you'll have no trouble fitting in. The city as a whole has something to suit everyone - From architecture and history, to naughty nightlife and a thriving food scene. It also has over 90 protected parks and green spaces to enjoy, living up to its name which translates to 'dear green place' in Gaelic.
Where is it?
Glasgow is located in west-central Scotland along both banks of the River Clyde, and is the country's largest city.
What’s the transport like?
The subway runs every 4 minutes at peak times and is one of the easiest ways to get around the city centre, west end and southside of Glasgow. You can also catch a bus that follows one of the 80 routes across the city. But if you want to take the scenic route, why not hire a bike from Glasgow’s cycle hire scheme?
Where do the locals go?
Parks:
Pollok Country Park is ten minutes away from Glasgow Central on the train and is the city's largest park. Walk around the walled gardens and
wildlife garden, or take yourself on a woodland walk using a map from the main site. Take a riverside stroll or bring a blanket and hamper to enjoy in the designated picnic areas. Don’t be surprised if you come across a Highland cow or two, either!
In the centre of the city you can find Rouken Glen Park. This 58-acre park has winding pathways and even a waterfall. There is also outdoor gym equipment, sport facilities and several running clubs that you can join. If you want to take it slow, visit the recently renovated Boathouse Café to grab a bite to eat or sip a coffee whilst looking out at the pond.
Events & Activities:
One of the most iconic and cherished music venues in the world, The Barrowland Ballroom, is located in Glasgow. The architecture and décor hasn’t been altered since it opened, thus maintaining the magical atmosphere of the place. It includes large street-level halls used for the weekend markets and a weatherproof hall above. The front of the building is decorated with a distinctive animated neon sign, which is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the UK. The venue hosts acts from Bombay Bicycle Club, Happy Mondays to DJ Shadow - grab yourself a ticket to an upcoming show and experience the ballroom for yourself.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 and is Glasgow’s most popular tourist attraction. It's best known for its striking architecture which stands out amongst the rest of the city (Spanish baroque style, fashioned out of red sandstone). Explore 22 galleries which showcase everything from art and animals, to ancient Egypt.
A free activity that you can make the most of is a visit to Glasgow Botanic Gardens. The gardens host multiple educational and cultural events, including guided tours, lectures, and concerts, and several exhibitions. We recommend visiting Kibble Palace, a Victorian glasshouse built in 1873. It houses a collection of tropical plants, including orchids, palms, and ferns and is notoriously beautiful! Whether you’re interested in plants or not, the gardens are a stunning and relaxing place to spend a day.
The best restaurants:
Beginning as a food stall in London’s street food scene in 2011, Kimchi cult has now set up residency in the West End of Glasgow. Unsurprisingly, kimchi takes centre-stage in their dishes, using their special Jeonju regional recipe, passed down through generations of Korean matriarchs. The menu is decently priced, making it ideal for a lunchtime treat at the office, or a quick and delicious dinner before evening plans. The menu itself, is a mix of Western and Korean flavours including kimchi burgers, loaded french fries, korean fried chicken and bibimbap.
If you don’t mind booking in advance, Ox and Finch is worth the wait. Located on Sauchiehall Street, this small-plates focused restaurant champions Scottish produce and cooking. The menu features dishes such as beef tartare with egg yolk and horseradish, cod cheeks on toasted sourdough, and semifreddo with poached plum and pistachio.
The Ubiquitous Chip was opened by Ronnie Clydesdale back in 1971 and is still run by the same family. This quirky restaurant is known for ‘defining’ Glasgow’s West End, and is a go-to for contemporary Scottish cuisine. The food is locally sourced and seasonal, and they pride themselves on their haggis recipe. Despite having an incredible menu, the show-stopping element of this place is the setting itself. Try and grab a table in the ground floor restaurant, which features ponds, fountains and hanging greenery.
The best pubs:
You can’t live in Scotland if you haven't tried a decent whiskey. The Pot Still has over 800 whiskies and has been open as a bar since 1886. The traditional cosy pub setting lends itself to a menu of comfort food, including pies, haggis, neeps and tatties. Ask the bartender to talk you through their selection of whiskey, or grab a pint of one of their rotating guest ales on tap.
The Belle is one of the West End’s cosiest pubs. Don't be surprised if you find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow punters, but it's all part of the appeal! Gather by the heat of the open fire in wintertime and strike up a chat with the regulars. The bar hosts a wide selection of craft beers, wines and spirits as well as coffee and hot drinks. This is the perfect place for an impromptu pint or two.
If you’re feeling a little fancy, head down to Bananamoon and try one of their cocktails. You can’t miss this bar with its neon lighting and inviting vintage feel. They host live events on Friday and Saturday evenings and offer £2 drinks every Sunday to Wednesday, alongside their cocktail menu which organises speciality and classics by spirit.
The best coffee shops:
Space Coffee House is recognised by it’s pink interior and is known as one of the best coffee shops to try in Glasgow. The cafe has limited seating, except in summer when they make the most of the sun-drenched shop front. But do't let that deter you! They have an impressive range of artisan coffee blends, and the owner ranked second in the UK Latte Art Championships. So, if you’re a self-proclaimed (and proud) coffee snob, this is the place for you.
You can find Short long black coffee (or SLB for short) on the southside of Glasgow, serving fantastic coffee from Glasgow favourite Thomson’s Coffee roasters. They regularly team up with local businesses to provide sweet treats to accompany their selection of caffeinated drinks. Grab a cinnamon bun smothered in cream cheese icing and a pumpkin danish supplied by Burnfield Bakery, or soft serve ice cream from Bare Bones Chocolate.
Hinba has three locations across Glasgow but originates from the west coast of Scotland, selecting and roasting all their coffee on the Isle of Seil. You can purchase one of their bags of coffee to take away, or opt to have in alongside their ambitious brunch menu. Choose from a menu of kimchi and cashew butter toast, empanadas with pumpkin, and overnight oats with homemade granola with buckthorne and seasonal fruit.
Shops:
Built-in 1827, Argyll Arcade is the oldest shopping arcade in Glasgow. Browse all 32 shops, from local jewellery to antique jewellers’ shops, to source your next item of jewellery!
De Courcy’s Arcade is known as Glasgow’s best kept secret. Head to the corner of the west end of the city and spend the afternoon exploring the range of antique, craft, designer boutique and vintage shops. Check out Pink poodle for quirky fashion pieces and homeware, or Janet and John to find work from local artists and crafters.
The newest shopping area in Glasgow is Buchanan Galleries, found at the junction of Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Streets. The Galleries has around 80 shops including all your highstreet favourites.
What’s it famous for?
Glasgow was once a hub for Whisky production (Scotland's national drink). Many believe that a riot in Glasgow during the early 18th century is the reason for Whisky's popularity world-wide. When it comes to tradition, Glasgow takes it very seriously - the city is also home to the most Gaelic speakers outside of the Highlands and has put in place measures to promote the use of the ancient dialect.
Want to know the average room rent for Edinburgh, and other UK towns and cities? Check out our latest guide here!
Find a room or flatmate in Glasgow