When I told people I was flying into Glasgow, the most common response I got was, “Yeah, but are you going to Edinburgh?” Sure, Edinburgh is beautiful, and most of it looks like a magical scene out of Harry Potter. Glasgow city centre, though, is urban and edgy in all the right ways, and is well worth the visit.
If Glasgow is just a stopover on a trip to the isles or highlands, you can still get an awesome overview of the city in just a couple of hours. You won’t regret it, I promise.
Glasgow is very walkable, and the transit is easy to figure out. So, if you can get yourself to city centre, then you can take yourself on a quick and easy walking tour. You could probably do it in an hour, but I’d recommend giving yourself at least two hours, so that you have time to linger and explore any other sights that catch your eye.
Our starting point, above the St. Enoch subway station, is at the heart of Glasgow city centre. Any decent taxi or uber driver will know the place. If the weather is dreary, there is a Cafe Nero right in the square to get you started.
Glasgow Central Station
Head north out of St. Enoch square, then turn left on Argyle Street. This is a quick detour to take a look at the Glasgow Central Station underpass. The spot makes for a nice photo op, and there is a Tim Horton’s on the corner for any homesick Canadians out there.
From here, turn back the way you came and then head north on Mitchell Street. Keep your eyes peeled for a red sandstone tower rising above the streetscape. Originally a newspaper office, this is one of Glasgow’s architectural icons.
Architecture in Glasgow City Centre: The Lighthouse
Spain has Gaudi. America has Frank Lloyd Wright. Scotland has Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Glaswegians (rhymes with Norwegians) do not hesitate to use all three names in one breath. That is how proud they are of their guy.
Mackintosh was a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright, and is best known for his work in Glasgow. The Lighthouse was originally the headquarters for the Glasgow Herald. Fittingly, The Lighthouse is now Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture.
The building is open to visitors, and hosts exhibitions, events, and workshops. When you go, check and see if the spiral staircase up to the top of Mackintosh Tower is open. This leads to a killer view of Glasgow’s cityscape.
When you are done at The Lighthouse, head northeast to the intersection of Queen Street and Ingram Street. Keep a lookout for an equestrian statue with a unique accessory.
The Duke: The Most Famous Resident in Glasgow City Centre
Do not miss out on paying a visit to The Duke while you are in Glasgow. This statue of the Duke of Wellington has been donning a traffic cone hat for the better part of the last 30 years. This cheeky hijacking of public art perfectly embodies Glasgow’s goofy sense of humour and laid back attitude.
While the act of putting the traffic cone on the Duke’s head is technically considered vandalism, it seems local authorities have more or less given up on its removal. The Gallery of Modern Art, where The Duke lives, sells a swath of memorabilia celebrating this bizarre monument.
From here, continue up Queen Street. You’ll quickly spot our next stop, a large plaza-like area full of statues.
George Square
I was definitely expecting to see a statue of King George III the first time I visited George Square. But, at the time of the square’s construction, the tobacco lords who ran the city were pissed at George for losing the American colonies. So, Scottish literary hero Walter Scott stands in his place.
Spend some time discovering all of the statues in the square, and admire the Glasgow City Chambers. This gilded building dominates the east side of the square, and has been the seat of municipal government since 1889. If you have an extra 45 minutes, they also do free guided tours Monday – Friday.
Glasgow’s Great Street Art: “The Marionettes” Mural by Rogue One
When you are done in the square, head east on George Street for a block. At the intersection of George Street and John Street, check out one of Glasgow’s most popular street art installments.
Glasgow is unapologetically urban. This is emphasized by the volume of street art in the inner city, bringing flavour to a place with a very industrial history. Something about spray paint on brick just feels so right in this city. Smug and Rogue One seem to be the top two artists on the scene, but there are quite a few others out there adding life to Glasgow’s walls.
The best way to get back to St. Enoch Station is to head west on George Street, then turn left on Buchanan Street. Buchanan Street is closed to traffic, so there is plenty of pedestrian activity, and a few street performers.
This map shows my suggested route:
Now Get Out There and Explore Glasgow!
This quick and easy walking tour only scratches the surface of all there is to see and do in Glasgow. Glasgow is full of galleries, museums, historical sites, and parks. There is a huge amount of exploring to do in this city, and most of it is free or very inexpensive.
Once you see some of the interesting sites in Glasgow city centre, you will want to spend more time in this city. The West End houses the world famous Kelvingrove and the University of Glasgow, and the East End boasts Glasgow Cathedral and The Necropolis. If you really want to get to know the city, give yourself three or four days to explore.
Do you love Glasgow? What are your favourite places to visit there? If I’ve missed anything, let me know in the comments.