Free Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland
Are you looking for the best free things to do in Glasgow, Scotland? I just spent almost a week in Glasgow, and below I’m highlighting some of the best things to do that don’t cost any money!
I’ve already written about the best free things to do in Edinburgh, so if you’ll be heading there on your Scotland trip, be sure to give that a read too! Much like Edinburgh, I was delighted to discover that Glasgow has lots of free activities, including basically every museum in the city being totally free.
Glasgow definitely has a different vibe than Edinburgh. However, I feel like it’s a very underrated city, and it’s definitely worth staying here for a couple of days on your trip to Scotland. You can see the highlights of the city in about two days, but you could stay longer if you want to take day trips from Glasgow.
Getting around Glasgow is easy. Most of the city is very walkable, but if you want to go a bit further (like to the West End), there is also a subway system that is very efficient. The subway just runs in a circle around the city, with one line going clockwise and the other going counterclockwise. You can also use the city buses. Both the subway and buses don’t require special tickets; you just tap your card to pay.
Without further ado, let’s get into the best free things to do in Glasgow!
1. Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the best free museum in Glasgow, pictured at the top of this guide and below. I preferred the art galleries, but there are also exhibits on history, science, etc. You could easily spend a couple of hours wandering around this museum exploring all of the different rooms.
It’s located in Glasgow’s West End, so if you’re coming from the city center, you’ll want to take the subway to get here. While you’re in the West End, you can also do the next four things on this list.
2. Stroll along the River Kelvin
The River Kelvin winds through the West End of Glasgow, before emptying out into the larger River Clyde that cuts through the city. I loved strolling along the scenic Kelvin Walkway that goes by the river.
This walking path actually stretches for 10 miles, but I just did a small segment of it. From the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, you can follow the riverside path past the University of Glasgow and on up to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. On a nice day, it’s a very peaceful stroll with lovely views.
3. Feel like you’re at Hogwarts at the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451, and you can walk around many of the historic campus buildings. One of the highlights to check out is the Cloisters at the University of Glasgow. This area will make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
4. Visit the Hunterian Museum
While you’re at the university, be sure to pop into the Hunterian Museum! This free museum is the oldest public museum in Scotland, and it contains a quirky and eclectic collection of artifacts. Much of the collection was donated by William Hunter, a Scottish physician and alumnus of the university.
In the main hall, you’ll find all kinds of artifacts related to anatomy, zoology, archaeology, geology, and more. There is also artwork on display, and even more in the nearby Hunterian Art Gallery.
5. See the Glasgow Botanic Gardens
One more thing to do while you’re in the West End of Glasgow is to visit the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. This free botanical garden is home to more than 9,000 different types of plants and flowers. There are several glasshouses in the gardens, with the most notable being the historic and beautiful Kibble Palace.
6. Visit Glasgow Cathedral
Moving over to the east side of Glasgow, we have several more free things to do. Glasgow Cathedral is located in the oldest part of the city, and this impressive cathedral is definitely worth some of your time.
The cathedral is dedicated to St. Mungo, and was originally constructed in the 1100s. If you head down into the crypt of the cathedral, you can see the tomb of St. Mungo, who died in the year 614 AD.
7. Check out Glasgow’s oldest house
Just a few minutes from Glasgow Cathedral, you can visit the oldest house in the city, called Provand’s Lordship. This house dates back to 1471 and is one of the few remaining medieval buildings in Glasgow. The home has now been turned into a free museum, and it’s an interesting place to have a look around.
8. Explore the Glasgow Necropolis
While you’re over on this side of the city, you should also take some time to explore the Glasgow Necropolis. This Victorian-era cemetery is home to many opulent graves and tombs of prominent Glaswegians. If you walk to the top of the hill, you can see great views of Glasgow Cathedral and the city.
9. Admire Glasgow’s murals
Glasgow is full of cool murals and street art. Pictured below is the St. Mungo mural, which shows a modern interpretation of this Glasgow saint, located at 287 High Street near the cathedral. The city is actually home to something called the Mural Trail, so you can find a map of all the street art there.
10. Visit the Gallery of Modern Art (and see the Duke of Wellington statue)
The Gallery of Modern Art is yet another free museum in Glasgow. It’s housed in a beautiful historic building in the city center, and it offers rotating exhibitions of works from contemporary artists.
Outside the Gallery of Modern Art, you can also see the iconic Duke of Wellington statue. This statue of the duke on horseback is often topped by a bright orange traffic cone, a tradition since the 1980s, showing the humor and playfulness of Glaswegians. Every time a cone is taken down, someone just adds a new one.
11. Stroll along Buchanan Street
Finally, one more free thing to do in Glasgow is to stroll along Buchanan Street. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare stretches through the city center, and it’s always a lively place to be. There are tons of shops and restaurants along this street, and you’ll always find musicians and singers performing there too.
Top Free Things to Do in Glasgow, Scotland
This guide showed you the best free things to do in Glasgow, Scotland.
I’m so glad I finally got to visit Glasgow after several trips to Scotland. It’s such a cool city, and I had a great time exploring all of the city’s free attractions. I hope this guide will help you do the same!
Enjoy your trip to Glasgow!
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