21 Free Things To Do In Glasgow For A Budget-Friendly Trip To Scotland's Friendliest City

This post is all about Free Things To Do In Glasgow.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and it packs a punch. With world-class museums (most of which are free), an iconic music scene, vibrant nightlife and delicious restaurants on every corner, Glasgow is an incredibly charming place, one which is not so easily forgotten.

In contrast to its neighbour, Edinburgh, which tends to be quite prim and proper. Glasgow can be a little rough around the edges, but don't let that put you off as at the heart of the city, you will find some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet!

Don't believe me? Well, the city was recently awarded the title of being the 'friendliest city in the world' by Time Out Magazine.

Glasgow has been my home for the last 10 years and this has allowed me to gain great insider knowledge of things to do in the city.

A visit to Glasgow doesn't need to break the bank. In fact, it is entirely possible to visit Glasgow on a budget as the city has loads of free things you can do. Keep reading to find out!

This post is all about Free Things To Do In Glasgow.

Best Time To Visit Glasgow

The best time to visit Glasgow is between March and August. This is when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, making it the perfect time to explore the city sights.

However, that being said, Glasgow is one of the wettest cities in the UK, experiencing rain for half of the year. So, regardless of when you visit, there is still quite a high possibility of rain!

Spring and Autumn are also fine to visit Glasgow. It will be noticeably colder during these seasons but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Just remember to pack a few jumpers!

The winters in Glasgow can be bitterly cold and the days are very short, with the sun setting about 3pm in December and January.

In my opinion, the run up to Christmas is the only good time to visit Glasgow during Winter as the city has lots of events on and the Christmas markets are set up.

How Many Days Should I Spend In Glasgow?

As I mentioned in the introduction, I've lived in Glasgow for 10 years and I find it to be quite a compact city when compared to other major cities around the world, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot to do here, quite the contrary.

From visiting the main landmarks in the city centre, to taking the subway out to the swanky west end to stroll through the stunning Glasgow University and visit the wonderful Ashton Lane, or even, taking a trip to the up and coming Southside, brimming with delicious cafes and bakeries. You'll be spoiled for choice during your trip to Glasgow!

I'd recommend at least 3-4 days in Glasgow. This would allow you time to visit all the main attractions including wondering through the city's parks, spending time in the museums and experiencing the city's nightlife.

If you want to get a taster of the city centre, then you could visit Glasgow for a day but you won't even scratch the surface of what the city has to offer.

With 4 days or more, you could even go further afield and take a trip to Loch Lomond, which is only 30 minutes from the city.

How To Get Around Glasgow

Glasgow City Centre is super easy to get around. It is quite compact and definitely walkable.

If you want to become better acquainted with the city with the help of a guide then you could opt to join a walking tour, or jump on a hop-on, hop-off bus, which will take you to all the main tourist spots.

To go to the city's west end, your best bet is to get the subway. Fun fact, Glasgow's subway is actually the 3rd oldest underground in the world and it's very easy to navigate as it's only one route!

The main subway stations in the city centre are Buchanan Street and St Enoch. To see the full map of the subway, click here.

The tickets for the subway are quite cheap; for an all-day ticket it's currently £4.30, and you can buy your tickets at the station.

If you want to go out to Glasgow's Southside or East-End, then you'll need to get a train or a bus.

The two main train stations are Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street. To check train times and routes, visit the Scotrail website.

The main bus station in the centre is Buchanan Bus Station. To see Glasgow's bus routes, tickets and times, click here.

Free Things To Do In Glasgow

All of these attractions on this list are free to visit.

Ashton Lane

Ashton Lane is one of Glasgow's highlights and an absolute must-see whilst you are in the city! It's a beautiful cobbled street in Glasgow's West End, filled with quaint restaurants and bars.

It's super easy to get to from Glasgow City Centre, just jump on the subway to Hillhead and it's literally around the corner from the station.

Visiting the lane is free but the temptation to get a bite to eat, a drink or even watch a film at Glasgow's oldest cinema, the Grosvenor Picture Theatre, might be pretty difficult to resist.

Some places I'd recommend on Ashton Lane include Innis and Gunn for some tasty Scottish beer, Ramon Dayo for the most delicious Ramen, or Brel for some unforgettable cheese fondue.

Barras Market

The Barras Market is Scotland's longest running market, since 1921. The Barras is really up and coming nowadays, with lovely independent shops, cafes and restaurants. It's open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm.

The Barrowland Ballroom is located right next to the Barras Market, and is the most iconic entertainment venue, dance hall and music venue in Glasgow. The Barrowland Ballroom was actually voted the UK's best music venue by Time Out magazine.  

St Lukes and the Winged Ox is a great option for food. They also regularly have live music, arts, comedy and theatre performances on, which would give you something to do with your evening in Glasgow.

If you're looking for some delicious food for breakfast, brunch or lunch, visit Scran. BAaD Art and Design is a stunning tropical courtyard, which is a great place to stop-off for a drink.

In need of a caffeine boost, then Us V Them Coffee offers some of the best coffees in Glasgow.

Buchanan Street

Buchanan Street is the main pedestrianised shopping street in Glasgow. It forms a 'Z' shape with neighbouring Sauchiehall Street, which branches off at the top of Buchanan Street, and Argyle Street, which branches off at the bottom of Buchanan Street.

Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street are also shopping streets but in my opinion, they are a wee bit more run down. At the far side of Sauchiehall Street, you'll find clubs and bars, which are more geared towards a student clientele.

Buchanan Galleries is a shopping centre at the top of Buchanan Street. Spanning three floors, it's filled with cafes, fast food restaurants and over 80 big brands, including John Lewis, and the LEGO Store.

If you're looking for a cheap spot for lunch, then down Mitchell Lane, you'll find an Italian restaurant called 'Sugo'. It's a favourite amongst locals and gets very busy so you might have to wait for a table.

Argyll Arcade, which can be found at the bottom of Buchanan Street, is one of Europe’s oldest shopping arcades. Wonder through this upmarket establishment to admire the stunning jewellery... not to mention the diamonds!!

Next to Argyll Arcade, down a wee lane is one of Glasgow's oldest pubs, Sloans. Here you'll find, Glasgow's best city centre beer garden, legendary Mac & Cheese and every Tuesday, they hold a film night. If you are looking for a proper Scottish experience, then book one of their Ceilidh events, which take place every Friday.

One of the most luxurious shopping centres is Princes Square. At Christmas time, Princes Square will put you right in the festive spirit, with a 42ft beautifully decorated Christmas tree and carolers singing.

Across from Princes Square is House of Fraser, which is worth a nosy inside just to see the incredible architecture. Just like Princes Square, it gets even prettier at Christmas!

Finally at the bottom of Buchanan Street is the St Enoch Centre. It has recently gone through a bit of renovation to add a Vue Cinema and some lovely restaurants.

By the end of visiting the aforementioned places on Buchanan Street, you're guaranteed to be all shopped out!

Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection is located in Pollok Country Park in Glasgow's Southside. It reopened in 2022 after undergoing a massive refurbishment. I've visited a couple of times since the refurbishment and I was seriously impressed, it's definitely worth a visit!

The Burrell Collection houses the art collection of Sir William Burrell, who was a business tycoon and most notably made his wealth from the shipping industry. This fortune allowed him to build up one of the greatest art collections ever amassed by one person.

He built up his collection over 60 years and in that time, managed to acquire over 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history, everything from Chinese and Islamic art, to Egyptian relics. He then, donated it to Glasgow City Council for the public to enjoy.

There's also a couple of nice cafes in the Burrell Collection. It is free to visit the museum, but you will have to pay for parking if you are driving out. Otherwise, the closest train station is Pollokshaws West, which you can get a train to from Glasgow Central.

City Centre Mural Trail

In 2008, the first Glasgow mural was produced to help rejuvenate tired looking streets and make them a bit brighter and more inviting. Since, then the amount of murals has grown to 30 beautiful art pieces, which are scattered throughout the city. All of which are within reasonable walking distance of each other.

The artwork is diverse from conservative to radical, and quirky to bizarre. Some of my favourites are; Fellow Glasgow Residents Mural on Ingram Street, St Enoch and Child and Strathclyde University Mural on George Street, and Saint Mungo on High Street.

This handy map shows you where all the murals are in the city. You can click on each one and it will give you a picture of the mural, so you know what you're looking for.

The murals will guide you around the city and get you better acquainted with Glasgow as you navigate down streets away from the hustle and bustle.

If you think joining a guided tour would make seeing the murals easier, then 'Get Your Guide' runs a great tour with rave reviews. Click here for more information.

Duke of Wellington Statue

The Duke of Wellington statue, which depicts Sir Arthur Wellesley sitting proudly on his horse, was sculpted by Carlo Marchetti. It was erected in 1844 to mark the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

In the 1980s, in typical Glaswegian humour, the Duke of Wellington was capped with a bright orange traffic cone by drunken locals. More recently, his horse has also gained a traffic cone on its head.

The 21ft statue stands directly in front of the Gallery of Modern Art in Royal Exchange Square.

Royal Exchange Square is home to a small selection of boutique stores, restaurants and bars. When the sun sets, the square is lit by a canopy of pretty lights.

Finnieston Crane

Glasgow has a rich history of shipbuilding, which started as early as the 15th century, but gained the city global recognition in the 19th century when the shipbuilding industry really started to thrive.

Shipbuilding was a significant source of income for Glasgow. However, it declined rapidly during and after WWII, as German air raids targeted the buildings on the river Clyde that were used for shipbuilding.

A lot of the shipbuilding companies were unable to recover from this and were unable to compete with other countries.

The Finnieston Crane is a testament to the city's shipbuilding past and has become a well-known landmark.

It is a 53-metre tall giant cantilever crane, which in years gone by was used for loading cargo onto ships to be exported around the world. The crane hasn't been operational since 1988. You'll find Finnieston Crane in the Finnieston area of the city, next to the OVO Hydro arena.

Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery of Modern Art is located on Royal Exchange Square, just off Buchanan street and it's Scotland's most visited art gallery.

It's a world-class art museum, which features Glasgow's most extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.

Wonder through its four galleries containing displays of local and international artworks, some of which are quirky and thought-provoking. They also have temporary exhibitions on from time-to-time. In fact, recently they had a Banksy exhibition, which was incredible!

The building which houses the Gallery of Modern Art started out as a mansion for the tobacco and sugar merchant, William Cunninghame. You'll be able to learn more about the history of the building from the permanent display in the museum.

There's also a lovely shop, cafe and library with free internet access. The museum is open Monday-Thursday and Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Friday and Sunday from 11am-5pm. There's no need to book tickets, simply drop-in!

George Square

George Square is the main square in Glasgow. It was named after King George III and was opened in 1787.

There are 12 statues in the square, some of which are dedicated to some famous Scots including Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

George Square is a popular place throughout the year and many events are held here each year. On the run up to Christmas, George Square is where the Christmas lights get switched on and it is also where the Christmas markets are held.

One of the building which dominates the square is the Glasgow City Chambers, which is the headquarters for Glasgow City Council. You can actually go on a free guided tour of the Glasgow City Chambers.

The tours take place Monday-Friday at 10.30am and 2.30pm, and they last about 45 minutes. You can get your tickets (first come first served) from the City Chambers reception desk 30 minutes before each tour starts. You unfortunately can't pre-book tickets.

Surrounding the square is some nice cafes, bars and restaurants. However, if you're looking for a relatively cheap place for lunch or dinner near George Square, then you should visit Paesano Pizza. A very popular restaurant!

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is located in the city's West End. Home to more than 9,000 plants, including exotic species, spread over landscaped gardens and sheltered in several glasshouses.

The most notable glasshouse is Kibble Palace, built in 1873. Next to the Kibble Palace is the Botanic Gardens Tearoom, a lovely place for a spot of breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are also located on the banks of the River Kelvin, where you'll find some nice riverside walks.

The gardens offer a variety of educational and cultural events. For Halloween, the GlasGLOW event takes place here and features a guided light show.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens tend to get really busy during sunny weather as locals come to sit, relax and enjoy the sunshine. It's a lovely place to read a book and watch the world go by!

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are open everyday from 10am-4pm and surrounding the gardens, you'll find lovely cafes, restaurants and bars. If you're looking to stop-off for a drink then Òran Mór and Hillhead Bookclub are great choices!

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is a magnificent example of gothic architecture. It was built during the 13th-15th centuries and is located in Glasgow's East end.

The cathedral contains some of the finest post-war stained glass windows, and it is home to the tomb of the patron saint of Glasgow, St Mungo.

St Mungo Museum is located next to Glasgow Cathedral and is worth a visit, especially if you're in the area.

The St Mungo Museum is built on the site of the medieval Bishops' Castle. Its galleries feature religious art and artefacts, and it is also home to the first Zen garden in Britain.

The cathedral and the museum is open from 9.30am-5pm Monday - Saturday, and from 1-5pm on Sunday. There are also free guided tours of the Cathedral to visitors, Monday through Saturday.

Hidden Lane

The Hidden Lane is a little gem in Glasgow's West End, tucked away, just off Argyle Street. The lane is filled with over 100 colourful studios of jewellers, artists, musicians, and craftspeople.

There's loads of classes you can book in for down the lane, including art classes, yoga classes and if you want to feel even more relaxed, then you can get a massage. I actually visited a pottery studio on the lane a few months ago and made a lovely little vase!

The lane even has a brewery, a yummy Mexican restaurant, Rafa's, and the Hidden Lane Tearoom for a bite to eat.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery is located in Glasgow's West End. It is an absolute must-sees whilst in Glasgow and a firm favourite with locals. It opened in 1901 and is architecturally beautiful, both inside and out.

Spread over 22 galleries, you'll find everything from stunning artwork to Ancient Egyptian artefacts, floating heads to a spitfire and even, some stuffed animals including Sir Roger the elephant (one of many!).

The most famous painting in Kelvingrove is 'Christ of St John of the Cross' by Salvador Dalí.

You don't need to book, just drop in. A visit will probably take you 2-3 hours. The museum is open Monday - Thursday and Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Friday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.

There's also a free organ recital at 1 - 1.30pm Monday through to Saturday, and 3 - 3.45pm on Sunday.

Merchant City

Merchant city is a trendy part of Glasgow City Centre, packed with stylish cafes, cocktail bars, great restaurants and designer shops.

Merchant city is also home to the City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket, a concert hall which hosts a wide range of different events each month.

Some of my recommendations for Merchant City are Santa Lucia for some tasty Italian, iCafe for a delicious Nutella milkshake, tinderbox for some wonderful coffee and for a proper fish and chips, visit Merchant Chippie.

You should also visit Merchant Square, which is filled with bars and restaurants. Merchant Square also holds a weekly Craft and Design Fair every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Merchant city is also home to the multi-award winning speakeasy bar, Absent Ear, which is inspired by Vincent Van Gogh.

Provand's Lordship

Provand's Lordship was built in 1471 making it the oldest house in Glasgow. It is one of only four medieval buildings left in the city and is located directly across the road from Glasgow Cathedral.

The museum allows you to step back in time and witness what life was like in Glasgow 500 years ago.

The museum is open Monday - Thursday and Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Friday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.

Riverside Museum

Located on the River Clyde is the award-winning Riverside Museum. The museum features over 3,000 objects, focusing on transport and technology, and showcases vehicles spanning over several decades, highlighting the evolution of transportation.

You'll find everything from cars, trains, and trams, to a Stormtrooper here. One of the main highlights of the museum is a cobbled stone street, which allows visitors a glimpse into Glasgow's past.

There's even the Tall Ship, Glenlee, parked outside on the River Clyde. The ship is an independent museum, which you can board and learn about the maritime history of Glasgow. Fever regularly holds Candlelight Concerts on the ship, if you are looking for an unforgettable experience in Glasgow.

The museum is open Monday - Thursday and Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Friday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.

The City's Parks

Glasgow literally translates to the 'Dear Green Place', pretty fitting for a city that has quite a lot of parks.

The city's parks are the perfect place to go for a wee wonder, or just sit and relax. I'm only going to mention a couple of the best parks, otherwise I'd be here all day!

First up is Glasgow Green, which is technically located in Glasgow's East End but definitely within walking distance of the city centre. It's home to the Doulton Fountain, the Nelson Monument and WEST brewery.

Pollok Country Park and Queens Park are both in Glasgow's South Side. As mentioned previously the Burrell Collection can be found in Pollok Country Park. It also has Pollok House, which is beautiful but you need to pay to enter.

Queens Park has a lovely pond, which is the perfect place to sit and spot all the doggos! It is also an excellent location if want to explore more of the trendy Shawlands and Battlefield.

Kelvingrove Park can be found in Glasgow's West End, and is home to the Kelvingrove Art Museum. Whilst in the area, you should visit Eusebi Deli for a takeaway lunch and enjoy it in Kelvingrove Park.

It's worth noting that I wouldn't recommend the parks at night as the lighting can be quite poor.

The Hunterian

The Hunterian is a complex of museums, including the Hunterian Museum, Hunterian Art Gallery and Hunterian Zoology Museum, all of which are located on the University of Glasgow campuses.

Firstly, the Hunterian Museum is Scotland's oldest public museum and contains an incredible collection of scientific instruments used by the likes of James Watt and Lord Kelvin. It also displays Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall and major scientific discoveries.

The Hunterian Art Gallery contains one of Scotland's largest print collections, including the world's largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler and the largest single holding of work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The Mackintosh House, which is part of the Hunterian Art Gallery, has the reassembled interiors from Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow home, which is really interesting to see!

Lastly, the Hunterian Zoology Museum showcases the diversity of the animal kingdom and also, displays collections of coins, dinosaur fossils and Roman and Viking artefacts.

The Hunterian Museum and the Hunterian Art Gallery are open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am - 5pm. The Hunterian Zoology Museum is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.

The Necropolis

I know this one is slightly strange. I don't expect going to a graveyard is high on your list when you are visiting a new city, but hear me out.

The Necropolis is an excellent place to watch the sunset over the city as it is perched on a hill, overlooking Glasgow Cathedral and the city skyline.

Since 1833, the Necropolis has been the burial site of 50,000 people including some famous and historically significant Glaswegians.

Also, quite interestingly, the 2022 movie, 'The Batman' used the necropolis as a filming location for the scene in which Batman is speeding through Gotham's cemetery on his motorbike.

University Of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is one of my favourites places to go in the city. It is absolutely spectacular and one of Glasgow's most notable landmarks as it can be spotted throughout the city.

The Gilbert Scott Building is the main building at the University of Glasgow. It was completed in 1891, and contains the University's iconic tower, which is a staggering 278 feet high.

Whilst walking around the University of Glasgow, make sure you find the stairs going up to the quadrangles of the Gilbert Scott Building. Here, just take a seat and soak in the magnificent architecture of the building, or fantasise that you've finally made it to Hogwarts!

Don't miss the Cloisters, which connect the East and West quadrangles, and are an iconic part of the University. They've even been featured in the TV show, Outlander.

Extra: Visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

If you've hired a car and got some time to spare, then you should 100% visit Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

It's only located 30-45 minutes from Glasgow City Centre and is definitely worth visiting! The landscapes are sensational and you'll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

You should visit Duck Bay Marina for some incredible food, or climb Conic Hill in Balmaha.

If you are wanting to book accommodation to extend your trip in Loch Lomond, then click here to read my blog post about the 9 most romantic places to stay.

For a more unique experience, join this 2-hour cruise which will take you around the islands of Loch Lomond.

Where To Stay In Glasgow?

All the options below were chosen with peak season in mind and two people sharing.

Budget (£0-£75 per night)

Mid (£75-£150 per night)

High-end (£150+ per night)

This article has covered Free Things To Do In Glasgow.

If it has helped you to plan a budget-friendly trip to Glasgow, please consider subscribing to my blog to be kept up to date with new posts or sharing it to help others!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post.

Kirsty x

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