Glasgow is still a very much undiscovered city in terms of travel – everyone coming to Scotland seems to flock to Edinburgh. Glasgow has a reputation of being somewhat rough around the edges due to its industrial past. Having spent four years here, though, I’ve come to love this city and its charm. It is a great place for a short weekend/two-day holiday, especially if you love art, culture, music, and food. Glasgow is, actually, one of the best places in the UK for vegan and vegetarian food – reflected in the inordinate amount of restaurants catering to vegans (a lot of places are vegan-only). The presence of the Glasgow School of Art also means that you’ll always have interesting exhibitions to go visit, too. Have a quick Google before you visit to see what’s on! There are a few staples to see, and I’ve shown many a friend and relative the city in a short period of time: so, without further ado, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Glasgow.
Day One
After getting settled, take a wander through the West End (the student hub of the city). Visit the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery for a crash-course on Scottish and Glaswegian history, as well as having a look at some great art. You’ve got to see some of the places so make them a priority for your 48 hours in Glasgow!
If you’re feeling peckish, head to the nearby Tantrum Donuts for a quick snack to go.
Now, the pièce de résistance: The University of Glasgow. (Upon seeing it, one of my visiting friends asked me ‘what the hell is that massive castle’. It’s uni. Just uni.) Go get some more culture at the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, or have a gander around the beautiful campus.
I recommend Papercup: it’s got great sandwiches, salads, and coffee!
Now’s a great time to head to the Botanic Gardens – the glass houses are beautiful to look at, and they grow some really beautiful plants in there!
One of the annoying things about Scotland, however, is that everything closes by 6 pm. Now’s a good chance to get some rest, though, before heading out for the evening!
Dinner at Paesano is a must – everyone in Glasgow raves about this restaurant, and for a reason. Hands-down one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had (they do traditional Neapolitan). There’s usually a wait for a table, so pop your name on the list and head down to the nearby Inn Deep for a quick pint before dinner.
A night out in Glasgow is always great. If house music is your thing, have a look at what clubs like La Cheetah, SWG3, or the world-renowned Sub Club have on (they’ll have events on during weeknights, too). Broadcast and Nice’n’Sleazy’s are great for a more chill evening – they have bars upstairs and a dance floor downstairs! Places like Stereo, The Poetry Club, and The Old Hairdressers are great for gigs, so it’s definitely worth having a look at their websites and seeing what’s on when you visit!
Day Two
Take the second day to explore Southside and the city centre. Take the train down to Crossmyloof – this is close to Café Strange Brew, which is fantastic for a spot of breakfast or brunch.
Now that you’re Southside, take a walk through Pollok Park – here, you’ll find Pollok House and The Burrel Collection. The former is an old manor, and the latter an art gallery. After you’ve had your fill, head back into the city centre. There are plenty of transport options depending on where you exit, so ask around for the best way to get back into town!
The city centre is host to Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, which is always worth a visit (and no, the traffic cone on the head of Duke Wellington’s statue is not an art piece but an incredibly long-running inside joke of Glasgow) as well as a great many shops.
Glasgow Necropolis is towards East End and is a Victorian graveyard by the beautiful Glasgow Cathedral. Head down here for the sunset as the views will be worth it!
On your way back, stop by Stereo Café/Bar for dinner in the city. This place is entirely vegan, and the food is incredible. They have a great bar, too, if you fancy a few more drinks before leaving! There’s a lot to do, but you can get all the good stuff in even with only 48 hours in Glasgow.
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