The best free things to do in Glasgow

As part of our year of travel where we’re trying to figure out where to live more permanently, we spent a month living in Glasgow following our month in Edinburgh.

We have some friends that moved there who could show us around and we were interested to see what Glasgow had to offer.

It turns out, Glasgow is a city that has something for everyone even if you only have one day in Glasgow it’s a great city to explore.

From beautiful architecture to interesting history, culture and nightlife, there is no shortage of fun and free things to do in Glasgow.

The best part? Many of Glasgow’s top attractions won’t cost you a penny.

If you’re planning a trip to Glasgow and want to experience the city’s top sights without breaking the bank, then you’re in luck.

Below, I’m highlighting some of the best free things to do in Glasgow.

Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover or just looking to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere, there’s sure to be something on this list that you’ll want to check out (and hopefully a lot more than just one thing!) in this list of the best things to do in Glasgow for free.

How to get to Glasgow

Glasgow is well connected to other cities across the UK, as well as big cities in other countries. If you’re travelling to Glasgow, here’s some information on how to get there.

Flights to Glasgow

Glasgow is served by Glasgow International Airport, which is located about 8 miles (13 km) west of the city centre.

There are direct flights to Glasgow from many European cities and beyond. Once you arrive, you can take a bus, taxi, or train to reach your destination in the city. Or you can rent a car from the airport.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Trains to Glasgow

Glasgow is well-connected by train to other cities in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

There are several train stations in Glasgow, including Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street.

You can book trains online in advance by using TheTrainline.com which makes it super easy to plan your journey ahead of time!

Buses to Glasgow

There are a few different bus companies that operate buses to Glasgow from other cities in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

The main bus station in Glasgow is Buchanan Bus Station, which is located in the city centre.

Omio is a great platform for booking European and UK travel on. You can check train and bus prices and schedules and book super easily!

Driving to Glasgow

If you’d prefer to drive to Glasgow you’ll likely enter the city on either the M8 or A82.

Do bear in mind that driving in central Glasgow can be a bit of a pain due to traffic and parking restrictions.

I’d recommend driving to your accommodation and then when you’re exploring the city making the most of Glasgow’s public transport as it’s much easier and pretty cheap.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

How to get around Glasgow

Glasgow is a pretty small city at its core and you can easily walk between the top Glasgow attractions and things to do in Glasgow.

For places that. area bit further away, I recommend using the Glasgow subway, sometimes called the Clockwork Orange since the trains are orange and the line goes in a circular route both clockwise and anti-clockwise.

The Glasgow subway is the 3rd oldest subway system in the world and it’s a great, easy way to get around the city.

There are just 2 lines and 15 stations so it’s hard to get lost and even if you get on one going the wrong way, you’ll still get to your intended destination, it just might take a little bit longer.

Best free things to do in Glasgow and best places to see in Glasgow

Below are some of the top things to see and places to visit in Glasgow for free, these top sights around the city shouldn’t be missed! Most of these are free things to do in Glasgow city centre, so you won’t have to go far at all!

George Square

In central Glasgow, George Square is a great place to start your adventures in the city.

At George Square in Glasgow, you’ll find the statues of 12 historical Scottish figures including Sir Walter Scott and James Watt. There’s also the beautiful building which houses the Glasgow City Chambers.

If you want to learn more about the Glasgow City Chambers, you can take a free tour (more information below).

Explore the colourful lanes of Byres Road

Not far from the University of Glasgow, in Glasgow’s West End, are some of the most popular places to visit in Glasgow.

Byres Road is one of the busiest streets in the West End of Glasgow and it’s home to some super cute lanes that are lined with unique shops, some of Glasgow’s best restaurants, pubs and cosy cafes.

Ashton Lane in particular is worth a visit around sunset when you can see it beautifully lit up with fairy lights. There’s also Cresswell Lane and Ruthven Lane which are worth exploring too.

The Glasgow Necropolis

The Necropolis is one of Glasgow’s most interesting places to visit.

The Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery that offers you the chance to take a look back into the city’s past.

There are over 3,500 gravestones and you’ll find some that are super ornate and intricate. The Necropolis has become the final resting place for some historical figures including William Miller, who wrote the popular nursery rhyme “Wee Willie Winkie,” and John Knox, located on the highest point of the cemetery.

While the Necropolis is a cemetery, it’s also a beautiful park area with some great views over the city which makes it well worth visiting.

If you want to learn more about the Necropolis, you can take a free guided tour led by Friends of the Glasgow Necropolis volunteer guides. They’re available several times a month and any donations go towards the restoration of the cemetery.

Tolbooth Steeple & Merchant City

One of the best things to do in Glasgow is to visit the Tolbooth Steeple and explore the Merchant City area.

The Tolbooth Steeple is a historic pre-Victorian building marking the entrance to the Merchant City, where wealthy merchants of Glasgow built their luxurious townhouses during the city’s richest moments in history.

While the buildings and architecture are beautiful, there’s a darker side of history to them with many of the merchants earning their money through the transatlantic slave trade.

Learning more about this history while visiting the Merchant City is not only interesting but important and a great way to do this is through a walking tour of the city (see below).

See the Finnieston Crane & River Clyde

The River Clyde is the main river that runs through Glasgow and plays a significant role in the city’s history since it was where the merchants’ ships used to dock.

While many of the shipyards and docks have been removed and repurposed, there are still a few that remain including the Finnieston Crane.

The Finnieston Crane is pretty cool to see and this area is a nice place to take a walk along the riverfront, especially if the sun is out.

Walk along the Forth and Clyde Canal

The Forth and Clyde Canal, which opened in 1790, crosses central Scotland and though it doesn’t go directly into Glasgow itself, there’s an area near Port Dundas, just north of the city centre, where you can explore the former textile mills, granaries, distilleries, and power stations that have been converted into office spaces and residential buildings.

A nice walking route along the Forth and Clyde Canal is to follow the water from the basin up to the Maryhill Locks.

Navigating while on the trail: You can find this hike on AllTrails which is my usual go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking trail conditions and, if hiking solo, making sure others know I’m safe. The OS Map app is one of the best hiking apps for trails in the UK and is just like having hundreds of OS maps in your pocket!

Check out Glasgow’s Lighthouse

Glasgow’s Lighthouse is a significant city landmark and a must-visit attraction for design and architecture enthusiasts.

Situated in the heart of the city, it is Scotland’s Centre of Design and Architecture, and the lighthouse’s iconic spiral staircase is a sight to behold.

The Lighthouse was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of Glasgow’s most celebrated architects who is known for his distinct style blending Art Nouveau and Scottish traditionalism.

The building was initially built as the Glasgow Herald newspaper office in 1895, and in 1999, it was renovated and transformed into the Centre for Architecture and Design.

Inside the Lighthouse, the first thing you’ll notice is the spiral staircase that goes up to the top of the building. It’s pretty intricate and if you go all the way to the top you’ll be rewarded with amazing views. of Glasgow.

There are also exhibitions, workshops and events that take place at the Glasgow Lighthouse and you can learn about Mackintosh’s life and work.

See the Glasgow Cathedral

The Glasgow Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow and one of the top things to see in Glasgow for free.

The site of the church has been a place of worship for centuries and the Cathedral has beautiful Gothic architecture and ornate stone carvings. But the inside is what’s most impressive.

Inside you’ll see colourful stained glass windows, and there’s also the crypt where the city’s patron saint, St Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo) lies.

The Saint’s tomb is in the lower crypt of the Cathedral, and many of the decorative elements around it, as well as Glasgow’s Coat of Arms, are inspired by the Saint’s legends.

Check out the cone on top of the Duke of Wellington

If you’re looking to really understand Glasgow and its quirks, then be sure to track down the Duke of Wellington Statue and take the classic Glasgow photo of him with a cone on his head.

The statue stands outside of the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art and permanently has a traffic cone on his head.

Believed to have been placed there time and time again by students, the cone has become so beloved by the people of Glasgow that when the council threatened to take it down, thousands of Glaswegians came together to show their unwavering loyalty to the cone by petitioning and organising marches.

You’ll likely see other statues around the city with cones on their heads too – though I noticed that these sometimes get removed.

Free tours in Glasgow

Check out these free tours (or ones that are by donation), where you can learn more about the city’s history and culture.

Discover the Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail (self-guided)

A fun thing to do in Glasgow for free is to discover the City Centre Mural Trail.

Glasgow’s street art scene has transformed hidden corners of the city into artwork and you can take a self-guided walking route to see parts of the city you may have otherwise walked by while enjoying some impressive art.

The city centre mural trail crisscrosses Glasgow and features a variety of large-scale murals commissioned by the city council and painted by local artists, including renowned street artists such as Rogue One and Smug.

The murals have revitalised many of Glasgow’s vacant buildings and brought colour to forgotten areas.

Keep in mind that as buildings are upgraded or demolished, some of the murals may be lost permanently, so it’s a good idea to re-walk the route during future trips to Glasgow to see what’s changed.

Take a City Chambers guided tours

One of the best free guided tours in Glasgow is the Glasgow City Chambers tour.

The Glasgow City Chambers is not only a pretty building with interesting architecture, but it’s also where the Glasgow City Council is headquartered.

You can take a free guided tour of the City Chambers which is a great way to explore the building, including the elaborate Carrara marble staircase and the Banqueting Hall.

While parts of the building are still used by the city government, the tour still takes you through quite a lot of the building including the Council Chamber, where formal meetings are held, and if it’s free.

You’ll even get to sit in the Lord Provost’s Chair for a photo opportunity!

These tours take place twice a day from Monday to Friday and you don’t need to book in advance.

Mackintosh Building Tour (self-guided)

Other great self-guided tours of Glasgow are those developed by the Mackintosh Heritage Group.

They’ve developed 3 different routes where you can explore the works of Sir Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Glasgow’s most famous architect.

They’re a great way to explore more of the city on your own and at your own pace (so you can take cafe stops when you want).

There are downloadable leaflets, photos, descriptions and routes online.

Best free museums in Glasgow

Most of the museums in Glasgow are free and are a super interesting way to learn more about Glasgow, art from the city and abroad and more.

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

The Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is a free museum in Glasgow that’s housed in a beautiful neoclassical townhouse from 1778.

It’s home to lots of local and international art exhibits and features paintings, sculptures, prints, videos and installations.

You’ll find artists such as David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Margaret Tait as well as artwork from new and upcoming artists.

It’s well worth checking out.

I also just think the townhouse building it’s housed in is super cool with a mezzanine area where you can look up and down to the different levels of the building.

Explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

The Kelvingrove Museum is full of art, curiosities, and fossils from all over the world and with such a diverse collection, there’s bound to be something to interest everyone in this museum in Glasgow.

As you enter the main hall of the museum, you can’t fail to notice the Flying Heads installation by Sophie Cave which is a super interesting installation of different facial expressions hanging from the ceiling.

You can even find a haggis in this museum which is worth finding if you’ve never seen a real-life haggis before 😉

The museum is in the beautiful Kelvingrove Park so combining the two is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in Glasgow.

Discover the Hunterian Museum

One of my favourite things we discovered during our time in Glasgow was the Hunterian Museum.

The Hunterian Museum is in the Gilbert Scott Building at Glasgow University and is Scotland’s oldest public museum!

The collection includes Roman history, dinosaurs, evolution, minerals, and medicine it’s absolutely fascinating!

The display cabinets are beautifully presented, and the main hall is a masterpiece in its own right, with carved wooden balconies and decorated stone columns.

When you’re ready to leave, be sure to check out the beautiful courtyards on your way out that’ll make you feel like you’re. on the set of Harry Potter.

The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Don’t pass up on a chance to visit the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel. This was actually one of my favourite museums, perhaps because I love to travel. I just found it super interesting. Plus, I loved stepping back in time by taking a walk through an old street in Glasgow.

The iconic building itself, designed by the legendary architect Zaha Hadid, looks like a futuristic sailboat on the water’s edge.

Inside, the museum is home to a huge collection of vehicles. This includes old trams, a subway carriage, vintage buses, bicycles, cars and more.

People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green are some of the best things to do in Glasgow.

Inside you’ll find exhibits and displays that trace the social history of the people of Glasgow from the past to the present. It’s super interesting to learn more about what the now popular tenements used to look like when they housed multiple families, and how industry has changed the city.

The Winter Gardens glasshouse is a bit different and is like a little oasis.

Wander around the lush gardens which are a bit like the botanic garden’s Kibble Palace, and feel like you’re somewhere tropical on a rainy day in Glasgow.

St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life & Art

On the other side of Glasgow Cathedral is the St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art.

The museum, which is the only one of its kind in the world, is dedicated solely to religion and houses a diverse collection of artefacts from around the world and its various religions.

It’s an interesting way to explore the world’s cultures and how they’re affected by religion while providing an unbiased viewpoint on religions from both the past and present.

The museum also includes modern creative touches such as a display about the TV show “Charlie’s Angels,” which adds a pop culture twist to this fascinating museum.

See Glasgow’s Glenlee Tall Ship

Right by the Transport Museum, the Glenlee Tall Ship gives you the chance to take a journey through the rich maritime history of Glasgow.

Not only is it a former cargo ship, but it’s also a former sailing training ship for the Spanish Navy.

Now serving as a museum, it’s free to explore and offers a unique glimpse into what it was like to sail on a merchant ship during the Victorian era.

Make sure you visit the engine room, and the captain’s cabin and ring the ship’s bell!

The candlelit live music nights on the Tall Ship are a must-see and are sure to leave you with a memorable experience and is a super unique thing to do in Glasgow.

See the Govan Old Parish Church & Govan Stones

Govan Old Parish Church is home to the famous Govan Stones, early medieval carved stones that are believed to have been created to honour the lost Kingdom of Strathclyde. The stones were discovered in 1855 and are now on display at the church

Among the stones is a huge stone coffin – the Govan sarcophagus – depicting Norse and Pictish iconography.

It’s a super cool thing to see in Glasgow for free and well worth checking out.

Just catch the subway, over to Govan station to get there.

Explore The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection, named after Sir William Burrell, is one of the finest privately-donated art collections in the world.

Found in Pollock Country Park on Glasgow Southside, this beautiful museum has been recently refurbished and the building is absolutely beautiful.

The museum houses a wide range of artefacts such as Ming vases, intricate rugs and medieval weaponry.

There are also exhibitions which feature a recreation of the Burrell family home at Hutton Castle.

The Glasgow Women’s Library

The Glasgow Women’s Library is a fantastic place to visit in Glasgow if you’re keen to learn about women’s history, culture and achievements.

The Women’s Library in Glasgow is not only a public library but also an event space and museum, in a beautifully restored building in Bridgeton.

The volunteers at the library also offer guided history walks through the city, which are definitely worth checking out!

Best green spaces and parks in Glasgow Scotland

Glasgow has some beautiful green spaces and parks that are the perfect place to relax on a sunny day or take a walk to get some air.

Stroll through Glasgow Green

Glasgow Green is the perfect place for a relaxing day out with family or friends.

This public park is the oldest in Glasgow and was granted to the city by King James II in 1450.

Spread over 55 acres, it’s home to many historical buildings and monuments, including the People’s Palace, the Doulton Fountain, and Nelson’s Monument.

More recently, Glasgow Green has become a popular venue for events such as the TRNSMT music festival and the World Pipe Band Championships.

The park also features children’s play areas, an orienteering course, a football centre, and views of the River Clyde. It’s also where you’ll find the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens.

Discover the Fossil Grove at Victoria Park

Victoria Park was quite close to where we stayed in the West End of Glasgow and has a little secret tucked away at its western edge.

Shortly after the park was opened in 1886, fossilised stumps of eleven extinct Lepidodendron trees were discovered, which had stood there over 325 million years ago!

You can walk through the Fossil Grove area as well as enjoy the lake and green space in the rest of the park.

Walk through Glasgow’s Queen’s Park

Queen’s Park is a great Glasgow park with tree-lined avenues that intersect each other, a pond for boating, and a lovely rose garden.

If you want to break a sweat, head for the central hill and climb towards the flagpole, from where you can enjoy the breathtaking view all the way to Ben Lomond.

Pollok Country Park

Pollok Country Park was one of my favourite parks in Glasgow as it felt huge and there was so much to explore.

The park is on the Southside of Glasgow and has a big network of paths and trails you might even spot the resident Highland Cows!

The park is the closest you’ll get to a forest so close to the city centre and at the centre of the park is Pollok House, a stunning historic mansion maintained by the National Trust for Scotland as well as the Burrell Collection

Glasgow’s Hidden Gardens

The Hidden Gardens is a fantastic green space located within the Tramway Theatre compound where visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings or participate in community activities and workshops.

This community garden is home to an impressive array of plant collections including flowers that attract bees, medicinal and culinary plants, and a wildlife area. You can also find a big meadow area which is a great spot to relax.

Glasgow’s Hidden Gardens offers a peaceful escape just behind Pollokshaws Road and offers local art, sculptures, and beautiful flowers.

Kelvingrove Park & Kelvin Walkway

Kelvingrove Park is perhaps the best well-known park in Glasgow and its West End neighbourhood.

The park has great views of the University of Glasgow’s Bell Tower and Kelvingrove Museum and has several trails alongside the River Kelvin.

If you continue along the Kelvin Walkway, you’ll find yourself at the Botanic Gardens or Maryhill Locks and from there, you can continue your journey along the Forth & Clyde Canal to Speirs Wharf or even onto the West Highland Way, one of the best walks in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Wander through the Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens is one of the best things to do for free in Glasgow and one of my favourite places to walk through in the city. While you have to pay for the botanic gardens in Edinburgh, the ones in Glasgow are free and super impressive!

The gardens have a diverse collection of plants, including a national collection of tree ferns and a herb garden.

The Kibble Palace, a beautiful Victorian glasshouse, is one of the best things to see in the park and has undergone a stunning £7 million restoration.

Inside you’ll discover a tropical wonderland of plants and water features, including a giant pool of tropical fish. A newer glasshouse also showcases rare and beautiful flowers and exotic trees.

Best markets & shopping in Glasgow

While shopping isn’t free, window-shopping is and there are some awesome markets to explore in Glasgow where you can wander around for free.

Barras Market in Glasgow

For a taste of true Glaswegian culture, the Barras Market is a must-visit.

This historic market in the East End of Glasgow has been running since the 1920s and offers a unique shopping experience.

With a mix of indoor and outdoor market stalls, pubs, cafes, and courtyard shops, you can find pretty much anything from vintage fashion to second-hand goods, books, and board games. And for those looking for a more artistic experience, the new arts centre on-site offers studio spaces and small boutiques.

Open every Saturday, the Barras Market is a lively and bustling place that you should definitely check out during your Glasgow trip and it’s a great non touristy thing to do in Glasgow that most visitors to the city miss.

Glasgow Farmers Markets

For those looking for fresh, seasonal, and local produce, Glasgow has two farmers’ markets that take place on alternating Saturdays in the West End and Southside of the city.

We happened across the West End farmers market one weekend and I was actually super impressed. There was a big range of fruit and vegetables as well as sweet treats and other locally made producers.

While there may be a cost to purchasing items at the farmers market, many vendors offer free tasters and samples, making it a fun and tasty experience.

Hidden Lane Saturdays

The Hidden Lane is a hidden gem in the trendy Finnieston neighbourhood of Glasgow that’s home to a variety of artists, designers, and curators who produce and exhibit their work in the many studios, showrooms, workshops, and boutique shops along the lane.

You can observe artists at work, chat with them about their creations, and even purchase souvenirs directly from the producers, supporting small businesses in the process.

While the opening times of the shops vary, most are open during Hidden Lane Saturdays, making it a perfect weekend outing and a great addition to a list of free stuff to do in Glasgow.

Best music and events in Glasgow for free or on a budget

Free live music

One of the best things about Glasgow is its vibrant live music scene, and you don’t have to pay a fortune to enjoy it.

Many pubs and bars, such as The Hug and Pint, Nice N Sleazy, and The Flying Duck host local musicians for free gigs.

From indie rock to jazz and folk, you can find a wide range of genres to suit your taste.

Be sure to check listings in advance to catch your favourite artists.

Cheap Comedy Nights at The Stand

The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow is known for offering cheap comedy nights that are both entertaining and affordable.

These shows feature a variety of comedians, including established acts and up-and-coming talent, who perform their best stand-up material for the audience.

The Stand’s Red Raw nights, in particular, are popular. They’re open-mic comedy nights where new comedians can try out their material and hone their skills on stage. They are also very affordable, with tickets starting at just a few pounds.

We visited The Stand one evening where comedians were trying out their new materials and it was so much fun. Book your tickets online and show up early as there’s limited seating, with some people having to stand.

Final thoughts on things to do in Glasgow for free and cheap things to do in Glasgow

There are so many fun, free things to do in Glasgow that visiting this city in Scotland doesn’t have to break the bank.

From exploring the social history of the city at the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens to taking in the beauty of nature at the Hidden Gardens or Kelvingrove Park, there are so many free activities in Glasgow.

And for those who enjoy live entertainment, Glasgow offers a range of free comedy and music events.

So, while on your trip to Glasgow, be sure to check out these fun free things to learn more about the city and discover why many people love it.

FAQs about free things to do in Glasgow Scotland