The best things to do in Glasgow in 2026

What is it? One of the world’s biggest sporting competitions, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories competing in 10 different sports.

Why go? In 2014, the last time the games were held in Glasgow, the Scottish contingent earned their highest ever number of gold medals, so expectations are high for another banner year for the home team. The visiting athletes offer fierce competition, however: among the stars set to compete are three-time Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon (one mile race), two-time Paralympic gold medalist Madison de Rozario (1500m T53-54) and Olympic gold medalist Hamish Kerr (high jump). 

Don’t miss: Details of the opening and closing ceremonies are still largely under wraps, but we do know that the celebrations will kick off at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro stadium on 23 July. Representatives from all 74 countries are expected to participate and the organisers have promised the show will be a tribute to the “irrepressible and cool, emotional, hilarious, creative and proudly loud” host city.

Address: Various venues

Price: Tickets start from £26 for medal sessions and £17 for non-medal sessions. Concession tickets are available from £12.

What is it? A lush green space with the grand old Pollok House at the centre of the grounds. 

Why go? This slice of gorgeous countryside is just a rather scenic ten minutes away from Glasgow Central on the train. Once there, get the blood pumping with a stroll through serene surroundings, followed by some cooing over the Highland cows and Clydesdale horses.

Don’t miss: Stop inside Pollok House to see its collections of antique furniture, silverware, ceramics and fine art. Its collection of Spanish paintings is one of the finest in Britain. 

🤫 Insider tip: If you’re not too tired, walk 20 minutes to Shawlands for coffee or dinner. You can catch plenty of buses and trains back to the city centre. Olivia Simpson

Address: 2060 Pollokshaws Road, G43 1AT, Glasgow
Opening hours: Open daily, from 6am–6pm 
Price: Free entry

What is it? One of the UK’s most visited museums, Kelvingrove’s vast collection of items is free to see and covers everything from natural history to civic art.

Why go? Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which opened in 1901 and is Glasgow’s most popular tourist attraction, is a striking piece of architecture in the Spanish baroque style, fashioned out of red sandstone. There is some truly wonderful art here, with galleries given over to Scottish colourists and French impressionism, for example. There are also plenty of lectures and workshops like the upcoming family crafts workshops held in October during Black History Month, and inspired by the African art in the collection. Look up as you enter and you’ll see Sophie Cave’s spooky floating heads, all sporting eerie human expressions. In the adjacent museum you’ll find a Spitfire fighter jet suspended from the ceiling, above stuffed animals including old favourite Sir Roger the elephant.

Address: Argyle Street, G3 8AG, Glasgow
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Saturday, from  10am–5pm; and Friday to Sunday, from 11am–5pm
Price: Free entry

What is it? One of the prettiest green spaces you'll spy in Glasgow, filled to the brim with history, botany and fine architecture.

Why go? Originally laid out in 1841 as part of the University of Glasgow, the Botanic Gardens were acquired by the city and made public in 1891. In 1873 the most distinctive building – the eccentric domed glasshouse Kibble Palace – was erected, followed a few years later by the Main Range teak glasshouse. Both have been beautifully preserved and brim with exotic plant life, from arid lands to tropical rainforests.

Don’t miss: The long east-west facing green in front of the glasshouses teems with life on warm days, be it families, groups of students or yoga classes. 

Address: 730 Great Western Road, G12 0UE, Glasgow
Opening hours: Open daily, from 7am-dusk (glasshouses from 10am-6pm in summer, and 10am-4.15pm in winter)
Price: Free entry

What is it? A historic theatre company and venue within Glasgow’s Gorbals neighbourhood 

Why go? Following a seven-year closure for renovations, one of Glasgow’s most exciting theatres re-opened in August 2025. It retains much of its Victorian charm, including six imposing statues that decorate the exterior, representing Robert Burns, Williams Shakespeare and the four Greek muses, Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy), Euterpe (song and poetry) and Terpsichore (dance). The renovation brought improved accessibility and a new space, the Studio Theatre, which acts as an incubator for emerging talent. Expect to see everything from reinvented classics to new works, with a focus on pieces that speak to life in Scotland today. The Citz, as it’s known among locals, also hosts touring productions from across the UK, stand up comedy and talks. 

Don’t miss: From 21 to 24 October, GLOW and House of the Dragon actor Gayle Rankin will lead a production of the classic Scottish novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. 

Address: 119 Gorbals Street, G5 9DS, Glasgow
Opening times: The Box Office is open from 10am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday. 
Price: Prices are dependent on production, and can range from £14.50 to £43.50.

What is it? Glasgow’s big gothic attractions, with signature spires in tow. 

Why go? Glasgow Cathedral was consecrated in 1197 and remains a sturdy and impressive example of Scottish gothic architecture both inside and out. The other big attraction nearby is the Necropolis, Glasgow’s gloriously atmospheric cemetery inspired by Père Lachaise in Paris and dating back to 1833. Amble among the monuments, look out over the city and wonder just how green and bucolic the view was more than two centuries ago. Ankle-length black leather coat and Demonia boots optional. If you’ve seen the latest Batman movie you might recognise the bridge you’ll need to cross to walk from the cathedral to the necropolis. The cathedral has one of the most impressive post-war collections of stained glass windows in Britain, including John K Clark’s Millennium Window.

💡 Editor’s tip: Special occasion? Celentano’s, one of the city’s best restaurants, is just round the corner. It’s my go-to recommendation for a semi-fancy evening dinner. Olivia Simpson

Address: Castle Street, G4 0QZ, Glasgow
Opening hours: April-September: Monday to Saturday, from 9.30am–5pm; and Sunday, from 1pm-5pm; October-March: Monday to Saturday, from 10am–4pm; and Sunday, from 1pm–4pm
Price: Free entry

What is it? Glasgow’s very first dedicated Single Malt Whisky distillery in more than 100 years.

Why go? Hidden inside the old Pumphouse building that once controlled entry to the famous Queen’s Dock – and thus Scotland’s whisky exports to the world – Clydeside became one of the first new distilleries in generations to operate in Glasgow when it started running its huge copper stills in 2017. Take a tour of their pristine and impressive facilities to see the operation in action. 

Don’t miss: A chocolate and whisky tour allows visitors to savour five carefully selected single malt whiskies, each expertly paired with freshly made artisan chocolate handcrafted by Sugarsnap Chocolate. 

Address: 100 Stobcross Road, G3 8QQ, Glasgow
Opening hours: Open daily, from 10am-5.30pm
Price: Tours start from £17.50

What is it? One of the most iconic and cherished music venues in the world, and for an enduringly good reason.

Why go? You’ve never really experienced live music in Scotland until you’ve stumbled into the famous Barrowland Ballroom – a dusty, old, family-owned Glasgow institution that’s been embraced by several generations of live music fans alike for more than four decades. All while retaining independence, integrity and a gloriously retro feel like few other spaces of its size. Barely altered in architecture, décor or spirit since it opened, the Barrowland’s shows today include new and veteran acts alike – every major promoter in Scotland books here. The mere view of the venue’s massive garish flashing coloured neon sign hovering into view down the Gallowgate on a show night is sufficient to give gig-goers a buzz of anticipation.

Address: 244 Gallowgate, G4 0TT, Glasgow
Opening hours: Opening times vary by event 
Price: Cost varies by event

What is it? A vast assortment of around 9,000 objects gifted to Glasgow in 1944 by Sir William Burrell (1861-1958). The Burrell Collection reopened in 2022 following a £68.25m redevelopment, and it’s been all the better for it ever since, making the museum’s building greener and more accessible. Today, there are 225 displays across 24 galleries, which take you on a tour of 6,000 years of history.

Why go? The Collection includes treasures which feature people and places from around the world. Among the highlights are one of the most significant collections of Chinese art in the UK, Roman sculpture and Egyptian pottery more than 2,000 years old and paintings by renowned 19th century French artists like Manet, Cézanne and Degas.

Address: Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, G43 1AT, Glasgow
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, and Saturday, from  10am-5pm; and Friday and Sunday, from 11am–5pm
Price: Free entry

What is it? A new wave of queer nightlife, shops and community groups in the city 

Why go? Google will tell you that the Merchant City, just east of the city centre, is Glasgow’s LGBTQIA+ district, but locals are more likely to say it’s the Southside, particularly the neighbouring areas of Govanhill and Strathbungo. Here, you’ll find the wonderful independent bookshop Category Is Books, which specialises in LGBTQIA+ titles, regular queer comedy and club nights at the Rum Shack, and even Scotland’s first trans and non-binary football club, Gender Goals, which trains in local facilities. Should you feel the need to leave the Southside (honestly, in my two years living in the area, I rarely did) check out Stereo, the Berkeley Suite and the Poetry Club at SWG3, which all regularly programme queer performers.  

Don’t miss: Check out the Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF). This year’s programme includes the first-ever Scottish screening of the 1974 Japanese road trip film Bye Bye Love, a selection of Scottish shorts, a craft fair and more. 

🤫 Insider tip: Some of the city’s best queer nights are Ponyboy parties, where the lineups prioritise the trans community, and a welfare team and clear safer space policy protects community wellbeing. Olivia Simpson

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