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Free attractions in Glasgow
- Glasgow Cathedral
- Glasgow Green
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Kelvingrove Park (behind marker 3)
- Mugdock Country Park
- Pollok Country Park
- Strathclyde Country Park
- The Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (behind marker A)
- (A) The Lighthouse Art Gallery
- (B) The Peoples Palace (behind marker 2)
- (C) The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel (behind marker D)
- (D) The Tall Ship
If you’d like to discover even more places to visit take a look at my Scottish Tourist Attractions Map – but don’t forget to check my Weather Forecast Map before you leave home.
Glasgow Cathedral
Address: Castle St, Glasgow, G4 0QZ
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday – Admission between 10am and 3.30pm. Sunday – Admission between 1 pm and 3.30 pm
Telephone Number: 0141 552 8198
Email Address: N/A
Website: Glasgow Cathedral
About: Glasgow is home to the most complete medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland with a building that features stunning stained-glass windows and incredibly well-preserved ancient chapels. Glasgow Cathedral, also called St Kentigern’s or St Mungo’s Cathedral, is part of the Church of Scotland.
Glasgow Green
Address: Greendyke Street, Saltmarket, Glasgow, G1 5DB
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Telephone Number: 0141 271 2951
Email Address: N/A
Website: Glasgow Green
About: Glasgow Green is one of the largest green areas in the city, covering 136 acres within walking distance of the city centre. The grounds feature a variety of activities including a play village, an orienteering course and viewing platforms over the River Clyde.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Address: Argyle St, Glasgow, G3 8AG
Opening Times: Mon to Sun 10:00 (11:00 Sun) to 17:00
Telephone Number: +44 (141) 276 9599
Email Address: museums@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
About: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 and has been a favourite with visitors to Glasgow ever since, with lots to see and do across 22 galleries that feature collections from ancient Egypt all the way through to Edinburgh’s most famous son, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The attraction features a café, restaurant and gift shop.
Kelvingrove Park
Address: Professors’ Square, Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Telephone Number: 0141 334 6363
Email Address: N/A
Website: Kelvingrove Park
About: Surrounding the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is the extremely popular Kelvingrove Park which stretches across 85 acres in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy the River Kelvin which runs through the park as well as five bowling greens, four tennis courts, an orienteering course, a skateboard park, cafés, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Mugdock Country Park
Address: Milngavie, Mugdock, Glasgow, G62 8EL
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Telephone Number: 0141 956 6100
Email Address: office@mugdock.org
Website: Mugdock Country Park
About: Mugdock Country Park is situated north of East Dunbartonshire and south-west of Stirling. It comprises 270 hectares of woodland, moorland and heathland and is connected by a network of paths. It contains a loch, two castles, a stables complex and a walled garden. Keen walkers can enjoy several orienteering trails while children can go wild in the play park and adventure trail.
Pollok Country Park
Address: Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow, G43 1AT
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Telephone Number: 0141 287 5064
Email Address: N/A
Website: Pollok Country Park
About: Not only is Pollock Country Park the largest in Glasgow, but it’s the only country park within the city. This Green Flag award-winner provides a quiet sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and has a wide variety of exciting features such as a play park, orienteering course, old stables, heavy horses and roaming Highland cattle.
Strathclyde Country Park
Address: Hamilton Road, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, ML1 3ED
Opening Times: Open year-round.
Telephone Number: 01698 402060
Email Address: countryside@northlan.gov.uk
Website: Strathclyde Country Park
About: Strathclyde Country Park played host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the excitement of that year lives on through a number of fun activities that are available throughout the 400 hectares of countryside that comprise the park grounds. There are outdoor adventure playgrounds, bike trails, a fitness gym, and a water sports centre with a café.
Discover Glasgow in 360° with this article: Virtual Tours of Attractions in Glasgow.
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Address: Great Western Rd, Glasgow, G12 0UE
Opening Times: 7am – dusk (all year)
Telephone Number: 0141 276 1614
Email Address: Ewen.Donaldson@glasgow.gov.uk
Website: The Glasgow Botanic Gardens
About: Glasgow’s famous Botanic Gardens are open all year for visitors to enjoy over 200 years of history with plant species that have been collected from around the world. In addition to the beautifully managed plant specimens there is an arboretum and a heritage trail to explore, while guided tours are available for those wishing to learn more about Glasgow’s garden heritage.
The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
Address: Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH
Opening Times: Mon to Sun 10:00 (11:00 Sun) to 17:00
Telephone Number: 0141 287 3050
Email Address: museums@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
About: This centrally located exhibition of modern artworks contains four galleries which not only display some of the world’s finest modern art collections but also plays host to frequent exhibitions from artists from all over the world. The GOMA aims to feature works that highlight the interests and influences which international artists share with local artists from Glasgow.
The Lighthouse Art Gallery
Address: 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU
Opening Times: Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 5.00pm. Sun: 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Telephone Number: 0141 276 5365
Email Address: Information.thelighthouse@glasgow.gov.uk
Website: The Lighthouse Gallery
About: The Lighthouse was the first public commission designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the celebrated Glasgow architect, designer, and artist. The gallery showcases a variety of art exhibitions as well as a fascinating Mackintosh Centre which features a variety of displays. Tours are regularly held at The Lighthouse so that visitors can learn about Glasgow’s rich artistic heritage, and workshops allow anyone to get involved and learn new artistic skills.
The Peoples Palace
Address: Templeton St, Glasgow, G40 1AT
Opening Times: Mon to Sun 10:00 (11:00 Sun) to 17:00
Telephone Number: 0141 276 0788
Email Address: museums@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: The People’s Palace
About: The People’s Palace is located in historic Glasgow Green and is home to a collection of objects, photographs, prints and film which give a unique view into how Glaswegians lived, worked and played from 1750 right up to the present day. Visitors can also view a diverse range of historic artefacts, paintings and interactive computer displays, while the beautiful Winter Gardens are located just outside if you fancy a stroll amongst exotic palms and plants.
Read my Guide to Glasgow Green.
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
Address: 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS
Opening Times: Mon to Sun 10:00 (11:00 Sun) to 17:00
Telephone Number: 0141 287 2720
Email Address: museums@glasgowlife.org.uk
Website: The Riverside Museum
About: This award-winning museum sitting alongside the River Clyde and is home to a vast collection of cars, bikes, trains and every other form of transport in-between. There are over 3,000 objects on display from Glasgow’s rich industrial history and a faithful recreation of a historic Glasgow cobbled street allows visitors to experience the past like never before.
Read my guide to The Riverside Museum.
The Tall Ship
Address: 150 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS
Opening Times: Mon to Sun 10:00 to 17:00 (16:00 in winter)
Telephone Number: 0141 357 3699
Email Address: N/A
Website: The Tall Ship
About: Glasgow was once home to shipbuilders that produced sea-faring craft that spanned the globe, and this important part of the city’s history is celebrated with the faithfully restored Glenlee which is one of many hundreds of sailing ships that were built on the banks of the River Clyde. Tourists can explore the restored sailing ship thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Clyde Maritime Trust who also provide an interesting audio tour guide so that you can learn about the ship’s history.
You can find out more about this attraction with my complete guide to The Tall Ship.
Discover more free places to visit in Scotland with: The Best FREE Places to Visit in Scotland – Ultimate Visitor Guide.
More free places to visit in Scotland
- Glen Ogle – Stirling: Complete Visitor Guide
Glen Ogle lies in a particularly scenic area of Stirlingshire, 2 miles northwest of the village of Lochearnhead. The Glen is a popular tourist destination thanks to the Sustrans Route 7 which offers a superb cycle and walking route through the glen, where stunning views are on offer from Loch Earn to the Glen Ogle railway viaduct and beyond. - Seacliff Beach – East Lothian: Complete Visitor Guide
Seacliff Beach is situated 5 miles south of North Berwick in East Lothian. This remote beach is overlooked by the dramatic ruins of Tantallon Castle and is best known for its unusual sandstone harbour which is said to be the smallest in the UK. - Preston Mill – East Lothian: Complete Visitor Guide
Preston Mill is located next to the River Tyne in picturesque farming country in the heart of East Lothian. The mill dates from the 18th-century and was used commercially until the 1950s but is now open as a tourist attraction managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Discover this unique historic attraction with this guide which includes a 360° virtual tour. - Silver Sands of Morar – Inverness: Complete Visitor Guide
The Silver Sands of Morar are a series of celebrated beaches located on the Morar Peninsula, south of Mallaig. These stunning white-sand beaches are a favourite spot for tourists due to the crystal-clear turquoise waters along this stretch of coastline, as well as the stunning views of the Small Isles.
