Glasgow is one in every of my favorite cities within the UK for a protracted weekend break. There’s sufficient to do to maintain you busy and have loads of choices for issues to do and locations to eat, however it’s not so huge and busy you’re ever going to really feel overwhelmed. Glasgow can also be a really walkable metropolis so you may get round simply and see quite a bit in a brief area of time. I even obtained out to Loch Lomond for a day mountaineering journey and was again within the metropolis by 6pm for a curry!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend two days and two nights in Glasgow and this was my 48 hour itinerary. Massive because of beautiful folks at People Make Glasgow for serving to me put this collectively! There are so many unimaginable locations to eat in Glasgow so I’ve a complete separate publish about that coming quickly! My first go to to Glasgow was again in 2011 and it now looks like a totally totally different metropolis because of all of the cool bars and eating places popping up and I cherished seeing the colourful change within the metropolis over the previous seven years.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals earlier than we transfer on to the two day Glasgow itinerary
How to get to Glasgow
I took the prepare as much as Glasgow from Chester and for most individuals within the UK that is going to be your best choice. You might drive however you received’t really want a automobile once you arrive so that you may as properly sit again and benefit from the journey on the prepare.
If the prepare isn’t the best choice for you otherwise you’re coming from overseas then you’ll be able to simply fly into Glasgow.
Where to remain
I stayed at Apex Hotel which was a kind of beautiful, easy inns that ticks each field. It’s a 5-minute stroll from the prepare station and a terrific, central location. The workers have been beautiful and pleasant and my room was spacious, fashionable and cozy.
If you intend to spend most of your day trip and about and wish someplace easy and cozy to put your head then I extremely advocate Apex Hotel.
2pm – Arrival
If you arrive at round 2pm I like to recommend strolling straight to your resort to drop off your baggage and get straight again out once more!
2.30pm – Byres Road – Glasgow’s stylish space
Head straight to Byres Road, a classy west finish space of Glasgow. This is the place you’ll discover a lot of cool cafes, hipster eating places, boutique shops and classic outlets. It’s a very nice place for a stroll and a terrific introduction to Glasgow.
Find out extra about Byres Road right here and there’s the final word information to consuming, consuming and purchasing right here.
4.00pm – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
We’re staying within the West End and going to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Kelvingrove is unimaginable and is simply as beautiful on the within as it’s on the surface. It’s the UK’s most visited museum exterior of London and it’s an absolute must-see throughout any journey to Glasgow. It’s the type of place I’d describe as being a ‘friendly museum’. There are over 8,000 objects on show however you don’t really feel like you could be an artwork knowledgeable or a historian to understand them.
I cherished the best way one minute I’d be admiring an infinite giraffe and the following I’d be gazing at a few of the most well-known and treasured artworks on the earth. And then I’d be distracted by an enormous Spitfire hanging from the ceiling after which by The Floating Heads set up which shows each emotion you’ll be able to think about.
It’s an unimaginable place and really family-friendly in case you’re bringing the little ones!
6.00pm – Cocktails at The Finnieston
Have a pre-dinner tipple at The Finnieston, an award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant in Finnieston, one other vibrant and stylish space of Glasgow. The Finnieston is dwelling to over 60 gins and it’s often called the primary and finest gin bar within the metropolis. Their drinks are lovely so have your digicam prepared as a result of this might be one for the ‘gram.
Your subsequent cease is only a few doorways away…
7.00pm – Dinner at The Gannet
You’ll really feel proper at dwelling inside the cosy but trendy inside of The Gannet. It was a chilly winter’s night once I visited and the roaring hearth, flickering candles, pleasant workers and hearty meals was simply what I wanted.
I started with Stornoway Black Pudding Scotch Duck Egg which put each different scotch egg I’ve ever eaten to disgrace. I adopted my starter with Peterhead Landed Cod with Mussels however it was my dessert that basically stole the present. I wasn’t going to have dessert however I used to be instructed folks journey from miles round for The Gannet’s Salted Caramel Fondant with Tonka Bean Ice Cream. Oh my goodness. Words can’t do that unimaginable dessert justice. When you’ve had a beautiful day in a brand new metropolis and also you’re sat by a hearth with a pleasant glass of pink wine, this fondant is the proper finish to the proper day. Order it and thank me later.
[one_half padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half_last]
9.00am – Breakfast at Singl-end
This bohemian café and bakehouse is frequently named as the very best brunch spot in Glasgow and is a agency favorite with the locals and the trendy college students close by. There’s a relaxed vibe as clients tuck into freshly baked truffles and vibrant dishes which can be begging to be photographed.
The breakfast menu was so good I wished every little thing. I truthfully would have been proud of any merchandise on the menu! I finally narrowed it down to 2 (sure, I had two breakfasts, don’t decide) and ordered the Veggie Baked Eggs with Halloumi and the Banana and Pecan Bread with Homemade Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread and Caramelised Banana.
What a strategy to begin the day.
10.30am –Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art is a brief stroll from Singl-end so it’s an ideal strategy to ease your self into the day after a hearty breakfast. I took a Mackintosh Tour, an award-winning student-led tour specializing in the architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh who designed the Art School’s well-known Mackintosh constructing. He’s one of the vital influential Scottish architects and designers and the enthusiastic college students inform his life story with a lot ardour. You get unique entry to a few of Mackintosh’s well-known designs however, sadly, the Mackintosh Building is underneath restoration following a hearth in 2014 so you’ll be able to solely see it through a miniature mannequin or by peering by the scaffolding-clad constructing.
11.30am – The Lighthouse
Following your tour, take a stroll into the centre of Glasgow and make your approach in direction of The Lighthouse. This is Scotland’s nationwide centre for artwork and structure and in addition has a everlasting Mackintosh Interpretation Centre.
The Lighthouse is properly value a go to for the panoramic views throughout town alone. Take the spiral staircase to the highest of the tower and benefit from the metropolis from a novel vantage level.
12.30pm – City strolling
Take a stroll across the lovely metropolis and admire the spectacular Victorian structure. Don’t miss the Glasgow City Chambers or the Gallery of Modern Art.
1pm – Lunch and Train to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
We’re getting out of town for the afternoon to discover the beautiful landscapes surrounding Glasgow. Did you realize that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is only a 50 minute prepare journey from Glasgow? Departing from Glasgow Queen Street Station (the place I picked up a picnic lunch for the prepare), it’s only a hop, skip and a bounce to Balloch the place I used to be met by John from Experience Scotland’s Wild.
John’s distinctive tour firm is all about ‘sightdoing’ slightly than ‘sightseeing’. I completely love this phrase John has coined and the sentiment behind it. This isn’t about sitting on a bus and looking out on the beautiful surroundings, it’s about getting on the market and experiencing it for your self.
John is enthusiastic, educated and adventurous and he tailored his Loch Lomond and Trossachs Active Sightseeing Tour for a shorter tour to suit my busy itinerary. He picked me up from the prepare station and took a brief drive to start a scenic strolling tour. We walked by forests and previous trickling streams and I barely seen our uphill climb as John identified the wildlife and crops round us and instructed me extra in regards to the space.
We reached the highest of the hill when John paused.
‘I’m going to set you a problem,’ John mentioned and my coronary heart sank as I anticipated some type of health problem the place he’d ask me to dash to the highest of the hill. ‘Your challenge for the next 10 minutes is to not turn around. And when we reach the top you need to close your eyes.’
Relieved there was no sprinting concerned, my coronary heart lifted once more. But, after all, all I wished to do was flip round and see the surroundings that was slowly coming into view as we climbed greater.
When we reached the highest, I closed my eyes as instructed whereas John took me by the arm and guided me to the sting. It was such an odd sensation to be strolling by the wind with no concept of what was round me apart from the slippery, uneven floor under my toes and miles and miles of chilly air throughout. I slowly took my nervous steps till John instructed me to cease and open my eyes.
Wow.
For that temporary second it felt like my thoughts was fully clear and all I might see was that view. The approach the solar bounced off the glassy loch and the thick clouds hovered simply above the distant mountain peaks so their snowy tops have been illuminated with a mystical glow.
John identified the tiny islands throughout the loch and had a narrative for each. He confirmed me one island that’s dwelling to about 60 wallabies (sure, actually, these cute little Australian guys are right here in Scotland!) earlier than John gave me a dram of whiskey and a few Scottish shortbread whereas having fun with the view.
This was the spotlight of my journey and if I had extra time in Glasgow I might have cherished to take John’s full day tour.
John dropped me again off on the prepare station and an hour later I used to be again at my resort preparing for dinner.
[one_half padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half_last]
7pm – Dinner at Chaakoo Bombay Café
Glasgow has been topped The Curry Capital of the UK many instances so it might be impolite to go to town and never go for a curry! I opted for Chaakoo Bombay Café and it turned out to be a terrific selection. The Iranian impressed café/restaurant has a scrumptious tapas model menu the place you order a lot of little dishes to strive as a lot meals as you’ll be able to.
My meal was unimaginable with a smoked hen tikka Irani kebab and a candy, butter hen curry. But it was the décor of the café that basically stole the present for me. Chaakoo Bombay Café is grand, ornate and classy and feels a bit like being within the inside of a really fancy prepare with non-public carriages and picket compartments.
I cherished it and I can advocate visiting with a big group so you’ll be able to order an enormous banquet in your social gathering.
[one_half padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half_last]
9.30am – Breakfast at Cup Tearoom
My closing day in Glasgow started on a excessive with breakfast on the trendy but cute Cup Tearoom in Merchant City. With the placing Victorian inside, dim lighting and a comfortable but elegant vibe, Cup Tearoom is like no tearoom I’ve ever been to earlier than!
I had the Smashed Avocado Toast with poached eggs, avocado, child spinach and smoked salmon on sourdough toast.
[one_half padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half_last]
10.30am – Glasgow Music City Tour
Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music because of its music connections and a protracted record of locals who’ve gone on to be music megastars. I joined a Glasgow Music City Walking Tour which takes you to a few of the most iconic music spots within the metropolis. Some of our stops have been apparent ones just like the well-known Barrowland Ballroom, a well-known rock venue the place a few of the world’s largest rock stars have graced the stage.
There have been some hidden gems alongside the best way, equivalent to the Britannia Panoptican, the world’s oldest surviving music corridor. The unimaginable theatre had been hidden away down a facet avenue for years and have become often called Glasgow’s Lost Theatre. Interestingly, that is additionally the place the place Stan Laurel, from Laurel and Hardy, made his stage debut!
This music tour was actually attention-grabbing and finest loved by an older music fan who will bear in mind the music references made by the tour.
12.30pm – Lunch and beer tasting at Drygate Brewery
This was an surprising spotlight throughout my time in Glasgow. Drygate in Glasgow’s East End is the world’s first experiential brewery. It’s a craft brewery in addition to a bar and a restaurant and on a Saturday evening I’m fairly positive you’ll discover each hipster within the metropolis in right here!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to get a desk close to the glass wall wanting into the brewery so I might watch the brewers at work whereas I sampled just a few beers and devoured a burger.
They satisfaction themselves on being a pleasant brewery and the beer consultants behind the bar imagine they’ll discover the proper beer for everybody, even in case you assume you don’t like beer! Now that feels like a problem…
2.00pm – Glasgow Necropolis and Glasgow Cathedral
Just behind Drygate Brewery is the necropolis and cathedral and this might be your closing cease throughout your 48 hours in Glasgow. Now I do know it’s a bit bizarre suggesting you go to a cemetery however this is among the most unimaginable Victorian cemeteries’ and is gorgeous. It’s perched on a hill overlooking town and it’s a peaceable place for a quiet wander.
Walk right down to the cathedral which is one in every of Scotland’s most luxurious buildings and it’s simply as lovely on the within as it’s on the surface.
[one_half padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 5px 0 5px”]
[/one_half_last]
OK, we could have run over just a little bit right here and it’s barely longer than 48 hours in Glasgow however there’s a lot to squeeze in!
If you’ve gotten any extra strategies for issues to see and do in Glasgow or locations to eat and drink, please do share them within the feedback under.
Thanks once more to People Make Glasgow for making my journey doable. This was a paid partnership. Check out the hashtag #NextStopGlasgow on social media to see what the opposite bloggers obtained as much as throughout their visits to Glasgow.
