When you tell someone you’re going to Glasgow, you tend to get one of two responses:
1. Oh cool, Ireland!
2. Why aren’t you going to Edinburgh?
After living there for five months, I am here to tell you to laugh in the face of anyone who gives you either of those responses. Glasgow is an incredible city, containing the tallest marble staircase in the world (sucks for you, Vatican City), gorgeous parks, a university that is basically Hogwarts, beautiful architecture, and the added bonus of actual Scottish people!
Yes, Edinburgh is an amazing, beautiful place and I would recommend going there; but it’s just not Scottish. It feels like England, and you’ll encounter more tourists and Englishmen than actual Scots.
There’s a huge rivalry between the two cities, and whichever you go to first will do its damndest to convince you that the other is garbage. Just do yourself a favor and visit both.
Want to love Glasgow like I do?
Here’s my guide:
West End. It might be tempting to just go to city centre, but don’t skip this beautiful part of Glasgow. Start at the Botanic Gardens, and don’t miss the greenhouses. Stop for a pint or snack at Oran Mor, the pub housed in an old church, and head to the University of Glasgow for some incredible architecture.
From there, walk down to Kelvingrove Park and stroll along the River Kelvin. Give yourself a few hours to explore the Kelvingrove Museum, which is both free and rated one of the best museums in the UK. (Can you tell they really like Kelvin here?)
At night, head to Ashton Lane, an idyllic alley full of pubs and twinkling fairy lights. Jinty McGinty’s has live music on Tuesdays. On a Sunday night don’t miss the folk sessions at Dram!
City Centre. The absolute best part of city centre is the Necropolis, a huge Victorian graveyard located behind Glasgow Cathedral. The Cathedral is the only Catholic church on the Scottish mainland to survive the reformation mostly intact.
Stop by St. George’s Square and take the tour of City Chambers. It’s free, only takes about twenty minutes (although they advertise forty-five), and the inside of the building is incredible. And don’t you want to climb that marble staircase I was telling you about? Finally, swing by the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art simply for the iconic cone-topped statue out front.
A few tips: Glaswegians are such friendly people, and they will always be happy to point you in the right direction or strike up a conversation on the metro. Before you visit, research concerts because the music scene is worth exploring. Make sure you try Irn Bru, the soda that the locals inhale.
Finally, remember these words, written by Steven Clark, regarding the two rival cities:
If ever I’m asked how to tell them apart, I say: One has a castle, the other a heart.