Glasgow is located in Scotland’s west central lowlands on the River Clyde, the third longest river in Scotland. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and has a unique vibrant and energetic atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Locals are known as Glaswegians and are well known for their welcome and hospitality, perhaps one of the reasons why Glasgow attracts over 3 million tourists every year.
Glasgow holidays for business or a relaxing weekend break, the city’s top bars, gourmet restaurants, galleries and museums are all within reach of the superb choice of Glasgow hotels and renowned Glasgow B&Bs. There are 13 internationally-acclaimed museums, art galleries, stunning Victorian architecture, vibrant nightlife and fabulous shopping. The name ‘Glasgow’ means ‘dear green place’ due to over 70 parks and open spaces that occupy Glasgow, an ideal free attraction to enjoy all year round, many feature Victorian sculptures and plenty of wildlife.
Arts and Culture in Glasgow
Many of Glasgow’s streets are lined with some of the finest and most beautifully preserved Victorian buildings that you will see, it is like a trip back through time. Many buildings in Glasgow have also been designed by architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Glasgow is home to Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Glasgow’s art deco Glasgow Film Theatre displays the most acclaimed in art house and European fare. The Citizens’ theatre and the Tramway theatre, south of the Clyde, show the current theatre productions.
There are plenty of museums and galleries in Glasgow too – over 20 in fact, including The Museum of Transport and Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, all with free admission.
Shopping in Glasgow
Why not enjoy a shopping spree on Ingram Street in Glasgow’s upmarket Merchant’s City – Glasgow has a reputation for offering the best shopping experience in Scotland and it is the second largest shopping centre in the UK. Residents and visitors from around the UK and overseas come to Glasgow to shop, from the chic and trendy Princes Square, the enormous St Enoch Centre and Sauchiehall Street Centre to the historical Argyle Arcade, and the Buchanan Galleries shopping malls, there is a shop to suit interest and budget in Glasgow.
Whether you’re after a souvenir, antique, homeware or fashion item, you will find it in the three main shopping areas in Glasgow city centre: Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and Buchanan Street which runs from north to south. Markets such as the popular weekend Barras market offer all kinds of bargains that you would expect at a market and are great for a present or something unique.
Eating Out in Glasgow
There are a wide variety of restaurants in Glasgow, from traditional Scottish cuisine, The Scot’s favourite – Indian, Sea food and oriental to name a few. Glasgow’s restaurants offer the best in international cuisine and the freshest of local Scottish produce. For some lighter are the many trendy designer cafes, authentic Italian cafes and tearooms aplenty.
Glasgow Football Clubs
Football plays a big part in the city of Glasgow as it is home to the two fierce rivals in the Scottish Premier league – Celtic and Rangers. A stadium tour of either Celtic Park, home of Celtic or the Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers, is a great way to spend an afternoon, or even better if you can get a ticket, watching the fiercely-contested derby match between these two.
Airports in Glasgow
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is located 8 miles west of Glasgow city centre and has one terminal and 2 runways. Glasgow International Airport is the largest international airport in Scotland and 5th largest in the UK. Over 40 airlines fly from Glasgow International Airport including Loganair, EasyJet and Flyglobespan. Glasgow International Airport is not the only airport in Glasgow – Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is located northeast of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire. Glasgow Prestwick Airport is smaller and mainly used by not frills airlines such as Ryanair. Both Glasgow airports provide quick and convenient ways of travelling to and from Glasgow and the surrounding towns.
