Glasgow Destination Guide

With its excellent cultural attractions and vibrant nightlife, Glasgow is one of the UK's coolest cities. Find out more about Scotland's largest city.

Glasgow is Scotland's industrial heartland and largest city. Regenerated without ever losing its sense of self, it has transformed into one of the UK's coolest cities, with a thriving music scene and scores of top-notch bars and pubs.

It's also famously sports mad. Traditionally, Glasgow has been all about football, with the Old Firm teams - Celtic and Rangers - sharing one of the world's fiercest sporting rivalries. But in recent years, rugby union has started to get a look-in too, helped in no small part by Glasgow Warriors' PRO12 title-winning campaign in 2014-15.

If you're heading to the city lovingly known as The Dear Green Place for a sporting occasion, it's well worth extending your stay, as there's plenty to see and do in the former European Capital of Culture.

Celtic Park

Dating back to 1892, Celtic Park - often referred to as Parkhead or Paradise - is the home of Celtic Football Club. The first match at the ground saw the home team march out 4-3 winners against Renton.

With a capacity of 60,411, it is Scotland's largest football stadium, and the fifth-largest in the whole of the UK.

As well as hosting Scottish Premier League matches and cup finals, Celtic Park has often been chosen to stage Scottish football internationals and even - back in 1897 - the Track Cycling World Championships.

It also housed the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and is occasionally used as a venue for major gigs.

In May 2019, Celtic Park will host the Guinness PRO14 Final - the first time in the competition's history that its showpiece event will be held away from a traditional rugby stadium.

Getting around

Despite having a population of around 600,000 people, Glasgow is easy to navigate thanks to its compact grid layout and excellent public transport.

The Subway is the best way to see the city centre and West End. Trains leave every five minutes at peak times, and the whole 15-station circuit takes just 24 minutes to travel around. Best of all, the tickets are cheap.

If you'd rather get around under your own steam, you can rent a bicycle from Nextbike Glasgow, which has 400 bikes available across 43 locations. Download the Nextbike iPhone or Android app to get started.

When it comes to reaching Celtic Park, there are various choices. Obviously you can drive, but parking around the ground is limited, so it's not recommended.

A better option is to catch a bus from the city centre toward Tollcross Road. Get off at Parkhead Forge Shopping Centre then walk to the stadium - it's less than a mile and should take you no longer than 15 minutes.

Alternatively, take the train. From Queen Street, leave at Belgrove for a 20-minute walk to the ground. From the city centre, trains from Glasgow Central or Argyle Street to Dalmarnock and Bridgeton will drop you within 15 minutes of Celtic Park.

What to see

With its compelling mix of historic architecture, myriad cultural attractions and world-famous nightlife, Glasgow is a rewarding place to spend a long weekend.

Art lovers should make a beeline for the Gallery of Modern Art, Scotland's most-visited gallery. It boasts four galleries that stage regularly updated exhibitions featuring works from across the world.

In a similar vein, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is not to be missed. The striking baroque building is home to a vast collection of arms and armour, plus a range of incredible artworks, including Salvador Dali’s Christ of Saint John of the Cross.

Equally fascinating but a little more macabre, Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery that has become the final resting place for more than 50,000 people. It may not sound like much of an attraction, but its tranquility - plus the giddying array of monuments, sculptures, tombs and mausoleums - make it a popular spot for a peaceful stroll.

On the outskirts of the city centre lies the Provand’s Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow. Built in 1471, it boasts a collection of royal portraits and stunning 17th-century furniture. Stepping inside feels like travelling back in time.

Fancy something a little more up to date? Check out Glasgow Science Centre, which features dozens of interactive exhibitions, or take a look at the splendid, Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Museum.

Where to drink

Parkhead itself isn't the best place in Glasgow to grab a drink or two. But the city centre is within easy reach of the stadium and is home to dozens of excellent watering holes, from cosy pubs to trendy bars.

If you're planning to head to the ground on foot, stop off for a pint at West On The Green, which is about a 20-minute walk from Celtic Park. This beer hall-style bar and restaurant has become something of a Glasgow institution, thanks in no small part to the excellent lagers produced at the on-site brewery.

Originally a staple of the West End, Stereo moved into the city centre - just north of Central Station - in 2007 and has quickly become one of the best places in town for ale drinkers. The all-vegan menu is delicious if you fancy a bite to eat.

Immediately opposite Stereo - and owned by the same people - is The Old Hairdresser's. With its mismatched furniture and tiny bar, it feels more like a pop-up than a permanent venue, but it's worth it for the relaxed ambience alone. A world away from the clamour of the terraces!

For something a little more traditional, check out The Scotia. Thought to be Glasgow's oldest pub, its wood-panelled walls and excellent draught ale make it a fantastic spot for a cosy pint. Head here post-match and you'll probably get to hear live folk music too.