Situated on the River Clyde in the west of Scotland, Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and was once the country's industrial heartland. Thody many of those traditional industries have closed down but in their place has been left a cosmpolitan and cultural city with fantastic bars and restaurants and easy access to some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery. A weekend in Glasgow is barely enough to explore all that this amazing city has to offer!
What To Know Before Visiting Glasgow?
Glasgow is served by two airports: Glasgow International is located in the suburb of Paisley and is connected to the city centre via several local bus services, while Glasgow Prestwick is actually situated 30 miles from the city in Ayrshire. Regular trains connect Glasgow Prestwick with Glasgow Central station. Flights to both Glasgow airports arrive from all over the world, including flights from Dublin to Glasgow and flights from Cork to Glasgow. The currency in Glasgow is the pound, and the language is English and the city is located in the same time zone as London.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Glasgow?
The weather in Glasgow is consistent in its inconsistency but it is generally known as a very rainy city so make sure you dress appropriately on package holidays in Glasgow. Glasgow is well known for its live music scene and cultural events and hosts a number of musical festivals throughout the year. Celtic Connections, usually held in January, is one of the most popular, featuring Scottish artists as well as performers from around the world who have been influenced by Celtic culture.
What To Do In Glasgow?
Shoppers will be spoilt for choice on city breaks in Glasgow. Buchanan Street is home to some of the most famous names in High Street fashion, while the more exclusive Princes Square Mall, housed in a buidling dating from the 1840s, is the place to go if you want to shop for designer labels.
When the sun goes down head for Glasgow's trendy west end and Ashton Lane, a back alley which has become one of the hottest places in the city for food, cocktails and great music. If you want to see live musical performances, the city is home to some of the most legendary venues, including the iconic Barrowlands Ballroom and King Tut's, where Oasis were discovered.
What Places to Visit In Glasgow?
Explore the city's vast range of museums and galleries on your weekend in Glasgow:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum features art works by Scottish and international artists, as well as frequent temporary exhibitions.
Located in the city centre, the Gallery of Modern Art focuses on Scottish artists. A famous statue of the Duke of Wellington stands outside its main entrance; famous because Glaswegians keep putting a traffic cone on the Duke's head!
Glasgow Science Centre is a great interactive museum, perfect for families enjoying package holidays in Glasgow.
Learn more about Glasgow's social and industrial history at the People's Palace, which also houses Winter Gardens inside its large glasshouse.
The Hunterian Museum is one of the more unusual attractions in Glasgow, featuring everything from mummies and fossils to anatomical exhibits collected by William Hunter.
What To Eat In Glasgow?
Haggis may be Scotland's most famous culinary delicacy but there are lots of other great foods to try while you are on your city break in Glasgow. Cullen Skink is a delicious fish soup, while street food like fish and chips is a popular snack while on the go. Fish and chip shops in Glasgow also sell an unusual and infamous dessert - the deep fried Mars bar!
The locally produced drink Irn Bru is enormously popular in Glasgow; Scotland is the only place where Coca Cola isn't the best selling soft drink! Mix it with vodka on a night out on city breaks in Glasgow, or use it to give you an energy boost the morning after...
What To Bring Back From Glasgow?
Scotland is rightly famous for its whisky and there are plenty of stores in Glasgow which sell bottles of the very best uisge beatha, 'water of life'. The shop at the Glasgow School of Art is a great place to pick up souvenirs inspired by the work of Glaswegian artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, while Tartan Plus on Buchanan Street is the place to pick up Scottish-themed gifts for friends and family back home.