Free things to do and attractions in Glasgow

The Burrell Collection houses over 9,000 pieces of treasure, artworks and exotic objects collected by Glasgow merchant, Sir William Burrell.

Highlights include The Red Ballet Skirts by Degas and The Thinker by Rodin. The surrounding Pollok Country Park has plenty of space to explore with play areas, cycle paths and more.

The Burrell Collection is also the recent recipient of The Museum of the Year Award 2023, so plan your trip now!

This beautiful art gallery and museum is set in the heart of Glasgow's West End. You can leisurely browse the impressive collections of art, natural history and much more in one of the best museums in Scotland.

Did you know that Glasgow's West End was ranked 20th in the 'Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World for 2023', according to Time Out?

This award-winning transport museum sits on the banks of the River Clyde and is packed full of objects and interactive displays. The whole family will enjoy learning about everything from Glasgow's shipbuilding history to locomotives and Stormtroopers.

Found in the heart of Glasgow in Royal Exchange Square, GoMA provides a thought-provoking programme with displays of local and international artworks alongside temporary exhibitions and events with artists. Make sure you don't miss the permanent display that charts the building's history!

Completed in 1888 and overlooking George Square, Glasgow City Chambers is one of the city’s most prestigious buildings. For over a century it has been the headquarters of Glasgow City Council. Tours of the City Chambers are available and are conducted twice daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Step inside the Victorian glasshouses to see exotic tree ferns, rare orchids and the national collection of begonias. There is a tearoom and if the weather is fine, there is usually a kiosk serving coffee and ice cream.

Marking the birthplace of the city of Glasgow, this medieval cathedral is a stone’s throw from the city centre and the ideal place to escape from the bustle of the city. The cathedral is the only one on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Reformation of 1560.

The Hunterian is Scotland's oldest public museum, founded in 1807. It's home to one of the largest collections in Scotland, with everything from scientific instruments used by Watt, Lister, and Kelvin to Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall and reassembled interiors from Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow home.

Queen’s Park offers a range of sports facilities, alongside a boating pond, nature pond and many peaceful walking routes. Look out for the display glasshouses, aviary and pet house and the Poetry Rose Garden.

The mural trail brings together Glasgow’s amazing street art. Pictured above is The Clutha mural, created by Rogue-One, Art Pistol and Ejek. The mural highlights some famous personalities who often visited the Clutha Bar including Billy Connolly, Jimmy Reid and Spike Milligan.

This is one of a series of heritage trail routes by Glasgow City Council. The Glasgow Necropolis Heritage Trail takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, starting from St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art in the Cathedral precincts. There are also daily guided tours of the Necropolis.

Find out more on Britain’s first police force. The exhibits in the Glasgow Police Historical Exhibition provide an insight into the people, events and other factors which contributed to the founding, development and progress of the City of Glasgow Police from 1779 - 1975.

The People’s Palace is set in the historic Glasgow Green area of the city and tells the story of Glasgow and its people from 1750 to the present day. The city’s social history can be explored through a wealth of historic artifacts, paintings, prints, photographs, film and interactive computer displays. 

Please note the People's Palace is currently closed for a major refurbishment.