Free things to do and attractions in Glasgow

Many of Glasgow’s most popular attractions are free. But it’s not just museums and galleries – explore the gardens and parks, see colourful art on the mural trail, or take a self-guided walk on a heritage trail.

  1. Burrell Collection Glasgow South Side

    Photo of the outside of The Burrell Collection

    © Dylan Nardini Photography

    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.

    Key facilities
    • WiFi
    • Hearing Loop
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Accessible toilets
    • Level Access
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Parking
    • Cafe or Restaurant
  2. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Glasgow West End

    Exterior of the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    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.

    Key facilities
    • Hearing Loop
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Accessible toilets
    • Level Access
    • On Public Transport Route
    • Parking
  3. Riverside Museum Glasgow City Centre

    Riverside Museum

    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.

    Key facilities
    • Hearing Loop
    • Level Access
    • Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
    • Accessible toilets
    • Parking
  4. Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) Glasgow City Centre

    Gallery of Modern Art

    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. Don't miss the permanent display that charts the building's history.

  5. Glasgow Botanic Gardens Glasgow West End

    Glasgow Botanic Gardens

    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.

  6. Glasgow Police Museum Glasgow City Centre

    The Glasgow Police Museum

    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.

  7. Glasgow Cathedral Glasgow East End

    Glasgow Cathedral

    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.

    Key facilities
    • Level Access
    • On Public Transport Route
  8. People’s Palace and Winter Gardens Glasgow East End

    People's Palace

    The People’s Palace is set in historic Glasgow Green 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 and photographs, film and interactive computer displays.

    Key facilities
    • Level Access
    • Parking
    • Cafe or Restaurant
  9. Hunterian Museum Glasgow West End

    Hunterian Museum

    The Hunterian is Scotland's oldest public museum, founded in 1807. It's home to one of the largest collections 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.

  10. Queen’s Park Glasgow

    Glasgow

    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.

  11. City Centre Mural Trail Glasgow

    The Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail

    © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

    The mural trail brings together Glasgow’s amazing street art. See the St Mungo Mural at Glasgow High Street painted by Sam Bates, A.K.A Smug. Mungo is Glasgow’s patron saint and is seen here dressed in modern clothes with a robin perched on his finger.

  12. Glasgow Necropolis Heritage Trail Glasgow

    Glasgow Necropolis

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

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