7 Top sightseeing places in and around Glasgow

A popular attraction in Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is free to enter and hosts a variety of intricate and thought-provoking exhibitions, alongside state-of-the-art galleries displaying over 8,000 objects – all set in a spectacular mansion. The museum is situated along the Kelvingrove Park - Stockingfield - Speirs Wharf cycle loop which encompasses a range of other attractions that allow you to step inside Glasgow’s history and culture. Soak in the friendly atmosphere and admire the history, museums, and architecture as you go – don’t forget to stop in for a bite to eat at the many cafes and restaurants along the route too.

• Don’t miss: Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Hunterian Museum, the 120-metre long ‘Bella’ the Beithir at Stockingfield Art Park, Claypits Nature Reserve.
• Eating out: Ox & Finch, Mexican food at Rafa’s, Lebowskis, Crabshakk, The Finnieston, Ronzio Coffeehouse, Kafeneio at The Cran, Ocho.
• Route start/finish: George Square
• Distance: 9.6 miles

Did you know Glasgow is cyclist-friendly and was awarded UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Bike City status in 2019?

From fascinating city museums and architecture to public artworks and performing arts venues, Glasgow is a cultural colossus. The stunning murals, sculptures and landmarks of the popular City Centre Mural Trail is one of the city’s top cultural experiences, and the best way to explore it is by jumping on a NextBike and riding along parts of National Cycle Route 75, to discover the 12 iconic sites along the way.

• Don’t miss: The Hope Sculpture, wonderful murals including the 200-metre long ‘Wonder Wall’, and the Gallery of Modern Art.
• Eating out: Drygate Brewery, Outlier Coffee & Bakery, Ho Lee Fook street food – Barras Market, Mono (vegan), Margo – Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant.
• Route start/finish: George Square
• Distance: 10.4 miles

Did you know Glasgow’s NextBike public cycle hire scheme offers 1,000 standard bikes and 189 e-bikes for hire at 66 locations across the city?

Head to the Riverside Museum, an award winning transport museum featuring over 3,000 objects on display. Located on the banks of the River Clyde, delve into exhibitions and interactive rooms filled with images, films and more that tell the stories and tales of Glasgow’s rich past and heritage.

Continue your day exploring the city with a cycle along National Cycle Route 756/754 or 7 out to Bowling Harbour. Along both routes you’ll have the opportunity to admire or stop off at a range of attractions, viewpoints, cafes and more. Both of these cycle routes in Glasgow take you out to Bowling – pick your favourite or combine them to create a loop out and back to the city centre. Stop by Tantrum Doughnuts along the way - these freshly hand-crafted doughnuts are not to be missed.

• Don’t miss: Kelvin Aqueduct, Bankies Bike sculpture, Finnieston Crane, OVO Hydro, Clydeside Distillery, Tall Ship Glenlee.
• Eating out: Beefcake Café – Anniesland, Riverside Cafe at Riverside Museum, Wee Chatty Cafe – Old Kilpatrick, Bowling Shop & Snack.
• Route start/finish: George Square
• Distance: 27 miles

Explore 6,000 years of history at The Burrell Collection. Nestled in Pollok Country Park, enjoy free entry and admire the variety of objects, artefacts, and more that you can find here. Marvel at the stained-glass panel of Princess Cecily, see the level of fine detail on the Meiping Vase from the Ming Dynasty, or delve into one of the world’s most recognisable sculptures, The Thinker.

Travel along the Pollok Country Park Loop, which heads along the banks of the River Clyde and over Bell’s Bridge before heading south to Pollok Country Park, Glasgow’s largest green space. Wander the trails throughout the gardens, keep an eye out for the friendly Highlands cows, or take a detour to House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park.

• Don’t miss: Finnieston Crane, BBC Scotland, Festival Park, Pollok House & Gardens, Pollok Highland Cattle, Squiggly Bridge.
• Eating out: House for an Art Lover Cafe, The Burrell Collection featuring two coffee stops and a restaurant.
• Route start/finish: George Square
• Distance: 10 miles

Have an unforgettable whisky experience at The Clydeside Distillery – Glasgow’s first dedicated single malt Scotch whisky distillery for over 100 years. Overlooking the River Clyde, immerse yourself in a whisky tour or guided whisky tasting session where you can delve into the story of the distillery, as well as learning about the process of whisky making too.

Situated in such an accessible location, why not visit the distillery via The Banks of the River Clyde cycle route? This route forms a loop and starts and finishes in George Square, heading out to Partick and Govan in the west before looping back along to Glasgow Green and up to George Square.

Please make sure you are cycling or driving responsibly. Did you know the distillery tours offer ‘Drivers Drams’? It’s the perfect care package of tasters to take home with you to enjoy safely.

• Don’t miss: Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow Green, OVO Hydro, SEC Armadillo, Riverside Museum.
• Eating out: WEST Brewery, Fallachan Kitchen, Duke’s Umbrella, Dockyard Social, Doh Donuts.
• Route start/finish: George Square
• Distance: 8.8 miles

Take your day trip out to the coast and visit Cumbrae. In Millport, visit Crocodile Rock – a quirky landmark that resembles a crocodile and has been painted to enhance its reptilian features. It’s a fun and unique element on the island, and a great photo opportunity. Make sure you stop off for some lunch along the route.

This inviting island sits off the coast of Largs and boasts a cycle route that’s a little bit different. Surrounded by panoramic sea views, explore the quiet 10-mile loop, stopping off at Millport in the south, or on the west coast at Millport Golf Club to tee off. Make the short climb up to ‘The Glaid Stone’, located on Barbay Hill, the island’s highest summit? If you don’t have your own, why not hire bikes from Mapes of Millport?

• Don’t miss: Lion Rock, Garrison House, Tomont War Memorial, Isle of Cumbrae Distillers, Cathedral of the Isles.
• Eating out: Round Island Cafe, Fintry Bay Café, Luca’s Bar & Restaurant, Brewbaker Bakery, The Tavern.
• Route start/finish: Glasgow Central Station, take the train to Largs (1hr) and then take the ferry to Cumbrae (10minutes).
• Distance: 13.6 miles

Enjoy a detour from the city to Dumbarton to see Dumbarton Castle and Dumbarton Rock. Perched cliffside overlooking the River Clyde, this Georgian era residence boasts jaw-dropping views alongside being home to a range of interesting artefacts that were originally found in the castle. Did you know that Mary Queen of Scots once stayed here for a short while when she was a child?

See more of Glasgow and the surrounding area by bike by following the River Leven Heritage Trail out to Dumbarton. Take your bike with you and hop on the train from Glasgow Central to Bowling to start the route. Stretching from Bowling to the southern shores of the famous Loch Lomond, this route encompasses picturesque scenery from Bowling to Dumbarton and then onto Balloch.

• Don’t miss: Maid of the Loch, Balloch Castle Country Park, The Bowline, Bowling Harbour, Loch Lomond Shores.
• Eating out: Cucina Ristorante, Monkey Island Cafe Bar (part of Sweeney’s Cruise Co.), Wild Highlands Coffee House (takeaway), Green Rose Coffee Shop in Balloch Castle Country Park.
• Route start/finish: Bowling Harbour/The Bowline
• Distance: 21 miles