Free things to do · Glasgow · United Kingdom
14 free things to do in Glasgow
Glasgow without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: BrainiacBlink, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 5 days in Glasgow without paying an entry fee: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Cathedral, Gallery of Modern Art and Glasgow Necropolis are all free. Most of the city's major museums, including Kelvingrove, the Riverside Museum, the Burrell Collection and GoMA, are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 14
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Museum · West End
1.Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Time your visit for one of the organ recitals in the centre hall, which are usually held in the early afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Art
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · Townhead
2.Glasgow Cathedral
Visit the cathedral first, then cross the Bridge of Sighs behind it to the Necropolis for the view back over the roof.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
Gallery · City Centre
3.Gallery of Modern Art
Photograph the cone-topped Duke of Wellington statue, then explore the café-lined lanes around Royal Exchange Square.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Historic site · Townhead
4.Glasgow Necropolis
Paths are steep and uneven; wear proper shoes and come on a dry day if you can.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Museum · Partick
5.Riverside Museum
Combine it with a walk along the Clyde Walkway from Finnieston, or take the seasonal ferry across to the Govan side.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- History
Museum · Pollok Country Park
6.Burrell Collection
Take the train to Pollokshaws West and walk through Pollok Country Park, stopping to see the Highland cattle on the way.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Park · Southside
7.Pollok Country Park
The Highland cattle field near the stables is the easiest place for children to see the shaggy cows up close.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Museum · West End
8.University of Glasgow and the Hunterian
The Mackintosh House is visited on a separate paid ticket; the museum and cloisters are free.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
Architecture · City Centre
9.George Square and the City Chambers
Check the council's website before you go, as tours can be cancelled for civic events.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
Garden · West End
10.Glasgow Botanic Gardens
On a wet day, the Kibble Palace and the main glasshouse range make a warm, free hour indoors.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Rainy day
Waterfront · Finnieston
11.Clyde Walkway and the Finnieston Crane
Walk west from the city centre in the late afternoon and finish with dinner on Finnieston's Argyle Street.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- History
- After dark
Experience · City Centre
12.City Centre Mural Trail
Start on High Street near the cathedral and finish in the Merchant City, where several of the largest works are close together.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Townhead
13.Provand's Lordship
It takes only half an hour, so fit it between the cathedral and the Necropolis.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Market · East End
14.The Barras
Go on a weekend morning and keep an eye on your belongings in the crowds.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- History
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| West End | Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, University of Glasgow and the Hunterian and Glasgow Botanic Gardens | 2–3 hours + 2 hours + 1 hour |
| Townhead | Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow Necropolis and Provand's Lordship | 1 hour + 1 hour + 30 minutes |
| City Centre | Gallery of Modern Art, George Square and the City Chambers and City Centre Mural Trail | 1 hour + 1 hour + 2 hours |
| Partick | Riverside Museum | 2 hours |
| Pollok Country Park | Burrell Collection | 2–3 hours |
| Southside | Pollok Country Park | 2 hours |
| Finnieston | Clyde Walkway and the Finnieston Crane | 1–2 hours |
| East End | The Barras | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · City Centre
Mackintosh at the Willow
Book a table for afternoon tea in the Salon de Luxe if you want the most elaborate Mackintosh room.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Food
- Couples
- Art
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Street · West End
Ashton Lane
Arrive early on Friday or Saturday evenings to get a seat in the beer gardens and upstairs terraces.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- After dark
- Food
- Couples
More ways to save
- Most of the city's major museums, including Kelvingrove, the Riverside Museum, the Burrell Collection and GoMA, are free.
- Weekday lunch and pre-theatre menus offer much better value than evening à la carte prices.
- Hotel rates jump on big concert nights at the OVO Hydro and on Old Firm and international match days; check the event calendar before booking.
- A Subway day ticket is better value than singles if you plan several trips between the centre and the West End.
- Advance off-peak train tickets bought online cut the cost of day trips to Edinburgh and Stirling.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Glasgow expensive to visit?
Glasgow is moderately priced for most visitors, but 14 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Glasgow?
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: Time your visit for one of the organ recitals in the centre hall, which are usually held in the early afternoon.