Glasgow is one in every of my favorite cities within the UK for an extended weekend break. There’s sufficient to do to maintain you busy and have loads of choices for issues to do and locations to eat, however it’s not so large and busy you’re ever going to really feel overwhelmed. Glasgow can also be a really walkable metropolis so you may get round simply and see quite a bit in a brief house of time. I even obtained out to Loch Lomond for a day mountaineering journey and was again within the metropolis by 6pm for a curry!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to spend two days and two nights in Glasgow and this was my 48 hour itinerary. Huge because of pretty folks at Individuals Make Glasgow for serving to me put this collectively! There are such a lot of unbelievable locations to eat in Glasgow so I’ve a complete separate put up about that coming quickly! My first go to to Glasgow was again in 2011 and it now seems like a totally completely different metropolis because of all of the cool bars and eating places popping up and I liked seeing the colourful change within the metropolis over the previous seven years.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals earlier than we transfer on to the two day Glasgow itinerary
The right way to get to Glasgow
I took the practice as much as Glasgow from Chester and for most individuals within the UK that is going to be your best possibility. You could possibly drive however you received’t actually need a automobile while you arrive so that you would possibly as nicely sit again and benefit from the journey on the practice.
If the practice isn’t the best choice for you otherwise you’re coming from overseas then you may simply fly into Glasgow.
The place to remain
I stayed at Apex Lodge which was a type of pretty, easy lodges that ticks each field. It’s a 5-minute stroll from the practice station and an excellent, central location. The workers have been pretty and pleasant and my room was spacious, fashionable and comfy.
Should you plan to spend most of your day out and about and wish someplace easy and comfy to put your head then I extremely advocate Apex Lodge.
2pm – Arrival
Should you arrive at round 2pm I like to recommend strolling straight to your resort to drop off your baggage and get straight again out once more!
2.30pm – Byres Street – Glasgow’s fashionable space
Head straight to Byres Street, a stylish west finish space of Glasgow. That is the place you’ll discover plenty of cool cafes, hipster eating places, boutique shops and classic outlets. It’s a very nice place for a stroll and an excellent introduction to Glasgow.
Discover out extra about Byres Street right here and there’s the final word information to consuming, consuming and purchasing right here.
4.00pm – Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery and Museum
We’re staying within the West Finish and going to Kelvingrove Artwork Gallery and Museum. Kelvingrove is unbelievable and is simply as beautiful on the within as it’s on the surface. It’s the UK’s most visited museum outdoors of London and it’s an absolute must-see throughout any journey to Glasgow. It’s the type of place I’d describe as being a ‘pleasant museum’. There are over 8,000 objects on show however you don’t really feel like that you must be an artwork knowledgeable or a historian to understand them.
I liked the best way one minute I’d be admiring an unlimited giraffe and the subsequent I’d be gazing at a few of the most well-known and treasured artworks on the planet. After which I’d be distracted by an enormous Spitfire hanging from the ceiling after which by The Floating Heads set up which shows each emotion you may think about.
It’s an unbelievable place and really family-friendly should you’re bringing the little ones!
6.00pm – Cocktails at The Finnieston
Have a pre-dinner tipple at The Finnieston, an award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant in Finnieston, one other vibrant and classy space of Glasgow. The Finnieston is dwelling to over 60 gins and it’s often called the primary and greatest gin bar within the metropolis. Their drinks are lovely so have your digicam prepared as a result of this can be one for the ‘gram.
Your subsequent cease is only a few doorways away…
7.00pm – Dinner at The Gannet
You’ll really feel proper at dwelling inside the cosy but trendy inside of The Gannet. It was a chilly winter’s night once I visited and the roaring fireplace, flickering candles, pleasant workers and hearty meals was simply what I wanted.
I started with Stornoway Black Pudding Scotch Duck Egg which put each different scotch egg I’ve ever eaten to disgrace. I adopted my starter with Peterhead Landed Cod with Mussels however it was my dessert that basically stole the present. I wasn’t going to have dessert however I used to be informed folks journey from miles round for The Gannet’s Salted Caramel Fondant with Tonka Bean Ice Cream. Oh my goodness. Phrases can’t do that unbelievable dessert justice. While you’ve had a beautiful day in a brand new metropolis and also you’re sat by a fireplace with a pleasant glass of purple wine, this fondant is the proper finish to the proper day. Order it and thank me later.
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9.00am – Breakfast at Singl-end
This bohemian café and bakehouse is repeatedly named as the most effective brunch spot in Glasgow and is a agency favorite with the locals and the fashionable college students close by. There’s a relaxed vibe as clients tuck into freshly baked desserts and vibrant dishes which can be begging to be photographed.
The breakfast menu was so good I needed every thing. I truthfully would have been pleased with any merchandise on the menu! I finally narrowed it down to 2 (sure, I had two breakfasts, don’t choose) and ordered the Veggie Baked Eggs with Halloumi and the Banana and Pecan Bread with Selfmade Chocolate and Hazelnut Unfold and Caramelised Banana.
What a approach to begin the day.
10.30am –Glasgow College of Artwork
The Glasgow College of Artwork is a brief stroll from Singl-end so it’s an ideal approach to ease your self into the day after a hearty breakfast. I took a Waterproof coat Tour, an award-winning student-led tour specializing in the architect and designer Charles Rennie Waterproof coat who designed the Artwork College’s well-known Waterproof coat constructing. He’s one of the crucial influential Scottish architects and designers and the enthusiastic college students inform his life story with a lot ardour. You get unique entry to a few of Waterproof coat’s well-known designs however, sadly, the Waterproof coat Constructing is underneath restoration following a fireplace in 2014 so you may solely see it by way of a miniature mannequin or by peering by means of the scaffolding-clad constructing.
11.30am – The Lighthouse
Following your tour, take a stroll into the centre of Glasgow and make your approach in the direction of The Lighthouse. That is Scotland’s nationwide centre for artwork and structure and in addition has a everlasting Waterproof coat Interpretation Centre.
The Lighthouse is nicely price a go to for the panoramic views throughout town alone. Take the spiral staircase to the highest of the tower and benefit from the metropolis from a novel vantage level.
12.30pm – Metropolis strolling
Take a stroll across the lovely metropolis and admire the spectacular Victorian structure. Don’t miss the Glasgow Metropolis Chambers or the Gallery of Trendy Artwork.
1pm – Lunch and Prepare to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park
We’re getting out of town for the afternoon to discover the beautiful landscapes surrounding Glasgow. Do you know that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park is only a 50 minute practice journey from Glasgow? Departing from Glasgow Queen Road Station (the place I picked up a picnic lunch for the practice), it’s only a hop, skip and a bounce to Balloch the place I used to be met by John from Expertise Scotland’s Wild.
John’s distinctive tour firm is all about ‘sightdoing’ fairly than ‘sightseeing’. I completely love this phrase John has coined and the sentiment behind it. This isn’t about sitting on a bus and searching on the attractive surroundings, it’s about getting on the market and experiencing it for your self.
John is enthusiastic, educated and adventurous and he tailored his Loch Lomond and Trossachs Energetic Sightseeing Tour for a shorter tour to suit my busy itinerary. He picked me up from the practice station and took a brief drive to start a scenic strolling tour. We walked by means of forests and previous trickling streams and I barely observed our uphill climb as John identified the wildlife and crops round us and informed me extra in regards to the space.
We reached the highest of the hill when John paused.
‘I’m going to set you a problem,’ John mentioned and my coronary heart sank as I anticipated some type of health problem the place he’d ask me to dash to the highest of the hill. ‘Your problem for the subsequent 10 minutes is to not flip round. And after we attain the highest that you must shut your eyes.’
Relieved there was no sprinting concerned, my coronary heart lifted once more. However, in fact, all I needed to do was flip round and see the surroundings that was slowly coming into view as we climbed larger.
Once we reached the highest, I closed my eyes as instructed whereas John took me by the arm and guided me to the sting. It was such a wierd sensation to be strolling by means of the wind with no thought of what was round me aside from the slippery, uneven floor beneath my ft and miles and miles of chilly air throughout. I slowly took my nervous steps till John informed me to cease and open my eyes.
Wow.
For that temporary second it felt like my thoughts was utterly clear and all I might see was that view. The best way the solar bounced off the glassy loch and the thick clouds hovered simply above the distant mountain peaks so their snowy tops have been illuminated with a mystical glow.
John identified the tiny islands throughout the loch and had a narrative for each. He confirmed me one island that’s dwelling to about 60 wallabies (sure, actually, these cute little Australian guys are right here in Scotland!) earlier than John gave me a dram of whiskey and a few Scottish shortbread whereas having fun with the view.
This was the spotlight of my journey and if I had extra time in Glasgow I might have liked to take John’s full day tour.
John dropped me again off on the practice station and an hour later I used to be again at my resort preparing for dinner.
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7pm – Dinner at Chaakoo Bombay Café
Glasgow has been topped The Curry Capital of the UK many occasions so it will be impolite to go to town and never go for a curry! I opted for Chaakoo Bombay Café and it turned out to be an excellent selection. The Iranian impressed café/restaurant has a scrumptious tapas model menu the place you order plenty of little dishes to attempt as a lot meals as you may.
My meal was unbelievable with a smoked hen tikka Irani kebab and a candy, butter hen curry. But it surely was the décor of the café that basically stole the present for me. Chaakoo Bombay Café is grand, ornate and trendy and feels a bit like being within the inside of a really fancy practice with non-public carriages and picket compartments.
I liked it and I can advocate visiting with a big group so you may order an enormous banquet in your get together.
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9.30am – Breakfast at Cup Tearoom
My ultimate day in Glasgow started on a excessive with breakfast on the trendy but lovely Cup Tearoom in Service provider Metropolis. With the putting Victorian inside, dim lighting and a comfy but elegant vibe, Cup Tearoom is like no tearoom I’ve ever been to earlier than!
I had the Smashed Avocado Toast with poached eggs, avocado, child spinach and smoked salmon on sourdough toast.
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10.30am – Glasgow Music Metropolis Tour
Glasgow is a UNESCO Metropolis of Music because of its music connections and an extended checklist of locals who’ve gone on to be music megastars. I joined a Glasgow Music Metropolis Strolling Tour which takes you to a few of the most iconic music spots within the metropolis. A few of our stops have been apparent ones just like the well-known Barrowland Ballroom, a well-known rock venue the place a few of the world’s greatest rock stars have graced the stage.
There have been some hidden gems alongside the best way, similar to the Britannia Panoptican, the world’s oldest surviving music corridor. The unbelievable theatre had been hidden away down a aspect road for years and have become often called Glasgow’s Misplaced Theatre. Curiously, that is additionally the place the place Stan Laurel, from Laurel and Hardy, made his stage debut!
This music tour was actually fascinating and greatest loved by an older music fan who will keep in mind the music references made by means of the tour.
12.30pm – Lunch and beer tasting at Drygate Brewery
This was an surprising spotlight throughout my time in Glasgow. Drygate in Glasgow’s East Finish is the world’s first experiential brewery. It’s a craft brewery in addition to a bar and a restaurant and on a Saturday evening I’m fairly positive you’ll discover each hipster within the metropolis in right here!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to get a desk close to the glass wall wanting into the brewery so I might watch the brewers at work whereas I sampled a couple of beers and devoured a burger.
They pleasure themselves on being a pleasant brewery and the beer specialists behind the bar consider they will discover the proper beer for everybody, even should you assume you don’t like beer! Now that seems like a problem…
2.00pm – Glasgow Necropolis and Glasgow Cathedral
Simply behind Drygate Brewery is the necropolis and cathedral and this can be your ultimate cease throughout your 48 hours in Glasgow. Now I do know it’s a bit bizarre suggesting you go to a cemetery however this is among the most unbelievable Victorian cemeteries’ and is gorgeous. It’s perched on a hill overlooking town and it’s a peaceable place for a quiet wander.
Stroll all the way down to the cathedral which is one in every of Scotland’s most luxurious buildings and it’s simply as lovely on the within as it’s on the surface.
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OK, we might have run over a little bit bit right here and it’s barely longer than 48 hours in Glasgow however there’s a lot to squeeze in!
In case you have any extra recommendations for issues to see and do in Glasgow or locations to eat and drink, please do share them within the feedback beneath.
Thanks once more to Individuals Make Glasgow for making my journey attainable. This was a paid partnership. Try the hashtag #NextStopGlasgow on social media to see what the opposite bloggers obtained as much as throughout their visits to Glasgow.
