Glasgow Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Glasgow, Scotland, UK)

Although generally overshadowed and regulary compared to those of nearby Edinburgh, the tourist attractions of Glasgow are quite impressive in their own right and are best seen by joining one of the numerous guided bus tours available. For an insight into the production of genuine Scotch whiskey, pay a visit to either the Glengoyne Distillery in the Blane Valley, or to the Oban Distillery at Argyll, where sampling the produce is almost compulsory.

After a day spend exploring the tourist attractions of Glasgow, visitors may also like to consider the evening entertainment opportunities that present themselves. Glasgow is actually home to a huge selection of theatres, with the Citizens, Cottier, Crawfurd, King's, Mitchell, Ramshorn, Royal, Tramway and Tron theatres all regularly hosting appealing shows and concerts.

Guided Bus Tours

Open-top hop on / off guided bus tours operate throughout the day at regular intervals in the city. These bus tours provide tourists with an easy way of sightseeing in the city and with daily hop on / off tickets, they are also a very useful way to travel around Glasgow, since you can leave the bus to explore and get back on when you are ready. The bus tours connect all of the major points of interest in the city and are operated by several different companies, and include the following bus companies:

Discover Glasgow Guided Bus Tours
Address: George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 0444
Discover Glasgow Guides Bus Tours operate open-top double-decker bus tours throughout the week, travelling around the region and taking in many of this city's tourist attractions. Buses depart from the central George Square every 30 minutes and make many stops throughout the city.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Scotguide Guides Bus Tours
Address: 153 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3BJ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 0444
Scotguide Guided Bus Tours provide a number of tours around Scotland, including open-top double-decker bus tours and coach trips throughout the week. Buses depart from the central George Square every 30 minutes and travel to many of the city's famous tourist attractions and landmarks.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Walking Tours

Tel: +44 (0)1225 477786
There are a number of walking tours around Glasgow and these provide tourists with a real insight into some of the city's most interesting and historic tourist attractions, landmarks and period Georgian Streets. City walking tours of particular interest include:

Ghosts and Ghouls Walking Tours
Address: Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, 11 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 772 0022
The Ghost and Ghouls walking tour of the city lasts around 90 minutes and takes in some of the region's most spooky attractions and apparitions. This popular tour departs every night in the summer from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist office.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 21:00 to 22:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and groups

Gruesome Glasgow Walking Tours
Address: Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, 11 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 772 0022
The Gruesome Walking Tours lasts around 90 minutes and depart from outside of the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist office, at 19:00 every evening during the summer.
Open hours: May to September, daily - 19:00 to 20:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and groups

The Pavilion Theatre

Address: 121 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3AX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 1846
The Pavilion Theatre is one of Glasgow's most important and popular theatres and can be found in the heart of the city centre. Seating around 1,500 people, attractions at Pavilion Theatre include a large, domed ceiling, mosaic floors, musicals, dramas, comedies and seasonal pantomimes. The Pavilion Theatre is located close to the Buchanan Street train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, variable performance times

IMAX Theatre

Address: Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1EA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 420 5000
The IMAX Theatre is one for all the family and resides on the south side of Glasgow and features state-of-the-art cinematic technology. The IMAX Theatre is the ultimate movie experience, transporting viewers from the theatre into the heart of the action, as though you are part of the film itself. With the latest digital surround sound system, this impressive attraction features Scotland's largest movie screen.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

The Glasgow Arches

Address: 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G1 4PR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 565 1000
The Glasgow Arches are located in the heart of the city centre and are home to a modern, multimedia centre, with many attractions for tourists in the area. Highlights at the Arches include theatrical performances, concerts with live music, fashion shows and a café / bar area. The Arches are actually stunning Victorian railway arches and this interesting, friendly multimedia centre is full of atmosphere. Situated close to the St. Enoch train station, the Arches are located in the very city centre.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 18:00

The Glasgow Time Capsule

Address: 100 Buchanan Street, Coatbridge, Glasgow, ML5 1LD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1236 449572
The Glasgow Time Capsule is a popular leisure centre located in the North Lanarkshire area of the city. Attractions at the city's Time Capsule include a large, fun swimming pool area with slides, an ice-skating rink, a play area for young children, cafés, bars, sunbeds, a gymnasium, an ice disco and much more besides.
Open hours: Sunday to Thursday - 10:00 to 21:00, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 to 22:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, charge for ice skate hire

Citizens Theatre

Address: 119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow, G5 9DS, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 429 0022
The Citizens Theatre is situated in the south side of Glasgow and dates back to the late 19th century. Inside there are three theatres, the main theatre seating around 600 people in a grand Victorian auditorium, and two smaller studio theatres. The Citizens Theatre is nearby the Bridge Street train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Cottier Theatre

Address: 93 Hyndland Street, Glasgow, G11 5PX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 357 3868
Cottier Theatre, in the West End of Glasgow, is housed in a stunning, converted church and is full of atmosphere. Seating around 350 people, the Cottier Theatre features many interesting theatrical performances throughout the year and other tourist attractions include stained-glass windows, musical events, a bar and a popular restaurant. Cottier Theatre is nearby the Kelvinhall train station, in the West End.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 16:15 to 20:00

Crawfurd Theatre

Address: University of Strathclyde Jordanhill Campus, 76 Southbrae Drive, Glasgow, G13 1PP, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 950 3437
Crawfurd Theatre, in the West End of Glasgow, is part of the University of Strathclyde complex and is home to many exciting, cultural events throughout the year. Attractions the Crawfurd Theatre include exhibitions, activities for children, lectures, drama and workshops. Crawfurd Theatre is nearby the Partick train station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00

King's Theatre

Address: 294 Bath Street, Glasgow, G1 1LX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 248 5332
The King's Theatre is located in the heart of Glasgow city centre and dates back more than 100 years. This important theatre seats around 1,800 people and attractions include elegant architecture, a stunning interior, regular musicals and seasonal pantomimes. The King's Theatre is located nearby Buchanan Street, close to many places of interest.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Mitchell Theatre

Address: 6 Granville Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7DR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 4855
The Mitchell Theatre, in the West End of the city, is a particularly notable and important theatre, and features many attractions for tourists and visitors alike. These attractions includes regular concerts, jazz performances, pantomimes, theatrical events, workshops for children, amateur dramas and the Mitchell Theatre is also highly regarded as an excellent dance venue. The Mitchell Theatre is nearby the St. George's Cross train station and tickets for shows at this popular theatre are available from the nearby King's Theatre.

Ramshorn Theatre

Address: McCance Building, 98 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1ES, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 548 2542
The Ramshorn Theatre can be found in the Merchant City area of Glasgow and is one of the most unusual theatres in the Glasgow area. Housed in a sympathetically-converted church, attractions at the Ramshorn Theatre include many theatrical during the years, such as classical dramas and modern comedies, art exhibitions and a theatre bar. The Ramshorn Theatre is within easy walking distance from the Buchanan Street train station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00

Theatre Royal

Address: 282 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3QA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 9000
The Theatre Royal is located in Glasgow's city centre and is one of the most important theatres in the city for opera. The Theatre Royal became the national centre for opera in 1975 and features regular operatic performance, ballet, dramas, theatrical shows for children and many other events during the year. The Theatre Royal is close to the Buchanan Street railway station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Tramway Theatre

Address: 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 3900
The Tramway Theatre, in the South Side area of Glasgow, is one of the leading modern arts venues in the country and features many attractions. Once a depot for trams more than 100 years ago, the Tramway Theatre retains much of its original character and charm. Attractions at the Tramway Theatre include dramas, theatrical performances, lectures, dances, art exhibitions and workshops. The Tramway Theatre is within walking distance from the Pollokshaws East train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 21:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00

Tron Theatre

Address: 63 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 4267
The Tron Theatre, in the East End of Glasgow, was originally a church which dates back to the 16th century. With a landmark steeple, attractions at the Tron Theatre include concerts, musical events, dramas, contemporary dance, comedies, shows for children and many workshops throughout the year. The Tron Theatre is situated conveniently close to the St. Enoch train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00

Willow Tea Rooms

Address: 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 5242
The Willow Tea Rooms, in the centre of Glasgow, was designed by the famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh and has become quite an attraction for tourists and visitors in this area. The Willow Tea Rooms serves a variety of teas, scones, salads, salmon dishes and traditional Glasgow haggis.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday 12:00 to 17:00

North Woodside Baths

Address: 10 Braid Square, Glasgow, G4 9YB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 8102
North Woodside Baths is home to a grand, Victorian swimming pool and is located in the West End of the city, close to the St. George's Cross train station. Other attractions for tourists and visitors at the North Woodside Baths include sunbeds, a sauna and classical architecture.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 21:00 and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Glengoyne Distillery

Address: Dumgoyne, Killearn, Blane Valley, Glasgow, G63 9LB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1360 550254
The Glengoyne Distillery, in the Stirling area of Glasgow, is located close to Loch Lomond. Highlights at the Glengoyne Distillery include regular guided tours and malt whisky tastings.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children

Oban Distillery

Address: Stafford Street, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5NH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1631 572004
The Oban Distillery is one of the oldest sources of Malt Whisky in Scotland and is located in Argyll, near to the city itself. Dating back more than 200 years, highlights at the Oban Distillery include interesting guided tours and a gift shop.
Open hours: June to October, Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00 and Saturday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge

New Lanark Village

Address: New Lanark Mills, Lanark, Glasgow, ML11 9DB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1555 661345
The New Lanark Village, in the South Lanarkshire area, dates back to the late 18th century and was built as an industrial settlement. With a number of interesting exhibitions and tourist attractions, include the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve, the New Lanark Village still remains a working community and is close to the Lanark train station.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

Mitchell Library

Address: North Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7DN, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 2999
The Mitchell Library, in the West End of the city, is actually the largest reference library in Europe, housing over one million books, many important documents, exhibitions and the Mitchell Theatre. The Mitchell Library is full of historical information about the city and is conveniently nearby the St. George's Cross train station.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 20:00, Friday and Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00