Glasgow is one among my favorite cities within the UK for a protracted weekend break. There’s sufficient to do to maintain you busy and have loads of choices for issues to do and locations to eat, but it surely’s not so huge 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 so much in a brief area of time. I even acquired 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 beautiful folks at Folks Make Glasgow for serving to me put this collectively! There are such a lot of unimaginable locations to eat in Glasgow so I’ve a complete separate publish about that coming quickly! My first go to to Glasgow was again in 2011 and it now appears like a very completely different metropolis because of all of the cool bars and eating places popping up and I cherished 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 best way to get to Glasgow
I took the prepare as much as Glasgow from Chester and for most individuals within the UK that is going to be your best choice. You might drive however you received’t actually need a automotive while you arrive so that you would possibly as nicely sit again and benefit from the journey on the prepare.
If the prepare 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 beautiful, easy resorts that ticks each field. It’s a 5-minute stroll from the prepare station and an incredible, central location. The employees had been beautiful and pleasant and my room was spacious, fashionable and cozy.
In case you plan to spend most of your day out and about and need someplace easy and cozy to put your head then I extremely suggest Apex Lodge.
2pm – Arrival
In case you arrive at round 2pm I like to recommend strolling straight to your lodge 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 retailers. It’s a very nice place for a stroll and an incredible introduction to Glasgow.
Discover out extra about Byres Street right here and there’s the final word information to consuming, consuming and procuring 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 unimaginable and is simply as gorgeous on the within as it’s on the skin. It’s the UK’s most visited museum exterior 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 it’s worthwhile to be an artwork knowledgeable or a historian to understand them.
I cherished the way in which one minute I’d be admiring an unlimited giraffe and the subsequent I’d be gazing at a number of the most well-known and valuable artworks on this 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 unimaginable place and really family-friendly for those who’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 residence to over 60 gins and it’s generally known as the primary and finest gin bar within the metropolis. Their drinks are stunning so have your digital camera prepared as a result of this will probably be one for the ‘gram.
Your subsequent cease is just some doorways away…
7.00pm – Dinner at The Gannet
You’ll really feel proper at residence throughout the cosy but fashionable inside of The Gannet. It was a chilly winter’s night after I visited and the roaring hearth, flickering candles, pleasant employees 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 but it surely was my dessert that basically stole the present. I wasn’t going to have dessert however I used to be advised folks journey from miles round for The Gannet’s Salted Caramel Fondant with Tonka Bean Ice Cream. Oh my goodness. Phrases can not do that unimaginable dessert justice. Once you’ve had a stunning day in a brand new metropolis and also you’re sat by a hearth with a pleasant glass of pink wine, this fondant is the right finish to the right day. Order it and thank me later.
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9.00am – Breakfast at Singl-end
This bohemian café and bakehouse is commonly named as the very best 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 muffins and vibrant dishes which are begging to be photographed.
The breakfast menu was so good I wished every little thing. I actually would have been pleased with any merchandise on the menu! I ultimately 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 Do-it-yourself Chocolate and Hazelnut Unfold and Caramelised Banana.
What a strategy 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 strategy 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 vital 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 below restoration following a hearth in 2014 so you may solely see it through a miniature mannequin or by peering by the scaffolding-clad constructing.
11.30am – The Lighthouse
Following your tour, take a stroll into the centre of Glasgow and make your method in the direction of The Lighthouse. That is Scotland’s nationwide centre for artwork and structure and likewise 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 singular vantage level.
12.30pm – Metropolis strolling
Take a stroll across the stunning metropolis and admire the spectacular Victorian structure. Don’t miss the Glasgow Metropolis Chambers or the Gallery of Trendy Artwork.
1pm – Lunch and Practice to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park
We’re getting out of town for the afternoon to discover the gorgeous landscapes surrounding Glasgow. Do you know that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Nationwide Park is only a 50 minute prepare journey from Glasgow? Departing from Glasgow Queen Road Station (the place I picked up a picnic lunch for the prepare), 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’ relatively than ‘sightseeing’. I completely love this phrase John has coined and the sentiment behind it. This isn’t about sitting on a bus and looking out 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 Lively Sightseeing Tour for a shorter tour to suit my busy itinerary. He picked me up from the prepare station and took a brief drive to start a scenic strolling tour. We walked by forests and previous trickling streams and I barely seen our uphill climb as John identified the wildlife and crops round us and advised 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 it’s worthwhile to shut your eyes.’
Relieved there was no sprinting concerned, my coronary heart lifted once more. However, after all, all I wished to do was flip round and see the surroundings that was slowly coming into view as we climbed larger.
After 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 the wind with no concept of what was round me apart from the slippery, uneven floor under my toes and miles and miles of chilly air throughout. I slowly took my nervous steps till John advised me to cease and open my eyes.
Wow.
For that temporary second it felt like my thoughts was fully clear and all I may 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 had been illuminated with a mystical glow.
John identified the tiny islands throughout the loch and had a narrative for every one. He confirmed me one island that’s residence 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’d have cherished to take John’s full day tour.
John dropped me again off on the prepare station and an hour later I used to be again at my lodge 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 might 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 incredible selection. The Iranian impressed café/restaurant has a scrumptious tapas type menu the place you order plenty of little dishes to attempt as a lot meals as you may.
My meal was unimaginable with a smoked rooster tikka Irani kebab and a candy, butter rooster curry. Nevertheless it was the décor of the café that basically stole the present for me. Chaakoo Bombay Café is grand, ornate and classy and feels a bit like being within the inside of a really fancy prepare with personal carriages and picket compartments.
I cherished it and I can suggest visiting with a big group so you may order an enormous banquet to your social gathering.
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9.30am – Breakfast at Cup Tearoom
My ultimate day in Glasgow started on a excessive with breakfast on the fashionable but cute Cup Tearoom in Service provider Metropolis. With the hanging Victorian inside, dim lighting and a comfortable 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 a protracted listing of locals who’ve gone on to be music megastars. I joined a Glasgow Music Metropolis Strolling Tour which takes you to a number of the most iconic music spots within the metropolis. A few of our stops had been apparent ones just like the well-known Barrowland Ballroom, a well-known rock venue the place a number of the world’s greatest rock stars have graced the stage.
There have been some hidden gems alongside the way in which, corresponding to the Britannia Panoptican, the world’s oldest surviving music corridor. The unimaginable theatre had been hidden away down a aspect road for years and have become generally known as 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 attention-grabbing and finest loved by an older music fan who will bear in mind the music references made by 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 night time 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 trying into the brewery so I may watch the brewers at work whereas I sampled just a few beers and devoured a burger.
They delight themselves on being a pleasant brewery and the beer consultants behind the bar imagine they will discover the right beer for everybody, even for those who suppose 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 will probably 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 without doubt one of the most unimaginable Victorian cemeteries’ and is gorgeous. It’s perched on a hill overlooking town and it’s a peaceable place for a quiet wander.
Stroll right down to the cathedral which is one among Scotland’s most opulent buildings and it’s simply as stunning on the within as it’s on the skin.
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OK, we might have run over a bit of bit right here and it’s barely longer than 48 hours in Glasgow however there’s a lot to squeeze in!
When you have any extra options for issues to see and do in Glasgow or locations to eat and drink, please do share them within the feedback under.
Thanks once more to Folks Make Glasgow for making my journey potential. This was a paid partnership. Try the hashtag #NextStopGlasgow on social media to see what the opposite bloggers acquired as much as throughout their visits to Glasgow.
