Finding free things to do in Glasgow is easy. The city is home to free museums, historic buildings, public gardens, street art and riverside walks. You can fill several days without spending much on admission fees.
When you stay at PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square, many of these attractions are within walking distance or easy to reach by public transport. Your serviced apartment also gives you a kitchen, living space and room to relax between days out in the city.
Explore Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral is one of the city’s oldest buildings and one of the best free places to visit during your stay.
The cathedral dates back to the medieval period and remains an active place of worship. Inside, you can see stone arches, stained glass windows, historic chapels and the lower church associated with the tomb of Saint Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint.
Entry to Glasgow Cathedral is free, although donations are welcome. You can book an entry time online, which may be useful during busy periods. Opening hours can change when religious services or private events take place.
Glasgow Cathedral is within walking distance of PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square, making it a good starting point for a day exploring the eastern side of the city centre.
Walk Through Glasgow Necropolis
Glasgow Necropolis sits on a hill behind the cathedral. This Victorian cemetery covers around 15 hectares and contains monuments, sculptures and memorials connected to some of the city’s former residents.
Around 50,000 people are buried within the cemetery. The paths lead uphill through different sections, with views across Glasgow Cathedral and the surrounding city.
You can explore the Necropolis independently for free. Volunteer guides also run informal walking tours on selected dates. These tours introduce visitors to the cemetery’s history, architecture and some of the people buried there.
Wear suitable footwear, as some paths are steep and may become slippery after rain.
Besuchen Sie die Galerie für moderne Kunst
The Gallery of Modern Art, commonly known as GoMA, stands in Royal Exchange Square.
The gallery displays contemporary artwork from Glasgow and around the world. Exhibitions change throughout the year, giving you something different to see during each visit.
Admission is free. GoMA is also close to George Square, Buchanan Street and Merchant City, so you can easily add it to a city centre walking route.
Outside the gallery, you will find the Duke of Wellington statue. The statue is regularly pictured with a traffic cone on its head and has become one of Glasgow’s most recognisable sights.
Follow Glasgow’s Street Art
Glasgow’s buildings provide a large outdoor gallery across the city centre.
The City Centre Mural Trail connects a collection of artwork painted on walls, buildings and lanes. Subjects include local people, wildlife, musicians and scenes connected to Glasgow’s culture.
You can follow the full route or look for murals as you explore different parts of the city. Several pieces can be found around High Street, Merchant City, Strathclyde University and the streets close to George Square.
The trail is one of the most flexible free things to do in Glasgow because you can explore it at any time. You also do not need to complete the entire route in one day. Glasgow City Council continues to recognise the mural trail as part of the city’s street art culture.
Spend Time at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Glasgow’s most popular cultural attractions.
The red sandstone building contains collections covering art, natural history, ancient cultures, Scottish history and arms and armour. You can also see works by artists connected to Glasgow and displays about Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The museum’s central hall is known for its large organ. Recitals and free events take place on selected dates, so check the schedule before your visit.
Entry to the main museum is free. Some temporary exhibitions may have a separate admission charge.
Kelvingrove is beside Kelvingrove Park, giving you the option to combine your museum visit with a walk along the River Kelvin.
Discover Glasgow’s Transport History
The Riverside Museum explores Glasgow’s transport, engineering and industrial history.
Its collection includes cars, bicycles, trains, trams and other vehicles from different periods. There is also a recreated Glasgow street with old shops and transport displays.
The museum sits where the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde meet. Its location reflects the important role that shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering played in Glasgow’s development.
General entry to the Riverside Museum is free. The museum is outside the immediate city centre, but you can reach it using local buses, the subway or a longer walk through the West End.
The Tall Ship Glenlee is moored beside the museum. You can view the ship from the waterfront, although boarding arrangements and charges may differ from the Riverside Museum.
Relax at Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens offers a quieter break from the streets and shopping areas.
You can walk through the gardens, sit beside the lawns and visit the glasshouses. The Kibble Palace is one of the main attractions. This curved glass building contains plants, sculptures and seating areas.
The grounds and glasshouses are free to enter. Opening times differ between the outdoor gardens and indoor glasshouses, so check the latest visitor information before travelling.
The gardens are in Glasgow’s West End, close to Byres Road and the River Kelvin walkway.
Walk Around the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow campus is known for its Gothic style buildings, stone courtyards and covered cloisters.
You can walk through parts of the campus and take photographs of the main building. The cloisters connect the university’s east and west quadrangles and are one of the most photographed locations in the city.
The campus is located on a hill overlooking the West End. From the surrounding streets, you can enjoy views towards Kelvingrove Park and the city.
The Hunterian Museum is also based at the university. It is Scotland’s oldest public museum and contains collections covering art, science, archaeology and medicine. Entry to the Hunterian Museum is free.
Visit the Burrell Collection
The Burrell Collection is located within Pollok Country Park on Glasgow’s Southside.
The museum contains thousands of objects collected by Sir William and Lady Burrell. Its displays include paintings, sculptures, stained glass, tapestries, furniture and objects from ancient civilisations.
The museum building was redesigned to connect the collection with the surrounding parkland. Large windows look out towards the trees and walking routes around Pollok Country Park.
Entry to the Burrell Collection is free. You can also walk around the park, although parking charges may apply if you travel by car.
Allow several hours for this visit, as the museum is outside the city centre and has a large collection.
Walk Through Glasgow Green
Glasgow Green is one of the city’s oldest public parks. It sits beside the River Clyde and offers open lawns, walking paths and views of historic buildings.
You can see the Doulton Fountain, the McLennan Arch and the exterior of the People’s Palace. The park also hosts concerts, festivals and sporting events throughout the year.
The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens are currently closed for refurbishment, with reopening expected in 2027. You can still enjoy the surrounding park, but you should not plan your visit around entering the museum.
Glasgow Green is easy to reach from Merchant City and the eastern side of the city centre.
Enjoy a Walk Along the River Clyde
A riverside walk gives you another way to see Glasgow without paying an admission charge.
Start near Glasgow Green or Glasgow Central Station and follow sections of the river towards the events district. Along the route, you can see bridges, old industrial buildings and newer landmarks.
The Clyde Arc, often called the Squinty Bridge, crosses the river near the SEC campus. The SEC Armadillo and surrounding buildings provide some of the best known views along this section of the Clyde.
You can choose a short walk before returning to the city centre or continue towards the Riverside Museum.
Plan an Affordable Glasgow Break
Many of the best free things to do in Glasgow can be grouped by area.
Spend one day exploring Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis, Merchant City, GoMA and the city centre murals. On another day, travel towards the West End for Kelvingrove, the University of Glasgow and the Botanic Gardens.
The Riverside Museum can be added to your West End plans, while the Burrell Collection and Pollok Country Park work well as a separate half day trip.
Check opening hours before leaving your apartment. Museums may close for events, maintenance or public holidays, while outdoor attractions can be affected by poor weather.
Stay at PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square
PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square gives you a central base for exploring the city.
The property offers one and two bedroom serviced apartments with separate living space, a fitted kitchen and complimentary WiFi. One bedroom apartments provide around 50 square metres of space, giving you room to cook, dine and relax during your stay.
A kitchen can also help you control the cost of your break. Prepare breakfast before heading out, store snacks for your day and enjoy dinner in your apartment when you do not feel like visiting a restaurant.
With free museums, parks, architecture and street art across the city, you do not need a large sightseeing budget to enjoy Glasgow.
Book your stay at PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square and discover the best free things to do in Glasgow from a spacious city centre apartment.
