Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks reflect the city’s long history, creative culture and industrial past. From medieval buildings and Victorian architecture to museums and riverside structures, there is plenty to see during a city break.
PREMIER SUITES Glasgow Bath Street places you in Glasgow’s Theatreland, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, theatres and many city centre attractions. Your serviced apartment also gives you a separate living area, a fully fitted kitchen and more space than a standard hotel room.
Here are some of the Glasgow landmarks to add to your plans.
Kathedrale von Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral is one of the city’s oldest and most important buildings. Construction began during the medieval period, and the cathedral remains a working place of worship today.
Inside, you can explore stone archways, stained glass windows, the lower church and the area associated with the tomb of Saint Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint. The cathedral is one of the few medieval churches in Scotland to have survived the Reformation largely intact.
General entry is free, although donations are welcomed. As services and private events can affect opening hours, check the visitor schedule before travelling across the city.
Glasgow Nekropole
The Glasgow Necropolis sits on a hill beside Glasgow Cathedral. This Victorian garden cemetery covers around 15 hectares and contains detailed monuments, statues and memorials.
Around 50,000 people were buried within the cemetery, although only a smaller number have named monuments. Many of these memorials were designed by leading architects and sculptors, including Alexander Thomson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Walk to the higher sections for views across Glasgow Cathedral and the surrounding city. You can explore independently or book one of the informal walking tours offered by the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis. General tours are free, but donations support conservation work.
Kelvingrove Kunstgalerie und Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Glasgow’s most recognisable buildings. Its red sandstone exterior sits beside Kelvingrove Park, creating a landmark that is worth seeing before you even enter.
Inside, the museum contains art, natural history, armour, cultural objects and displays connected to Scottish history. The large central hall is another highlight and regularly hosts organ recitals and events.
Entry to the permanent museum collections is free. Kelvingrove is open throughout the week, although Friday and Sunday opening times begin slightly later. It can become busy during weekends and school holidays, so visiting earlier in the day may give you more time to explore.
The University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is one of the city’s best locations for architecture and photography. Its main building sits above the West End, with towers, stone courtyards and covered walkways that have become a familiar part of Glasgow’s skyline.
You can walk around parts of the campus and visit the famous cloisters, which connect the east and west quadrangles. The campus has also appeared in film and television productions due to its Gothic Revival design.
The university has more than 550 years of history. Guided visitor tours usually run from Tuesday to Sunday and last around one hour. Tour times can change throughout the year, so advance booking is recommended.
The Gallery of Modern Art and the Duke of Wellington Statue
The Gallery of Modern Art, commonly known as GoMA, stands in Royal Exchange Square. The grand building is home to local and international contemporary art, with a mixture of permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.
The landmark outside the gallery is often just as popular as the art inside. The Duke of Wellington statue is regularly pictured wearing a traffic cone, a tradition that has become part of Glasgow’s identity and sense of humour.
GoMA offers free entry and is easy to reach on foot from Bath Street. From here, you can continue towards Buchanan Street, Merchant City or Glasgow Central Station.
Hauptbahnhof Glasgow
Glasgow Central Station is more than a place to catch a train. The historic station is one of the city’s most impressive public buildings and serves as a meeting point for residents and visitors.
Look up at the glass roof above the platforms and walk beneath the station clock, which has long been used as a place for people to meet. Outside, the bridge crossing Argyle Street is another recognisable part of the building.
Glasgow Central is Scotland’s busiest railway station. Guided tours also take visitors into areas that are not normally open to the public, including underground passageways and vaults. These tours require a ticket and should be booked in advance.
Flußmuseum
The Riverside Museum sits where the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde meet. Its striking building was designed to reflect the movement and flow of the surrounding rivers.
The museum focuses on Glasgow’s transport, engineering and industrial history. Displays include cars, bicycles, trams, trains and a recreated Glasgow street. You can also learn about the city’s role in shipbuilding and manufacturing.
Entry is free and advance booking is not normally required. The museum can be reached by public transport from the city centre, making it easy to combine with a visit to the University of Glasgow or Kelvingrove.
Das Großsegler Glenlee
The Tall Ship Glenlee is moored beside the Riverside Museum and provides a reminder of Glasgow’s maritime history.
Built on the River Clyde in the nineteenth century, the ship travelled around the world before returning to Glasgow. Visitors can explore different parts of the vessel and learn about life at sea.
Admission arrangements can differ from the free entry offered by the Riverside Museum, so check the latest ticket information before your visit. Even without boarding, you can view the ship from the museum and surrounding waterfront paths.
Buchanan Street and the Royal Concert Hall
Buchanan Street is one of Glasgow’s main shopping streets, but it is also known for its architecture and busy street life. The pedestrianised route is lined with stone buildings, department stores, shopping centres and restaurants.
At the northern end of the street, you will find the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Its broad steps have become a common meeting place and provide a good viewing point across the city centre.
Continue south along Buchanan Street to reach Royal Exchange Square, GoMA and the Duke of Wellington statue. The route is easy to explore on foot from PREMIER SUITES Glasgow Bath Street.
George Square and Glasgow City Chambers
George Square has long served as Glasgow’s main civic space. It is surrounded by buildings that reflect the city’s political, commercial and architectural history.
The Glasgow City Chambers stands on the eastern side of the square. Its detailed stone exterior, columns and tower make it one of the city centre’s major landmarks.
George Square is undergoing redevelopment during 2026, with road closures and restricted access affecting parts of the surrounding area. You may still be able to view the City Chambers, but check current access arrangements before adding the square to your walking route.
The Clyde Arc and SEC Armadillo
Glasgow’s riverside has several newer landmarks that represent a different period in the city’s development. The Clyde Arc is a curved road bridge crossing the River Clyde. It is often called the Squinty Bridge due to the angle at which it crosses the water.
Nearby, the SEC Armadillo is known for its overlapping shell shaped design. The building hosts concerts, conferences and live performances and forms part of Glasgow’s event district.
Walk along the Clyde for views of both structures, particularly during the evening when many riverside buildings and bridges are illuminated.
Plan Your Glasgow Landmark Route
Many of Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks can be grouped together.
Start with Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis before travelling towards the city centre. You can then explore GoMA, Buchanan Street and Glasgow Central Station on foot.
For a West End day, visit the University of Glasgow, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the Riverside Museum. The subway and local bus network make it easy to travel between the city centre and these attractions.
Wear comfortable shoes and leave space in your schedule. Some of the best parts of Glasgow appear between the main attractions, including street art, Victorian buildings and small public squares.
Aufenthalt im PREMIER SUITES Glasgow Bath Street
After exploring Glasgow’s most iconic landmarks, return to the comfort and space of your own serviced apartment.
PREMIER SUITES Glasgow Bath Street offers one bedroom apartments measuring around 50 square metres and two bedroom apartments measuring around 70 square metres. Each apartment includes a kitchen, dining space, lounge and separate bedroom, giving you room to relax after a day in the city.
The central Bath Street location gives you easy access to Glasgow’s shopping streets, cultural venues, restaurants and transport links. Book your stay at PREMIER SUITES Glasgow Bath Street and explore the buildings, museums and public spaces that have shaped the city.
