5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Time in Glasgow
Glasgow is one of Britain’s most popular tourist locations — so when you visit, it’s important to see and do as much as possible
Whether you want to see the sights, learn the history or find a restaurant to enjoy a Scottish delicacy, Glasgow has something for everyone. The abundance of attractions, tours and activities will keep you entertained throughout your trip, but it’s the surrounding areas that provide the icing on the cake, bursting with the type of scenery that Scotland is famous for.
With so much to take in, it’s vital you make the most of the time you have in Glasgow, so here are a few tips to get you started.
1. Hop on the Bus, and then Hop Off… and On Again
Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours may seem like a bit of a cliché, tourist-y thing to do, but if you want to see as much as possible while getting around with ease, hopping on a bus will be your best bet.
With a feast of sights and attractions to devour, your bus ride will show you some of Glasgow’s brilliant architecture, historical sites and a vast array of places to stop for a bite to eat and a cup of tea. All the while, you’ll be provided with audio commentary to give you plenty of information about each location on your route.
2. Embrace the History
Scotland is well-known for its rich heritage and historical importance, so when you visit Glasgow, it’s definitely worth setting some time aside to visit some historical gems. One of the must-sees is the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral, with its Victorian cemetery providing a brilliant view of the city. Its headstones and wonderfully detailed statues have stood the test of time, and give you an authentic sense of years gone by in Glasgow.
3. Find Some Unique Places to Eat
Whenever you visit a new city, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a massive range of restaurants and cafes — many of which are big-name restaurant chains that you could find anywhere. Not only does this mean you’ll miss out on some of the unique and quirky places to eat; the abundance of choice can also lead to you making a quick decision, choosing the first place that looks half-decent.
Before you make the trip to Glasgow, a quick search online will help you to find some of the city’s unique food spots — many of which won’t appear on your average tourist map. Arriving with a few places already in mind is always ideal, but a wander around will also help you to stumble upon a few hidden delights.
4. Nightlife and Events
Whether it’s a new country or just taking a trip to a new city, checking out the nightlife is a great way to take in some of the personality of your new surroundings. The bar scene in Glasgow is a big draw for tourists and locals alike; the bars, clubs and restaurants offer visitors an authentic Scottish night out.
Glasgow is very vibrant in nature, both in regards to the sights to see and the hustle and bustle of the city itself. With so much going on, it’s always worthwhile to see what events are being held in the area at the time of your visit. Whether you’re a fan of music, sport, art or any other interest, there’ll be something worth checking out. If you’ve travelled in a large group, it may be worth hiring a minibus to attend an event, as public transport can be a nightmare to organise in groups and multiple taxis will cost more.
5. Don’t Limit Yourself to the City Limits
One of the main reasons people visit Scotland is to witness the beautiful scenery of its countryside and mountainous regions. The surrounding areas of Glasgow provide visitors with a variety of stunning sights, hills to climb and adventures to be had.
A short drive outside of the city will give you access to an abundance of outdoor activities, such as watersports, horseriding or hiking. If you want to make things a bit easier and convenient for yourself, you could hire a coach or minibus to take you to some of the most popular tourist locations near to the city. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one such location, offering a massive range of outdoor adventures, amazing scenery and incredible wildlife.
Glasgow is one of the UK’s most popular tourism cities. People flock from great distances away to gaze at some of its amazing architecture and historical sites, to enjoy the Scottish hospitality as they frequent the restaurants and bars, and if there’s time, maybe even try a battered Mars bar. With so much to see, do and experience, Glasgow really does have something to appeal to everyone, so making the most of your time there is essential.
This post was sponsored by Extra Mile Coaches. Got a great travel story you want to tell? Contact us at workwithus@anewtraveller.com.
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- 5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Time in Glasgow - September 6, 2016
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