Glasgow - Short Holidays & Weekend City Breaks (2024)

FAQs

Is Glasgow good for a weekend break? ›

Renowned for its striking architecture, contemporary art spaces, fascinating museums, and home to some of the UK's best music venues, it's one of the most exciting cities you'll ever come across.

Glasgow in a day is barely enough to scratch the surface and there is a lot more to do and see all across the city. If you can, I highly recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Glasgow to visit more of Glasgow's fantastic museums and parks and explore further off the beaten track.

A city break is a short trip often for two to four days. They may be to major cities or smaller destinations.

Glasgow is the gateway to Scotland's great outdoors, with beaches, castles and rugged coastlines to discover. Experience unmissable day trips less than the average daily commute away – from the historic Stirling to the breath-taking bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, there are legends and adventures to uncover.

The best time to visit Glasgow is undoubtedly during the summer months (June to August) when the days are longest and there's a decent chance of some fine weather. Spring (April to May) and fall (September to October) can also be fine periods for travel.

Travel by Foot

Glasgow is a very walkable and easy to navigate city.

Is Glasgow a cheap city to live in? The cost of living in Glasgow is relatively inexpensive compared to other major cities in the UK. House prices in Glasgow are much lower than in cities such as London and Edinburgh, and the cost of groceries, transport and leisure activities is also relatively inexpensive.

The city is famous for its contributions to architectural styles, with the Glasgow School of Art being the most notable example. The wealth of the city's merchants in the 18th century saw a shift towards neoclassical architecture with simple lines and grand imposing stately buildings.

The safest areas for a stay in Glasgow are the city center (including Merchant City), Finnieston, and Glasgow East – they're all calm neighborhoods and very safe for tourists.

What month is cheapest for city break? ›

January is the least expensive month to take a city break or beach holiday, according to pricing data from travel comparison site TravelSupermarket. Holidaymakers prepared to swap peak season for a winter getaway could save up to two-thirds, as holidays are more than 200 per cent pricier in August compared to January.

It depends. If you are a Scottish history lover, you may want to visit Edinburgh first. On the other hand, Glasgow is much more of a happening place. So, if you are relatively young, you should base yourself in Glasgow and visit Edinburgh from there.

A bit grittier than Edinburgh (its eastern counterpart), Glasgow sees its fair share of crime, but most of it is inflamed by drugs or too much alcohol and amongst local Glaswegians. Visitors should avoid potentially volatile Orange marches, which relate to the centuries-old hostility between Protestants and Catholics.

Glasgow is an extremely interesting city to visit & the people are just lovely. It has a lot to offer by way of architecture, arts & culture, not to mention pretty good shopping & very good hotels & restaurants. I much prefer it to Edinburgh.

No matter what season you visit in, Scotland's landscapes and cities offer something spectacular to experience on a short or weekend break. Much of our rich countryside is accessible from the city, so you can even get the best of both worlds!

Scotland's largest and most vibrant city has plenty to offer including country parks, riverside museums and even a tour of the national stadium.