Best Tours of Glasgow

Glasgow is one of the largest cities in Scotland and the UK. It is known for its vibrant cultural and artistic life, and you can explore a wealth of museums and street murals or visit ancient buildings and around ninety green parks.

A great way to see all there is to see and do in Glasgow is to join one of the many tours on offer, where you can soak up the best of Glasgow's culture, from the art in the galleries and streets to its passion for football. Here are some of the most interesting tours to do in Glasgow.

If you don't have much time to get to know Glasgow or you want to visit its iconic sites in a short time, this tour is ideal for you. It can also serve as your first glimpse of the city, and then you can explore the sites that interest you most on your own.

These types of tours are usually conducted on foot and in small groups of people, accompanied by a local guide who provides you with lots of information about the sites you see. They usually take you to the attractions that are always included in a Glasgow day trip itinerary, such as the High Street shopping street, central George Square, Glasgow Cathedral and the Guildhall.

These tours run all year round, particularly in the mornings, and are open to people of all ages. They also often include visits to culturally important sites such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the University of Strathclyde, founded in 1726.

Details of interest

• Price: from £15 per person.
• Duration: about 1.5 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

Another interesting way to get to know Glasgow if you enjoy cycling is to join a bike tour of the city's most iconic sites. Tours tend to take place mainly in the West End, a vibrant neighbourhood on the banks of the River Clyde that is known for its vibrant cultural life, bars and restaurants.

The West End is home to the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, world-renowned for its art and historical collections; the University of Glasgow, one of Glasgow's most iconic buildings; Kelvin Hall, an eclectic exhibition centre; and the Riverside Museum, which is dedicated to transport.

You're also likely to take a stroll through Kelvingrove Park, an important lung of the city and home to a museum of the same name. In the West End there are lively streets with bars and restaurants, such as Ashton Lane.

Most of these tours are conducted in small groups, ensuring a safe journey. They are usually guided by local experts who will tell you interesting details about the places you visit. They also usually provide you with all the equipment you need, such as a helmet and snacks to recharge your batteries during the tour. Children can usually participate, but not all tour companies have bikes for them.

Interesting details

• Price: from 69 € for adults.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle.

Hampden Park is the home of Scotland's national football team and has been the venue for many major football events. That's why taking a tour of its facilities and history is one of the best things to do in Glasgow, especially if you're a football fan. Hampden Park was the largest stadium in the world until 1950.

These tours run at different times throughout the day and are suitable for people of all ages and ideal if you're coming to Belfast with children. They are usually conducted with expert guides who take you around the stadium and tell you interesting anecdotes and details about the history of the stadium and its sporting landmarks. They are usually done in small groups of people.

In addition to the stadium, you will probably visit the Scottish Football Museum, where you can see relics such as the first Scottish Cup and historic jerseys, as well as learn more about Scottish football. The stadium is also home to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, where you'll discover some of Scotland's most famous footballers. You can also tour the stadium facilities and relive the euphoria of the iconic matches that have been played there.

Interesting details

• Price: from €19 for adults and around €10 for children and teenagers from 5 to 17 years old and adults over 65 years old. Children under the age of 4 are free of charge.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: not included.

Glasgow is a city noted for its arts scene and lively cultural life, which can be seen not only in museums and art galleries, but also on the streets. That's why it's a great idea to join a guided tour to get to know Glasgow' s street art and be amazed by its vitality, creativity and critical eye.

These murals have been done since 2014, first on the initiative of the City Council and later by galleries and independent artists. Walls of buildings, bridges, train and metro stations have been used to capture the creativity of local artists. Some of the highlights include Saint Enoch suckling his child by artist Smug and Honour the roots by Fearless Collective.

Most of the murals are located in the city centre, making it an ideal walking tour. They are usually guided by art experts who can give you a deeper insight into the meaning of the works and their cultural dimension. If you're interested in art, you can't miss this street art experience that will introduce you to the city of Glasgow under a new canvas.

Interesting details

• Price: from £18 per person.
• Duration: around 1.5 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

Beer is a cultural phenomenon in Glasgow, so exploring the city's breweries is a must on your visit to the city. One of the most recommended guided tours is the one at Tennet's, one of Glasgow' s most iconic and historic breweries, which dates back to 1556. Tours run at various times throughout the day, around midday.

These tours usually take you to the brewery in Wellpark, founded in the 18th century, where you can see old and new machines and learn how the brew is made. They are conducted by professional guides who can tell you about the history of beer in Glasgow and all the details of brewing. They also often include tastings of different varieties of beer, which will certainly enrich the tour.

Tennet's is one of Scotland's most popular beers and is also world renowned. Glasgow's link with beer dates back to 1136, when the building of the city's Cathedral began, and continues to this day.

If you decide to go on this tour, please note that there is a minimum age to participate, which is usually from 12 years old. It is also important that you wear closed shoes to be able to enter the areas where the beer is brewed.

Details of interest

• Price: from €26 for adults.
• Duration: around 1 hour and a half.
• Means of transport: not included.

One of the best experiences you can have in Glasgow and one that will connect you with the local culture is to tour the city by bus while enjoying tea and other homemade delicacies. In Scotland, as in the UK, tea time is very important, so it's a good idea to recreate this tradition on your tour of the city.

On board the bus you'll see places of interest such as Glasgow Cathedral, which was built in the 12th century; the Riverside Museum, which is dedicated to transport; the Glasgow Tower, the tallest tower in Scotland; and the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, one of the most important in the country. You'll also usually see the curved Clyde Arc Bridge and Kelvingrove Park, two must-see attractions on your city tour of Glasgow.

What's interesting about this tour, apart from the iconic sites you visit, is the selection of teas, cupcakes, scones, sandwiches and jams that are usually served on these tours and which connect you more deeply with this UK ritual. You'll notice how every detail is taken care of to make it a special and memorable moment.

Most of these tours take place on certain days of the week, usually around 3pm and in medium-sized groups of people. They are usually guided by local experts who enrich the tour with interesting commentary on the history and culture of the city. Vegan and gluten-free options are also often available, but it is best to ask about these when booking.

Interesting details

• Price: from €51 for adults and around €24 for children aged 5 to 9.
• Duration: around 1 hour and a half.
• Means of transport: bus.

Whisky is considered Scotland's national drink, so a guided tour of one of the city's most prominent distilleries is a great way to learn more about its culture. In particular, the tour takes in Clydeside, an iconic Glasgow distillery located on the banks of the River Clyde.

The distillery, which opened in 2017, is housed in The Old Pump House, a former dock building built in 1877. The building itself is very interesting, with its large windows overlooking the river. During the tour you can also see old photos of the building, as well as learn about the whisky making process.

These tours are usually led by whisky experts, who can explain how whisky is made and its history in the city, as well as all sorts of interesting anecdotes. Clydeside specialises in producing a light and spicy single malt whisky. Of course, these tours often include a tasting of different varieties of this prized drink, which you can buy in the shop if you wish.

Interesting details

• Price: from £21 for adults, around £19 for children and teenagers aged 9-17 and around £20 for adults over 60.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Means of transport: not included.

As well as visiting Hampden Park, football fans can visit Celtic Park, one of Europe's oldest and Scotland's largest stadiums. Opened in 1892, the stadium allows you to discover the history of football in the city on a tour of all the facilities where major sporting events were played.

The stadium is home to the legendary Celtic Park football team, one of the most successful in the country. As well as touring the stadium facilities, such as the tunnel, changing rooms and pitch, you will be able to see audio-visual material about the history of the club.

These tours take place every day at different times, although these may vary when football tournaments are taking place. They are usually conducted with expert guides who can transmit the history of the club and the stadium with the passion that characterises this sport. It is recommended not only for football fans, but for all those who want to know more about the culture of the city.

Interesting details

• Price: from 24 € for people aged 12 to 64, about 14 € for children aged 5 to 11 and about 20 € for adults over 65. Children under the age of 5 are free of charge.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Means of transport: not included.