Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Glasgow?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Glasgow?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Glasgow during their visit. After all, the friendly city has plenty to explore such as the nightlife scene, the live music, and the famous sights and museums.
Glasgow is a culturally rich and lively city in Scotland. There's a large student population and a great party scene, but there is also a lot of history and architecture. It's a port city that sits beautifully along the River Clyde.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Glasgow? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Glasgow?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Glasgow. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and grab some drinks at a bar, listen to some live music, wander through the museums, and admire the historic sights. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the friendly city.
How to spend 3 days in Glasgow
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Glasgow a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Standing Stones, Inveraray and Kilchurn Castles & Highland Tour starting Glasgow ($70)
- Oban, Glencoe, Highlands Lochs & Castles Small Group Day Tour from Glasgow ($73)
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow ($70)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.
Glasgow is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.
Perhaps the most famous place in Glasgow is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Live music is very popular in Glasgow, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.
Public transit in Glasgow is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm ($15)
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour of Glasgow ($209)
- Glasgow Family Delight a Fun-filled Discovery Walking Tour ($241)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours ($146)
Is 4 days enough time in Glasgow?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Glasgow at your own pace to grab some drinks at a bar, listen to some live music, wander through the museums, and admire the historic sights. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University, Scotland
How to spend 4 days in Glasgow
With 4 days in Glasgow, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Glasgow is large enough to spend at least a full day exploring the local neighborhoods, attractions, and activities found around town. It's a port city with a lot of culture and a vibrant atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow ($121)
- Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise ($119)
- City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour ($23)
As the live music scene is so popular in Glasgow, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.
Is 5 days enough time in Glasgow?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Glasgow has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Glasgow as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the nightlife scene, the live music, and the famous sights and museums at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Glasgow
If you have more than 5 days in Glasgow, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in Glasgow is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Glasgow, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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