36 Hours in Glasgow

Often dubbed Scotland’s working-class hero of a city, Glasgow doesn’t try to charm you; it just does. This is a place where creativity is painted on tenement walls, where museums are always free, and where the friendliest locals in Britain might hand you directions and a life story. Over three days, here’s how to uncover its layered personality: artistic, architectural, and unapologetically alive.

Day One: Foundations and First Impressions

3:00 PM – Check in and wander the Merchant City
Start your Glasgow adventure with a casual check-in to your hotel — ideally somewhere central, like the Merchant City. Once a hub of 18th-century tobacco lords, this quarter now mixes neoclassical facades with galleries, independent shops, and buzzing cafés. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs and get your bearings.

5:00 PM – Aperitivo at Mharsanta
Head to this modern Scottish eatery for a light bite and a dram of whisky. Mharsanta serves traditional flavors with a modern twist — think smoked salmon and haggis bon bons.

6:30 PM – Glasgow Mural Trail (self-guided)
Ease into the evening with a self-guided walk of the City Centre Mural Trail. Glasgow’s street art is famous for its scale and soul — you’ll spot towering ballerinas, whimsical animals, and portraits that echo the city’s humor and grit.

8:00 PM – Dinner in Finnieston
Make your way west to Finnieston, Glasgow’s culinary and nightlife hub. Try The Gannet or Ox and Finch for seasonal, small-plate dining with flair.

Day Two: Context and Culture

9:00 AM – Introduction to Glasgow Walking Tour
Join Context’s Introduction to Glasgow Tour, led by a historian or local expert. In three hours, you’ll trace the city’s story from medieval roots to industrial powerhouse to modern-day creative capital — stopping by Glasgow Cathedral, George Square, and the Gallery of Modern Art along the way.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Café Gandolfi
This Merchant City mainstay offers hearty dishes in a warm, wood-paneled setting — perfect after a morning of exploring. Try their Cullen skink or wild mushroom stroganoff.

2:00 PM – Visit the Riverside Museum
This award-winning museum by Zaha Hadid is as bold as its contents: a sprawling collection of vintage trams, cars, and ships, telling the story of Glasgow’s industrial might.

4:00 PM – Coffee along the Clyde
Grab a flat white at De’Caf or Tantrum Doughnuts and enjoy a riverfront stroll along the revitalized Clyde Walkway.

7:30 PM – Live music at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
No trip to Glasgow is complete without music. Head to the venue where Oasis was discovered, and catch a set from one of the city’s rising stars.

Day Three: Art, Nature, and Mackintosh’s Legacy

10:00 AM – Art and Culture Tour with Kelvingrove Museum
Today is for the art lovers. Join Context’s Glasgow Art and Culture Tour, which focuses on Scottish masters, European greats, and the unforgettable designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Kelvingrove’s soaring halls make for an inspiring backdrop.

1:00 PM – Lunch at Mackintosh at the Willow
Continue the Mackintosh theme with lunch at his original tearoom — lovingly restored and full of intricate, dreamlike design details. Go for the afternoon tea if you’re feeling indulgent.

2:30 PM – Stroll through the West End
Take the afternoon at your own pace. Visit the University of Glasgow’s cloisters or duck into the Hunterian Museum. Boutiques and vintage shops line Byres Road nearby.

4:00 PM – Final coffee at Offshore or Papercup
End your journey with a quiet moment — and a stellar cup of coffee — at a local favorite near the River Kelvin.

Departure

Three days in Glasgow, and you’ve only scratched the surface. But you’ve walked its streets, heard its stories, admired its art, and tasted its spirit. That’s a start.