Guest Post: 48 hours in Glasgow: 5 things not to miss!

Scotland’s most vibrant and exciting city has plenty to offer holidaymakers. From imposing Victorian architecture to cutting-edge bars and a waterfront teeming with museums, galleries and street art, it’s a delightful blend of traditional and cutting edge.

If you’re short of time then the best place to base yourself is in the city centre, close to all the major attractions. There are several luxury hotels in Glasgow city centre, but one of the best and most affordable is the Millennium Hotel Glasgow. If you fancy staying for longer than a weekend then you’ll save 20% when you spend three nights or more here. But if 48 hours is all you have to spare, then here’s how to pack in the very best sights and activities.

1. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens: Most people think of Glasgow as a purely urban environment, but in fact one of the city’s greatest attractions is its Botanic Gardens. These beautiful landscape gardens are packed with rare plants – and if you’re travelling with your significant other then don’t miss out on reportedly the best rose gardens in Scotland. The Botanic Gardens also host regular concerts and talks during the summer – check the Kibble Palace website before you travel to see what’s on.

2. Tour Glasgow Cathedral: This beautiful cathedral is well worth exploring, and booking a tour is the best way to find out about the history of the building – as well as learning the story behind the stunning stained glass windows. Alternatively, a packed calendar of events means that it’s usually possible to see a concert or an opera here in the evening.

3. Discover Glasgow’s shipbuilding past: Historically, Glasgow was highly dependent on shipbuilding and maritime trading, and there are several museums that play tribute to this chapter of the city’s history. One of the best is the Riverside Museum, which hosts The Tall Ship – one of the only 19^th century ships that can still be found in Britain. The museum also hosts a range of exhibits, exhibitions, talks and classes for all ages.

4. Eat at The Corinthian Club: This huge restaurant, bar, casino and club is at the centre of Glasgow’s nightlife. Located on the Ship Bank, it runs regular events and music nights and is the perfect place to enjoy either a relaxed meal or a night on the tiles.

Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom, courtesy of Robert Orr

5. Discover Glasgow’s thriving music scene: Glasgow has produced some of the 21^st century’s best bands, and is seen by some as the birthplace of British Indie. Hang out at live-music pub venue King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, which hosts bands every night of the week and is famous for being the location where Oasis were spotted by Creation Records owner Alan McGee; mingle with the students at Nice ‘n’ Sleazy on the Sauchiehall strip; or watch the likes of the Scissor Sisters and Ed Sheeran perform at the Barrowland Ballroom. It’s the perfect way to round off a weekend of exploration in Scotland’s dynamic second city.