Free Glasgow!

Try walking around the centre of Glasgow with a map in your hand without atracting attention. It's impossible! You will have at least a few helpful Glaswegians offering you directions, or even giving you advise on the best place to have lunch. Glasgows inhabitants are one of the highlights of any trip to the city. Friendly, welcoming, party animals, with funny sometimes incomprehensible banter.

Quick Tips:

All museums are free of charge, except for those buildings owned by the National Trust of Scotland, The Tall Ship and the new Science Museum. Numurous parks are scattered throughout the city.

Best Way To Get Around:

You can easily navigate the compact city centre on foot, although you will encounter some Drumlins (small hills) along the way. If you venture out towards the West End (the University area)or further afield (e.g. the Burell Colection) you can buy a day ticket for around 2 Pounds that allows you to hop on and off most busses in the Glasgow area.

The hostel is located on a quite street on top of one of the hills overlooking Kelvingrove Park, so some rooms offer a magnificent view over the city. Within walking distance of the city centre near where Sauchiehalstreet meets the M8. The rooms of this former hotel have now been converted into dorms, some of which sleep up to eight people. All come with ensuite facilities. Don''t expect luxury, but you do get value for money. Basic breakfast is included and the hostel has a well-equipped kitchen, a TV room, games room with pool table, and lockers. The only thing missing here is atmosphere: the size of the building and the institutional decor doesn''t really invite a lot of interaction between fellow travelers, which is something you would expect when staying at hostels. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly, so if you''re on a budget this is the place to stay. (rates around 13 pound per night)

Glasgow's City Hall is a magnificent building. It was built with the money from the rich tobacco lords and opened by Queen Victoria. Even though this is the place of business for the Glasgow Lord Provost (mayor) and his council, free (!!) guided tours are given twice a week. Enthusiastic guides show you all the nooks and crannies of this beautiful building. One of the highlights is a magnificent marble staircase that has been used as a backdrop for many movies, as it closely resembles the one in the Vatican. I have taken the tour several times when I have had visitors, and it was enjoyed by all age groups.

Located on a hill overlooking the Glasgow Cathedral, you find a different kind of city all together - monumental lodgings for Glaswegians who have exhanged the earthly for the eternal. The Necropolis gives you a different insight into the past as you walk along the ornate graves tthat make up this city of the dead. This is especially recommended on a sunny day as an interesting alternative to the many parks.

This Shopping center is a sight in its own right. The architecture is Art Deco inspired. From the magnificently designed peacock that guards the entrance without rustling its feathers, to the beautiful finishings inside the atrium, this is definitely worth a visit, even if you're not in a (window) shopping mood. The shops are mostly designer or high priced retailers, so don't expect a bargain here.