What to do and what to visit in Glasgow in a single day, perhaps starting from London and taking a nice excursion. If you can stop even for a whole weekend, things to do and see will certainly not be lacking.
Thanks to its strategic position, London it is a great stepping stone to travel and move easily and economically. In addition to the capital, in fact, there are many other destinations in the United Kingdom that deserve to be visited, among them Glasgow, reachable from London either with the train both with theplane.
Glasgow, in addition to being the largest city in Scotland, is also renowned for it style, the architecture and design. It is an elegant city, full of life and energy and is known for its vast cultural offer and the friendliness of its inhabitants.
Glasgow is often referred to as the loveliest British city of the Victorian period. An unmistakable element of his style are the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the most celebrated architects and designers of the 21st century at the head of the Art Nouveau movement in Scotland. In 1990 Glasgow was proclaimed European City of Culture.
Glasgow can be divided into City Center, East End, West End, Clydeside and Southside.
To occupy the heart of the city the grandiose town hall, City Chambers whose friezes represent the four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales placed at the feet of the Queen. A stage is also a must to the Gallery of Modern Art, one of the UK's most controversial and provocative contemporary art galleries.
East of Glasgow we find theEast End, the old quarter which represents the popular and working-class heart of the city. If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere described in the films of Ken Loach This is the right place. Here you can relive an extract of everyday life in Glasgow, among markets, pubs and multi-ethnic shops. To visit the Museum of Piping, located inside a former church, considered the place par excellence for the study of bagpipes.
On the opposite side of the city we find the West End, the most elegant district of the city. Among shops, cafes, pubs and universities, all concentrated in this area, you can see the sumptuous homes of the rich merchant class. From here the university tower, 85 meters high, one of Glasgow's most unmistakable buildings. At the top there is a viewing platform from which you can enjoy a fantastic view. And again the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, built in 1888 for the universal exhibition, which houses important art collections that have contributed to the cultural life of Glasgow for more than a century.
Continuing our journey we find ourselves in the Clydeside, the port area used for the construction of large ocean liners that went down the River Clyde after launch. The area has now been redeveloped with reclamation and recovery works old docks. In this area is the Secc, born from the restoration of an old dock that today enhances the riverside with fairs, megaconcerts, bars and cafes. To commemorate the era of shipbuilding along with an immense Auditorium, a large crane has been left behind which helps to form the skyline of the area.
The last district of the city is the Southside which boasts the area called Queen's Park, a pretty and redeveloped suburb that houses The Burrell Collection and the House for an Art lover. The first presents ceramics, paintings, embroidery and other artifacts found from all over the world collected in an evocative gallery of 3000 pieces. The second, inspired by a project by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is the permanent home of an exhibition of decorative rooms.
The city boasts more than ninety parks and green spaces, including the beautiful Botanical Gardens in the western part of the city. With Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park less than an hour away, you will find the perfect balance between city and nature. If you are in the mood for shopping Glasgow is the ideal city. Take a leap into the elegant Princes Square and then in Sauchiehall Street, in Buchanan Street and in the Merchant City district which, together, give life to the “Style Mile”, the style mile.
The typical week in the city boasts more than 120 different musical events, which justifies the title of city of music given to it by UNESCO. The vast music scene, active all year round, comes to life in the most diverse places, including traditional Scottish pubs, clubs, theater and concert halls of international class, and spaces expressly intended for entertainment, obtained from prestigious city buildings and ingeniously adapted. It is worth mentioning the Oran Mor which offers a rich musical program.
Particular attention also deserves theScottish gastronomic offer with a large choice of restaurants. Head to Ubiquitos Chip in the West End to discover a much-loved city institution, or indulge in gorgeous Rennie Mackintosh-designed décor in the Willow Tea Rooms as you sip afternoon tea and savor a snack of sandwiches, cakes, sweets as the good British tradition dictates.
