top of page
Search

Unique 3 Days in Glasgow Itinerary: Shopping Streets, University Secrets, Street Art & Highland Cows

  • Writer: Pauline Lys
    Pauline Lys
  • May 10
  • 5 min read

Updated: May 12



Glasgow may not be the capital, but it’s Scotland’s cultural soul. Bold, gritty, creative, and friendly, it has music, design, street art and real local character. If Edinburgh is a postcard, Glasgow is a mixtape — and 3 days is just enough to fall in love with it.


My honest impression? I was genuinely surprised by Glasgow. It’s super modern, lively, and artsy, not at all the image I had in mind. The university buildings are scattered across the city, giving it a youthful vibe, and the street art is everywhere. It’s a totally different energy than Edinburgh: where Edinburgh is gothic and moody, Glasgow is colourful, bold, and buzzing with creativity.


Best part? Most of the places are FREE ENTRY!


Here’s my unique 3 days in Glasgow itinerary, from boutique shopping and murals to Hogwarts-style universities and... actual Highland cows.


3-Day weekend in Glasgow: Shopping Streets, University Secrets, Street Art & in city Highland Cows


Day 1: Shopping, Rainbows & Glasgow Street Art


We stayed at YOTEL Glasgow, super central and perfect for walking distance to all the main city centre spots.


Our first day was city-core:

  • Argyle Street and Buchanan Street for shopping (and people-watching),

  • Merchant City for a cozy lunch,

  • and then a casual street art chase across the city.


Some fav stops:

  • The Wilson Street rainbow mural near Merchant Square

  • Hidden murals near University of Glasgow in the city centre (search for street art on Google Maps)

This city LOVES street art, so keep your eyes up and phone ready, even alleyways are art galleries.


💡 Tip: The mural trail map from City Centre Mural Trail is a fun side quest.

Woman in red top stands on a rainbow-painted street. Historic buildings surround her under a clear blue sky. She smiles, wearing sunglasses.

Mural on building shows students in lecture. Some in color, others in grayscale, with diverse expressions. "I ❤️ KTP" sticker visible.


Day 2: Hogwarts Vibes, Hidden Cafes & Highland Cows


We started our morning at Ashton Lane, a cobbled alley lined with fairy-lit bars and restaurants. It’s a vibe… but mostly in the afternoon or evening, so don’t make the mistake we did and go early when it’s still quiet 😅

Cobblestone alley with white buildings, signs for "33 Irish Kitchen" and "Jinty McGuinty's," string lights overhead, blue sky background.

Brick wall with a white sign reading "Ashton Lane, West End" in black letters. Sunlight casts a slight lens flare. Urban setting.

Outdoor cafe with red chairs and tables on a cobblestone street. Greenery drapes over a brick building labeled "The Gardener." Blue sky above.

Then we wandered over to the University of Glasgow, and wow. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this place screams Hogwarts (even though the real inspiration for the saga comes from Edinburgh buildings). The gothic architecture, cloisters, and towers are just chef’s kiss. Next door, we explored the University Chapel, the Humanitarian Museum and Main Hall, all open to the public.


✨ Direction: From the university gift shop, take the elevator in front up 1 floor. The famous halls are outside, next to the concert hall and Bute Hall, between the West and East quadrangles.

Historic stone building with turrets under a clear blue sky. A bus stop sign is visible. Quiet street with minimal traffic and greenery.

Woman in jeans walks through a grand, stone archway with vaulted ceilings. Sunlight streams in, casting a serene, warm mood.

Across the street, Kelvingrove Park is a great spot for a stroll or picnic. We didn’t go inside the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, but it looked very cool from the outside if you’re into art and history - and it's free entry!

Historic stone building with arched windows and a tower next to a bare tree. Bright blue sky and green grass create a serene atmosphere.

Historic red-brick building with towers under a clear blue sky. Bikes parked near green lawns, creating a serene atmosphere.

For lunch, we went to the Hidden Lane Tea Room, tucked away in a colorful creative courtyard full of artist studios and indie boutiques. It's a gem!

Woman smiling at a table with sandwiches, coleslaw, and tea. Scrabble game in progress. Cozy room with fairy lights in the background.

View from a window shows a colorful alley with bunting. Teapots and a word game on the sill; a chalkboard menu outside. Vibrant, cheerful mood.

We ended the day at Pollok Country Park, where the highlight was seeing actual Highland cows grazing like they own the place. Dreamy.



Pollok Park is huge, so leave time for a proper walk!

A Highland cow drinks from a trough in a sunlit pasture. Other cows graze in the background. Leafless trees frame the serene scene.

Cows resting on a sunlit green field, surrounded by bare trees under a clear blue sky, creating a tranquil rural scene.



Day 3: Gothic Cathedrals & Maze-Like Pubs


I started the day at PureGym (it has been my go-to gym on the road throughout the UK, cheap with good equipment, available in most cities!) and then met up with the fam for a more historic city vibe.


First stop: Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis — the old gothic graveyard overlooking the city. Worth it for the view and spooky vibes, but not an absolute must-do if you’re tight on time.


Right next door is St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, a chill bonus stop if you’re already in the area.


Stained glass windows with figures in colorful robes, crowns, and halos, set in an ornate stone frame. Blue, yellow, and red dominate.

Historic cemetery with statues and obelisks, lush greenery. Stone path leads to arched gate. Clear blue sky, serene atmosphere.

After that, we explored the Gallery of Modern Art in the city centre. Some cool exhibits, especially if you're into contemporary stuff — but again, not a must-see.



Statue of a horse and rider wearing a red traffic cone on its head, set against a backdrop of tall buildings with beige and white facades.

Two abstract paintings on a gallery wall: one monochrome with gray swirls and a second vibrant with pink and gray, featuring circular accents.

We wrapped the trip with drinks at Waxy O'Connor's, a multilevel pub that feels like a forest maze mixed with a cathedral. Genuinely cool and fun to get lost in.

Breakfast platter with sausages, beans, black pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast, and a poached egg. A pint of beer beside it on a wooden table.

Bonus: A Loch Lomond Getaway


Before Glasgow, we spent 3 days at Loch Lomond. We stayed in an Airbnb in Tarbet, right in the middle of the lake area. A 1h boat tour was nice but not essential. What really stood out was driving around the northern shore, stopping at:

  • Falls of Falloch — peaceful and beautiful

  • Luss Village — super cute, worth a stop

Honestly, if you're already in Glasgow and have a car, a day trip to Loch Lomond is a must.


Woman stands on boat deck, looking at cloudy lake and hills. An orange life ring and a flag are visible, creating a serene mood.

Woman in jeans sits by a river, gazing at a waterfall surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky, conveying serenity.


Other Places Worth Exploring (Next Time!)


If you’ve got more time or are planning a second visit to Glasgow, here are a few other places that are on my radar:

  • 🎭 The Riverside Museum — Glasgow’s museum of transport, architecture, and innovation. Super interactive and good for all ages.

  • 🌿 The Botanic Gardens & Kibble Palace — glasshouses, tropical plants, and peaceful paths near the West End.

  • 🎨 The Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery — located inside the University of Glasgow, with art, archaeology, and even medical history exhibits.

  • 🏟️ Celtic Park or Ibrox Stadium — if you’re into football (aka soccer), touring one of Glasgow’s legendary stadiums could be cool.

  • 🏛️ The Lighthouse — Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, with a rooftop viewing platform over the city.

  • 🎤 King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut — iconic live music venue where bands like Oasis were discovered.

  • 🛍️ Barras Market — the East End’s historic market, great for vintage finds and people-watching.

  • 🎭 Tron Theatre — for live performance lovers looking for a quirky venue.

  • 🌇 Queen’s Park & Strathbungo — local gems in the Southside with chill vibes, cute cafes and great views.

  • 🥃 Clydeside Distillery — for a whisky tasting with riverside views.


Top pub & restaurant picks in Edinburgh:

  • 🍸 Oran Mor

  • ☕ Paperclip Coffee Company

  • 🥂 Ubiquitous Chip

  • 🍻 The Aragon Bar

  • 🍴 The Left Bank

  • 😂 The Stand Comedy Club

  • 🥃 The Ben Nevis Bar

  • ☕ Ottoman Coffeehouse

  • 🎶 King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

  • 🥂 The Citizen Glasgow

  • 🍹 El Santo Bar & Restaurant

  • 🥪 Single-End Merchant City

  • 🍳 The Wilson Street Pantry



Glasgow is raw and real. It doesn’t try to charm you like Edinburgh does. But that’s why it sticks with you. It’s a city of street music, late-night chats, weird art, and incredible locals.

Been to Glasgow? Got a fav mural, pub or spot I missed? Drop it below!

Yorumlar

bottom of page