Hugging the north bank of the River Clyde, Glasgow City Centre is a bustling business and commercial district. It’s home to historic buildings, art museums and performance venues, as well as educational institutions that include the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art.
Things to do in Centre
In the heart of Glasgow City Centre is George Square, which was laid out in 1781 and named after King George III. It is filled with statues and monuments dedicated to prominent Scots, such as Sir Walter Scott, James Watt and Robert Burns. Lining the square are the ornate Glasgow City Chambers and the 19th-century General Post Office, which features an Italianate facade by Robert Matheson.
Coincide your visit to Glasgow City Centre with a performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, which was designed by the Modernist architect Sir Leslie Martin. In addition to being home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, it also hosts operas, ballets and musical theatre performances in its 2,475-seat auditorium. Also nearby is Glasgow’s oldest performing arts venue, the Theatre Royal, which is home to the Scottish Opera.
Occupying a Neoclassical building overlooking Royal Exchange Square is the Gallery of Modern Art, which is fronted by an equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington. It houses four galleries where temporary exhibitions are held showcasing both local and international artists. Andy Warhol and Sebastião Salgado are among the artists represented in the permanent collection.
Getting around Centre
Glasgow Airport is a 20-minute drive from Glasgow City Centre and has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Trains connect to Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street railway stations and buses travel throughout the city centre. Most of Glasgow City Centre’s attractions can be accessed on foot.