Where is the best place to stay in Glasgow?
By Charlotte Rogers. September 07, 2022
Decades ago, Glasgow was associated with the rough and tumble attitude of a city that made its mark during the industrial revolution. Today, the city is brimming with culture. Travellers will fall in love with the diverse and delicious restaurants, stunning architecture, sprawling parks, and eclectic shopping. Glasgow is also world-famous for its live music scene. From classical and modern concert halls to fabulously gritty small venues, there is always a live show to take in. No trip to Scotland would be complete without this vibrant and characterful city.
The best place to stay in Glasgow is undoubtedly the city centre. You will have easy access to all the main attractions from here. Argyle and Buchanan Streets are home to some of the best shopping in the United Kingdom. Stunning features such as the Royal Theater, George’s Square, and the School of Art are all within walking distance. Not to mention the famous (or perhaps infamous) Glasgow nightlife, which can be found from Sauchiehall Street to the River Clyde. The city centre is easy to navigate on foot and is a convenient base for exploring other regions of the city such as the West End, Southside, and Finneston.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Glasgow, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Glasgow, you may also be interested in where to stay in Edinburgh, where to stay in Manchester, where to stay in Liverpool and where to stay in London.
City Centre, the best area to stay in Glasgow
First Time / Tourists / A Weekend
Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, the city centre of Glasgow is home to all the big-name hotels. Here you will find your Hiltons, Raddisons, Marriott, and more. There is also a great range of boutique hotels and suites such as Grasshoppers and CitizenM.
Exploring the city centre of Glasgow by foot is a pleasant way to introduce yourself to the vibe of the city. The architecture is a dramatic mix of Victorian and modern styles. The many buildings designed by Rennie Mackintosh are a highlight of the cityscape. For those who love the outdoors, the Clyde Walkway is a hiking and cycling path that stretches 65kms from the city centre to New Lanark.
Wandering around the city you are also bound to come across the bustling shopping districts and unparalleled nightlife of Glasgow. The Argyle Street Arcade is a great spot to pick up some special jewellery. Buchanan Street hosts all the top fashion brands, and Merchant Square and Glasgow Green are great places to grab a drink and a bite.
The music scene in Glasgow is legendary. In the city centre, you will find everything from classical venues, to the quirky, the underground, and the slightly sticky. Take a look at the Royal Theater and Concert Halls for big-ticket performances. Famous rock venues include King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Nice & Sleazy’s, The Barrowlands, and The Cathouse.
From the city centre, just hop on the subway- affectionately known as the Clockwork Orange- to visit more hotspots.
Other places to stay in Glasgow
West End
Sightseeing / Restaurants
Glasgow’s West End is home to the University of Glasgow one of the oldest in the world. The West End is quirky, vibrant and Bohemian in character and is a really fun part of the city to stay. The West End has a great choice of hotels including the Argyll Western and Hotel du Vin and also numerous comfortable guest houses to suit all budgets. West End is a good place to stay as there are numerous train connections into the city centre.
West End is a little quieter than the city centre, and its main focus is Byres Road and the surrounding areas of Hillhead and Dowanhill. This part of Glasgow is known for its lovely architecture, quaint shops and cobbled streets. Places of interest in West End include Kelvingrove Park, the Botanic Gardens, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the fascinating Police Museum.
The cobbled street of Ashton Lane is full of great pubs, restaurants and this part of West End has a good night scene with theatres, cinemas, comedy clubs and some good pubs to enjoy a nip of whisky!
Finnieston and the Northwest
Nightlie / Live Music / Restaurants
Finneston is located to the West of the city centre, just above the River Clyde. It used to be a ghost town, but now it is a hub of entertainment and the hottest restaurants that Glasgow has to offer. For modern Scottish cuisine, try the Gannett. The Ox & Finch serves fabulous Indian-inspired tapas, and check out the Crabshakk for amazingly fresh seafood.
Finneston is another great area of Glasgow to explore the nightlife and live music. The main attraction is the SEC (Student Entertainment Campus) which has three large concert venues including the aptly named Armadillo. The impressive OvoHydro Arena has been host to numerous big-ticket artists such as Beyonce, U2, Adele, and Talyor Swift. The SEC is also a favorite for international comedians and cinematic shows.
After your show, don’t forget to take in some of the cozy and chic drinking spots such as The Ben Nevis whiskey bar, Chinaskis, The Butchershop, and The Brass Monkey.
Paisley / Glasgow airport
Airport / With a Car
Paisley is considered the primary suburb of Glasgow. It began as a separate village which grew up around a Cluniac Abbey circa 1163. The Abbey as it stands now was rebuilt in the 15th century. Paisley is famous for two things: the Paisley Shawl, a type of scarf-come-cardigan that was knitted here, and Glasgow Airport.
If you want to stop overnight in Glasgow and need to be in proximity for your flight, Paisley is the best place to stay. They have their own Christmas market which runs from the square outside the train station, and have their own University, the University of the West of Scotland. You will find plenty of nightlife between the Student’s Union and The Cave. You can relax in Gennifer Braes country park or in Barshaw Park. The Sma’ Shot cottages are a unique historic sight. They are two preserved weaver’s cottages from the 18th century. Stop by Paisley town hall to marvel at the architecture or find time to stare at the stars in Coats Observatory. Finally, if you want street food in Paisley, check out the Jam Jar. For higher class fair LA Blanca Italian Restaurant comes highly recommended.
South Glosgow
Parks / Heritage
The Southside of Glasgow used to be known for its slightly scary council housing highrises. In the past 15 years, the suburbs of Shawlands, Strathbungo, Carthcart, and Govanhill have become hosts of friendly cafe culture. All kinds of international cuisine can be found here, including tacos, Malaysian street food, Caribbean bars, Indian eateries, Greek delis, and independent coffee shops. The Southside will certainly challenge any notions you might have about British food!
Another great reason to visit Glasgow’s south side is the green spaces. Pollock Country Park is the largest of Glasgow’s 90+ parks. The beautiful scenery and numerous trails come complete with highland cows! Pollock Country Park is also home to The Burrell Collection, an art gallery, and museum with over 9000 pieces from all over the world.
Queen’s Park is another popular spot for southside locals and travelers. As with most of Glasgow’s parks, you will find sprawled out picnickers, coffee, beer, and the occasional bongo drum player.
Our recommended hotels in Glasgow
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in GlasgowNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
