Glasgow Tourist Highlights

Community over Code Glasgow 2026 - October 11-14, Hilton Glasgow

Attending Community over Code Glasgow? Here are the top things to see and do in Glasgow beyond the conference. Most are free and within easy reach of the venue.

Top Free Attractions

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

What: World-class art and natural history museum in a stunning red sandstone building. 22 galleries, everything from Dali to dinosaurs.
Where: Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 2-3 hours

Glasgow Cathedral

What: Medieval cathedral dating to the 12th century - one of the few Scottish medieval churches to survive the Reformation intact
Where: Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0QZ (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 45 min - 1 hour

Glasgow Necropolis

What: Atmospheric Victorian cemetery on a hill behind the Cathedral. 50,000+ burials, stunning city views, incredible monuments.
Where: Adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 1 hour

Riverside Museum

What: Zaha Hadid-designed transport museum on the Clyde. Vintage cars, ships, locomotives, street scenes.
Where: 100 Pointhouse Road, Glasgow G3 8RS (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 2 hours

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)

What: Contemporary art in a neoclassical building. Look for the famous Duke of Wellington statue with a traffic cone on his head outside.
Where: Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AH (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 1 hour

George Square

What: Glasgow’s principal city square, surrounded by grand Victorian architecture including City Chambers
Where: George Square, Glasgow G2 1DU (map)
Cost: Free
Time needed: 20 min to admire, or take the free City Chambers tour

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Trail

Glasgow’s most famous architect/designer. Key sites:

Glasgow School of Art - 167 Renfrew Street, G3 6RQ (map) - tours available of the restored building
The Lighthouse - 11 Mitchell Lane, G1 3NU (map) - Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture, rooftop viewing platform
House for an Art Lover - Bellahouston Park, G41 5BW (map) - building designed from Mackintosh’s competition drawings
The Willow Tea Rooms - 217 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3EX (map) - his complete interior design, still serving afternoon tea

Street Art & Murals

Glasgow has a fantastic street art scene. The Glasgow Mural Trail is a self-guided walking tour taking about 90 minutes, covering 30+ murals across the city centre. Free!

Start point: George Square (map). Maps available from the tourist information centre or search “Glasgow Mural Trail” online.

Music Scene

Glasgow is UNESCO City of Music. On any given night there are dozens of live gigs happening. Key venues near the venue:

King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut - 272a St Vincent Street, G2 5RL (map) - legendary indie venue where Oasis were discovered
Barrowland Ballroom - 244 Gallowgate, G4 0TT (map) - iconic neon-fronted venue
Nice N Sleazy - 421 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3LG (map) - dive bar with great live music

Whisky

The Pot Still - 154 Hope Street, G2 2TH (map) - over 700 whiskies, a Glasgow institution
Clydeside Distillery - 100 Stobcross Road, G3 8QQ (map) - working distillery with tours and tastings on the riverfront

Getting Around

Glasgow Subway (“Clockwork Orange”) - simple loop serving city centre and West End. All Day Ticket available.
Walking - most attractions are within 20-30 min walk of the venue
Buses - extensive network, contactless payment accepted

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