Glasgow is a Fantastic Place to Live and Here Are Some of the Places You Must Visit

Glasgow is a fantastic place to live or to visit as it’s a vibrant city bursting with personality. The city’s slogan is ‘People Make Glasgow’ and anyone who’s ever visited, worked in or lived in Glasgow will certainly tell you this is true! A real cultural melting pot, with stunning architecture, cuisine from around the world, fabulous nightlife and shopping to match the fashion capitals of the world; Glasgow has it all. The folks who own and work at Scottish home-improvement company, Ekco know Glasgow like the back of their hands. Hera re their recommendations for the best places to stay and to visit while you’re here.
Where to stay in Glasgow
There are many fabulous places to stay in Glasgow, whether you’re just visiting or looking to settle down permanently. For those looking to stay in the city centre, try the uber chic CitizenM hotel. This modern hotel boasts a great cocktail bar and contemporary rooms with rainfall showers and mood lighting. In the west, Hotel Du Vin is a traditional and elegant hotel which has hosted many famous stars visiting Glasgow! If you fancy travelling a bit further out of Glasgow, head towards Mar Hall Hotel in Bishopton (about 25 minutes from Glasgow city centre). A favourite for weddings, this stunning stately home offers breath taking views and an indulgent spa.
For those who might be considering a move to Glasgow, there are many great areas to consider. The city centre has gorgeous and modern flats throughout, which are ideal for young professionals. Partick and Jordanhill are great spots in the west end, with large flats in old tenement buildings. In the Southside, Shawlands has fantastic flats and stunning houses and tends to be cheaper than the pricey west end. Families may want to consider Newton Mearns. Five minutes from the hugely popular Silverburn shopping centre, Newton Mearns is a quiet and friendly area with many new build houses.
 
Glasgow eateries
Any visitor to Glasgow should leave with a full stomach and a smile on their face! Starting in the city centre, take a visit to the famous St Vincent Street, which has been affectionately renamed ‘Meat Mile’ by locals due to the influx of burger joints on this busy street. A stand out burger restaurant is the independently run ‘Bread Meats Bread’ (Get it?!). This small and trendy restaurant is loved by locals and serves up a variety of weird and wonderful gourmet burgers. If you stop by be sure to try out their famous ‘Wolf of St Vincent Street’ burger! Try to head down early to avoid the queues!
If you fancy a trip out of the city centre, head for the stylish west end. Favourites such as Ashton Lane and Byres Road host a variety of restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. For something a bit more traditional, try the sophisticated Ubiquitous Chip on Ashton Lane, for elegant and locally sourced Scottish cuisine. In the Southside, Shawlands continues to grow in popularity and has many great cafes and restaurants worth visiting. The Waverly Tea Rooms offers pub favourites and fabulous cocktails. And if you fancy something sweet after dinner, head to Big Licks ice cream parlour on Victoria Road for the ultimate sweet treat.
Soak up the Glasgow culture
After all that food you might feel the need to walk it off! Starting in the city centre, visit the Style Mile. Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street make up Glasgow’s Style Mile, with stylish shops for every taste. If you want away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, take a walk along the Clydeside. Here you can walk along the bank of Glasgow’s River Clyde and take in the city’s architecture. Kelvingrove Park in the west end is a great park for families, with a play area for kids and plenty of greenery. Just outside of Kelvingrove Park is the stunning Kelvingrove Art Gallery. With free entry, this art gallery is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions. A trip on the Glasgow sightseeing bus is a must for first time visitors looking to see the sights of Glasgow from the famous Duke of Wellington statue (and his even more famous traffic cone hat) to the Hogwarts-esque Glasgow University. Just make sure you take an umbrella if you dare sit out on the open deck!
Night Life that’s not for lightweights!
It’s no secret that Glaswegians enjoy a good night out. Glasgow is a music lovers dream and the Glasgow audience is often cited as a favourite amongst musicians. From the rainbow coloured Hydro venue, which has hosted many superstars including Adele and Beyonce, to the cult favourite King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow is bursting with music venues to suit every taste.
Glasgow has many establishments where you can enjoy a good swally (translation: drink). For a traditional Glasgow pub atmosphere, visit Sloans in the city centre, one of the city’s oldest pubs. There’s always a lively atmosphere and a friendly face behind the bar in this favourite amongst locals. Visit on a Friday night for their weekly ceilidh for a true Glasgow style knees up! For those looking for a slightly more trendy affair, head to Bath Street in the city centre. This sophisticated street boasts some of Glasgow’s best cocktail bars serving indulgent cocktails well into the wee hours. A trip to Glasgow wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Merchant City. This stunning part of the city is a favourite for a night out. Merchant Square has many fantastic bars, restaurants and clubs which are always popular amongst locals and visitors alike.
If you fancy kicking on after closing time, Glasgow has many nightclubs ranging from the cheesy type playing 90s pop music to the more sophisticated, where you can enjoy a cocktail as a live jazz band play you into the night. Sauchiehall Street is a student favourite however head down to Ingram Street for a slightly more chic affair.
All in all Glasgow is a fantastic city and definitely worth a visit. You might find yourself wanting to settle down permanently after this bold, lively and charming city steals your heart.