The Best-Kept Secrets Of Glasgow

Glasgow is world-famous for its culture; it boasts museums and galleries and restaurants galore. Yet some treasures may have slipped through the cracks. Here are six of the best-kept secrets of Glasgow.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

The Mackintosh House

Architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is renowned in his native Glasgow, and his designs can be seen all over the city. Most people don’t know, however, about The Mackintosh House containing reassembled interiors of rooms from the Mackintoshes’ Glasgow home. Featuring the Mackintoshes’ real furniture and with original fixtures of the house, this is a site not to be missed.

Small and well-hidden, this tearoom is hard to locate but worth the challenge. Enjoy pots of tea in charmingly mismatched cups and saucers, excellent and fairly-priced sandwiches and soups, home-baked cakes and scones, and a delightful vintage ambiance.

The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Free to enter (with a suggested donation of £3), this interactive museum is chock-full of models of vintage cars, motorcycles, trains, and more. The highlight, though, is a tour of the Tall Ship, otherwise known as the Glenlee, an 1896 barque formerly used as a cargo carrier and as a Spanish naval ship, which is now stationed adjacent to the museum in the Glasgow Harbor.

The Flying Duck

Decorated with bunting and fairy lights, packed with retro video and board games, and often offering live music, pub quizzes, and club nights, The Flying Duck is one of the most unassuming yet fun-loving bars in Glasgow.

Kelvingrove Organ Recitals

Every tourist to Glasgow hits up the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, but less well-known are the daily organ recitals which occur at 1 pm Mondays-Saturdays and at 3 pm Sundays. After the recital, join the museum’s Director of Music, Dr Jim Hunter, for a quick tour.

City Chambers Tours

Opened in 1888 by Queen Victoria, the City Chambers have been home to successive city councils for over 100 years. Inside the ornate exterior you’ll find the largest marble staircase in Western Europe, made of imported Italian Carrara marble. Tours are free and happen throughout the week.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.