The Best Markets In Glasgow Scotland

Glasgow is full of markets, from antiques to food and more, and navigating the choices can be a tricky business. We take all of the legwork out with this guide to the best markets in Scotland’s diamond-in-the-rough city.

The Barras Market

Market, Street Food, European

The Barras Market is famous, and for good reason: it’s been an East End institution since the Victorian era. It’s name, over time, has been shortened from ‘Barrowlands’ to ‘Barras’ as per local slang, and its organisation more formalized over time, but its spirit remains the same. Come here for all sorts of fascinating antique finds, independent shops, and food vendors.

Govan Saturday Market

Farmers' Market, European, Healthy

Head a couple of miles southwest from the city center to Govan, a fiercely independent district of Glasgow with a rich history as a former royal burgh, for its market, which operates each Saturday from 10 am-3 pm. Check out the produce on offer before heading over to the adjacent Car Boot Sale, which is open to anyone to sell their secondhand wares.

Queen's Park Farmers Market

Market

Run by the Glasgow City Council, this farmer’s market occurs on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, and its location (as the name suggests) is scenic and verdant; Queen’s Park offers 60 hectares of beautiful greenery. The market itself houses over 25 farmers and food producers who sell a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other foods, and there is often traditional Scottish music to be heard in the background.

The Forge Market

Scotland’s largest indoor market, the Forge is located on Duke Street just a few minutes from the city centre, and measures 85,000 square feet in total with over 110 traders. Shop for jewelry, clothes, and housewares, get your fortune told by a tarot reader, enjoy an amusement arcade, and more. Hungry? No problem: the market has a two-level café which includes a Chinese restaurant, a burger joint, a seafood restaurant, and a coffee shop. Opening times: Thursday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Forge Market, 1201 Duke Street, Parkhead, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 554 1395

Urban Market

Market

This quirky and creative market makes the perfect Sunday activity. From products made by local designers and artisans, to handcrafted beers (made right there at Drygate Brewery) and tasty bites to eat, there is no shortage of exciting surprises at Urban Market. It is open the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 12 pm to 5 pm.

About the author

Madeleine Bazil

Maddy is in her second year reading English at the University of St Andrews. Born and bred in Washington, DC, she retains an affinity for political intrigue, urban green space, and Ethiopian cuisine despite newly appreciating the British traditions of queueing, apologising, and Wimbledon. Maddy's freelance writing has been published in media such as Matador Network and Thistle Magazine as well as in St Andrews-based publications. She'll travel anywhere, just give her a moment to lace up her Adidas.