The Glasgow Series – 12 hours in the city centre

We’re taking you through some of our favourite parts of the city where it all began for Arnold Clark – Glasgow.

We may be biased, but we think Glasgow is one of the best cities in the world. Sure, it may not have London’s constant hustle and bustle, the intricate Gaudi architecture of Barcelona or the 24-hour clubbing culture of Berlin, but it’s home to the friendliest folks in the land and a huge array of activities and fun for all ages.

In recent times, Glasgow has become pretty big on brunch, so there are now tons of places for you to get your traditional Scottish breakfast fix – or something a little more continental. Excellent options include Café Gandolfi , which has become a Glasgow institution over the years and Riverhill Café. At Riverhill you can take your pick at the grab-and-go café if you’re keen to get on the move or pop into the restaurant section round the corner. Humble Glasgow isn’t immune to the LA-inspired juice trend either, so if you fancy jumping on the botanical bandwagon head to Juice Garden.

Well fed and raring to explore, you’ll definitely find something to cater to your interests in the city centre. If art is your thing, the Gallery of Modern Art in Merchant City is the place for you. Hosting exhibitions from artists around the world, GoMA is a fantastic place to get your culture fix. Best of all, it’s a stone’s throw away from The Lighthouse , an iconic Charles Rennie Macintosh-designed space. The Centre for Contemporary Arts is also a good option if you like a bit of a mix – you can attend performances, talks, events, gigs and films. It also plays host to the Saramago Café , which has some excellent vegetarian and vegan options.

Tenement House close to Charing Cross is also worth a visit if you’d like an insight into early 20th century home life in Glasgow. From this neck of the woods, you could also venture to the Mitchell Library . Marvel at the intricate architecture and curl up with a rarity from their extensive archive.

If you fancy some time to chill out and regroup, we’d recommend checking yourself into Blythswood Square Spa – a decadent escape just off of Bath Street. Their thermal experience is truly unique. You can enjoy hydrotherapy and relaxation pools, an essential oil infused steam room, a sauna with a view and heated loungers. We guarantee you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated.

The Glasgow Film Theatre also offers a welcome escape if being pampered isn’t your thing. A charming, independent cinema, it offers an eclectic mix of foreign films, blockbusters and cult classics. Snacks and drinks are reasonably priced so you won’t need to sneak them in from the local shop.

Moving into the evening, your tummy is most likely rumbling. You’ll be thrilled to know that if you’re a foodie you’ll be spoilt for choice so head to Miller Street to make your decision. Relatively new kids on the block Paesano have impressed the nation with their authentic pizza, so much so they’ve topped the TripAdvisor list of ‘best-rated pizza restaurants in the UK’ so if you fancy some Italian realness, head there. It’s also close to The Spiritualist , where the head chef is currently developing a tasting menu. A few doors down, you’ll discover The Spanish Butcher , which has received rave reviews from meat lovers.

Vegans and veggies will rejoice at The Flying Duck – you’ll find a vegan mac and cheese burrito here (wild!) – and Stereo , where a mean mezze platter is served. Stereo is also across the road from The Old Hairdressers which hosts artists, fayres and gigs.

If you’re keen to carry on into the wee small hours, King Tut’s is an ideal place to start. ‘The finest small venue in the world’ according to NME, it’s a great venue to catch emerging talent or see your old favourites in a more intimate setting. After that, you might wish to head to Sub Club , the longest running dance club in the world with a phenomenal sound system.

Finally, collapse into bed in the knowledge that you’ve seen a great chunk of what this city has to offer.

By Natalie Little

Photo credit: People make Glasgow and Trip Advisor

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