Take the best walking tours in Glasgow and discover the city’s secrets
Glasgow never fails to surprise me with something new, especially when I’m exploring on foot! From the ancient Glasgow Cathedral to the colourful lanes of the Merchant City, there’s always something fresh to explore.
A walking tour lets you fully experience the city’s vibrant culture, stunning views, and historic landmarks—something driving can’t offer. Whether you’re with a guide or going solo, it’s the perfect way to feel the heartbeat of Glasgow.
Ready to walk? Discover the best walking tours in Glasgow and take in the city’s charm from the ground up!
City/Highlights Tours
Glasgow: Private 3-Hour City Highlights Tour
Starting/Ending Point: Flexible, based on your preference
Duration: 3 hours
Pricing:
- £20 per person
- £150 for a group of up to 6
Availability: Any date & time
This 3-hour walking tour takes you through highlights like George Square, Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Necropolis, and more. A local guide shares insights into the city’s history and modern culture, along with hidden spots you might miss on your own.
You can customise the meeting and endpoints, whether at your hotel or a central location. The pace of the tour is adaptable, with time to take photos, ask questions, and enjoy a relaxed exploration of Glasgow’s key landmarks.
Pro Tip:
You can extend your tour to explore more of Glasgow’s dark history, uncovering centuries-old secrets and hidden gems. It’s a practical way to see additional landmarks and dive deeper into the city’s story.
Glasgow Free Tour
Starting Point: George Square, G2 1DU
Ending Point: Varies depending on personal guide’s itinerary
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: Free (tips-based)
Availability: Daily at 10:30 AM
This free tour visits key landmarks like Glasgow Cathedral, Victorian buildings, and the Duke of Wellington statue. Along the way, you’ll learn about the city’s history, from its medieval roots to its industrial past, and uncover some hidden gems.
The tour includes a professional guide who shares stories and insights about Glasgow. As the guides work for tips, they’re motivated to provide a great experience throughout the two-hour tour.
Pro Tips:
- The tour doesn’t include entry to paid attractions, so make sure to check out any ticketed sites on your own.
- You can book for up to 15 people, but if you’re in a larger group, reach out to arrange a private tour.
Glasgow City Centre Walking Tour by Glasgow Gander
Starting Point: Royal Exchange Square
Ending Point: Glasgow Cathedral
Duration: 3 hours
Pricing: £12 per person (children under 12 are free)
Availability: Various dates, with 10:30 AM start times
This walking tour offers an exploration of key landmarks such as Royal Exchange Square, Buchanan Street, and Glasgow Cathedral. The tour provides insight into the city’s history, focusing on its Victorian architecture and vibrant atmosphere.
You’ll learn about Glasgow’s fascinating past from a knowledgeable guide, with time to absorb the sights and ask questions throughout. The route covers approximately 1.5 miles and includes a mix of well-known sites and hidden gems.
Pro Tips:
- To ensure your spot, all tour participants must be booked in advance. Extra guests cannot join without a reservation, especially once the tour is fully booked.
- There are no scheduled toilet breaks on the tour, so it’s a good idea to use facilities before you start. However, there are public toilets available along the route if needed.
Merchant City Walking Tour
Starting/Ending Point: Glasgow City Chambers
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: £12 per person
Availability: Varies
The Merchant City Walking Tour takes you through central Glasgow, revealing how the city grew into an important trading centre. You’ll visit landmarks like the Ramshorn Church, the 12th-century cathedral, and the Tollbooth and Tron steeples.
You’ll stroll at a leisurely pace, with plenty of stops to take in the sights and hear insightful stories from an expert guide. The tour is accessible to all ages and fitness levels, with minimal walking required between stops.
Pro Tip:
After exploring Glasgow Cross, stop by the Purple Cat Cafe just next to the Tolbooth Steeple for a relaxing coffee surrounded by friendly cats. It’s a great spot to unwind and soak in the quirky atmosphere.
Food & Drink Tours
Glasgow: A Wee Walk & A Whisky (Or Three)!
Starting Point: Glasgow City Chambers
Ending Point: Mharsanta
Duration: 2 Hours
Pricing: £45 per person
Availability: 5 PM daily
In this tour, you’ll learn first about the city’s history and some of its most iconic spots, like George Square and the City Chambers. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of famous figures such as St Mungo and Dr Who, bringing the city’s past to life.
After the walk, you’ll head to a local pub to unwind with a whisky tasting, enjoying three drams of whisky. You’ll get to know the different flavours and stories behind each one, making for a relaxed and enjoyable end to the tour.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re feeling hungry after the whisky tasting, consider booking a 7 PM dinner reservation at Mharsanta. They offer great Scottish food, making it a perfect way to round off your tour.
- Remember that the first booking for each date requires two people, and single spots open up after that. Check the website the evening before or morning of the tour to see if you can book a solo spot.
Glasgow Pub & History Tour with ScotBeer Tours
Starting Point: 12 Nelson Mandela Pl
Ending Point: Merchant City
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing: £35 + booking fee per person
Availability: Various times available, check booking for details
With ScotBeer Tours, you’ll experience the city’s rich history while stopping at two local pubs for beer tastings. You’ll learn about Glasgow’s brewing scene and how the city’s wealth and poverty shaped its character through the stories of its people.
The tour takes you to notable spots like George Square, Merchant City, and the historic areas where the city’s famous breweries once thrived. During the tour, you’ll get to taste six different beers and enjoy a half-pint of cask ale along the way.
Pro Tip:
Wear comfortable shoes, as the tour involves a fair amount of walking. Some streets in Merchant City are cobbled, so it’s best to be prepared for uneven surfaces.
The West End Wander
Starting/Ending Point: Will be emailed upon booking confirmation
Duration: 4 hours
Pricing: £90
Availability: Wednesday to Saturday, starting at 12 PM
This walking tour lets you explore its vibrant food scene while learning about the West End’s history and culture. Along the way, you’ll sample traditional Scottish dishes and drinks at a few independent spots, including haggis, seafood, and gin.
With a relaxed pace, the tour covers about 2.5 miles and provides enough food and drink tastings to fill you up, making lunch unnecessary. The local guide will also point out interesting landmarks and hidden gems that many visitors overlook.
Pro Tips:
- The legal drinking age in Scotland is 18, so don’t forget to bring ID for the drink tastings. It’s wise to have it ready, just to be safe.
- Street parking can be expensive, so park in nearby car parks or the city centre and take the subway to Kelvinhall.
Historical Tours
The Magnificent and Mysterious History of Glasgow
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Starting Point: George Square
Ending Point: Merchant City
Duration: 2.5 hours
Pricing: From £14.25
Availability: 10:30 AM or 2 PM, daily
This tour is led by Bruce Downie, a historian who shares his knowledge of Glasgow through interesting stories. His approach focuses on bringing the city’s past to life, covering everything from its medieval roots to modern-day developments.
Bruce takes you through key areas of the city, pointing out landmarks and telling tales of the people and events that shaped Glasgow. His storytelling helps you connect with the city’s history in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Pro Tip:
If you prefer a more personalised experience, consider booking a private tour. Simply reach out to [email protected] to check availability.
Private Glasgow LGBTQ+ History Tour
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Starting/Ending Point: Glasgow City Chambers
Duration: 1.5 hour
Pricing: £85 for up to 6 people, then £15 per additional person
Availability: Any date and time
On this private walking tour, you’ll explore key LGBTQ+ landmarks around Glasgow. You’ll hear stories about the city’s vibrant queer culture, from its iconic people to significant events that shaped the LGBTQ+ scene.
The tour includes stops at the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, Buchanan Street, and the Central Hotel, where you’ll learn about the venues and marches that helped push for LGBTQ+ rights.
Pro Tip:
For a more comfortable experience, you can arrange to start the tour from your hotel by emailing ahead to change the starting location.
Glasgow Riverside Tour
Starting/Ending Point: SEC
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: £15
Availability: 1 PM, daily
The Glasgow Riverside Tour is a relaxed tour along the city’s historic waterfront. You’ll learn about Glasgow’s maritime history while exploring iconic landmarks such as the SEC, the Riverside Museum, and the Clyde Arc.
The guides on this tour all have personal experience with homelessness or social disadvantage. This unique background gives them a perspective on the city that you wouldn’t get from a typical guide.
Pro Tip:
Tipping your guide is entirely up to you, but it’s appreciated for great service. Similarly, leaving a review is optional, though it helps others learn about the tour.
Cultural Tours
Glasgow Street Art Tour
– Media from walkingtoursinglasgow
Starting/Ending Point: NCP Car Park, Mitchell Street
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: £12 per person
Availability: 2 PM on any date
The Glasgow Street Art Tour takes you through the city to see over 10 murals and street art pieces. You’ll explore a range of works by both world-renowned artists and local talents, all while hearing the stories and inspiration behind each creation.
You’ll see works like Fellow Glasgow Residents by Smug and The World’s Most Economical Taxi by RogueOne. The guide will also explain the role of the council in promoting street art and how the local art scene has evolved over the years.
Pro Tip:
You can also book a private tour for a more personalised experience. For £85, a group of up to 6 people can enjoy a flexible, customised street art tour with a dedicated local guide.
Music Mile Tour
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Starting Point: Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Ending Point: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing:
- Adults – £19.50
- Seniors – £16
- Young People/Students/Unemployed – £14
Availability: Saturdays at 2 PM
The Music Mile walking tour takes you through Glasgow’s music culture, visiting key venues and sharing stories of their impact. You’ll hear about famous gigs, legendary bands, and the city’s ongoing music culture.
Guides lead you to spots like the Royal Concert Hall, King Tut’s, and the Conservatoire, with a chance to stand on King Tut’s stage if it’s open. The 1.5-mile route is packed with insights and stops to explore along the way.
Pro Tip:
Arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts to avoid missing out, as late arrivals can’t be guaranteed entry. No-shows won’t be refunded.
The Three Hampdens Walking Tour
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Starting Point: Queens Park Recreation Ground
Ending Point: Hampden Park
Duration: 2 hours
Pricing:
- Adults – £15
- Concessions – £12
- Under 16s – £5
Availability: Saturdays at 10:30 AM
This tour takes you through Glasgow’s rich football culture, exploring how the game evolved in Scotland’s South Side. The tour includes visits to key landmarks like Queens Park Recreation Ground, Cathkin Park, and the iconic Hampden Park.
You’ll learn about the origins of the modern game, its development, and the stories behind significant locations. You’ll also get a chance to stand on the grounds where football history was made and see relics like the original terracing at Cathkin Park.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re bringing your dog, make sure to check whether you’ve booked a dog-friendly tour, as there are options for both dog-friendly and non-dog-friendly groups.
- If you have a special occasion or a group trip to organise, reach out via the form at the bottom of their website, and the team will try to accommodate your request.
Dark Tourism
Ghosts of Glasgow Exploration Game and Self-Guided Tour
Starting Point: Glasgow Central
Ending Point: West George Street
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: From $6.42 per person
Availability: Any date & time
This ghost tour lets you uncover the city’s haunted history while solving clues with the help of Questo app. You’ll explore famous spots like the Lighthouse, George Square, and Merchant City, discovering eerie tales at your own pace.
This self-guided tour offers flexibility, allowing you to start, pause, and resume as you wish. No entry tickets are needed for attractions, and if you’re with a larger group, simply make multiple bookings to enjoy the adventure together.
Pro Tip:
Ensure you use the same email address for both your purchase and when creating your account on the Questo app for a seamless experience. Also, charge your phone fully before starting the tour.
Private Glasgow Dark Side Tour
– Media from walkingtoursinglasgow
Starting/Ending Point: Glasgow Cathedral
Duration: 1.5 hours
Pricing: £85 for up to 6 people, £15 per additional person
Availability: Any date and time
This tour explores the darker side of Glasgow, revealing its turbulent history shaped by industry, working-class struggles, and notorious gangs. It covers stories of unsolved murders, infamous inmates, and the city’s connection to the slave trade.
Key sights on the tour include Glasgow Cathedral, Necropolis, Blackfriar’s, Tolbooth Prison, The Clyde, and the Vampire of the Gorbals. These locations highlight the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the city’s history.
Pro Tip:
For the best experience, try to take the tour in the evening when the darkness adds to the atmosphere. Note that Saturday nights are not available for late tours due to the area’s lively crowds.
Gothic Glasgow Spooky Walking Tour
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Starting/Ending Point: George Square
Duration: 1.75 hours
Pricing: £13
Availability: Any date & time
Gothic Glasgow offers a walking tour that delves into the city’s eerie and supernatural history. You’ll explore Dracula’s Scottish connections, encounter Glasgow’s ghosts, and uncover the dark past of body snatching and notorious murderers.
This evening tour, guided by a seasoned performer with 30 years of experience, provides a unique alternative to traditional sightseeing. It’s ideal for both locals and visitors seeking an unusual, spine-chilling adventure.
Pro Tips:
- The tour includes adult themes and humour, so it’s best suited for those aged 14 and over.
- If you’re booking a group of 20 or more, you can get discounted tickets at £10 each.