Scotland isn’t just about historic Edinburgh and the wild scenery of the Highlands — because it’s in Glasgow that you’ll find that genuine, incredibly vibrant city buzz. When it comes to Glasgow hotels and where to base yourself, this city is famous for its music scene, fascinating architecture, and the fact that it’s rightly considered the vegan capital of Britain. On top of that, most of the fantastic museums and galleries here have free entry, so you can happily invest the pounds you save into better accommodation right in the middle of the action.
If you’re planning a trip for summer 2026, though, there’s something I have to warn you about right up front. From 23 July to 2 August 2026, Glasgow is hosting the prestigious Commonwealth Games, which for the average traveller means a serious complication. During this period accommodation capacity will be extremely limited and prices will shoot up steeply, so unless you’re heading there specifically for the sporting event, I’d honestly recommend skipping these dates altogether when planning your holiday.
If, on the other hand, you’re travelling to Scotland for the games themselves, book your room right now, because the best deals are vanishing before your eyes. For every other date, Glasgow offers a fantastic mix of luxury hotels, stylish apartments, and affordable hostels. Let’s take a look together at which neighbourhood to choose for your stay and exactly where to rest your head, so you can make the most of this charismatic city.
💡 Tip: You can compare accommodation in Glasgow all in one place — check availability and prices in Glasgow. If you’re heading for the Commonwealth Games (23 July – 2 Aug 2026), book months in advance.
TL;DR
- Best choice if you arrive by train: the historic voco Grand Central sits right by Glasgow Central station and offers wonderful comfort.
- Most luxurious experience in the centre: the gorgeous Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel with its own spa will absolutely win you over.
- Top design and romance: the dark, luxurious interior of the Dakota Hotel Glasgow is the perfect choice for couples.
- Best for longer stays: the stylish Native Glasgow apartments with their own kitchenette have the best guest ratings of all.
- Ideal for concerts at the OVO Hydro: the reliable Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow is within walking distance of the biggest music venues.
- Best price for backpackers: the most affordable Glasgow Youth Hostel offers clean beds but has very limited capacity.
Which area to choose
Glasgow is a fairly large and dynamic city, so picking the right neighbourhood can have a huge impact on your overall holiday experience. Every part of the city has its own completely unique atmosphere that suits a different type of traveller. To make things easier, let’s divide the city into four main areas — there’s something here for lovers of historic landmarks, die-hard music fans, and budget-conscious adventurers alike.
The City Centre and Merchant City are the absolute heart of the city, and for your first visit they’re clearly the best and most practical choice. This is where you’ll find the iconic Buchanan Street shopping thoroughfare, the imposing George Square, and the hugely important Glasgow Central station, where you’ll most likely arrive. The eastern part known as Merchant City stretches all the way to the famous cathedral and is literally packed with great restaurants and bars housed in beautiful eighteenth-century buildings that come alive in the evening.
The West End lies to the northwest of the busy centre and offers a noticeably calmer and wonderfully cultured atmosphere. This is home to the prestigious University of Glasgow, along with lovely green spaces like Kelvingrove Park and the picturesque local Botanic Gardens. The neighbourhood is famous for its relaxed student vibe, its huge number of cosy cafés, and its flawless link to the centre via the iconic little subway, affectionately nicknamed by locals the Clockwork Orange.
Finnieston has in recent years been regularly named by travel magazines as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in all of Britain. This area has undergone a huge and very successful transformation, turning it into an absolute paradise for lovers of good food and independent creative venues. A massive advantage of this location is its immediate proximity to the enormous OVO Hydro arena and the sprawling SEC conference centre, so if you’re coming to the city primarily for culture, you’ll be in seventh heaven here.
The Southside is just south of the River Clyde and is an area that’s noticeably quieter and more budget-friendly than the polished centre itself. A big draw of this sprawling neighbourhood is the beautiful Pollok Park and the fantastic Burrell Collection, which you really shouldn’t miss. You do have to reckon with a slightly longer commute to the main sights, but that trades off reliably for far more peace and quiet after a demanding day full of exploring and walking.
When to go and when to book
The best time to visit Scotland has traditionally, in the long run, been summer, when you can look forward to the longest days and most pleasant temperatures, which practically invite you to explore the city all day long. Be prepared, though, that the summer months from June to August are the absolute peak of the tourist season — the streets are full of visitors from all over the world and accommodation prices logically climb to their maximum. It’s generally recommended to book hotels at least three to four months in advance to stand a chance at a reasonable price and good choice in the popular neighbourhoods.
In 2026, however, these usual tourist rules don’t quite apply, because thanks to the Commonwealth Games (23 July to 2 August 2026) the city will be completely sold out and swamped with fans. During this exceptional two-week frenzy, expect hotel prices to rise to several times their normal levels, with free rooms likely disappearing more than half a year in advance. Tens of thousands of athletes, journalists, and spectators will flood into the city, which will completely paralyse normal tourism as well as the capacity of all the better restaurants.
If you don’t necessarily need to be in Glasgow for the sporting fixtures during this hectic time, it’s smarter to plan your trip for spring or the beautifully colourful autumn instead. May or September, for example, can offer very pleasant and stable weather, and on top of that you’ll avoid the biggest crowds and save a good bit of money on flights and hotels. Whatever date you settle on, keep in mind that Glasgow is an incredibly popular destination for concerts and conferences year-round, so you can never go wrong by booking your accommodation early.
| Accommodation | Neighbourhood | Category | Price/night | What stands out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel | city centre | Luxury ★4.5 | from ~£200 | Most luxurious address in the centre, spa, historic building on Blythswood Square |
| voco Grand Central | by Glasgow Central | Luxury ★4.4 | £150–220 | Historic hotel right by the main station, ideal if you arrive by train |
| Apex City of Glasgow Hotel | city centre | Upscale ★4.5 | £120–180 | Modern rooms in the centre, good value for money |
| Native Glasgow | Merchant City | Apartments ★4.7 | £130–200 | Best-rated of the lot, apartments with kitchenette for longer stays |
| Dakota Hotel Glasgow | city centre | Design ★4.7 | £140–210 | Dark, luxurious design and top-notch ratings |
| citizenM Glasgow | city centre | Design ★4.4 | £100–150 | Compact designer rooms, self check-in, canteenM buffet |
| Malmaison Glasgow | city centre | Boutique ★4.3 | £110–170 | Boutique hotel in a converted church |
| Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow | city centre | Mid-range ★4.4 | £110–170 | 247 rooms, air conditioning, minutes from Glasgow Central and 1.5 km from the OVO Hydro |
| Moxy Glasgow Merchant City | Merchant City | Mid-range ★4.3 | £90–140 | Modern design for younger travellers, right by High Street station |
| Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre | city centre | Mid-range ★4.2 | £80–130 | Predictable standard at an affordable price |
| The Argyll Hotel | West End | Mid-range ★4.0 | £90–140 | In the trendy West End, a short walk from Kelvingrove |
| Glasgow Youth Hostel | West End | Hostel ★4.3 | from ~£30 | Cheapest option, but limited capacity — book early |
12 best hotels in Glasgow
We’ve split our accommodation picks into several practical categories, from the most luxurious palaces to affordable hostels. All the hotels mentioned have great ratings and sit in strategic locations from which the sights and excellent food are just a short walk away.
1. Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel
This gorgeous five-star gem is the most luxurious address in the entire city centre, one that will satisfy even the most demanding travellers. The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel occupies a breathtaking historic building right on the wonderfully calm square of the same name, so you’ll be just a few steps from the main shopping action while staying safely shielded from the bustling city noise. Its excellent rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 clearly shows that guests leave thoroughly delighted and happily return on future trips.
The spacious rooms here are furnished with an incredible eye for detail and offer a perfect blend of traditional Scottish charm with elements of modern design. But the single biggest draw of the whole complex is the sprawling luxury spa with its fantastic thermal pools, where you can treat yourself to some well-deserved and much-needed rest after long hours on your feet. Given that most of Glasgow’s great museums offer free entry, you can move the money you save on culture straight into this exceptional wellness experience with a clear conscience.
In the morning, the bright hotel restaurant serves fantastic breakfasts with an unusually rich selection of vegan and vegetarian options, which is a huge plus in this city. The staff are known for their warmth and willingness to accommodate any dietary requirements without you having to compromise on taste.
💡 Tip: If you want to celebrate a special anniversary or simply crave the absolute top with no compromises, book a room overlooking the manicured square well in advance — that view is definitely worth it.
2. voco Grand Central
If you arrive in Glasgow comfortably by train from neighbouring Edinburgh or from London, you won’t find a more practical or more impressive place to stay anywhere on the map. This gorgeous, famous, historic hotel — the voco Grand Central — sits right by the bustling Glasgow Central station, so you really won’t have to drag your heavy suitcases a single step further. With a very stable and superb rating of 4.4 stars, it’s an absolute safe bet that will charm you the moment you lay eyes on its monumental façade.
The hotel building recalls the bygone golden age of the railways, and its vast interiors will literally stun you with their grand crystal chandeliers and wide period staircases once trodden by historic figures. The rooms themselves are very pleasantly modernised and offer surprisingly quiet, undisturbed sleep despite the fact that you’re sleeping right above one of the busiest transport hubs in the country. Travellers very often, and rightly, praise the excellent soundproofed windows and premium tall mattresses that you won’t want to get out of in the morning.
Thanks to this utterly unbeatable location, you have everything essential within walking distance, from Buchanan Street’s shopping to the best cafés in the centre. It’s a place that perfectly combines the romance of days gone by with the demands of the modern traveller.
💡 Tip: This hotel is a perfect, highly functional choice for those of you with a packed itinerary who want to save precious time on transfers. In the morning you simply take the lift down to the lobby and you’re right by the trains, ready for a full day of trips around the area.
3. Apex City of Glasgow Hotel
This hugely popular four-star hotel is the ideal compromise between high-quality luxury and a reasonable price that won’t wreck your holiday budget. The Apex City of Glasgow Hotel is right in the heart of the vibrant centre, just a really short walk from the main Buchanan Street shopping thoroughfare and countless great restaurants. Its steady rating of 4.5 stars from thousands of guests clearly confirms that the value for money here is consistently excellent and very reliable.
The rooms are wonderfully airy, spotlessly clean, and furnished in a light modern style with surprisingly large windows that let plenty of natural daylight into the interior. Travellers rate and highlight the spacious modern bathrooms stocked with luxury toiletries, as well as the lightning-fast and hugely helpful staff at reception, who are always happy to advise you on your plans. The immediate surroundings are also packed with a huge number of cosy cafés and celebrated artisan bakeries where you can pop out every morning for a fresh coffee and a warm croissant.
If you’re heading here in summer 2026 during the Commonwealth Games, keep in mind that these strategically located mid-range hotels will be the very first to sell out, so don’t hesitate with your booking for a single minute.
💡 Tip: A great, very practical choice for couples and solo travellers who want to stay right in the middle of all the action but don’t need to pay for expensive wellness facilities like the five-star competition.
4. Native Glasgow
If you’re planning to stay in the city a little longer, or you simply prefer more personal space on your travels, these stylish apartments will win you over and you won’t want to leave. With a truly incredible rating of 4.7 stars, this is the best-rated accommodation in our entire careful selection. Native Glasgow occupies a beautifully renovated historic building from the 1920s, whose imposing original architectural features will captivate you the moment you step into the lobby.
Each of the apartments on offer has a fully equipped, very modern kitchenette, which you’ll appreciate enormously if you like preparing your own breakfasts or quick healthy dinners from ingredients bought at the local markets. The interiors themselves tastefully combine restored original wooden floors with playful modern designer furniture, creating an incredibly cosy, homely atmosphere in which you’ll feel right at home. The large windows also offer a lovely view of the vibrant street life below.
You do have to sort out breakfast yourself, but since you’re right by George Square, the best vegan and vegetarian cafés are literally a few dozen metres from the front door.
💡 Tip: The perfect solution for working digital nomads or smaller families who need more independence and space of their own on the road. Thanks to the brilliant location, you’ll also have the best of the city right on your doorstep.
5. Dakota Hotel Glasgow
This exclusive boutique gem is famous across the whole city for its unusually dark, deeply sensual, and highly elegant design that instantly transports you to another world. If you’re looking for a place with a truly exceptional, unforgettable atmosphere, the Dakota Hotel Glasgow boasts a fantastic rating of 4.7 stars and thoroughly deserves its place among the most popular design hotels in all of Scotland. It sits on a slightly quieter edge of the city centre, guaranteeing guests a perfect, undisturbed escape from the surrounding city bustle.
The rooms are tastefully done in muted tones of grey and black, complemented by luxurious heavy fabrics and thoughtful ambient lighting that together create an incredibly romantic and intimate mood. The bathrooms themselves feel more like a private luxury spa, and guests very often celebrate in their reviews the uncompromising cleanliness and huge comfortable beds that guarantee no aching back. The hotel also has a fantastic, celebrated bar where locals regularly gather for great evening cocktails.
The staff here are trained to be utterly discreet and professional, so you’ll feel like a genuine VIP guest who’s perfectly looked after throughout your stay.
💡 Tip: This is an unbeatable, clear choice for couples in love and romantic weekends for two. You’ll feel like Hollywood stars cleverly hidden away from the public eye.
6. citizenM Glasgow
This highly innovative, fresh accommodation concept confidently rewrites the usual hotel rules and offers top-notch modern design at a very reasonable and affordable price. The playful citizenM Glasgow boasts a steady rating of 4.4 stars and sits in an excellent spot right in the busy heart of the city. The whole arrival process is streamlined to the max thanks to a lightning-fast self check-in on the touchscreens provided, so you avoid long queues at reception.
Rooms in the citizenM chain are fairly compact and noticeably smaller than the classic standard, but every centimetre of space is used absolutely brilliantly to keep you happy. The enormous, incredibly comfortable bed stretches literally from wall to wall, and every conceivable room function — including mood-colour lighting, closing the blinds, and controlling the TV — is easily operated via a smart tablet on the nightstand. The real heart of the hotel is the huge designer social lounge with the round-the-clock canteenM buffet, a perfect, stylish space for working on your laptop or unwinding with a drink in the evening.
This concept is made for those who spend most of the day dashing around the sights and come back to the hotel mainly just to get a good night’s sleep and charge up all their gadgets.
💡 Tip: An excellent, very modern choice for solo travellers or younger couples who don’t really need huge wardrobes for their clothes but instead appreciate smart tech, an informal atmosphere, and really great coffee at the bar.
7. Malmaison Glasgow
This very original, slightly eccentric boutique chain is known across the country for its habit of placing its hotels in unusual, historically valuable buildings, and Glasgow is no exception. The remarkable Malmaison Glasgow, rated 4.3 stars, actually occupies a beautifully and sensitively converted former Greek Orthodox church, which gives the whole place an unmistakable, slightly mysterious, and hugely grand atmosphere from the very first step.
The interiors are very bold, full of rich royal colours, heavy velvet drapes, and unexpected modern artworks that sharply contrast with the historic masonry. Given the nature of the building, every room has a slightly different layout, but they all, without exception, boast extremely comfortable large beds and very generously sized bathrooms with quality toiletries. In their reviews, travellers often and very happily recommend the celebrated hotel brasserie, which among other things serves great, imaginative meat-free dishes in a stunning architectural setting beneath the old vaults.
Be sure to wander the communal areas and corridors too, which in themselves resemble a small art gallery and offer plenty of great photo opportunities.
💡 Tip: Choose this one-of-a-kind hotel if you’re bored to death of sterile corporate chains and you’re after accommodation with a real, deep soul and a story of its own. It’s exactly the kind of place you’ll remember from your holiday for years to come.
8. Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow
This huge, well-established hotel giant boasts very modern, unmissable, and slightly futuristic architecture on the outside that forms an interesting contrast to the surrounding buildings. With its solid rating of 4.4 stars and an impressive total of 247 rooms, it’s a thoroughly reliable international standard, where you know exactly what high quality of service you’re getting for your money. A huge plus for lighter sleepers is the smoothly working, reliable air conditioning and the excellent soundproofing that lets no street noise reach you.
The biggest weapon and draw of this hotel is undoubtedly its strategic location. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the main train station, but above all it lies just under 1.5 kilometres of comfortable walking from the enormous OVO Hydro arena and the sprawling SEC exhibition complex. The rooms at the Radisson Blu Hotel Glasgow are pleasantly spacious and bright, absolutely ideal for those of you who like plenty of living space after a demanding day in the city. The rich and varied morning breakfast certainly doesn’t skip a wide, tempting counter of hot vegan specialities, so you’ll start the day full of energy.
During the Commonwealth Games in summer 2026, this hotel will, thanks to its huge capacity and proximity to the venues, act as one of the main accommodation hubs, so unless you have a booking a year in advance, you probably won’t find a single free spot here.
💡 Tip: Absolutely the best and most practical strategic choice if you’re coming to Glasgow primarily for a big evening concert. Once the show is over, you’ll elegantly avoid waiting for overcrowded taxis and reach your comfortable bed in just a few minutes on foot.
9. Moxy Glasgow Merchant City
The lifestyle brand Moxy, from the Marriott family, clearly targets younger travellers and the young at heart, which is obvious the moment you step into this incredibly lively, buzzing hotel. With a very nice rating of 4.3 stars, it’s won the hearts of many backpackers and couples above all through its very playful industrial design and hugely relaxed, friendly staff. The modern Moxy Glasgow Merchant City sits in a great, superbly accessible spot right next to High Street station in the famous historic Merchant City district, which is full of bars.
The rooms themselves are furnished fairly minimalistically but in a highly functional, practical way — they certainly don’t lack plenty of cleverly placed USB sockets by the bed and huge smart TVs for evening relaxation. The real social life, though, takes place in the large open spaces on the ground floor, where you’ll find a big bar that cleverly doubles as the main reception, so you get a welcome drink right at check-in, plus plenty of fun board games scattered across the tables.
It’s an ideal base for those who want to explore the nearby cathedral during the day and then move smoothly on to the surrounding venues in the evening for music and good food.
💡 Tip: Stay here with a clear conscience if you enjoy a livelier evening scene and a very informal, relaxed setting where you’ll easily and naturally get chatting with other like-minded travellers over a drink.
10. Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre
When you really need to save part of your budget for entry fees or food but refuse to compromise on basic standards of hygiene and comfort, this well-established British chain is always a great fallback. A decent rating of 4.2 stars clearly shows that guests here get exactly what they expect from a stay, with no unpleasant surprises. This particular Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre also has an excellent location right in the city centre, so in the end you’ll save a lot of extra money and time on public transport.
Don’t expect any wild design flourishes, artworks on the walls, or luxurious marble finishes here, but you can rely with absolute certainty on always perfectly clean rooms, fully functional bathrooms, and genuinely exceptionally comfortable large beds. This popular chain takes great pride in the guaranteed quality of its guests’ sleep. A big advantage for early risers is also the option to pay a little extra for a hearty breakfast in the form of an unlimited, generous buffet that will reliably fuel you for a whole morning of walking.
During the Commonwealth Games in 2026, these affordable hotels in the centre will face the biggest surge, so if you’re planning a trip during that busy period, book your room literally months in advance.
💡 Tip: A great, highly practical, no-nonsense solution for families with children or pragmatic travellers who treat the hotel purely as a place for a safe, comfortable night’s sleep and would rather be out in the streets all day.
11. The Argyll Hotel
If you long for a quick escape from the busy commercial centre full of shops and you’re after something more authentic, this traditional and very friendly family-run hotel, rated 4.0 stars, will be an absolutely great refuge for you. The Argyll Hotel sits in the wonderfully photogenic, green, and prestigious West End, right in a row of traditional, beautiful stone townhouses. Just a few short steps from the hotel’s front door lies the lovely, sprawling Kelvingrove Park, ideal for a morning run or an afternoon picnic.
The atmosphere inside feels more like a relaxed stay at an old country estate than in a city of a million people. The rooms are done in a classic, very cosy Scottish style — perhaps a touch older and more traditional, but always immaculately clean and carefully maintained. The staff here are famous far and wide for their extraordinary hospitality and their willingness to always help with planning trips, and in the morning they’ll serve up with a smile a proper hot breakfast prepared exactly to your personal taste, including excellent vegetarian variations.
A huge advantage of this location is also the proximity of the subway station — the one nicknamed the Clockwork Orange — so you can reach the centre in just a few minutes whenever you fancy.
💡 Tip: Choose The Argyll if you prefer a lovely personal touch, a much quieter neighbourhood full of green parks, and want the famous university and the best art galleries within a comfortable, safe walking distance.
12. Glasgow Youth Hostel
For young travellers and backpackers on a truly tight budget, this surprisingly modern and well-kept clean hostel is by far the most sensible choice in the city. With a very solid rating of 4.3 stars, it offers high-quality facilities and the lowest prices in our entire selection by far, freeing up your finances for other experiences. The popular Glasgow Youth Hostel occupies an elegant historic building in the sought-after West End, from where you can easily and quickly reach the centre by the ever-present buses or the nearby subway.
When booking, you can choose according to your preferences between a cheaper bed in a large shared dorm or a slightly pricier but still affordable simple private room with its own bathroom. All guests have access to a large, fully equipped shared kitchen, a spacious common room with a TV, and secure lockable storage lockers for your valuables. The helpful staff at reception will also gladly point you towards the best hidden local venues and cafés that definitely won’t ruin your wallet.
💡 Tip: There is one crucial downside for last-minute planners, and that’s the very limited capacity, so you have to book really far in advance. During the summer 2026 Commonwealth Games, getting even a single bed here will be practically impossible.
How to choose the right hotel
When making your final decision on exactly where to rest your head in Glasgow, start by carefully working out what the main, primary goal of your Scottish trip actually is. If, for instance, you’re arriving by train from Edinburgh, from London, or from other Scottish cities for just a very short long weekend, the most logical option for you will be a hotel right next to Glasgow Central station, so you don’t waste precious time and energy dragging heavy suitcases across the whole city right after you arrive.
If, on the other hand, your primary goal is culture and history, remind yourself of the wonderful fact that entry to most of the main city museums and galleries is completely free. That sizeable saving on pricey tickets is definitely worth investing, guilt-free, into slightly better and more comfortable accommodation right in the centre or in the famous West End, so you have all these fascinating institutions literally at your fingertips. For keen visitors to big music events and concerts at the OVO Hydro, meanwhile, accommodation in the fashionable Finnieston area is an absolutely clear, flawless choice, since after a demanding concert you can walk back to your room comfortably and safely on foot, without having to fight over free taxis.
When planning your itinerary, definitely don’t forget how you’ll actually get around this sprawling city. Glasgow has a wonderfully practical little historic subway known as the “Clockwork Orange”, which forms a single logical loop and superbly, quickly, and cheaply connects the centre itself with the picturesque West End. If you cleverly stay somewhere near one of the stops on this charming orange subway, you’ll save yourself not only a lot of physical effort during your holiday, but also a fair bit of money on slower buses or needlessly expensive evening taxis.
Where to next
Frequently asked questions
How do you get around Glasgow?
The fastest and by far easiest way is the local metro, which is affectionately nicknamed Clockwork Orange thanks to its bright orange carriages and single circular route. It connects the city centre with the West End area and runs very reliably and frequently. For journeys outside the centre, there’s an excellent dense network of city buses, for which you can buy a convenient all-day ticket directly from the driver.
Is Glasgow a safe city for tourists?
Yes, Glasgow is a very safe and friendly city for regular tourists, especially in the city centre itself, the West End and the immediate vicinity of the main attractions. As in any larger British city, it’s wise to watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and at night it’s better to avoid dark alleys and more remote residential areas on the outskirts, but nothing serious will threaten the average traveller here.
How many days should I set aside for a visit?
With good planning, two to three full days will be more than enough to see the best of the city. During that time you’ll be able to explore the historic centre at leisure, visit amazing free museums like Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and thoroughly enjoy the excellent evening atmosphere in the modern Finnieston district or in historic Merchant City with its outstanding restaurants.
Is the city suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Absolutely yes, Glasgow is very frequently and completely justifiably described by travellers as the vegan capital of the entire United Kingdom. In every neighbourhood, especially in trendy Finnieston and the laid-back West End, you’ll find dozens of specialised cafés and top-notch restaurants serving absolutely amazing, modern and creative meat-free food. You and your fellow travellers certainly won’t go hungry here.
Should I visit Edinburgh or Glasgow?
It depends purely on what you’re looking for when travelling. Edinburgh is full of ancient history, castles and narrow romantic streets, so it makes a much more traditional and fairy-tale impression. Glasgow, on the other hand, has a much stronger industrial character, an amazing modern music scene and overall will strike you as a grittier, but all the more vibrant and authentic urban experience.
Will the 2026 Commonwealth Games complicate my holiday?
If you’re planning a regular tourist trip between 23 July and 2 August 2026, then yes, and unfortunately very significantly. During this period the city is hosting the highly prestigious Commonwealth Games, which in practice means completely sold-out hotels, extremely inflated accommodation prices and huge crowds of sports fans in the streets. I recommend avoiding this two-week window altogether when planning a regular holiday and choosing a different time.
Is it worth paying extra for a hotel in the centre?
Definitely yes, especially if you’re in the city for the first time and only have a short time there. Given that entry to the vast majority of major museums and galleries in Glasgow is completely free, you can comfortably shift the travel budget you’ve saved from culture into better quality accommodation with a better location. This way you’ll save a lot of valuable time on commuting from cheaper outlying neighbourhoods.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified rental cars in Great BritainSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in Great Britain →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
