The 12 best museums in Glasgow that’ll teach you more than a textbook ever could
Every time I travel somewhere new, I make it a point to check out as many museums as I can. It’s honestly one of the best ways to get a feel for the place, how it came to be, what shaped it, and how people there live now.
Glasgows really stood out to us. Our team ended up learning so much just by hopping from one museum to another. And trust us, there’s no shortage of them.
Every time we thought we had a pretty good handle on the city, we’d visit another museum and find out something completely new.
So, if you’re also wanting to get to know Glasgow, keep reading. Here are the best museums we think you’ve got to see.
1. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
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Address: Argyle St
Contact details: +44 141 276 9599
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has over 8,000 objects across 22 themed galleries, but it’s laid out in a way that’s easy to explore. Some displays are grouped in unusual ways—sometimes really random—that make everything interesting.
The building itself is stunning. The Spanish Baroque style, red sandstone, and the grandeur of the Centre Hall set the tone before we even dove into the exhibits. We also caught the daily organ recital at 1 PM, which added a cinematic vibe to our visit.
Inside, you’ll find everything from natural history specimens and ancient armour to Salvador Dali’s famous Christ of St John of the Cross. We recommend allotting 1-2 hours when you visit here, so you can make the most of everything on display.
Pro tip:
Use the Bunhouse Road car Park if you’re driving in. It’s just across the road and usually cheaper than the other parking options nearby.
2. St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
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Address: 2 Castle St
Contact details: +44 141 276 1625
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art gave us a different way to look at how religion has shaped people’s lives across different cultures and time periods.
The museum has three floors. Each floor focuses on different themes like death, the afterlife, marriage, and daily rituals.
We really liked how the exhibits showed respect for many beliefs, from Christianity and Islam to Buddhism and even smaller, lesser-known traditions. There were lots of interesting artefacts and pictures, which helped us understand different religions more.
After roaming around, we stopped by the small gift shop, which had some locally made items. The cafe was also a great spot to grab a snack and relax, especially with the view of the Zen garden.
Pro tip:
Pair your museum visit with other spots nearby for a great day trip. St. Mungo Museum is just right next to Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, so it’s easy to make a half-day out of exploring all three spots.
3. Riverside Museum
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Address: 100 Pointhouse Rd
Contact details: +44 141 287 2720
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
If you’re up for a bit of nostalgia, the Riverside Museum will take you through the evolution of transport. We loved seeing vintage cars, old prams, classic chopper bikes, and even a full-size steam locomotive.
One of our favourite parts was walking through a recreated street from the past. It has cobblestone roads, vintage shops, and a subway station. It really felt like stepping straight into the early 20th century.
Just outside the museum, there’s the tall ship Glenlee. If you’re interested in ships or Glasgow’s shipbuilding history, it’s worth checking out. There’s a small fee to go on board, but it’s a nice add-on to the Riverside experience if you’re already in the area.
Pro tip:
If you get hungry during your visit, check out the cafes inside the museum. The main cafe downstairs serves hot food, while the upstairs spot is better for quick snacks and coffee.
4. The Burrell Collection
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Address: Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Rd, Bellahouston
Contact details: +44 141 287 2550
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday: 11 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The Burrell Collection has more than 9,000 objects collected by Sir William Burrell and his wife, Constance. As soon as we stepped inside, we were drawn to how much natural light fills the space. It made the stained glass displays especially striking.
There are different parts of the museum, and we first spent time in the Chinese ceramics section. There were lots of delicate, smooth-glazed bowls from the Song Dynasty that really stood out.
Another highlight was the Wagner Garden Carpet, a rare piece from Iran. It’s shown with digital screens that explain its history, making it easier for us to understand why it’s such an important work.
Pro tip:
Parking costs £5 for 4 hours, paid via the RingGo app or in cash. It’s enough time for a good visit, but if you’re planning to linger at the cape or park, consider arriving early to make the most of it.
5. Glasgow Police Museum
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Address: First Floor, 30 Bell St
Contact details: +44 141 552 1818
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 4:30 PM
Price: Free
The Glasgow Police Museum is small, but it’s really interesting. When we arrived, we had to buzz the intercom at the door, and two retired police officers let us in. They were friendly and clearly loved sharing stories about their time on the force.
There’s a whole timeline of Glasgow’s police history, from its beginnings up to its merger into Strathclyde Police in the ‘70s. We saw medals, fingerprinting tools, communication gadgets, and crime memorabilia that gave us ideas of how things used to work.
Our favourite part was the international uniform collection. They’ve got over 2,000 items from every single country in the world, which is very impressive. It featured the Fijan sulu wrap skirt, the bright red Canadian Mounties uniforms, and many more.
Pro tip:
Before you leave, take a second to sign the visitors’ book. It’s a small gesture, but appreciated. It could also be fun seeing where other visitors have come from.
6. Kelvin Hall
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Address: 1445 Argyle St
Contact details: +44 141 276 1450
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 8 AM – 8 PM
Price: Free
Kelvin Hall brings together a museum, a library, and sports facilities under one roof.
One of the highlights for us inside was the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive. It showed over 100 years of Scottish life on a huge 12-screen video wall. It was so interesting that we ended up watching for way longer than we thought.
There were clips of old sports matches, health ads, and how Glasgow’s streets have changed over time.
We also got to see the T. rex exhibition while we were there. The skeleton on display is one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, and it looked incredible in person.
Pro tip:
If you’re visiting with children, make sure to check out the soft play area. It’s a fun area filled with slides, ball pits, and interactive play panels to keep the little ones entertained for hours.
7. Glasgow Science Centre
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Address: 50 Pacific Quay
Contact details: +44 141 420 5000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: ££
Glasgow Science Centre is a big place with three main buildings: the Science Mall, the Glasgow Tower, and the IMAX cinema. The Science Mall spans three floors and features many hands-on exhibits.
We explored topics like physics, how the human body works, and renewable energy. Everything is super interactive and easy to get into.
The planetarium was the standout for us. We caught a show called Gazing at the Stars, which felt like being transported into the cosmos.
Some of us also checked out an IMAX documentary, and it was great. However, if you’re planning your day, we’d suggest choosing either the IMAX or the planetarium. Doing both might be a bit much, especially if you want to fully immerse yourself.
Pro tip:
Visit on a weekend, if you can. The museum tends to be a little calmer during those days. Weekdays are packed with school groups, which means more queues and noise.
8. Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
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Address: 200 Woodhead Rd
Contact details: +44 141 276 9300
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Price: Free
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC) isn’t your typical museum. There’s no grand entrance or fancy gallery rooms, but that’s what makes it unique.
GMRC is like the secret backstage area where Glasgow keeps most of its museum treasures. It’s home to about 1.4 million objects that span everything from classical fine art and taxidermy to old transport pieces and ancient artefacts.
We had to pre-book our visit, but it was simple, and the tour was completely free. Our guide even revealed to us original works by Botticelli and Titian, ancient Egyptian and Roman collections, and even fittings from William Burrell’s home.
Pro tip:
If you want a themed tour–like maritime models, Egyptian relics, or Ken Currie paintings—reach out to them early. The team is super accommodating, but needs time to prep access to particular items.
9. Scottish Football Museum
Address: Hampden Park
Contact details: +44 141 616 6139
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: £
If you’re a football fan, you’ve got to visit the Scottish Football Museum. It’s full of amazing stuff with over 2,000 items of memorabilia. We got to see the world’s oldest international match ticket and cap from 1872, which felt like stepping back in time.
There’s a lot more than just glass cases and plaques, though. We had fun with the interactive exhibits since a few of us tried our luck at the football skills challenge. We also watched old match footage in the mini cinema, which gave us a nostalgic kick.
The stadium tour we booked was amazing. Our guide took us through the ref’s room, the coach drop-off zone, and the changing rooms. We also went to the warm-up area and pitchside. It was like getting a real player’s view of what happens on a match day.
Pro tip:
Visit the museum shop last. It has some great football-themed gifts and souvenirs, especially for kids. It’s better to pop in at the end so you don’t have to carry things around during the tour.
10. Hunterian Zoology Museum
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Address: University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Science Wy
Contact details: +44 141 330 4221
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
The Hunterian Zoology Museum isn’t very big, but it’s full of fascinating things to see.
There are around 800 different species on display, including huge elephant skeletons and glass sponges. The exhibits are laid out in a traditional way, since the museum was originally set up for teaching.
It’s also very quiet inside, so we made sure to keep our voices low. The information signs were helpful, but we thought some displays could have had a bit more detail. Even so, it’s a great place to learn and explore, especially if you’re into animals.
Pro tip:
Remember that photography is allowed here, just not with flash. It’s best to use it sparingly so you don’t disrupt the experience for yourself or others.
11. The Tenement House (National Trust for Scotland)
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Address: 145 Buccleuch St
Contact details: +44 141 333 0183
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: £
Stepping into The Tenement House felt like stepping into early 20th-century Glasgow. The flat belonged to Agnes Toward, a typist who lived there for over 50 years. It’s amazing how much of her life is still present inside those four small rooms.
We loved how the gas lighting gives the place that warm glow, and the black horsehair furniture looked very vintage. There was also a collection of old letters on display. They’re just replicas, but reading them gives you a real sense of who Agnes was.
The place is actually kid-friendly. It has interactive tables and little quizzes that keep young visitors busy, all while still fitting into the historical vibe of the place. We easily spent two hours exploring the space, despite the compact layout.
Pro tip:
Don’t rely solely on Google Maps, and ask a local. The signage to the house isn’t the best, so even if you’re following directions on your phone, you might miss it. Locals in the area are super friendly and happy to point you in the right direction.
12. Provand’s Lordship
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Address: 3 Castle St
Contact details: +44 141 276 1625
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Price: Free
Provand’s Lordship is one of the oldest surviving houses in Glasgow, built way back in 1471. It’s small but beautifully restored.
Inside, there are solid wooden beams, original stone walls, and carefully placed 17th-century furniture from the Burrell Collection.
The wooden stairs creak as you go up to the chaplain’s quarters and the upstairs galleries, where you can see old paintings and portraits. Some are by Tom McGoran, which show what Glasgow was like in the mid-1900s.
If you don’t speak English, there are laminated guide sheets in multiple languages. For those with accessibility needs, there’s an alternative entrance through the garden.
Pro tip:
Go on a sunny day if you can. The St Nicholas Garden out back is a good spot to relax when the weather’s nice. The plants in the herb garden are also more enjoyable when everything’s in bloom.