After visiting Scotland's famous wild islands, lakes and mountains, don't forget to stop in Glasgow to explore some of the vast cultural and artistic gems that the country is so proud of. In this brief article, we will tell you what not to miss and the best places to sleep in this city!

Glasgow: between history and modernity

On your trip to Scotland, do not miss Glasgow. With its gothic, medieval atmosphere together with its new cosmopolitanism, it's full of character and has a really vibrant nightlife, Glasgow perfectly encapsulates both modernity and history.

Absolutely not to be missed is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum where, amongst a huge collection of paintings and sculptures, you can find masterpieces from artists such as Cezanne and Picasso. Also not to be missed is the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), which is situated in The Royal Exchange and displays a vast number of paintings by various artists from all of the last century's main artistic movements. 

If you liked what you saw in GOMA, make sure you also pop into The Glasgow School of Art to admire the original Liberty architecture. The art school was built in 1845 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is home to the only independent art school in Scotland as well as the famous Mackintosh library. However, during the summer of 2018, a fire damaged a lot of the building. Although the damaged areas of the school are being repaired, some areas are still inaccessible. 

On the less modern side, Glasgow Cathedral is definitely worth a visit. The church was built in the VII century and has maintained its pure gothic atmosphere. Another incredibly evocative urban area is George Square, which was inaugurated in 1781 in homage to King George III. From the square, there are many beautiful Georgian style building s closeby as well as the impressive Glasgow City Chambers.

For a night out, Clydeside and the area around the port are the places to go, particularly for concerts, live music and clubs. The West End is also a good area for those who appreciate a more bohemian yet vibrant student atmosphere. This area is also home to The University of Glasgow so, as you would expect, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars open all day and night!      

Where to sleep in Glasgow 

Glasgow, like any big city, offers a great variety of hotel, B&Bs and apartments to suit every taste and budget. Here are three places we loved:

• Grasshopper Hotel. It is situated in the centre and right next to Central Station. The rooms, even if not the biggest in size, offer every facility: 40inch TV screens, SKY channels, a very well equipped bathroom and an excellent set of toiletries! The hotel's common areas feature many original works of art and the flooring is Caledonian Oak throughout.

• CitizenM. Located in Hope Street, only 400 metres away from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, this hotel boasts a cocktail bar, a small food court that is open 24/7 and free wi-fi throughout. The modern rooms are very well lit, and the beds are incredibly comfortable. Every room is equipped with a MoodPad to control the TV, Hi-Fi system and coloured lights.

• Z Hotel. Located only 200 metres away from Queen Street Station and right next to George Square, it offers modern rooms with all comforts. Each room features hand made beds, HD TV with free SKY channels and en-suite bathroom with shower. This hotel also provides facilities for disabled people. 

Ferries to Scotland

Visit NetFerry and discover the ferry routes that serve Scotland. The Netferry booking site allows you to save your quote and confirm the ticket a few days later. Netferry always helps you find the boat or ferry to best suit your needs. Rates, times and ports of departure and arrival are just a few clicks away with Netferry.

Netferry: a sea of ferries