Holiday rentals in Glasgow

Famed for its culture, nightlife, and Victorian architecture, Glasgow is one of the most lovable cities in Scotland, if not the whole of the United Kingdom. Centuries of trade and commerce have left their legacy in the stone tenements and grand civic buildings that dominate the city center, from Buchanan Street to George Square, while its Art Nouveau stylings have added a more romantic flourish. Museums, galleries, and cutting-edge contemporary art abound in a city that has always had a rebellious side. Its diverse neighborhoods — from the cobbled lanes of the West End to the leafy avenues of Southside — each retain an individual charm, and are blessed with plenty of parks, from the Botanic Gardens to Glasgow Green.

Glasgow has a well-earned reputation for being a wet city. It gets an average of 46 inches of rain a year, distributed fairly evenly across the seasons. On the plus side, summers are pleasantly warm rather than unpleasantly hot, with temperatures in July hitting an average high of 66 degrees Fahrenheit. Being one of the UK’s more northerly cities, it can get chilly at other times of year, reaching around 39 degrees Fahrenheit in the depths of December. Make sure you’ve packed plenty of warm clothing if you’re taking a winter trip (base layers are advisable). In spring and fall, layers are the way to go; and don’t forget to pack a waterproof jacket and umbrella.

Glasgow Cathedral

This Gothic marvel — known as St Mungo’s, after the patron saint of the city, who died here in 614 AD — was built in the 12th century, and is one of the only major medieval churches to survive the Scottish Reformation intact. To its eastern side is the Necropolis, an elegant Victorian cemetery housing 50,000 graves (and many beautiful sculptures) across its 37 acres.

Merchant City

A warehouse district for wealthy traders in the mid-18th century, the area of the East End around Glasgow Cross has been transformed into one of the hippest spots in the city. High-end designer shopping rubs shoulders with bars, restaurants, and galleries, and Merchant Square hosts regular street markets and festivals.

Kelvingrove Park

Partly designed by a famous landscape architect, this Victorian park is one of the most enchanting green spaces in Glasgow. Set around the curving banks of the River Kelvin — a tributary of the Clyde, the main river that runs through the city — it features a bandstand, bowling greens, and tennis courts. It’s also home to a number of the city’s best galleries and art museums.