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The Best Neighbourhoods in Glasgow
Glasgow is a great city to live in, with tons of tourist spots for you to discover and amazing people just waiting for you to meet. Some areas, though, are a cut above the rest and considered as some of the best neighbourhoods to stay in.
If you’re planning a trip to the city or if you’re looking to become a permanent “Glaswegian”, we’ve got you covered with our list of the best neighbourhoods in Glasgow. Read on to know more!
Glasgow City Centre
Best For: Professionals, families, and young couples who don’t need to stay for long in one place but would like to have access to what the city has to offer
As its name implies, Glasgow City Centre is located right in the middle of the city where all the action is! This is the perfect spot for you to stay in if you want to see the sights around the city and live like a tourist.
From this location, you can easily access the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow Cathedral, riverside areas that are perfect for cycling and fitness, and some great shopping malls. It’s also a gorgeous place to take photos thanks to the Victorian structures around.
Blythswood
Best For: Young couples and backpackers who want to try out trendy dining options and locations
Located within the city centre, this small area inside Glasgow is well-known for its upscale stores such as Blythswood Retail Park. This is the place to be if you want to check out upmarket hotels as well such as Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel.
The area covers just a couple of streets filled mostly with townhouses decked with elegant facades. It is a charming place to call home as it will make you feel like you live on the set of a high-budget British film.
Merchant City
Best For: Young couples and families who are interested in the music scene
Merchant City is a hip and trendy area in Glasgow – and if you’re young at heart, you’ll fall in love with this neighbourhood. With its artsy cafes and cobbled lanes, it has a reputation as the ideal location for young couples and students.
There are also many great hang-out locations here to soothe the inner hipster and artist in you. Some of the more popular ones include the traditional Steps Bar, DJ-hosting Bar 91, and the relaxed Rose and Grant’s Deli Cafe.
Calton
Best For: History buffs
Calton is a neighbourhood you should stay in if you’re into the history and heritage of Glasgow. The area will give you that perfect blend of modern quirk spots and old-timey avenues along with a warm community spirit that will surely make you fall in love.
Health buffs will also enjoy the space provided by Glasgow Green, a gigantic park with riverside paths, bike trails, and picnic spots. Families with young kids will also have a great time in these wide open spaces as they offer opportunities for some fun bonding.
The East End
Best For: Budget-constrained and starter families
The East End consists of mini-areas that include Bridgeton, Dennistoun, Gallowgate, and Calton (which we talked about earlier). While these distinct areas may have subtle differences, they collectively have a warm, welcoming, and friendly nature about them.
You can visit one of the most notable places in the city – Glasgow Cathedral – along with other points of interest like the Tron Steeple. This area also has a trendy feel, thanks to some cool locations here such as Tennent’s Brewery and Doulton Fountain.
Finnieston
Best For: Artists and free thinkers
Finnieston is as trendy as Calton but is a little bit edgier and with a much more independent vibe. Thanks to the independent and artisanal spots around the area, it’s a fantastic spot to appreciate what the local art scene has to offer.
They also have popular drinking dens such as the Brass Monke, and Kelvingrove Cafe. Foodies will also have a field day here thanks to a ton of dining options from food truck street food to high-end sandwiches.
Kelvinhaugh
Best For: Students, health buffs, and health professionals
Located to the west of Finnieston, Kelvinhaugh is the grittier but more affordable version of its neighbour thanks to the industrial look of its buildings. It’s the top choice for students and young professionals with a ton of options for university accommodations.
A lot of the people you’ll see here work in healthcare thanks to the presence of one of the biggest hospitals in Glasgow – West Glasgow Hospital. It’s also a great location if you like open spaces like Kelvingrove Park and Bee Garden.
Shawlands
Best For: Families with young kids
Shawlands is the perfect combination of peace and quiet and living not too far from the city centre.
It boasts one of the most impressive outdoor parks of Glasgow – Pollok Country Park – where you can find kid-friendly attractions, wildlife, walking trails, and bike routes.
Most families looking to work in Glasgow usually consider Shawlands as their first choice. It’s a good choice too, as the neighbourhood is a relatively safe one and has everything a family needs– with good schools and shopping and dining options nearby.
Dennistoun
Best For: Backpackers and young travellers
Regarded as one of the best places to live in, Dennistoun has a traditional vibe to it thanks to the old-school pubs and family-run restaurants around the area. There’s also the undeniable community spirit that will surely make anyone want to stay here!
This area draws mostly students and young individuals looking for a change in pace. They can enjoy the green spaces offered by the area along with its high-culture feel!
Hillhead
Best For: Foodies, tourists, and students
Hillhead is a great neighbourhood to stay in thanks to its strategic location right in the middle of Kelvingrove Park. This makes it ideal if you’re the type who wants to appreciate the different tourist spots nearby.
It’s also home to a number of independent eateries and shops, making it an ideal spot for food lovers. Hillhead is also home to Glasgow University, so expect to meet a lot of students and researchers while in the area.
Giffnock
Best For: Families and working professionals
Giffnock is another Glasgow suburb to consider if you want affluence and convenience in one place. Most residents here commute to the city for work and return home to their comfortable and relatively quiet community after business hours.
It’s also an appealing place for families as there are a lot of great schools nearby, a ton of attractive and elegant homes, and many amenities to make your life convenient while you stay here. Transportation is also fantastic, making it easy to get around the area.
