Student Guide: 8 Fun Things To Do In Glasgow For Free

Don’t let the old-school Victorian exterior fool you, because Glasgow is filled with style and plenty of things to do!

If you’re a student living and studying in Scotland’s biggest city, you’re in for a real treat – that’s for sure!

We know that when you’re a student, you want to save as much money as possible (so you have enough for a night out, right?)

That’s why we’ve come up with 8 fun things you can do in Glasgow for free, all super close to your fabulous student accommodation!

1. Gallery Of Modern Art

111 Queen St, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AH

Are you an arty person? Well, you’re in luck, because Glasgow has loads of art on offer for inspo.

The best part? The Gallery of Modern Art is free to enter any day of the week, perfect for a rainy day.

You’ll be able to spot the famous Duke of Wellington statue outside the gallery too, and yes, he does have a cone on his head!

Browse through a variety of local and international art, and don’t forget to grab a cute souvenir at the shop.

It’ll only take you 8-minutes to walk here on foot from our Riverside student accommodation in Glasgow – how easy is that?

2. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8AG

We’ve got another art gallery and museum for you, after all, Glasgow is brimming with culture and history!

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is super interesting, with a collection of fossils, art, dinosaur bones, minerals, and furniture from all over the world.

Did you know? It has an original Salvador Dali painting here called “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”, which is something you need to check out when visiting.

There are 22 galleries in total where you can discover everything from art and animals to Ancient Egypt!

Feeling peckish after your trip to Kelvingrove? You’re in luck! There are loads of restaurants and bars surrounding, including BrewDog Glasgow and The Brunch Club.

It’s just a 12-minute drive from your accommodation so you can be back home in no time after a jam-packed day!

3. Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace

730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 0UE

Just a 10-minute walk from the University of Glasgow, The Botanic Gardens is another one of the fun things to do in Glasgow for free!

Check out a variety of local and exotic plants and visit the Insta-worthy glasshouse Kibble Palace.

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a nice relaxing stroll around the botanic gardens, especially after a long day at uni!

Originally designed by architect John Kibble, James Boucher, and James Cousland, the building contains a huge collection of orchids, carnivorous plants, and tree ferns.

So grab yourself a coffee and get ready to do some exploring, because this day out is fun and free!

4. Glasgow Cathedral

 Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ

Now this place is stunning! Glasgow Cathedral is a great option if you’re still after some fun things to do in Glasgow for free.

Located just east of the city centre, Glasgow Cathedral is one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings and has been a site of worship for centuries.

There are plenty of friendly cathedral tour guides to give you an hour tour of the church, where you can find out many weird and wonderful facts!

Just a 9-minute drive from Riverside, you’re cosy student accommodation is nice and close to this popular Glasgow attraction.

5. The Lanes Of Byers Road

 61 Byres Rd, Glasgow G11 5RG

Fancy a visit to some cute little shops, cosy pubs, and great local restaurants?

These hidden streets and backyards are lined with some idyllic shops, Ashton Lane, Cresswell Lane and Ruthven Lane are just some notable mentions.

Byers Road is often described as “the main artery flowing through the heart of the area”, and it’s no wonder!

Whether you fancy a coffee with your uni mates or want a quick bite to eat, Byers Road is the place to be.

If you don’t feel like spending any money, that’s okay too, a mooch around the area is enough to keep you entertained.

6. People’s Palace And Winter Gardens

Greens, Templeton St, Glasgow G40 1AT

Set in the historic Glasgow Green, The People’s Palace looks at the development of Glasgow and the story of its people.

It’s one of the great fun things to do in Glasgow for free, where you can learn more about the new city you’re living in.

Covering lots of different topics from tobacco lords to Trade Unions, there are lots of compelling personal stories about the city.

As well as the permanent exhibitions, you can visit the tropical plants in the winter gardens and the Victorian glasshouse.

Once you’re done, grab a slice of cake at the café and enjoy!

7. Fossil Grove At Victoria Park

This is one of the prettiest Victorian parks in Glasgow and going for a walk here is just one of the many fun things to do in Glasgow for free.

Shortly after the park opened in 1886, the fossilised stumps of 11 extinct Lepidodendron trees were discovered – pretty cool, right?

The trees have been there for over 325 million years ago, which makes it a super popular attraction in Glasgow for history buffs!

8. Barrowland Park

Gallowgate, Glasgow G1 5BG

Are you into all different kinds of music? Then you’re deffo going to enjoy visiting Barrowland Park!

This is quite unique in terms of fun things to do in Glasgow for free and isn’t exactly a museum, it’s more like an exhibition.

Commissioned for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Barrowlands Park is a tribute to the iconic Barrowlands music venue.

The rainbow-coloured street art installation lists all the bands that have ever played in the venue up until the games.

It features some pretty big names including David Bowie, The Pogues, and Billy Talent.

Are you feeling inspired? As a student living and studying in Glasgow, rest assured, you’re never too far away from all the action. The best part? You can be back at your cosy accommodation in no time, just in time for tea! Get ready to do some exploring and enjoy this wonderful city. After some uni room decoration ideas? Check out our latest blog for some inspo.