Central Belt
Cheap date ideas in Glasgow
Updated
Glasgow is kind to a tight budget. The museums are free, from Kelvingrove’s floating heads to the Riverside Museum’s trams, GoMA’s contemporary art and the Burrell in Pollok Country Park, and the Hunterian is inside the university’s Gothic main building. Outside, the Necropolis and Queen’s Park both have views over the city, the Botanic Gardens have the Kibble Palace for when it rains, and the Clyde and the canal towpath make long, easy walks. For a few pounds, set each other a fiver at the Barras to find the best thing in the market, or walk the Kelvin to Inn Deep for a drink by the water.
Our picks
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street, West End, on the edge of Kelvingrove Park
Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Wander one of the UK's best-loved free museums, from Dalí's "Christ of Saint John of the Cross" to the hall of floating heads.
Why it's a good date: There's enough variety that you'll never run out of things to talk about, and it's made for a wet day. Finish with a walk through Kelvingrove Park if the weather clears.
Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Glasgow Botanic Gardens and the Kibble Palace
Great Western Road, at the top of Byres Road, West End
Address: Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Rainy day
Stroll the gardens, then warm up in the Kibble Palace, a Victorian glasshouse full of tree ferns and statues.
Why it's a good date: Half indoors, half out, so it works in most weather. Grab a coffee on Byres Road and follow the River Kelvin walkway from the gardens. Dogs are welcome in the gardens on a short lead, but not inside the glasshouses, so take turns in the Kibble Palace.
Photo: Pacifier, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
The Glasgow Necropolis
Cathedral Square, next to Glasgow Cathedral, East End
Address: Glasgow Necropolis, Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0UZ- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Climb through the Victorian garden cemetery on the hill beside Glasgow Cathedral, crossing in over the Bridge of Sighs.
Why it's a good date: Atmospheric rather than morbid, with some of the best views over the city. Go near sunset on a clear evening and pop into the cathedral on the way. Dogs are allowed on a lead shorter than two metres, as in all the council's cemeteries.
Photo: TomZoy, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Riverside Museum
Pointhouse Place, on the Clyde at Partick
Address: 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow G3 8RS- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Explore Glasgow's transport museum, with old trams, cars, bikes and a recreated Glasgow street, then step outside to the Tall Ship moored on the Clyde.
Why it's a good date: It's playful and properly nostalgic, and most people find something they remember. The zigzag building by Zaha Hadid is worth the trip on its own.
Photo: Leslie Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
The Barras
Gallowgate, East End
Address: The Barras Market, Moncur Street, Glasgow G40 2SL- Activity
- Cheap and cheerful
Rummage the East End's famous market for vintage finds, records and oddities, then look up at the Barrowland Ballroom sign next door.
Why it's a good date: A set budget and a challenge (find each other the best thing under a fiver) makes for a daft, fun date. Check which days traders are in before you go.
Photo: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
A walk along the Clyde
Glasgow Green to Finnieston, along the river
Address: Glasgow Green, Templeton Street, Glasgow G40 1AT- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Active
Start at Glasgow Green and follow the Clyde Walkway west, under the city-centre bridges to the Finnieston Crane and the Armadillo.
Why it's a good date: A long, easy walk with a changing view, and plenty of places to stop for food at the Finnieston end. Good for talking side by side rather than face to face. Dogs are welcome on a short lead or kept close at heel, as in all of Glasgow's parks.
Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Pollok Country Park and the Burrell Collection
Pollokshaws Road, South Side
Address: The Burrell Collection, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G43 1AT- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Culture
Walk the woodland paths, say hello to the Highland cattle, then head into the Burrell Collection, a free museum right in the park.
Why it's a good date: Feels like a day in the country without leaving the city. The Burrell makes it rain-proof, and the collection is as varied as the park. Dogs are welcome in the park on a short lead or close at heel (mind the cattle), but not inside the Burrell, so take turns going in.
Photo: David Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
Royal Exchange Square, city centre
Address: Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AH- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
See what's on at GoMA, then take the obligatory photo with the Duke of Wellington statue and his traffic cone outside.
Why it's a good date: A short, easy visit that slots into a city-centre afternoon. Contemporary art gives you plenty to agree or (better) disagree about over a drink afterwards.
Photo: Raymond McCrae from Glasgow, UK, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Hunterian
University of Glasgow, Gilmorehill, West End
Address: Gilbert Scott Building, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Visit Scotland's oldest public museum, inside the University of Glasgow's Gothic main building, then wander the cloisters.
Why it's a good date: Curious, quiet and a wee bit unexpected. The university's cloisters and quadrangles are a lovely walk in their own right.
Photo: David Hawgood, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
A walk along the Forth and Clyde Canal
Speirs Wharf, Port Dundas, to Maryhill
Address: Speirs Wharf, Port Dundas, Glasgow G4 9TG- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Active
Follow the towpath from the old grain mills at Speirs Wharf out through north Glasgow to the flight of locks and the Kelvin Aqueduct at Maryhill.
Why it's a good date: Scottish Canals welcomes dogs on the towpath as long as they're under control and you clean up after them. Bikes share the path, so a short lead helps. It's flat, quiet and greener than you'd expect, with narrowboats at the start and wide views from the locks.
Photo: William Starkey, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Inn Deep and the Kelvin Walkway
Great Western Road, Kelvinbridge, West End
Address: 445 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 8HH- Bar
- Cheap and cheerful
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Outdoors
Walk the River Kelvin up through Kelvingrove Park to Kelvinbridge, then settle in at Inn Deep, a craft beer bar in the arches under the bridge, with tables by the water.
Why it's a good date: Inn Deep gives the dogs that drink there their own page on its website, and the walkway is park path, so dogs are fine on a short lead or close at heel. The riverside tables are the ones to get.
Photo: Tbatb, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Queen's Park and the flagpole view
Queen's Park, Victoria Road, South Side
Address: Queen's Park, Victoria Road, Glasgow G42 8LU- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Romantic
Climb to the flagpole at the top of Queen's Park for a view right across Glasgow, then wander down past the pond to the cafés on Victoria Road.
Why it's a good date: Glasgow's parks welcome dogs on a short lead or kept close at heel, so it's an easy one to bring them on. Go on a clear evening: on a good day you can pick out the University tower and the hills beyond.
Photo: John Lindie, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Paesano Pizza
Miller Street, Merchant City
Address: Paesano Pizza, 94 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas at long tables in a busy, buzzy Merchant City pizzeria.
Why it's a good date: Quick, lively and one of the best-value dinners in the city centre. It's walk-in, so expect a short queue at busy times.
Sugo Pasta
Mitchell Street, City Centre
Address: Sugo Pasta, 70 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3LX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Twirl bowls of fresh pasta at a busy, good-value pasta bar just off Argyle Street.
Why it's a good date: From the Paesano team, with the same quick, lively feel. Order a couple of plates to share. It's walk-in, so go early or late at weekends.
Ranjit's Kitchen
Pollokshaws Road, Strathbungo
Address: Ranjit's Kitchen, 607 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2QG- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share home-style Punjabi vegetarian cooking at a family-run canteen on Pollokshaws Road.
Why it's a good date: Simple, warm and very good value, run by a family who cook like they would at home. Pair it with a walk in Queen's Park, a few minutes up the road.
Mono
King's Court, Merchant City
Address: Mono, 12 Kings Court, Glasgow G1 5RB- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Eat vegan comfort food at a laid-back cafe bar that's also a record shop, tucked into King's Court.
Why it's a good date: Relaxed and a bit offbeat, with records to flick through after you eat. Good for a slow lunch or an easy weeknight dinner near the Barras.
Mother India's Cafe
Argyle Street, Finnieston
Address: Mother India's Cafe, 1355 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AD- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Order a spread of Indian small plates to share at Mother India's casual cafe across from Kelvingrove.
Why it's a good date: Small plates mean you can try lots between you without spending much. It's right by Kelvingrove Art Gallery, so make an afternoon of it.
Dockyard Social
Haugh Road, Finnieston
Address: Dockyard Social, 95-107 Haugh Road, Glasgow G3 8TX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way round a weekend street-food yard in Finnieston, with independent traders, a bar and events most weekends.
Why it's a good date: Each of you picks a different kitchen and you share at the long tables. It's open at weekends with a small entry ticket, so buy ahead on busy nights.
The 78
Kelvinhaugh Street, Finnieston
Address: The 78, 14 Kelvinhaugh Street, Glasgow G3 8NU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Autumn, Winter, Spring
- Cosy
Tuck into vegan comfort food at a cosy, easy-going cafe bar just off Argyle Street.
Why it's a good date: Relaxed and friendly, with a homely, lived-in feel that suits a cold night. Handy for Kelvingrove and the Hydro.
Bread Meats Bread
St Vincent Street, City Centre
Address: Bread Meats Bread, 65 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5TF- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Share burgers and loaded fries at a busy, no-fuss burger joint in the city centre.
Why it's a good date: Loud, quick and filling, with vegetarian and vegan options too. Handy before a gig or the cinema in town.
Quick answers
When is the Barras market open?
It depends on the traders, so check which days they're in before you go. The market is on the Gallowgate in the East End, next to the Barrowland Ballroom.
What's a cheap Glasgow date for a dry evening?
Walk the River Kelvin through Kelvingrove Park to Inn Deep, the craft beer bar in the arches at Kelvinbridge, and get one of the tables by the water. Or climb to the flagpole in Queen's Park, then head down to the cafés on Victoria Road.
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