Best Hidden Gems in Glasgow

When exploring a new city for the first time, it can be hard to find those off-the-beaten-track locations social media hasn’t cottoned onto yet. Often, it’s best to just put one foot in front of the other and see where they take you; that way, you never know what you might stumble upon. 

However, if you’re hoping to hit the ground running on your trip to Glasgow, we know some of the city’s best-kept secrets. Join CrossCountry as we explore some of the most captivating, beautiful, and downright delicious hidden gems in Glasgow. 

Hidden gems in Glasgow city centre

CrossCountry services trains to Glasgow Central, where you can easily connect to the subway or bus, or enjoy a refreshing walk to explore this buzzing cultural hub. The city also has several other train stations served by alternative providers, offering you a wide range of transport options. All these hidden gems are accessible from Glasgow Central, making them ideal for a day trip. 

The Hidden Gardens

The Hidden Gardens are a little slice of natural paradise within the city. Located close to Pollokshields East train station, the organisation has successfully created a community-led, environmentally conscious, and creative green space that champions inclusivity through horticulture. 

On a visit to this charming sanctuary, you may stumble upon a range of events, such as exhibitions from local artists, community cooking sessions, mindfulness activities, and storytelling. You are also free to just enjoy the colourful biodiversity. Take a walk through the herb gardens, wildlife area, and ornamental kitchen garden and enjoy the quiet sensory experience. 

Glasgow is an extremely diverse city, and as a collective, it aims to uplift and celebrate different cultures and experiences. The Hidden Gardens are all about supporting this effort by creating ‘a society where people live, play, learn, participate, and celebrate together in peace’. 

You can reach the gardens in under fifteen minutes by bus - simply walk to Jamaica Street from Glasgow Central, where frequent buses are available. Alternatively, take a train to Pollokshields East station with an alternative travel provider; it's just a five-minute walk from there. 

The Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

While Glasgow is beloved for its innovative arts scene, ​Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre offers something a cut above the rest when it comes to the weird, wonderful, and a little unexpected. The gallery showcases the life work of Eduard Bersudsky, where mechanical automatons-turned-art pieces are used to tell captivating stories. 

For roughly an hour per performance, you’ll be mesmerised by the sculptures moving in perfect harmony with music and lighting. There are two shows you can choose from: Journey, which features some of the creator's most recent works, and Wheels of Life, a showcase of Bersudky’s earlier works in Russia. Both guarantee a unique and memorable experience, and both should be booked in advance through their website. 

Sharmanka is easily one of our favourite art galleries in Glasgow, and it’s a short fifteen-minute walk from Glasgow Central, or you can take a train to Argyle Street station, and it’s a six-minute walk from there. 

Glasgow Central Tours

Another hidden gem in Glasgow is within the city’s main station, Glasgow Central, which is Scotland’s busiest station, opened in 1879 by the Caledonian Railway. The category A listed building has plenty of stories and secrets to discover, and you can do just that on one of the Glasgow Central tours. 

The tour explores areas, usually hidden from the public, including underground tunnels, vaults, and a preserved Victorian platform. Visitors also get to see the station’s vast glass roof, providing a unique perspective on both the station’s interior and the Glasgow skyline. 

The tour brings to life the station’s past, from its role in wartime efforts to the stories of the people who passed through its gates. You’ll learn all about the hidden corners of the station, including its spooky subterranean passages. If you’re a fan of interesting facts and the history behind train stations, then this is the tour for you - the best part is that you can do all this without leaving the station! 

The Craft Pottery

The Craft Pottery is an independent ceramics studio in the city centre. The cosy and inclusive studio welcomes visitors of all ages for creative pottery painting sessions. The painting studio is fully wheelchair accessible; however, if you are planning to book a session with Craft Pottery’s sister studio to hand throw or use the pottery wheel, this is located upstairs and does not have lift access. 

The Craft Pottery is a true hidden gem in Glasgow. It’s charming and welcoming atmosphere makes it a great option for solo visitors and families, or even for a pottery painting date. Plus, it’s a fantastic rainy-day activity when the typical Scottish weather makes outdoor exploring less appealing. 

The Craft Pottery is just a short walk from Glasgow Central. Just head straight down Argyle Street and turn left onto Washington Street. 

Glasgow Necropolis

Perched on a hill beside Glasgow Cathedral, the Glasgow Necropolis is a splendidly gothic Victorian cemetery filled with sculptures and gravestones. Though often overlooked, it’s one of the coolest things to see in Glasgow, with a great view of the city skyline and history around every corner. Plus, it’s a wonderful place to enjoy some peace and quiet. 

The cemetery stands as the final resting place of over 50,000 people, including notable figures from Glasgow’s history, like Scots children’s poet William Miller, and several soldiers from World War 1 and World War 2. The elaborate tombstones and monuments are examples of incredible craftsmanship, making this a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts. 

While the main pathways are well-maintained, some areas involve uphill walking and uneven surfaces. Visitors with mobility concerns may want to stick to the lower sections or take their time exploring at a leisurely pace. The Glasgow Necropolis is a thirty-five minute walk from Glasgow Central or you can get there by bus in twenty-five minutes. 

Hidden gems near Glasgow

These gems might be a little too far out of the city centre to be considered convenient for a day trip, but we still think they deserve a shout-out. If you are staying in Glasgow for a little longer, or you’re a local looking to broaden your horizons, these attractions should definitely be on your list. 

Bearsden Bath House

Perhaps the most hidden of them all, Bearsden Bath House is located within an unassuming apartment complex. On this site sits the remains of an ancient Roman bathhouse, one of the best-preserved stone structures on the Antonine Wall (a wall built by the Romans between the Firth of Clyde and Firth of Forth). Today, only the foundations remain, but the outlines of steam rooms and baths are still visible. With a bit of imagination, you can almost hear the echoes of fierce debates and friendly chatter that once filled this space thousands of years ago. 

Bearsden Bathhouse is a forty-minute bus ride from Glasgow Central or you can catch a train with an alternative provider to Hillfoot station. 

Loup of Fintry

The Loup of Fintry is a waterfall that can be found along the River Endrick near Glasgow. It’s the perfect place to come for some quiet reflection on a solo trip, or with your friends and family. The cascading water is the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing and rejuvenating day away from the crowds. 

The Loup of Fintry is most impressive after heavy rainfall because the increased water flow enhances the waterfall's power and majesty. So, don your mac and welly boots and, who knows, you might even see a rainbow. 

Hidden gems of Glasgow food

Hidden Lane Tearoom

Hidden Lane Tearoom is a vintage paradise. Tucked away in the colourful and artsy Hidden Lane in Finnieston, you’ll get just what you’d wish for from a quintessential tearoom – China teacups and saucers decorated with delicate flowers, cake stands covering brownies and rocky roads, and sandwiches and scones piled high. 

The tearoom is also a great pitstop if you’re exploring the surrounding Hidden Lane, home to independent artists at the Hidden Lane Gallery and a range of quirky shops. Head to Bubblegum Kitschville for your gifts and trinkets and Spin Pottery for lovingly made ceramics. 

The Hidden Lane Tearoom is about a fifteen-minute walk from Glasgow Central. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Argyle Street and walk a short distance to the entrance of The Hidden Lane. 

Ga Ga Bar and Kitchen

Head to Dumbarton Road for an authentic taste of Malaysia and some tantalising cocktails at ​Ga Ga Bar and Kitchen. Amidst the aroma of coriander and steaming bao buns, you’ll settle into a stellar meal cooked by dedicated chefs. The menu is a fantastic vegan destination as well, with highlights like a Malaysian-style vegetable curry. 

To get to Ga Ga, catch a bus from Bothwell Street near Glasgow Central or hop on a connecting train with an alternative provider to Partick station, which is a seven-minute walk from there. 

Mosob

Mosob is a family-run Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant on Dundas Street. Their goal is to celebrate the culture and cuisine of the Horn of Africa and share it with the people of Glasgow. Traditionally, Ethiopian and Eritrean food is eaten on a communal platter, using injera, a spongy fermented flatbread, to scoop up the food. It’s a fantastic meal to have with family and friends, and their sharing platters particularly excel, with a medley of different flavours and textures to enjoy. 

You can reach Mosob on foot from Glasgow Central in thirteen minutes, you can take the opportunity to walk up Buchanan Street for a bit of window-shopping before your meal. 

If you’re planning to explore some interesting places in Glasgow, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.