George Square is the heart of Glasgow, featuring iconic statues of historic figures like Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns, surrounded by stunning 19th-century architecture, including the City Chambers. Visitors can take free tours of the City Chambers, enjoy nearby shopping on Buchanan Street, or attend seasonal events like Christmas markets and festive gatherings.
The square has often been the scene of political events and, protests. Perhaps the most famous was the Battle of George Square in 1919, when skilled engineers campaigning for a 40-hour working week held a rally.
It is named after King George III. Laid out in 1781, today Glasgow Square is home to the headquarters of Glasgow City Council, and showcases an important collection of statues and monuments, including those dedicated to famous scots such as Robert Burns, James Watt, Sir Robert Peel and Sir Walter Scott.
When completed in August, the new George Square will be resurfaced in stone, include more greenery with raised lawns and informal play areas for children, sheltered seating and feature lighting, as well as a generous paved area for events.
48 Hours Exploring Glasgow: The Best Things To Do In Glasgow Scotland
What to do in Glasgow for a day for free?
Glasgow offers many free days out, focusing on world-class museums like Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the Burrell Collection, and the Riverside Museum, along with exploring beautiful parks such as Pollok Country Park, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and the historic Necropolis for stunning city views. Visitors can also take free tours of the opulent Glasgow City Chambers, discover street art on the Mural Trail, or wander the University of Glasgow campus.
Its title is a quotation from the Bible, where Paul the Apostle says that he is a citizen of "no mean city", (no obscure or insignificant city) i.e. he was a Roman citizen, even though he was a Jew from Tarsus.
Scotland has often had a reputation for violence—Glasgow used to be referred to as the Murder Capital of Europe in the mid 2000s. The reality, however, is very different these days. The problem of knife crime is worse in London and seems to be fuelled by violent gangs and organised crime rings.
Glasgow is famous for hearty, traditional Scottish food like Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, comforting stews such as Stovies, creamy soups like Cullen Skink, and iconic baked goods like Scotch Pies, alongside its unique deep-fried treats (like the famous Deep-Fried Mars Bar) and classic breakfast rolls with square sausage (Lorne sausage). The city blends its working-class culinary roots with a growing modern food scene, celebrating fresh Scottish produce like salmon and seafood.
Plan and carry out a scavenger hunt or treasure hunt for your partner. Go tubing, kayaking, or canoeing together. Go fruit picking together. Enjoy a candlelight dinner together at your home or apartment.
For a packed one-day Glasgow trip, focus on the historic East End (Cathedral, Necropolis, Street Art) and the vibrant West End (University, Kelvingrove Museum, Botanic Gardens) for culture, architecture, and nature, with a central stop at George Square for city vibes and shopping before dinner in the trendy Finnieston area.
Glasgow's George Square is undergoing a major £120m+ transformation into a modern, greener civic space, part of the wider Avenues project, with work entering key phases in early 2026 to install granite surfaces on surrounding roads, extending the new square's design, and aiming for an August 2026 completion, bringing more greenery, seating, and improved event spaces. The project involves resurfacing roads with stone, adding lawns, play areas, and restoring statues, making it a significant city centre upgrade.
Press Release: George Square to be renamed Sausage Square. Leading Scottish Butcher, Simon Howie is today announcing its investment in the future of Glasgow by purchasing the rights to the world-famous Glasgow landmark – George Square and renaming it Sausage Square.
Where were the 2026 Commonwealth Games supposed to be held?
The next Commonwealth Games in 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026, featuring 10 core sports and integrated Para Sports, utilizing four main venues within the city after the original host, Victoria, Australia, withdrew.
