A Student’s Love Letter to Glasgow’s West End

Sightseeing for Students Glasgow

Hello! I’m Eva, seasoned Westender and your guide to making the best of student life. Whether you are new to the city or a patriotic local – exploring Glasgow is class. It’s easy to take our city for granted with our busy day to day life, especially when studying commitments are looming. But taking time to uncover this beautiful place will give you a new-found appreciation for the space that we call home. So get out there and start discovering what makes Glasgow truly special.

The Waverley

This is one of the best things I’ve done in the city. A trip on the PS Waverley is a full day adventure and a true part of Glasgow’s history. With sailings from Glasgow along the River Clyde and beyond, it is as charming as it sounds. There is something properly special about stepping onboard. From the vintage interiors to the sound of the paddle wheels, it feels like you’ve been transported to another era. Whether you’re heading down the coast or just enjoying a shorter sailing, it’s a brilliant way to see a different side of the city and its surroundings. Wrap up warm, grab a drink on deck, and take it all in. My favourite part is everyone stopping to wave as you sail by. The epitome of Glasgow.

waverleyexcursions.co.uk

The Big Red Bus Tour
Sightseeing for Students Glasgow
Picture by Jamie Simpson

One of the easiest (and surprisingly fun) ways to get your bearings and learn more about the city’s history is by hopping on the City Sightseeing Glasgow Bus, aka the big red one you’ll see passing through the West End. You may think it sounds like something you would leave to actual tourists, but it’s a great way to rediscover the city and learn more about its history. The open-top bus will guide you through all the major sights with commentary that is equally informative and entertaining. The best part is that you can hop on and off whenever you like, meaning you can turn it into a full day of exploring at your own pace. With multiple West End pick-up points, it’s basically at your doorstep.

citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk

The Tall Ship
Sightseeing for Students Glasgow
Photograph by Martin Shields

After a walk through The Riverside Museum, step onboard the Tall Ship Glenlee, a place that people always mean to visit but somehow never get around to. And it’s so worth it. For under a fiver, you can get a hands-on glimpse into Glasgow’s maritime past. Step onboard and you can wander through the different decks, explore the crew’s quarters, and get a feel for what life was actually like at sea. It’s interactive, a bit quirky. Whether you’re showing visitors around or just ticking off things you have been meaning to do, the Tall Ship is a great shout.

thetallship.com

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