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A mini guide to
Merchant City & City Centre: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Walk between the stations
Visit Glasgow says Central and Queen Street stations are within a 12-minute walk of each other; ScotRail also runs a bus link between them.
Use the Subway for the north
Cowcaddens is the nearest Subway stop for the School of Art, the Film Theatre and the Tenement House, according to SPT.
Look up
Visit Glasgow suggests looking up as you walk the city centre to take in the buildings and architecture.
Check Mackintosh sites
The School of Art's Mackintosh Building was badly damaged by fires in 2014 and 2018, so check each Mackintosh venue's own site before you plan around it.
Book evening shows
The Theatre Royal, Royal Concert Hall, Tron and King Tut's each sell tickets through their own sites; check them for what is on.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Merchant City & City Centre?
Merchant City & City Centre is in Glasgow, Scotland. Civic squares, the shopping streets and the theatres and venues of the central grid. Nearby stops and stations include Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, Buchanan Street.
How long do I need in Merchant City & City Centre?
A full day. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include George Square, Glasgow City Chambers, Gallery of Modern Art. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Glasgow Central (Rail); Glasgow Queen Street (Rail); Buchanan Street (Glasgow Subway); St Enoch (Glasgow Subway). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 21 places to eat and drink in and around Merchant City & City Centre, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 6 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Merchant City & City Centre accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Merchant City & City Centre
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Royal Exchange Square
Public square between Buchanan Street and Queen Street, south of George Square.
Buchanan Street
One of the main shopping streets of Glasgow, forming the central stretch of the shopping district.
Tenement House
Historic house museum in a Glasgow tenement, owned and run by the National Trust for Scotland.
Glasgow
More areas to explore
Finnieston, Clydeside & the Riverside
Cranes, bridges and museums on the Clyde, with Finnieston's bars and restaurants behind
Open the mini guide →
The Southside
The Burrell Collection, big parks, Mackintosh and Thomson buildings and Scotland's national stadium
Open the mini guide →
Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun
The medieval cathedral, the oldest house in the city, a Victorian hilltop cemetery and Dennistoun
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- George Square: Stinglehammer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Royal Exchange Square: Daniel from Glasgow, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, source
- Buchanan Street: James Allan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tenement House: No machine-readable author provided. Twid assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Finnieston, Clydeside & the Riverside: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Southside: Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Glasgow Green & the East End: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Partick & Hyndland: James Petts, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Shawlands & Langside: Richard Sutcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Charing Cross & Garnethill: Sonictiller, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- West End & Kelvingrove: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Glasgow