Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
4.5
10:00 - 16:00
Monday
10:00 - 16:00
Tuesday
10:00 - 16:00
Wednesday
10:00 - 16:00
Thursday
10:00 - 16:00
Friday
10:00 - 16:00
Saturday
10:00 - 16:00
Sunday
13:00 - 16:00
About
The medieval Glasgow Cathedral has been in constant use for worship for over 800 years, and is of great architectural and historic interest. Highlights include one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows in Britain, and the ceiling in the Blackadder Aisle which was built around 1500 by Archbishop Blackadder. Cared for by Historic Scotland and open to visitors throughout the year from 9.30am except Sundays when it is open at 1pm. Recitals and special family events are a regular feature. Closing times vary seasonally.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,602 within 5 kms
Swadish
343
0.8 km€€ - €€€ • Indian • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
Italian Kitchen
1,705
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Cathedral House
36
0.3 km€€ - €€€ • Bar • British • Scottish
The Howgait
119
0.3 km€ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Baked Pizza Al Taglio
60
0.6 km€ • Italian • Pizza • Fast food
Amore Ristorante e Pizzeria
1,772
0.8 km€€ - €€€ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Scholars' Restaurant
29
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • European • British • Fusion
Sapporo Teppanyaki
1,556
0.8 km€€ - €€€ • Japanese • Sushi • Asian
Picnic
205
0.9 km€€ - €€€ • Quick Bites • Cafe • British
Türkiye
296
1 km€€ - €€€ • Mediterranean • Turkish • Middle Eastern
Attractions
306 within 5 kms
The Necropolis
3,507
0.3 kmCemeteries
Provand's Lordship
406
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
437
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums • Art Museums
Bell O'The Brae Monument
2
0.2 kmMonuments & Statues
Martyrs' School
2
0.2 kmArchitectural Buildings • Educational sites
James White Statue
6
0.3 kmMonuments & Statues
David Livingstone Statue
7
0.3 kmMonuments & Statues
City Centre Mural Trail
108
0.5 kmNeighbourhoods
Tennents Wellpark Brewery
1,143
0.7 kmBreweries
Drygate Brewery
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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
2,972 reviews
Excellent
1,684
Very good
1,028
Average
230
Poor
22
Terrible
8
Adam B
Manchester, UK158 contributions
30 minutes of tranquility
Sep 2021
Have to book via website, but staff actually will help you to book. Good 1 way covid route laid out. Information boards well spaced out to give coherent tour of a building which is far more spectacular on the inside.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel32,284 contributions
A beautiful cathedral.
Jul 2021
This is a beautiful cathedral, at least from the outside.
We were supposed to visit it but missed our time slot due to Glasgow's horrific traffic, so we could only admire it from the outside.
We were supposed to visit it but missed our time slot due to Glasgow's horrific traffic, so we could only admire it from the outside.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
J M
10 contributions
Stunning Building
Aug 2021
Understandably limited due to Covid19/social distancing restrictions which meant that I felt a bit rushed looking around but it is a beautiful building with lots of gorgeous stained glass windows and interesting history. Might need another visit to take it all in at a slower pace.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
babykong
London, UK396 contributions
Booked required, but still couldn’t get in!
Aug 2021 • Solo
I didn’t realise that I needed to book to enter the Cathedral (my fault for not checking the website) so after arriving at 10am and discovering this, I went online and booked the earliest available time slot for 4pm that day.
After curtailing my plans for the day to make sure I was back at the Cathedral on time, I arrived to find the doors were locked shut, and there was a crowd of people outside who had also booked tickets and were waiting to be let in.
After knocking on the doors I decided to try ringing Historic Environment Scotland - who you book the tickets with. I rang just after 4pm, nobody picked up so I left a voicemail. After waiting for a few more minutes in the pouring rain, I decided to leave.
Five days later I received a voicemail from Historic Environment Scotland stating that the Cathedral shuts at 4pm, I was late, and therefore I missed my slot.
I have attached a screenshot of my confirmation email, which clearly shows entry time is between 4-5pm. I didn’t call them back to argue my case, as at that point I was in Skye and not returning to Glasgow.
I am extremely disappointed that I didn’t get to visit the Cathedral, and equally disappointed with their response.
After curtailing my plans for the day to make sure I was back at the Cathedral on time, I arrived to find the doors were locked shut, and there was a crowd of people outside who had also booked tickets and were waiting to be let in.
After knocking on the doors I decided to try ringing Historic Environment Scotland - who you book the tickets with. I rang just after 4pm, nobody picked up so I left a voicemail. After waiting for a few more minutes in the pouring rain, I decided to leave.
Five days later I received a voicemail from Historic Environment Scotland stating that the Cathedral shuts at 4pm, I was late, and therefore I missed my slot.
I have attached a screenshot of my confirmation email, which clearly shows entry time is between 4-5pm. I didn’t call them back to argue my case, as at that point I was in Skye and not returning to Glasgow.
I am extremely disappointed that I didn’t get to visit the Cathedral, and equally disappointed with their response.
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Celine C Rvr
Nantes, France36 contributions
Informative visit of a beautiful building
Aug 2021 • Solo
Very interesting building, with beautiful sculptures and plaques. The employees were lovely, special thank you to Dylan for the explanation of the gorgeous front windows, and the gentleman at the gift shop who gave me a sticker even though I didn't find the Teddy Bear Knight.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
laurie213
Milna, Croatia37 contributions
A stunning building!
Aug 2021
We very much enjoyed our trip to the Cathedral. We always visit cathedrals when visiting cities across Europe and this one certainly did not disappoint. The interior was very impressive and there are plenty of photo opportunities inside and outside. It is important to book beforehand despite it being free to enter. The staff were friendly. We would highly recommend.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ScottishTemplar
Edinburgh, UK1,635 contributions
Beautiful & a must see
Aug 2021 • Solo
This is a beautiful Cathedral with impressive architecture both inside and outside. It’s a must see. It’s easy to book online and I was greeted by friendly staff. Inside the Cathedral is refreshingly quite modest, which I really liked. Lots of information points. In the undercroft is the location of the former tomb of St Mungo. Also look out for two impressive memorials to Robert Burn Anderson, one is an impressive sword. Sadly due to covid I could not sit and pray - hopefully I can next time! Finally, the Necropolis is a short walk away and there are brilliant views of the Cathedral from there.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AndrewC
Horley, UK78 contributions
A must see if in Glasgow
Aug 2021 • Couples
Easy booking, great friendly staff and well organised. I always like visiting cathedrals while in a city. It is an imposing building on the landscape and has the large Necropolis behind it which is also worth a visit. Some nice stained glass and interesting plaques to read with a good amount of information. We really enjoyed our visit here. I will agree with others who have given lower scores than 5/5 that is not the grandest or most lavish cathedral I have been to compared to ones I have recently visited like Notre Dame, York Minster , St Paul's etc but all of those are expensive to visit, Glasgow Cathedral is quicker to see everything and free so in my opinion a must visit while in Glasgow. Also has a nice shop that I could buy some presents in for my children which also helps to add to your donation the cathedral. Definitely a must visit if you are in Glasgow, I can't understand why some people are giving low rating for something that is free (optional donation) and so interesting to see and experience.
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Caroline
Halle (Saale), Germany3 contributions
Well worth a visit
Jun 2021
I'm not religious, but I quite like visiting churches, because in the best case, they make you feel good, like you belong.
Glasgow Cathedral does that and is absolutely worth the visit. Aside from being a beautiful church in and of itself, it's very accessible for travelers, with history on the church everywhere and even QR codes to recordings of the choir. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Glasgow Cathedral does that and is absolutely worth the visit. Aside from being a beautiful church in and of itself, it's very accessible for travelers, with history on the church everywhere and even QR codes to recordings of the choir. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Deepshikha
New Delhi, India49 contributions
Beautiful Glass Windows
Dec 2019
The glass paintings are amazing, beautiful and magnificent. A must visit if you are in Glasgow. It is next to Necropolis
Written 19 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
imrachk_
Annapolis, MD79 contributions
Do you need to purchase tickets to enter the cathedral?
SCOTIAN7
Milngavie Glasgow106 contributions
Hi there, although this building is listed as being an attraction to tourists, it is nevertheless still a place of worship. Therefore you may enter and view its architecture and artifacts but remember there may be a service being conducted at the alter end of the Cathedral. So if this is the case pay your visit quietly and respectfully.
Hi
Can anyone tell me the timings of service on Mondays? Can't find them on the website or anywhere else. Thanks.
28Lily_39
Glasgow, UK39 contributions
There is a Sunday morning Service at 11.00 a.m. and Choral Evensong at 4.00 p.m. Visitors are welcome to attend.
During the week it can be visited and Cathedral Guides are very knowledgeable and can guide you around the building free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions about Glasgow Cathedral
- Glasgow Cathedral is open:
- Sun - Sun 13:00 - 16:00
- Mon - Sat 10:00 - 16:00
- We recommend booking Glasgow Cathedral tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 29 Glasgow Cathedral tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Glasgow Cathedral:
- City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (From €18.83)
- Half-Day Private Glasgow Must-Sees Tour (From €158.89)
- Discover Glasgow. Full day private tour in Mercedes Benz people carrier. (From €284.38)
- Glasgow Afternoon Tea Experience (From €44.14)
- 3-Hour Private Glasgow Essentials Tour (From €135.36)
- Hotels near Glasgow Cathedral:
- (0.10 km) Glasgow Central Clock Tower Boutique Suites and Bistro
- (0.34 km) Cathedral House
- (0.12 km) The City Suites
- (0.10 km) Joli Central Apartment
- (0.65 km) Moxy Glasgow Merchant City
- Restaurants near Glasgow Cathedral:
- (0.11 km) The Clock Tower coffee shop
- (0.33 km) The Howgait
- (0.34 km) Cathedral House
- (0.84 km) Swadish
- (0.86 km) Italian Kitchen
- Attractions near Glasgow Cathedral:
- (0.31 km) The Necropolis
- (0.34 km) Provand's Lordship
- (0.30 km) St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
- (0.21 km) Bell O'The Brae Monument
- (0.24 km) Martyrs' School