virtual tour of kelvingrove museum

[ Skip to content ] [ Skip to main navigation ] [ Skip to quick links ] [ Go to accessibility information ]

Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy .

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

• Venue information

Image credit: Culture and Sport Glasgow (Glasgow Museums)

Open to the public

Museum or gallery in Glasgow

487 artworks

Part of Glasgow Life Museums

Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG Scotland

[email protected]

0141 276 9599

Before making a visit, check opening hours with the venue

Not every artwork is on display – if you would like to see a particular work, contact the venue before your visit

Glasgow Life Museums has another 4,798 artworks

Laura Bauld

Joanna Meacock

Jock McFadyen

Jill Marriner

Alison Mitchelson and Joanna Meacock

6 artworks curated by Joanna Meacock, Curator of British Art

Glasgow Life Museums

Glasgow Life Museums artworks can also be found at these venues

Venues in Glasgow

We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.

Availability Search for  Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum

Terms & conditions.

This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party.

VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of Scotland's most popular free attractions and features 22 themed, state-of-the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects.

The collections at Kelvingrove are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally significant. They include natural history, arms and armour, art from many art movements and periods of history and much more.

The most famous painting on display at Kelvingrove is the Salvador Dali masterpiece ‘Christ of St John of the Cross’. Sir Roger the Asian elephant is another big museum attraction. There is even a Spitfire plane hanging from the ceiling of the west court.

The refurbished building is an attraction in its own right and Kelvingrove welcomes families, its displays having been designed with children in mind. Besides all the exhibits, Kelvingrove has a restaurant, a café and a gift shop.

Please see our access statement for more information on our inclusive and accessible facilities and services.

Getting here by road: 

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is in the west end of Glasgow. There is pay and display car parking at the venue, but space is limited. The car park has 10 spaces reserved for blue badge holders. These spaces are free of charge and there is no time restriction. Access to Kelvingrove Car Park is signposted from Sauchiehall Street into Kelvin Way. There is also car parking available at The Kelvin Hall at Bunhouse Road - just opposite Kelvingrove.

Public Transport: 

From the nearest information centre:- It is easy to reach the museum on public transport from the city centre. First Bus services  2, 3, and 77 all stop directly outside Kelvingrove Getting there by railway:- Kelvingrove is fifteen minutes' walk from Partick train station and ten minutes' walk from Charing Cross train station. Kelvingrove is five minutes' walk from Kelvinhall subway station and ten minutes' walk from Kelvinbridge subway station.

Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Public Parking Nearby

Accessibility

• Hearing Loop
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Lift or stairlift
• Large print, braille or audio
• Level Access
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Level access from entrance to reception
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Access guide
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• City Location

Awards & Schemes

• Access Statement Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Cookies are required to view this content. Change your preferences at Manage Cookie Settings

The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.

What's Nearby

Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.

Getty Images

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

Top choice in Glasgow

A magnificent sandstone building, this grand Victorian cathedral of culture is a fascinating and unusual museum, with a bewildering variety of exhibits. You'll find fine art alongside stuffed animals, and Micronesian shark-tooth swords alongside a Spitfire plane, but it's not mix 'n' match: rooms are carefully and thoughtfully themed, and the collection is of a manageable size. It has an excellent room of Scottish art, a room of fine French impressionist works, and quality Renaissance paintings from Italy and Flanders.

Salvador Dalí's superb Christ of St John of the Cross is also here. Best of all, nearly everything, including the paintings, has an easy-reading paragraph of interpretation. You can learn a lot about art here, and it's excellent for children, with plenty to do and displays aimed at a variety of ages. Free hour-long guided tours begin at 11am and 2.30pm. Be here at 1pm to hear the impressive organ being played. Bus 17, among many others, runs here from Renfield St.

Get In Touch

0141-276 9599

https://www.glasgowmuseums.com

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral has a rare timelessness. The dark, imposing interior conjures up medieval might and can send a shiver down the spine. It's a shining…

Stirling Castle

Hold Stirling and you control Scotland. This maxim has ensured that a fortress of some kind has existed here since prehistoric times. You cannot help…

Riverside Museum

This visually impressive modern museum at Glasgow Harbour owes its striking curved forms to late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. A transport museum…

Mackintosh House

Attached to the Hunterian Art Gallery, this is a reconstruction of the first home that Charles Rennie Mackintosh bought with his wife, noted designer…

Paisley Abbey

Paisley Abbey is well worth the short trip from Glasgow. This majestic Gothic building was founded in 1163 by Walter Fitzalan, first high steward of…

Falkirk Wheel

19.69 MILES

Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering marvel, a rotating boat lift that raises vessels 115ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the…

Glasgow Science Centre

This brilliant science museum will keep the kids entertained for hours (that's middle-aged kids, too!). It brings science and technology alive through…

Glasgow School of Art

In 2018, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's greatest building was gearing up for reopening after a devastating 2014 fire when, unbelievably, another blaze…

Nearby Glasgow attractions

1 . Kelvin Hall

Opened in the 1920s as an exhibition centre, this enormous sandstone palace, renovated and reopened in 2016, is a mixed leisure-and-arts space. In…

2 . National Library of Scotland

In Kelvin Hall, this outpost of Edinburgh's National Library of Scotland hosts a small exhibition and a digital archive of maps and audiovisual material…

3 . Kelvingrove Park

On both banks of the meandering River Kelvin, a tributary of the Clyde, this West End park is popular with dog walkers, foot commuters and canoodling…

4 . University of Glasgow

Though founded in 1451, the city's first university has only been located here in the West End since the 1870s. Its imposing sandstone neo-Gothic main…

5 . Hunterian Museum

Housed in the glorious sandstone university building, which is in itself reason enough to pay a visit, this quirky museum contains the collection of…

6 . Mackintosh House

7 . Hunterian Art Gallery

Across the road from the Hunterian Museum, and part of the same bequest, this art gallery incorporates Mackintosh House as well as a good selection of…

8 . Clydeside Distillery

It's great to see this old pumphouse by the Clyde being put to good use as a new malt whisky distillery run by proper whisky folk. It's an impressive set…

The Best Things to Do in Glasgow for Couples

There’s a lot to like about Glasgow . Not only is it Scotland’s largest city, but it’s also home to a number of attractions that are ideal for couples, including world-class art galleries and museums, as well as some of the best bars and restaurants in Scotland.

There are lots of historic sites to explore, and almost all of the city’s top attractions are completely free to enter. Discover the best things to do in Glasgow for couples with this article, which features overviews of the top attractions along with some useful visiting tips that will help you make the most of your time in the city.

Tours of Glasgow for Couples

Glasgow is one of the best places in Scotland for couples to visit. There are fantastic attractions around every corner (and many of them are free), loads of historic buildings to explore, superb parks to wander around, and Scotland’s finest collection of pubs and restaurants to enjoy at night.

While it’s certainly possible to head off in any direction and hope for the best, it makes more sense to leave the planning to a professional tour guide who can take you to all the main attractions as well as the hidden away gems that only the locals know about.

There are dozens of tour operators ready to take visitors around Glasgow, but the best ones can be found on Get Your Guide, which offers free cancellation for all bookings and features only the very best activities and tours.

If you’re visiting Glasgow but aren’t sure where to go first, I recommend booking a ticket for the hop-on, hop-off bus, which visits all of the main attractions in the city, including Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow Cathedral.

Map of Glasgow Attractions

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are located on Great Western Road, one mile north of Kelvingrove Museum. Entry is free, and visitors can explore flower beds, arboretums, and greenhouses on a network of paths that run through the 20 hectares of landscaped grounds.

There are over 12,000 different plant specimens to view in Glasgow Botanic Gardens, but perhaps the most impressive is the national collection of ferns in the stunning Victorian-era Kibble Palace. This wrought iron and glass masterpiece wowed crowds when it was unveiled in 1873, and it still manages to captivate visitors to this day.

Other highlights are the modern glasshouse that contains a tropical rainforest, and the arboretum that spreads out from the banks of the River Kelvin.

You’ll also find an excellent café inside the restored curator’s cottage which serves delicious home-baked treats – perfect for replenishing energy levels before crossing the bridge at the rear of the gardens and going for a walk on the scenic Kelvin Walkway.

Glasgow Cathedral

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to Glasgow Cathedral

Without the Cathedral, Glasgow would be a very different place as it’s the original site where St. Kentigern built his chapel in the 6th century, around which the city grew and prospered.

The cathedral is a fascinating place to visit, and it does a great job of assisting curious visitors thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, which has installed information panels that explain the story of St. Kentigern and how his chapel eventually became the awe-inspiring cathedral.

The nave, in particular, is an amazing space, not quite as impressive as York Minster but not too far off, and it’s extraordinarily atmospheric, especially in the lower crypt where the remains of St. Kentigern are laid to rest.

There’s no fee to enter Glasgow Cathedral, so if you combine it with the nearby Necropolis and St. Mungo Museum, it’s possible to have a very interesting afternoon without spending a penny.

Glasgow Green & The People’s Palace

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to Glasgow Green

Glasgow Green is a large 55-acre park situated in the heart of Glasgow. Due to its location it’s one of the most-used green spaces in the city, but it has other accolades including being the oldest park in Glasgow (King James designated it a park in 1450) and the city’s main event space.

Two major events that draw tens of thousands of people each year are the TRNSMT Music Festival and the World Pipe Band Championships, but even these don’t draw as many people as the star of the show – The People’s Palace.

This ornate, red-bricked building opened in 1898 as a social history museum and it still serves that purpose today with a large collection of artefacts that tell the story of Glasgow, its people and the shipbuilding industry that transformed it into one of the great industrial powerhouses of Britain.

Adjacent to the People’s Palace is the Winter Garden, which is an enormous greenhouse along the lines of Kibble Palace in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Inside, you’ll find a collection of exotic plants next to a café, exhibitions, and a shop, and as with most other attractions in this city, entry is completely free.

Kelvingrove Museum

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to Kelvingrove Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum barely needs an introduction as it’s one of the most-visited attractions in Scotland. This huge art gallery and museum is located on the southwest edge of the 84-acre Kelvingrove Park, meaning it’s within walking distance of lots of other attractions, including the Riverside Museum , The Tall Ship and the Hunterian Museum , which are all just a 15-minute walk away.

Stepping through the doors onto the marble floor of the great hall is quite an experience as there are exhibitions and displays crammed into every nook and cranny, and in fact, Kelvingrove Museum is home to an astounding 9,000 artefacts and paintings.

Visitors will enjoy the Life and Expression galleries, which feature displays from the fields of nature, history, and science, while art lovers can marvel at the fine art galleries that include masterpieces by Rembrandt, Salvador Dalí, and Renoir. In total, there are 22 galleries in Kelvingrove Museum, along with a cafe and a gift shop.

The Glasgow Necropolis

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to The Glasgow Necropolis

This is one of the more unusual attractions in Glasgow but it’s no less popular for it. The Necropolis is a historic graveyard situated on a hill overlooking the cathedral, where more than 50,000 burial stones cover 37 acres.

Many of the decorative tombs and headstones date from Victorian times, and the majority are quite unlike any you’ll see in any other graveyard in Scotland.

The Necropolis’s unique design by a landscape gardener rather than an architect gives it a parkland-like feel as you navigate its maze of winding pathways. The mix of tombstones, woodland, and carpets of wildflowers all add to the atmosphere, so it’s not surprising the Necropolis attracts so many tourists, especially in the summer.

You’ll get superb views of the city skyline by climbing to the foot of the John Knox Monument, but if you’d rather learn about the history of the iconic graveyard you can join a guided walking tour organized by The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis .

The University of Glasgow

Out About Scotland Complete Guide to The University of Glasgow

This might not be the first place that springs to mind when looking for tourist attractions in Glasgow, but the city university definitely deserves a place on your sightseeing itinerary.

As one of the oldest universities in the world (having been founded in 1451), the University of Glasgow is an extraordinary place, not only for its size, which has grown steadily over the course of hundreds of years, but also for its Gothic architecture, which is as close to Harry Potter’s Hogwarts as you’re ever likely to find in real life.

You’re free to roam around the exterior at your leisure, but be aware that the university is a working building, so many areas are off-limits to tourists. That being said, there are a few must-sees in the university, including the Cloisters underneath the Gilbert Scott building, Bute Hall, and the Hunterian Museum.

The Hunterian Museum is worth the journey on its own, and in fact, I’d say it’s one of the top attractions in the city. The museum features one of the finest collections of historic artefacts in Scotland, sourced from the fields of archaeology, palaeontology, medicine, and zoology.

It might not be as big as Kelvingrove but it’s just as interesting and has far fewer crowds, plus – like all the best attractions in Glasgow – it’s completely free to get in.

More Attractions in Glasgow

Getting around glasgow.

Glasgow is built on a grid system, which makes it very easy to navigate either by public transport or on foot. There are extensive bus networks and an efficient subway system which both run regular transport connections to all major districts within the city.

Glasgow can be navigated on foot via the many tourist information signs on the streets, while taxis can be hailed from the roadside if your feet are in need of a rest after a busy day of sightseeing.

In my opinion, the best way to explore the city is on foot, as Glasgow City Council has released a  Glasgow Walking iPhone app that makes it easy to find your way to the main tourist attractions. Alternatively, pick up a free paper map from the Glasgow iCentre (address: 156a/158 Buchanan Street, G1 2LL).

Glasgow’s Subway

Glasgow is unusual in Scotland as it’s the only city that has its own subway system. Although not the cheapest option, the subway is the easiest way to get to the city centre and the west end.

Trains run every 5 minutes at peak times and take just 24 minutes to complete a circuit of the 15 stations. You can either buy a single ticket or a  Subway Smartcard which offers the best fare prices and allows you to top up as you go. The  Glasgow Subway map  is a great way to find your way around the stations.

If you want to find out information about the various travel options in the Glasgow and Strathclyde areas, check out the SPT Travel Centres in the city as they provide all the information you need during your visit. Meanwhile, Traveline Scotland  covers public transport across the rest of Scotland if you intend to travel further afield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is glasgow.

Glasgow is located in the western lowlands of Scotland at roughly the same latitude as Edinburgh. It is a port city and it’s famous for its shipbuilding industry centred around the River Clyde. Glasgow is also the largest city in Scotland, and it has the largest population.

Distances from other UK cities:

Glasgow to Edinburgh: 39 miles (62.76 km). Glasgow to London: 346 miles (556.83 km). Glasgow to Birmingham: 253 miles (407.16 km). Glasgow to Manchester: 184 miles (296.12 km). Glasgow to Cardiff: 306 miles (492.46 km).

What is the oldest pub in Glasgow?

Glasgow is well known for its traditional pubs, some of which are hundreds of years old. The oldest pub in Glasgow is believed to be The Saracen Head in Gallowgate. The pub has moved location several times and it is recorded that there have been four Saracen Head pubs in Gallowgate since 1755.

The previous contender for Glasgow’s oldest pub was The Old College Bar which was said to date to 1515 but was recently discovered to have actually been built in 1810.

What is there to do in Glasgow?

Glasgow is one of the top cities in Britain for attractions, many of which are council-run and have no entrance fee. Top-rated things to do include:

Parks: Pollock Country Park, Bellahouston Park, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Green, Queen’s Park. Museums: Kelvingrove Museum, Riverside Museum, St. Mungo Museum, Scottish Football Museum. Galleries: Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Hunterian Art Gallery, People’s Palace, Gallery of Modern Art. Historic buildings: Glasgow Cathedral, the University of Glasgow, Pollock House. Attractions: Glasgow Botanic Garden, Glasgow Science Centre, The Tall Ship, The Necropolis.

How old is Glasgow?

Glasgow is thought to be at least 1,500 years old. It is known there was a settlement on the River Clyde where modern Glasgow is located in 550 BC, but the settlement did not begin to develop into a city until St. Kentigern established the 6th-century chapel that would later become Glasgow Cathedral.

Related Posts

The Best Things to Do in Glasgow With Children

The Best Things to Do in Glasgow City Centre

Tourist Advice for Visitors to Glasgow

Pollok Country Park

The Burrell Collection

Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

Visit Planning

• Plan Your Visit
• Event Calendar
• Current Exhibitions
• Family Activities
• Guidelines and Policies
• Access Programs
• Accessibility
• Dementia Programs
• Verbal Description Tours

Explore Art and Artists

Collection highlights.

• Search Artworks
• New Acquisitions
• Search Artists
• Search Women Artists

Something Fun

• Which Artist Shares Your Birthday?

Exhibitions

• Upcoming Exhibitions
• Traveling Exhibitions
• Past Exhibitions

Art Conservation

• Lunder Conservation Center

Research Resources

• Research and Scholars Center
• Nam June Paik Archive Collection
• Photograph Study Collection
• National Art Inventories Databases
• Save Outdoor Sculpture!
• Researching Your Art

Publications

• American Art Journal
• Catalogs and Books
• Scholarly Symposia
• Publication Prizes

Fellows and Interns

• Fellowship Programs
• List of Fellows and Scholars
• Internship Programs

Featured Resource

• Support the Museum
• Corporate Patrons
• Gift Planning
• Donating Artworks
• Join the Director's Circle
• Join SAAM Creatives

Become a member

• Webcasts & Online

Join the Smithsonian American Art Museum for a docent-led virtual tour designed for participants who are blind or have low vision. Discover highlights from the collection through rich verbal descriptions that invoke a multisensory experience.   Image credit: Mary Tait, SAAM Education 

Schools and Nurseries

Our 2023-24 programme of workshops for nursery, primary and secondary school groups is now available.  Download the brochure . 

Sessions are available at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, People's Palace, the Gallery of Modern Art and St Mungo Museum. Through our partnership with the RSPB, schools can also choose to take part in a field teaching session in Kelvingrove Park.

New sessions this year include:

• My Stories - an exciting interactive digital experience at Kelvingrove Museum for young people age 12-18+ with an emphasis on developing life skills. 
• Materials of Our Planet - earth sciences at GMRC for upper primary 
• Express Yourself - our Identities Past and Presen t at Burrell Collection - primary & secondary 
• Glasgow City of Empire tour s - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• Urban Wildlife Detectives with the RSPB 

ASL groups are free of charge, however multiple visits from the same group of pupils will incur a small charge. Self-led visits for all educational groups are free, but please book in advance. 

To book a visit please email [email protected] or call 0141 276 9505 / 9506 (option 1, Monday–Friday).

We also have a range of learning resources , including trails to use in venue 

Give feedback about this page

Your feedback will help us improve this website. We will not respond directly to comments left here, so please do not include any personal information in your feedback. If you would like a response, use our contact form instead.