Buchanan Street Tours and Activities

Buchanan Street showing street scenes as well as a large group of people
Buchanan Street featuring night scenes and street scenes
Buchanan Street showing street scenes as well as a large group of people
Buchanan Street featuring street scenes, a city and modern architecture
Buchanan Street showing heritage elements and heritage architecture


Cutting through the heart of Glasgow, this bustling pedestrianized street is lined with sleek shopping centres, restaurants and several cultural highlights.

Buchanan Street is a common part of any trip to Glasgow as it is bookended by two major stations. Spend time on this wide, car-free street during your trip to the cosmopolitan city. Walk along the length of “Style Mile” for an afternoon of shopping and sightseeing.

At the northern end of Buchanan Street is a set of iconic steps that lead up to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Lounge with the locals who like to gather on the stairs as a focal point in the city. Not far from this meeting point is the statue of Donald Dewar, the first leader of a devolved Scottish Parliament.

Spend an evening in the concert hall, which hosts orchestras, legendary musicians and experimental performances. The modern auditorium, shaped for the best listening experience, is the Glasgow home of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, who perform here frequently.

Head south from the hall to reach the Buchanan Galleries, an expansive mall. This street is the main shopping destination in the city, with fashion boutiques and several stylish retail centers. Spend hours browsing the latest trends in Princes Square Shopping Centre, which is built around an elegant, glass-roofed atrium. The jewelry shops in Argyll Arcade are equally enticing.

Take a small detour off Buchanan Street in either direction to admire art in beautiful surroundings. Turn to the west to the Lighthouse, a center for design and architecture created by famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. A few yards east of the street is the neoclassical Gallery of Modern Art, which combines permanent exhibits with touring exhibitions to display the best in contemporary painting, sculpture and multimedia.

After filling your shopping bags, relax in one of the cafés and restaurants facing onto the street. Choose from Indian restaurants, pizzerias, American food joints or more informal coffee shops.

Walk from Buchanan Street to Glasgow's two major train stations. Trains from Queen Street head north and east into the rest of Scotland, while Glasgow Central links the city to the west coast as well as regular routes into England.

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Best Lodging Options Near Buchanan Street

The Social Hub Glasgow

The Social Hub Glasgow

4 out of 5
15 Candleriggs, Glasgow, Scotland
The Social Hub Glasgow
Clayton Hotel Glasgow

Clayton Hotel Glasgow

4 out of 5
298 Clyde Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Clayton Hotel Glasgow
Motel One Glasgow

Motel One Glasgow

3.5 out of 5
78-82 Oswald Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Motel One Glasgow
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central

DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central

4 out of 5
36 Cambridge Street, Glasgow, Scotland
DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central
Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow

Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow

4 out of 5
80 Jamaica Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Leonardo Royal Hotel Glasgow
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

4 out of 5
50 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
voco Grand Central Glasgow by IHG

voco Grand Central Glasgow by IHG

4 out of 5
99 Gordon Street, Glasgow, Scotland
voco Grand Central Glasgow by IHG
citizenM Glasgow

citizenM Glasgow

4 out of 5
60 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland
citizenM Glasgow
Carlton George Hotel

Carlton George Hotel

4 out of 5
44 West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Carlton George Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Buchanan Street

Explore the vibrant atmosphere of Buchanan Street, where you can enjoy thrilling theatre performances and live music. Don't miss the chance to embark on a fascinating scenes tour, showcasing the city's rich culture, or indulge in a shopping trip at its renowned retail stores. This bustling street offers a delightful mix of activities for every visitor, making it a must-visit destination in Glasgow.

Shopping

Experience shopping on Buchanan Street, where you can visit the St. Enoch Centre, Buchanan Galleries, and Argyll Arcade, all within 322m. These venues offer a vibrant atmosphere perfect for families and city explorers alike.

Recreation

Hampden Park, a lively sports stadium, offers an energetic atmosphere just 3.2km from Buchanan Street, perfect for sports enthusiasts. For music lovers, the Barrowland Ballroom, located 1.3km away, provides an entertaining vibe. Meanwhile, Cathkin Braes Country Park, 8.0km away, invites relaxation with its beautiful landscapes.

Adventure

Embark on an adventure at Hillside Path, located 3.2km from Buchanan Street, where you can enjoy scenic outdoor trails. For climbing enthusiasts, the Glasgow Climbing Centre offers thrilling challenges within a 3.2km radius. If you're up for skiing, visit Snow Factor, a fantastic indoor venue 6.4km away.

Nightlife

Buchanan Street offers vibrant nightlife with the Kings Theatre and Arches Theatre, both just a short walk away, showcasing culture and entertainment. For a thrilling evening, visit the Grosvenor Casino Glasgow, where romance and excitement await in a lively city atmosphere.

Find the best attractions near Buchanan Street

Buchanan Street in Glasgow is a vibrant hub offering a mix of modern colleges, lively squares, and entertainment venues, making it ideal for culture seekers, families, and city explorers. Nearby attractions enhance your visit, providing a rich experience in this dynamic area. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in Glasgow's unique charm while discovering the local points of interest around Buchanan Street.

  • OVO Hydro: Experience world-class entertainment at the OVO Hydro, an arena that hosts everything from concerts to sports events. just 1.6km from Buchanan Street, it offers a lively atmosphere perfect for families and friends looking for fun.
  • George Square: Located only 161m away, George Square is the heart of Glasgow's culture. Surrounded by stunning architecture, it's a great place to relax, take photos, and soak up the vibrant city vibes.
  • Merchant City: A charming neighbourhood just 483m from Buchanan Street, Merchant City is known for its trendy boutiques, restaurants, and lively atmosphere, making it a great spot to explore local culture and cuisine.

Best time to go to Buchanan Street

The best time to visit Buchanan Street is dependant on what kind of holiday you are seeking. July is its hottest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are average and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain. January is its coolest month on average. At this time, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January37.8°F (3.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low
February38.7°F (3.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
March41.0°F (5.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
April45.0°F (7.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
May50.0°F (10.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
June55.2°F (12.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly High
July57.6°F (14.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly High
August56.7°F (13.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly High
September53.6°F (12.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
October48.6°F (9.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly Low
November42.6°F (5.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly HighSlightly Low
December39.0°F (3.9°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Buchanan Street

To save money during your visit to Buchanan Street, consider travelling in the off-peak months of January and October to November for lower accommodation rates. Opt for free attractions like the University of Glasgow and George Square. Book your hotel about a month in advance for better deals, or check Expedia for last-minute discounts. Mondays are typically the cheapest days to stay, while Saturdays are the priciest. Use Expedia’s search tool to filter hotels by budget and eco-certification for sustainable options, and consider package deals for additional savings on flights and activities.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Buchanan Street are January and October to November, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June to August, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: The cheapest time to book a hotel around Buchanan Street is usually 1 month out from when you are planning to stay, though if you're late to the party, have a look at Expedia's last minute deals - the green banner below the hotel's price indicates a discounted rate.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Buchanan Street is Monday. The most expensive day to stay around Buchanan Street is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Utilize Expedia's search tool to refine your travel preferences, such as your budget, desired location, and preferred type of accommodation. For instance, selecting the "Eco-certified" option will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels currently available. To find the best prices and offers, simply arrange the price filter from lowest to highest.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can potentially save money by combining your hotel stay on Buchanan Street with your flights and activities through an Expedia package deal.

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