Royal Exchange Square: A Cultural Gem in Glasgow
Discover the lively Royal Exchange Square in Glasgow, a cultural landmark renowned for its stunning architecture, art exhibitions, and vibrant atmosphere.
Royal Exchange Square is a vibrant cultural hub in Glasgow, celebrated for its stunning architecture, rich history, and lively atmosphere. It serves as a popular gathering spot for both locals and tourists, offering a glimpse into the city's artistic spirit and social life.
A brief summary to Royal Exchange Square
- Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, GB
Local tips
- Visit the Gallery of Modern Art for free exhibitions showcasing contemporary art.
- Don’t forget to take a photo with the Duke of Wellington statue, especially with the iconic cone on his head!
- Check for any local events or performances happening in the square during your visit.
- Enjoy a coffee at one of the nearby cafes while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
Getting There
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Walking
If you are in the City Centre, head towards Buchanan Street, a popular pedestrian shopping area. Walk towards the intersection with St. Vincent Street. Continue straight until you reach the end of Buchanan Street where it meets Royal Exchange Square, and you will find yourself in the square. The square is known for its vibrant atmosphere and is home to the famous statue of the Duke of Wellington.
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Public Transport - Subway
If you are farther away, you can take the Glasgow Subway. The nearest subway station is Buchanan Street Station. From there, board a train heading towards Hillhead. Get off at the next stop, which is St. Enoch Station. Exit the station and head towards Argyle Street. Walk along Argyle Street until you reach the intersection with Queen Street. Turn left onto Queen Street and continue until you reach Royal Exchange Square.
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Public Transport - Bus
You can also take a bus to get closer to Royal Exchange Square. Look for bus routes that stop at Queen Street or Ingram Street. Once you get off the bus, head towards the direction of the City Chambers, and walk towards Royal Exchange Square, which is a short walk from either stop.
Discover more about Royal Exchange Square
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Walter Scott Monument
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A towering Gothic tribute to Sir Walter Scott in Glasgow’s historic George Square, celebrating Scotland’s literary heritage.
Historic Walking Tours of Glasgow
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St George's Tron Church of Scotland
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Historic Presbyterian church with iconic Baroque tower, rooted in Glasgow’s evangelical heritage and vibrant city centre life.
ToursByLocals - Glasgow
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La Pasionaria
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Glasgow City Heritage Trust
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Explore Glasgow's rich history with the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the city's architectural and cultural heritage.
Strath Wonderwall Mural - Land Ship
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Tolbooth Steeple
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Glasgow’s iconic 17th-century Tolbooth Steeple stands tall as a historic clock tower and enduring symbol of the city’s rich civic past.
St Andrew's in the Square - Glasgow
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Barrowland Park
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McLennan Arch
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The Glenlee Propellers
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Discover the Glenlee Propellers, iconic steel relics symbolizing Glasgow’s proud shipbuilding heritage and maritime history.
McLellan Galleries
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Victorian art gallery turned creative workspace, preserving Glasgow's 19th-century cultural ambitions.
Glasgow 2014 Monument
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A bold, colourful sculpture celebrating Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games, where sport, art and civic pride come together in a striking riverside landmark.
Provand's Lordship
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Unmissable attractions to see
Equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington, Glasgow
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A historic Glasgow landmark where imperial legacy meets playful rebellion, crowned by its famous traffic cone hat.
Gallery of Modern Art
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Scotland’s premier modern art gallery in a grand neoclassical building, offering free entry to diverse contemporary artworks and vibrant cultural programs.
The Social
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Discover The Social, Glasgow's lively bar and grill, offering delicious food, live music, and a warm, inviting atmosphere in Royal Exchange Square.
Good as Gold Street Art
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A witty mural in Glasgow’s city center humorously capturing the soaring price of Freddo chocolates as a symbol of inflation.
Tobacco Merchant's House
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Glasgow’s last 18th-century tobacco merchant villa, a preserved Georgian gem and vivid reminder of the city’s mercantile and colonial past.
55 Argyll Arcade
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Scotland’s oldest covered arcade, Argyll Arcade dazzles with historic charm and a premier collection of jewellers in Glasgow’s heart.
James Watt Statue
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Discover the iconic James Watt Statue in Glasgow’s George Square, honoring the engineer who powered the Industrial Revolution with his steam engine innovation.
Princes Square Shopping Centre
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A stunning blend of Victorian elegance, luxury shopping, and fine dining beneath Glasgow’s iconic glass roof.
Bronze 3D Map of City Centre
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Explore Glasgow’s city centre through a unique, tactile bronze 3D map blending art, accessibility, and urban history at Buchanan Street.
Argyll Arcade
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Scotland's diamond epicenter: Victorian arcade brimming with luxury jewelry, watches, and bespoke sparkle in Glasgow's heart.
Buchanan St
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Glasgow’s vibrant pedestrian shopping street blending historic charm, diverse retail, lively entertainment, and cultural landmarks.
George Square
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George Square – Glasgow’s iconic civic heart, where history, architecture, and vibrant public life converge in the city centre.
Merchants House of Glasgow
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A historic Victorian venue in Glasgow’s city centre offering elegant event spaces and a charitable mission in the heart of George Square.
The Lighthouse
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Merchant City
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Discover Glasgow’s Merchant City: where historic elegance meets vibrant arts, dining, and shopping in the city’s cultural heart.
Essential places to dine
Glaschu Restaurant & Bar
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Elegant modern Scottish dining in the heart of Glasgow’s historic Royal Exchange Square with a stylish atmosphere and locally inspired cuisine.
The Spanish Butcher Glasgow
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Savor premium Galician beef and Spanish flavors in a chic, industrial-style steakhouse at Glasgow’s vibrant city centre.
La Vita
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Authentic stone-baked Italian pizzas and classic dishes served in Glasgow’s vibrant city centre, open daily from early morning to late night.
Ralph & Finns
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Elegant modern Scottish dining and creative cocktails in a historic Glasgow Merchant City setting.
The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow
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Glamorous Glasgow brasserie with art deco charm, reliable British cooking, and cocktails in a converted bank.
The Citizen Glasgow
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Historic charm meets modern Scottish cuisine in a stylish city-center restaurant with a warm, lively atmosphere.
The Anchor Line
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Historic grill and cocktail bar in a 1906 Edwardian shipping company headquarters with nautical charm.
Brutti Compadres Platos Pequenos
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Discover vibrant Mediterranean tapas and inventive cocktails in Glasgow’s charming Merchant City hotspot, Brutti Compadres Platos Pequenos.
Browns Glasgow
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Historic charm meets contemporary British cuisine in the heart of Glasgow’s George Square at Browns Brasserie & Bar.
Sugo Pasta
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Fresh, handmade regional Italian pasta in a lively, modern Glasgow setting – no bookings, just great pasta and a buzzing atmosphere.
Las Iguanas - Glasgow
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Mediterraneo Italian Restaurant & Champagne Bar
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Windows Restaurant
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Glasgow’s only rooftop restaurant offering modern European cuisine with panoramic city views atop the Carlton George Hotel.
Saints of Ingram
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Historic Hutchesons’ Hall hosts Saints of Ingram, a stylish Glasgow venue blending classic brunch, cocktails, and live weekend entertainment.
Amarone
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Fat Buddha Store
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Glasgow's ultimate streetwear haven: premium menswear, spray paints, vinyl toys, and urban essentials across three vibrant floors since 2006.
Geek-aboo
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Eurasia Crafts
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Discover handcrafted wonders from Eurasia in a cozy Glasgow gem—unique gifts, artisan stories, and cultural treasures await on elegant Queen Street.
Osiris - Alternative Fashion Store
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A compact, characterful alternative-fashion and curios shop on Queen Street specialising in goth, emo and eclectic accessories.
Primark
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Vast budget fashion haven on Glasgow's Argyle Street: trendy clothes, beauty, home goods, and more in a wheelchair-accessible city-center mega-store.
Tartan Tastic Gift & Souvenirs
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House of Fraser
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House Of Cashmere Glasgow
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The Shop Network
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A diverse urban retail destination in Glasgow’s city centre offering gifts, accessories, clothing, and tech essentials all under one roof.
The Glasgow Souvenir Outlet
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Authentic Scottish treasures in Glasgow's vibrant core: tartans, whisky keepsakes, and artisan crafts for every traveler's suitcase.
Wee scottish shop
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Pride of Glasgow
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Taste of Scotland
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Discover authentic Scottish gifts and rare whiskies in the heart of Glasgow at Taste of Scotland, your gateway to Scotland’s rich heritage.
Tartan House of Scotland
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The Clydeside Collective
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Wunderbar
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The Spiritualist Glasgow
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TABAC
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Cairns Bar
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Ross's Original Bar
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The Piper Whisky Bar
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Glasgow's premier whisky haven with 200+ Scotches, live music nightly, and pub grub overlooking George Square – pure Scottish spirit in every sip.
Sloans
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Glasgow’s oldest bar and restaurant since 1797, famed for lively events, historic charm, and legendary Macaroni Cheese in a vibrant city-centre setting.
Bacchus Bar
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Steps Bar
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Waxy O'Connor's Glasgow
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BrewDog Glasgow Merchant City
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The Alchemist Glasgow
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Speakeasy
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Horseshoe Bar Glasgow
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Drum & Monkey Glasgow
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Traditional Glasgow gastropub in a historic bank building, famed for its ales, hearty pies, and welcoming city centre vibe.
Nightclubs & after hour spots
La Cheetah Club
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Delmonicas
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Club X
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Glasgow's underground RnB haven: where beats throb, lights flash, and the LGBTQ+ community dances till dawn in Merchant City's beating heart.
Riding Room
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Fancy cabaret club in Glasgow's gay triangle, serving exotic kettle cocktails alongside burlesque, magic, and cheeky shows in a lively, intimate venue.
Polo Lounge
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Glasgow's grandest gay nightclub: multi-level dance floors, cheap drinks, and non-stop energy until dawn in Merchant City's heart.
AXM Glasgow
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Scotland's biggest LGBTQ+ nightclub: two floors of pop, charts, and dance in Glasgow's heart, with cheap drinks and zero attitude.
Platinum Lace Glasgow
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Glasgow’s premier gentlemen’s club with stunning dancers, VIP luxury, and an electric nightlife atmosphere in the city centre.
Cathouse Rock Club
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Glasgow's unrelenting rock fortress since 1990—metal riffs, live gigs, and alternative fury across three pounding rooms.
Club Tropicana & Venga
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Two-room retro nightclub in central Glasgow with themed ’80s/’90s nights, booth bookings and a high-energy weekend atmosphere.
Classic Grand
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Glasgow's ultimate electronic music haven in a reborn cinema, where thunderous beats and euphoric crowds collide until dawn.
Popworld Glasgow
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Dive into a whirlwind of 80s-00s pop anthems, retro props, and cocktail-fueled dance marathons at Glasgow's ultimate cheesy nightclub escape.
Sub Club
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Glasgow’s legendary underground nightclub, Sub Club, pulses with cutting-edge sound and authentic dance culture in an intimate basement setting.
Kokomo Glasgow
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Bamboo
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Glasgow’s energetic three-room basement nightclub offering affordable drinks and diverse music for a lively student crowd.
142B Lounge
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Glasgow's premier spot for Afrobeats, Amapiano, and African flavors—dance, dine, and vibe in luxury VIP style until dawn.
