Even with only 3 days, you can still see a good portion of Scotland's largest city. While Glasgow is much larger than Edinburgh, most of the important attractions are in the city center, and those that aren't are easily accessible. A quick trip on the underground takes you to the West End, the most desirable district of the city, while a bus ride across the river brings you to the Southside, with its key destination, the Burrell Collection.

Day 1: Central Glasgow

Start off in the heart of Glasgow. The bustling city center offers a host of monumental Victorian buildings and a couple of landmarks designed by the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh, such as his Glasgow School of Art. The city also boasts another great 19th-century design genius, Alexander "Greek" Thomson. Have a gander at his St. Vincent Street Church with its exotic mix of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean influences. Just east of the city's commercial center is Merchant City, with its trendy bars, good restaurants, art galleries - such as the Glasgow Print Studio - and performance spaces such as the City Halls. This is the historic core of the city, but alas most of its historic buildings are long gone. The strongest-surviving remnant of Glasgow's rich medieval history is Glasgow Cathedral.

Day 2: The West End

Glasgow's West End is the most prosperous and attractive district in the city. Not only is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum a fine piece of Victorian architecture, it also has an expansive collection of paintings and artifacts - one of the best held by any city in Europe. Take a stroll through adjacent Kelvingrove Park and then stop at the University of Glasgow, where you can see the complete interiors of the home where Mackintosh lived at the Hunterian Art Gallery. The West End's "Main Street" is Byres Road, with bars, restaurants, shops, and more. Detour onto cobbled Ashton Lane, or, on fine days, take in the city's Botanic Gardens at the top of Byres Road.

Day 3: The Southside

Glasgow is bisected by the River Clyde, and the city's Southside is considered, by some, to be the real Glasgow. A highlight of the area is the Burrell Collection, a custom-made museum holding the vast collection of art and artifacts amassed by an industrialist who bequeathed the entire wonderful lot to the city. If you find that "Greek" Thomson intrigues you, then definitely go to Holmwood House; it's the best example of his sumptuous and timeless villas. Families will enjoy the Science Centre on the southern banks of the Clyde.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.