This impressive Victorian cemetery, behind the Glasgow Cathedral, is home to remarkable tombs and tens of thousands of graves, including those of notable Scots.

Set aside a couple of hours to wander around the Glasgow Necropolis. Spread across 37 acres (15 hectares), this is one of the largest green spaces in the center of Glasgow. Although there are more than 3,000 tombs, and tens of thousands of graves, the site is less eerie than you may expect of a Gothic cemetery.

The city cemetery was initiated in 1831 and involved the transformation of a city park and arboretum. The first person buried here was Joseph Levi, a Jewish jeweler. Today, the cemetery contains many monuments designed by acclaimed Glaswegians, including artist James Hamilton and the architect Charles Mackintosh.

Look for Mackintosh’s Celtic Cross and the baroque tomb of John Henry Alexander, the former manager of Glasgow’s Theatre Royal. Gaze up at the 70-feet (21-meter) tall John Knox Monument and admire the Hindu gargoyles on the Monteath Mausoleum for Archibald Douglas Monteath, a military leader who served in India.

Learn more about the necropolis on a guided walking tour. Well-informed volunteers tell stories of the burial ground’s major tombs, historic figures, and architects. The tour is free, but a donation to help preserve the cemetery is appreciated. Check the official website for the scheduled tour times. You can also pay a small fee to download a pocket guide of the 60 most famous monuments on the grounds and explore on your own.

Combine a tour of the cemetery with a visit to the magnificent Glasgow Cathedral and St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. This is all part of the city’s Heritage Trail, which showcases the city’s important historic buildings. Download a map of the trail from the Glasgow City Council website.

Glasgow Necropolis is within walking distance of central George Square. There is metered on-street parking nearby if you decide to drive. Public buses stop on Castle Street, close to the main entrance. The nearest train station is High Street. The cemetery is open daily, but closes after sunset.

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Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow

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￥376,164

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Sep 24 - Sep 27

found 16 hours ago

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9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)

Staff did their best to make a bad situation, tolerable. As noted by the hotel, they are surrounded by construction that is noisy and messy. Parking is nearby but you have to drag your luggage to the hotel. We had dinner in the restaurant and service was good as was the food.

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2026

Native Glasgow

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￥406,608

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Sep 24 - Sep 27

found 16 hours ago

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9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,178 reviews)

Location would have been ok but the whole area is under construction with no place to drop off bags or park. They directed us to use two different shared lots over 15 min walk away- 25 min if you’re dragging luggage and family with you. And only stairs up in to the hotel, again with kids and luggage it was a mess. Check it was still 3 hours away so we left of bags in the lobby and they said they would put them in our rooms for us. We returned 4 hours later and they were still in the lobby. Our rooms air conditioner was out and didn’t work the whole night. They gave us fans and we left the windows open but the hotel is above a ton of bars and people drinking and parties all night, it was so noisy. And after the parting was over the bars spent two hours after throwing away bottles. I have never had such a miserable hot loud night. We sent an email to the hotel management went we first got into the room about the temperature and never heard back. The guy working at the lobby desk was nice and there was nothing he could do. And the room was laid out nice and was clean.

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2026