The beautiful city that’s crowned UK’s best weekend city break

Glasgow has been named the UK’s ‘best weekend city break’ with its fantastic pubs, bars and scenic walking routes. The Scottish city may not be the official capital, but it is the largest and offers a wealth of attractions.

Art lovers should visit the Burrell Collection, which reopened a few years ago and boasts an impressive array of art, including works by famous French artists like Manet, Cezanne and Degas.

Foodies will love Glasgow’s thriving Italian food scene, particularly the modern pizza offerings at Pizza Punks in the city centre.

For a taste of Japan, head to Mikaku, a new addition to the city that serves ramen, cocktails and Izakaya in a setting reminiscent of downtown Tokyo. With 222 five-star restaurants and two Michelin star establishments, Unalome and Cail Bruich, visitors will never be short of dining options.

If you can tolerate the chilly winds blowing from the Atlantic or the frequent spells of rain that drench the city, Glasgow boasts a nightlife only London and Manchester come close to in the UK.

The re-purposed parts of this city are great spots for random warehouse parties, with plenty of pubs ensuring you’re never parched.

Hip student vibes thrive at the Stereo Cafe bar (or The Old Hairdresser’s opposite). But for a classic Glaswegian pub experience, The Horseshoe Bar is your bet, flaunting a beautiful wood bar worth checking out. For a more upscale but authentically Scottish atmosphere, there’s The Pot Still – a whisky pub that’s “pure heavy good”.

For the outdoorsy types, numerous walking routes lead out of the city into the hills. Loch Lomond, only a quick train journey away and less than 20 miles from the city centre, offers kayaking, swimming, boating, bird of prey centres, and stunning waterfalls among other activities.

Every year, tourism and property advice service Resonance Consultancy unveils its rankings of the world’s top cities using various criteria. Last year, Glasgow was ranked the second-best UK city (following London), securing the 61st spot overall.

It has now been crowned the best place in the UK for a weekend getaway by Village Hotels. They looked at various factors such as outdoor activities, sports tourism, food and drink, shopping, and arts and culture. London, with its many national galleries, museums, and sports stadiums, was not included in the list.

Birmingham comes in second place, offering an excellent shopping experience with 11 shopping centres and 53 vintage stores. Digbeth, named the UK’s ‘coolest neighbourhood’, is home to Red Brick market and the Custard Factory, which boasts independent cafes, shops, and cinemas. Foodies will also love Birmingham, with its 246 five-star restaurants, four of which have a Michelin star.

Leeds, located in Yorkshire, takes third place with a score of 5.951. Known for its sports tourism, Leeds is home to four professional stadiums, including Elland Road, the home ground of Leeds United. You can also catch a Leeds Rhinos game or a cricket match at Headingley Cricket Ground. The city’s shopping scene is impressive too, with the Corn Exchange being a highlight for independent shops.