You’ll want to shop until you drop in this Scottish city!

Where do you find the best shopping in the UK after London? Glasgow, of course! Here’s where to go when you want to splash some cash.

The shopping in Glasgow is world-class, famous for its upmarket boutiques and long, car-free shopping streets. The major Glasgow shops are found right in the heart of the city centre, while there are also large shopping malls, and quirky independent stores and markets spread all around. Shopping is a quintessential Glasgow experience that you simply won’t want to miss.

The Golden Z

Looking for one-stop shopping? Come to the Golden Z, Glasgow’s main shopping precinct which runs through Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street. You’ll find everything you could possibly imagine here, from designer and high-street brands, to bargain stores and unique souvenirs. Start in Buchanan Street and walk the ‘style mile’ to shop up a storm in the Buchanan Galleries, with its 80+ shops, and St Enoch Centre, Europe’s largest glass-roofed building. Have your credit cards at the ready: along with the legendary Champs Elysees and Fifth Avenue, Buchanan Street has been voted one of the world’s top retail destinations. Didn’t find what you were looking for? Located just near Buchanan Street, Princes Square is a luxury designer arcade, that’s worth coming just for a look at the beautiful Art Nouveau stained glass.

All things sparkly

For some of the best jewellery shops in Glasgow, head straight for the Argyll Arcade, one of the oldest covered shopping arcades in Britain. Here, you’ll find the Scotland’s largest collection of jewellers and diamond retailers, 32 in total! You’ll find prestigious brands such as Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard and Longines all housed under one stunning roof.

Best for a rainy day

Just 15 minutes from Glasgow city centre is Braehead shopping centre, where you’re free to shop over 100 stores, restaurants and a huge leisure centre. All the big brands are here – Marks & Spencer, Primark, Hollister, Gap, Sainsbury’s, Ikea and more. And once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, you can grab a quick bite to eat at Caffe Nero, the Handmade Burger Co, or Subway. Not a shopaholic? There are plenty of other things to do at Braehead – the leisure centre has the UK’s largest indoor real snow slope and the highest indoor freestanding climbing wall in Europe. There’s also a state-of-the-art cinema, a ten-pin bowling alley, two 18-hole golf courses and even a curling rink.

Open-air shopping

Glasgow Fort shopping centre is another entertainment and leisure complex located just out of town in Auchinlea Park, approximately 5 miles east of Glasgow centre. Unlike Braehead, the shops in Glasgow Fort are actually all out in the open, so you feel like you’re walking a high street, rather than a commercial mall. Shops include all your favourites such as H&M, River Island, Topshop and Zara, as well as a large Marks & Spencer and speciality stores. Glasgow Fort opening times are 9am-10pm Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm Saturdays and 10am-7pm Sundays.

Take shelter under Hielanman’s Umbrella!

A famous Glasgow landmark, Hielanman’s Umbrella is the local nickname for the glass railway bridge from Central Station. Make sure you stop by Fopp, one of the best music shops in Glasgow, then continue over to Merchant Square, a chic shopping venue housed in the Old Fruitmarket. It’s become a popular meeting place, with a range of trendy bars, international restaurants and even two nightclubs.