Living in the heart of Glasgow City Centre has many benefits. From being the hub of many transport links, the array of shops, bars, restaurants and cafes, popular nightlife and even a world-renowned University, Glasgow City Centre truly has a lot to offer any home buyer. It’s much more than just a living destination for students.

If you’re considering your next property move and think that the City might be the right place for you, we’ve got a whistle-stop guide of Glasgow City Centre, covering all the best places to visit, eat and drink and of course, live, whether it’s to rent or buy.

As with all of our previous ‘Spotlight on’ guides, to ensure we cover as many areas as possible, our City Centre edition will be split into two parts, so come back next week for the second instalment or visit s1homes.com/blog for the complete guide.

Trongate

One of the oldest streets in Glasgow, Trongate begins at Glasgow Cross, a major junction leading from five streets, and heads westwards towards Argyle Street. In the heart of Trongate stands the Tolbooth Steeple, known more affectionately by Glaswegians as ‘the big clock’. Moving along the Gallowgate into the East End of Glasgow, you’ll find the infamous Barras Market and Barrowlands Ballroom – one of the best music venues in the world, with class acts gracing the stage like U2, The Cure, Metallica, Bob Dylan and even Britney Spears.

These days you’ll also find BAad, the Barras Art and Design, a collection of spaces to enjoy food, drink and entertainment.

Heading back westwards, you’ll get to the Saltmarket. You can head down to Glasgow Green for a variety of events such as charity runs, festivals or just simple Sunday walks with the dog. You’ll also find a lovely venue for parties and weddings at St Andrews in the Square, an 18th-century A-listed converted church. The square itself is home to stunning townhouses and flats looking onto the courtyard and church.

You also have some great places to eat and drink, like Bucks Bar and Maggie Mays, both great places for tasty food and rock n roll music. There’s also Esca for Italian dining or Café Cossachock, the ‘first and only truly authentic Russian restaurant in Scotland’ – worth a visit not only for the food but the amazing décor of red walls, colourful paintings, handmade wooden furniture and Russian shawls.

Properties in Trongate are mostly all flats, from tenements above shops to some more modern apartment buildings. A modern 1-bedroom apartment overlooking Glasgow Green can start upwards of £145,000 and prices to rent start from £850 up to £1,000 for a 2-bedroom tenement flat. For students, properties around St Andrews Square have been converted to studio flats ideal for those looking for affordable accommodation, with rental prices starting around £600.

From Trongate, you can either head into the Merchant City or head towards the East End of Glasgow. If you head along London Road, you’ll go past Glasgow Green, the Peoples Palace and don’t forget to stop off at West Brewery for a tour and a pint. Got a taste for beer? You’re just a short distance away from Drygate and Tennent’s Brewery, both well worth a visit.

Merchant City

Next to Trongate is the Merchant City area of Glasgow City, known for its designer stores, stylish cafes, great places to eat and drink and also home to the Old Fruitmarket – a popular music venue and wedding location. It’s also a hot spot for events such as festivals and craft markets. There’s always a buzz around this area, especially in the summertime.

You’re spoilt for choice with places to eat, from the restaurants within the Merchant Square, from Bar Soba serving pan-Asian street food and cocktails, the award-winning Metropolitan for a mix of leisurely lunches and date night atmosphere on the balcony, to Beer Café with live entertainment and a range of beers from around the world. For partying into the wee hours then Distrikt nightclub is where to head, or for a good show then make sure to visit Wild Cabaret lounge just around the corner from Merchant Square. For fun with all the family why not check out Escape Reality, one of the many new escape room venues you’ll find throughout Glasgow.

If it’s coffee and cake you’re after then you’ve got a selection of great cafes to choose from, like Singl-End, Tinderbox, the Wilson Street Pantry and Spitfire Espresso, to name just a few.

Just off main Ingram Street, you’ll find a variety of other great locations for food and drink, such as BrewDog for casual dining and great Scottish-brewed beers and Mediterraneo for some of the best seafood dishes.

Stay on Ingram Street if you’re looking to splash some cash on retail therapy, with a selection of high street and high-end designer shops.

The Merchant City is a really desirable location for those looking to live in Glasgow City Centre, with prices for a 1-bedroom flat starting at £150,000 and going upwards to nearer £200,000 for a 2-bedroom. There’s a mix of property styles, from traditional tenement flats to modern apartment buildings. Remember, the higher the floor, the better chance of having a fantastic view of the City.

Check out next week’s edition of our Spotlight on Glasgow City Centre as we head North towards George Square and the Glasgow City Chambers and West towards the heart of the City Centre, with high street shops, department stores and pubs along Buchanan Street, Glasgow Central Station and up the top to Sauchiehall Street.

For all the best properties for sale and to rent in Glasgow City Centre, visit s1homes.com today.

Some businesses mentioned in this article may be temporarily closed or offering limited services due to current lockdown restrictions.