Getting To Know Greenock (Glasgow) – Cruise Port Guide
Our Greenock cruise port guide is a useful insight in to things to see and do in both Greenock and the city of Glasgow.
Greenock is often seen as the gateway to Glasgow, but the town itself is a beautiful place to explore and offers some wonderful scenery. It’s worth keeping this in mind when planning your visit here, or maybe it will give you a reason to visit again. If you do choose to stay in Greenock, you’ll have a wide variety of things to see and do. There are castles, museums, galleries, ancient stones, public parks and so much more to explore.
Glasgow, famed for its Victorian architecture, is Scotland’s cultural hub and home to the National Theatre of Scotland. It’s a vibrant city and one that is constantly benefitting from tourist visits. Most things are easily accessible on foot, as the city is quite compact, so you can fit a lot into your day here.
Don’t forget to stop by our cruise blog for updates on Greenock (Glasgow) cruises.
Travel Tips:
Hop on hop off buses are available in both Greenock and Glasgow
The train journey time between Greenock and Glasgow is approx 40 minutes. There are more than 40 trains operating this service every day.
The Helix, National Museum of Scotland, Falkirk Wheel, Calanais Standing Stones and Shetland Museum & Archives are all in Greenock and they are all FREE to enjoy.
Key highlights of Greenock (Glasgow)
- The Esplanade
- Glasgow City Centre
- Loch Lomond
- Stirling Castle
- University of Glasgow – Believed to be the inspiration behind Hogwart’s
- Glasgow City Chambers
- Glasgow Cathedral
- St Mungo Mural
- Floating Heads
Regular cruise line visitors
- Princess Cruises
- Cunard
- P&O Cruises
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Saga
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
Cruise Expert Insider 🔎 Greenock Port (Glasgow) by Gary Buchanan
Whilst it was known as the Second City of the Empire, Glasgow is first amongst equals when it comes to attractions. The overall aesthetic of the city centre harks back to the 19th century, yet the elegant neo-classical Merchant City, with its outstanding red sandstone Art Nouveau architecture, is hipster heaven – boasting a thriving arts scene and on-trend eateries.
Scotland’s commercial capital is full of hidden gems. One not to be missed is the Britannia Panopticon. Dating from 1857; this ‘lost theatre’ is the world’s oldest surviving music hall. If you’re keen on a skyline view of the city, head to the Mack Tower at the Lighthouse in the former Glasgow Herald building. This was the first public commission completed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and is the perfect place to begin a Mackintosh retrospective. Any tour should start at the Willow Tea Rooms modelled on Kate Cranston’s Ingram Street Tea Rooms from the early 1900s. The White Dining Room and the Chinese (Blue) Room are Mackintosh’s most complete interior designs.
Glasgow’s rich history was shaped by shipbuilding, railways and engineering. Nowhere is this better showcased than at the Riverside Museum where over 3,000 objects are on display; including powerful locomotives and models of the world’s most renowned passenger ships built on the Clyde. Berthed outside this modern museum is the Glenlee – Britain’s only floating Clyde-built tall ship.
In 1935, as the legendary Cunarder Queen Mary was taking shape at Clydebank, a restaurant was refitted in the same Art Deco style, and a Glasgow legend was born. Tucked away on Exchange Place, Rogano is the oldest surviving restaurant in the city and rewards visitors with superb local seafood served in evocative surroundings.
‘Please God make tomorrow better’ proclaims the neon sign at Mitchell Lane in the Merchant City. Inside Tabac you’ll discover a recreation of an illicit drinking joint. Head to the rear of the bar and the vibe in the lair called Panther Milk is dark and mysterious. This busy saloon is lit by reclaimed Parisian street lights and serves plethora craft beers, wines and tasty foods.