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With its friendly reputation, great nightlife and buzzing cultural scene, Glasgow is a fantastic city to spend time in. Like much of Scotland, even when you’re in the heart of Glasgow, you’re never far from the beach. These beaches near Glasgow are perfect for a summer day out or a brisk winter hike.
The best beaches near Glasgow for families
Whether you want an after-school outing or you’re planning a family weekend at the seaside, you’ll find plenty of great beaches near Glasgow that are ideal to visit with kids. These Glasgow beaches can easily be reached by car or on public transport. Check them out for a fun day on the coast.
1. Boden Boo and Erskine Beach, Paisley
- Distance from Glasgow: 13 miles (20 minutes)
This charming river beach on the banks of the Clyde is one of the closest and easiest beaches to reach from Glasgow. Boden Boo and Erskine Beach offer a mix of woodland scenery and a sandy shoreline located under the Erskine Bridge.
Kids will love exploring the forest trails or playing in the sand. You can also bring bikes and cycle in the woods or join up with the Clyde Coastal Path for some of the best hiking in Scotland. The paths around the area are flat and suitable for prams, meaning this is a great location for families with young children.
Public toilets are within easy reach and there is a picnic table close to the shore. Swimming is not advised as the river can be fast-moving and is more suitable for open-water activities such as kayaking. There’s also a free car park near the trails.
2. Pencil Beach, Largs
- Distance from Glasgow: 32 miles (51 minutes)
If you’re after a classic seaside town for a family day out, Pencil Beach is the ideal coastal spot. Located in the scenic town of Largs, Pencil Beach offers lovely views of Great Cumbrae Island and a sublime stretch of sandy coastline.
Public toilets can be found nearby and there are several car parks located around Largs. Visitors can stroll along the seafront promenade and walk to the Pencil Monument – a tower commemorating the historic Battle of Largs. Grab some fish and chips near Largs harbour or enjoy an ice cream by the shore.
For me, the town is one of the best places to visit in Scotland for traditional Italian gelato. If you’re there in winter, you can warm up in the Viking Centre, which is a great museum for families. If you don’t have a car, you can get to Pencil Beach on the ScotRail train service which takes around an hour.
3. Helensburgh Beach, Strathclyde
- Distance from Glasgow: around 30 miles (49 minutes)
If you want to visit beaches near Glasgow by train, Helensburgh Beach is one of the easiest to get to. ScotRail trains to Helensburgh depart from Glasgow Queen Street Station every 30 minutes and the journey takes around 50 minutes with no changes. You can also drive to Helensburgh in just under an hour.
Once you reach Helensburgh, you’ll find yourself just 200 metres from Helensburgh Beach, which has a long, pebbled shore and a seafront promenade that’s great for walking, skating or cycling. The beach is suitable for swimming, meaning little ones can enjoy a splash in the water followed by chips and ice cream on the promenade.
Helensburgh Beach also has excellent facilities, with public toilets, ample parking at the ferry terminal and plenty of shops close by. It’s the ideal spot for a summer day trip, complete with scenic pier views and a crazy golf course on the seafront.
4. Ayr Beach, Ayr
- Distance from Glasgow: 36 miles (48 minutes)
Ayr Beach in Ayr is a great location for a fun, family excursion from Glasgow. It’s one of the best beaches near Glasgow for family-friendly activities, with a pirate-themed leisure centre near the esplanade. This leisure centre has both an indoor soft play and an outdoor kids’ play area, as well as rides, laser quest and a mini golf course.
The beach itself is a long sandy stretch of shoreline and dunes. It’s great for little ones to run around on and the nearby green is the ideal place for a family picnic. The beach also has a 24-hour accessible car park and public toilets.
Best beaches near Glasgow for a weekend getaway
Weekends at the seaside make for lovely romantic getaways and relaxing mini breaks. These beaches near Glasgow have everything you need to enjoy a special weekend away.
5. Yellowcraig Beach, East Lothian
- Distance from Glasgow: 72 miles (1h 29min)
Yellowcraig Beach is just a short distance from Edinburgh, making it ideal if you want to combine a trip to the beach with a city break. The beach is a scenic, sandy shore that’s perfect for romantic strolls. Yellowcraig Beach also overlooks Fidra Lighthouse, which was built in the late 1800s and inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel, Treasure Island.
Beyond the beach, you can hike the gorgeous woodland trails and visit the nearby castle and well-maintained gardens. The sheltered bay and rock pools around Yellowcraig are great for paddling and swimming, making this an excellent warm-weather spot. You’ll also find accessible public toilets and showers nearby.
6. Millport Beach, Great Cumbrae
- Distance from Glasgow: 38 miles (1h 26min)
Millport Beach on the island of Great Cumbrae is a lovely spot for a romantic mini-break. This sandy cove is located in the town of Millport and offers scenic views, calm water for swimming and pubs and cafes nearby. You’ll also find public toilets near the shore.
Great Cumbrae is also a haven for nature and wildlife, making this one of the best beaches in the UK for birdwatching. Visitors can walk or cycle the coastal route around the island in a few hours and check out the exhibits at the Millport Field Studies Council Museum, which specialises in local history and wildlife.
To reach Millport Beach from Glasgow, you’ll need to drive or catch the train to Largs and then take a 10-minute ferry ride over to Millport. The ferry has space for vehicles so you can take your car onto the island.
7. St Andrews Beach, St Andrews
- Distance from Glasgow: 74 miles (1h 38min)
Located on Scotland’s east coast, a short drive from the picturesque university town of St Andrews, St Andrews Beach offers sandy shores and ample parking. You can drive to St Andrews from Glasgow in just under two hours and the beach is dog-friendly, making this one of the best beaches to visit during a road trip in Scotland with your pets.
The East Sands area is particularly spectacular to explore, with unbroken views of the North Sea and the historic ruins of a castle and cathedral. When I go to St Andrews from Glasgow, I usually like to make it a day trip or an overnight stay.
St Andrews has tons of great hotels and guesthouses that are just a short walk from the beach. It’s also a top spot for foodies, with plenty of seafront cafes and well-known restaurants. You’ll find car parks close to the beach and St Andrews University is also located on the coast.
Best beaches near Glasgow for nature lovers
When I’m looking for nice beaches near me, I usually want to escape into beautiful natural surroundings and soak up the stunning Scottish scenery. Even if you’re a through-and-through Glaswegian city-dweller, you can still find great beaches nearby that will help you get in touch with your wild side. Consider these beauty spots for hikes, walks with the dogs or days when you want to clear your mind.
8. Seamill Beach, West Kilbride
- Distance from Glasgow: 35 miles (50 minutes)
If you’re looking for a remote break from the city, Seamill Beach in West Kilbride is a great choice. With striking views across the Firth Clyde to the Isle of Arran and a vast expanse of sandy dunes, Seamill is perfect for nature lovers looking to get away from it all. Seamill Beach has parking and connects to the Ayrshire Coastal Path, making it one of the best beaches in Scotland for hikers.
Seamill Beach is also dog-friendly and is suitable for swimming. The shore is located next to West Kilbride golf course, and you’ll find public toilets in West Kilbride town centre.
9. Turnberry Bay Beach, Ayrshire
- Distance from Glasgow: 53 miles (1h 4min)
If you love rural beauty spots, the journey is well worth it. The drive takes you to the southwest of Glasgow through scenic countryside and past the epic ruins of Cross Raguel Abbey. Once you arrive at Turnberry Beach, you’ll find rugged sandy shores with great views of Arran and a scenic walk to the Turnberry Lighthouse lookout point. You can also hike along the cliffs to Culzean Castle.
Turnberry Bay Beach has parking at the south end and is flanked by the Ailsa Golf Course. Despite this, it’s one of the quietest beaches near Glasgow, especially during the off-season in the winter months. While you’ll find some facilities and places to eat in Turnberry Village, the remoteness of the spot is a particular draw for nature lovers. You can also visit gorgeous Maidens Beach, which is located nearby.
10. Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond
- Distance from Glasgow: 32 miles (50 minutes)
If you want to make the most of Scotland’s stunning coastal scenery, Milarrochy Bay is a great place to visit and go wild swimming. Located around a 55-minute drive from Glasgow, Milarrochy Bay is a pebbled cove nestled among the hills of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and overlooking Loch Lomond. It’s the perfect place to escape into the wild and is ideal for anyone who loves hillwalking, camping or kayaking.
Despite the remote location, the Milarrochy Bay campsite has excellent on-site facilities. Visitors staying at the site will find showers, Wi-Fi and a campsite shop, as well as caravan bays and places to pitch tents. However, if you’re not using the campsite, it’s a good idea to bring supplies like food and water or cold-weather clothing with you for longer hikes.
Just before the end
Glasgow is a prime location for beach lovers, with tons of excellent coastal spots nearby. Whether you’re looking for stunning hiking trails, new swimming spots or a fun day out with the kids, these beaches near Glasgow have everything you need. Prepare your road trip with our pro tips for a driving adventure, and explore the best of Scotland.
The post The best beaches near Glasgow for a Scottish seaside adventure appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
