Shop 'til you drop in Glasgow

However you feel about shopping, we all know that there is nothing quite like a spot of retail therapy – and there are few places in the UK better to indulge in it than Glasgow.

The city centre's 'Style Mile' is the second-biggest shopping area in the UK, with a square mile of pedestrianised streets and shopping centres offering a little bit of a shopping Mecca for travellers.

Ok, so size may not be everything, but with all of the usual high street brands on offer and a good selection of independents around too, it is fair to say that Glasgow has quality to match its quantity – don't just take our word for it though.

Amy Riddell, a spokeswoman for Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Glasgow is consistently voted as the top place to shop in the UK outside London's West End. The city is home to a plethora of cool vintage shops, independent artisan 'food and drink heroes', well-known brand names and exclusive designers."

It's difficult to go wrong really, but to help you find you make the most of your shopping trip when staying in a hostel in Glasgow, here is a wee guide...

Sauchiehall Street

At the northern edge of the 'Style Mile' is Sauchiehall Street, one of the most well-known and popular streets in the city. The car-free road is littered with high street shops, businesses and cafes, while towards the western end of the 1.5 mile-long road are some of Glasgow's best bars and clubs.

Together with Argyle Street and Buchanan Street it makes up the main shopping district of Glasgow, and towards the Buchanan Street end it has its own mall – the Sauchiehall Street Centre - which is definitely worth visiting.

Buchanan Street

Running south through the city centre from the east end of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street has become one of the more up-market shopping streets in Glasgow with its stunning Victorian architecture and portfolio of flagship stores and luxury brands.

Notoriously high rents of up to £250 per sq ft mean that only the best brands have outlets on Buchanan Street, with the likes of Nike, Zara, HMV, Apple, Urban Outfitters and All Saints all present. At the south end of the street there is a large House of Fraser department store too, which has concessions from the likes of Prada, Hermes and Gucci.

Buchanan Galleries

At the north end of Buchanan Street is the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre, home to more than 90 of the best high street names as well as a selection of more specialist stores. You will find everything from fashion to frappucinos across its four floors, and it is open until 6pm seven days a week.

As well as its huge John Lewis department store, the Buchanan Galleries also has Scotland's only Fred Perry, Quiksilver and Mango boutiques, as well as brands such as Levi Strauss, Hollister, Jane Normal, Miss Selfridge, River Island, La Senza, Warehouse, Moss and loads more.

Argyle Street

The third and final major shopping thoroughfare in the Style Mile is Argyle Street to the south of the city centre, which runs west from Trongate and Argyle St Station, past the south end of Buchanan Street to Central Station and beyond.

Just yards away from Euro Hostel Glasgow, the historic road was originally known as Westergait, but today it is home to a range of high street shops including a Debenhams, and it also has two malls on it – the St Enoch Centre and Argyll Arcade.

Argyll Arcade

If it is jewellery that you're looking for, there is nowhere better to go than the Argyll Arcade on the junction of Buchannan and Argyle Street. The stunning arcade was built in 1827 making it one of the oldest purpose-built shopping centres in Europe and with its continental style you could easily think you were in Paris or Milan as you walk through.

The shopping centre is exclusively dedicated to jewellery and watches with more than 30 specialist boutiques dedicated to all things bling - from wedding rings to diamond dealers - it really is the only place like it in Scotland.

St Enoch Centre

Having first opened in 1989, the St Enoch Centre is located just off Argyle Street on St Enoch Square and with its huge glass roof is the largest glass-enclosed building in Europe. Over 80 stores and a huge 850-seat food court make it very popular with families, particularly as it also has a play area and 'Kiddy Cabs' for children to pedal around the mall in. If you want to keep the children entertained (or you just love a good toy shop!), the St Enoch Centre is also home to the only major Hamleys toy shop in UK outside of London.

Featuring a wide range of shops and restaurants, the St Enoch Centre houses the likes of Topshop and Topman, Gap, JD Sports, Swatch, G-Star, Burton and H&M. If you're looking for a bite to eat it also has outlets by Nando's, McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and many more.

Princes Square

The fashionable Princes Square shopping centre on Buchanan Street is an elegant mall that sits beneath an Art Noveau glass roof and houses a great mix of high-end boutiques, high street brands, designer stores, bars and cafes.

In terms of fashion; the likes of Lacoste, Kurt Keiger, French Connection, Vivienne Westwood and Ted Baker all have outlets in the exclusive shopping centre, with a similarly star-studded line-up of beauty firms also on show. Expect stores from Space NK, Arran Aromatics, Crabtree & Evelyn and even a Sassoon Salon.

Glasgow West End

As well as well-known brands, Glasgow's main shopping streets are all home to some top-notch independent stores, but for a big helping of indie boutiques there is no better place than the West End. This area of the city is full to the brim with unique shops catering to all tastes.

Great Western Road, Keith Street, Dumbarton Road and Merkland Street in the G11 and G12 postcodes are all worth checking out, with the likes of Handbags and Gladrags, the Beadshop and La Coco Gift Boutique all particularly popular.

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