Provanhall is the nearest neighbourhood to the east; Craigend is directly to the west with Hogganfield Park and Ruchazie beyond.

Garthamlock is separated from Cranhill and Queenslie to the south by the M8 motorway[1] (Junction 11 of which directly serves the area).

An area of open ground (Cardowan Moss nature reserve) is to the north.

[2] Garthamlock was developed from 1954 onwards as part of the 'Greater Easterhouse' rehousing scheme after the city bought the estate of Garthamlock House;[3] the house was demolished in 1955 to make way for a new secondary school (which itself closed in the 1990s).

In 2016, Glasgow City Council outlined masterplans for the development of the Greater Easterhouse area (including Garthamlock) over the next 20 years.