Nanoparticles and nanoribbons of SbPO₄ and lanthanide ions (Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺) doped SbPO₄ were prepared at a low temperature of 120 °C by co-precipitation method in solvents like ethylene glycol and glycerol. By varying the relative ratios of the two solvents, average crystallite size of SbPO₄ has been varied over a range of 12 to 46 nm. Based on steady state luminescence studies, existence of energy transfer between host SbPO₄ and lanthanide ions has been confirmed. Co-doping SbPO₄:Tb³⁺ nanoparticles/nanoribbons with Ce³⁺, resulted in improved luminescence due to energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Tb³⁺ ions. Further, these nanomaterials can be incorporated in sol–gel derived silica glass without any deterioration of their luminescence properties. Present study offers a viable method for preparing composite luminescent materials based on nanoparticles/nanoribbons and glasses.