Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
Are you looking for the best free things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland?
One of my favorite things about Edinburgh is how many fun, free things there are to do there.
The only two tourist attractions that cost money that I really recommend are Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. In my opinion, both of these are well worth the cost of admission.
But aside from that, most of the best things to do in Edinburgh are totally free!
Below you’ll find my top recommendations for the best free things to do in Edinburgh.
Free Museums in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has tons of free museums. In fact, almost all of the city’s museums are free. I’ve highlighted the best top museums in Edinburgh below, as well as a few more to check out if you have extra time.
National Museum of Scotland
One of the best free museums in Edinburgh is the National Museum of Scotland.
This museum is absolutely enormous, and it has exhibits on everything including history, archaeology, natural sciences, technology, art and culture, and more. You could easily spend a full day here.
One thing you can’t miss at the National Museum of Scotland is the rooftop terrace. It offers excellent views over Edinburgh, and like the rest of the museum, access to the rooftop terrace is free.
National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait
Another great free museum in Edinburgh is the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait.
This art museum is located on Queen Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. It has a top-notch collection of art, all portraits. Many (but not all) of the artworks were created by Scottish artists.
The Writer’s Museum
A museum in Edinburgh that you definitely shouldn’t miss is The Writer’s Museum. Tucked away in Lady Stair’s Close in the heart of the Old Town, this museum focuses on three famous Scottish writers.
You can learn all about the lives and works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson at this museum. It’s not too large of a museum, so it’s definitely worth popping in.
National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One
Another good free museum in Edinburgh is the National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One. This museum is located near picturesque Dean Village if you follow the waterfront pathway along the Water of Leith.
I highly recommend starting in Dean Village and walking to the museum from there along the pathway (it takes about twenty minutes.) The museum has a great collection of modern art.
More Free Museums in Edinburgh
Here are a few more free museums in Edinburgh that are worth a visit if you have more time:
- Museum on the Mound: A unique museum housed in the Bank of Scotland that is focused on money, coins, and economics. This museum has some interesting interactive exhibits.
- Museum of Edinburgh: A museum chronicling the city of Edinburgh’s history. Located in a sprawling historic building dating back to the 16th century, this museum is fun to explore.
- Museum of Childhood: A quirky little museum dedicated to, you guessed it, childhood. In particular, this museum explores British childhood from the 19th century to the present day.
Free Outdoor Activities in Edinburgh
A lot of Edinburgh’s free activities are outside. It’s a great city to explore outdoors regardless of the weather. Just be sure to bundle up and dress appropriately for the weather depending on the time of year!
Royal Mile
One of the top things to do in Edinburgh is walking the Royal Mile. Stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The Royal Mile is actually just 0.9 miles, and you can walk the length of it in about twenty minutes. Of course, there are plenty of places to stop along the way so it might take you longer at a leisurely pace if you want to browse the many shops along the Royal Mile or stop in at places like St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Victoria Street
A great detour to make from the Royal Mile is Victoria Street. This colorful street in the Old Town is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter (which J.K. Rowling wrote in Edinburgh.)
Victoria Street is lined with shops and restaurants, and it’s a good spot for photos.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
One of the best places to visit in Edinburgh is Greyfriars Kirkyard. This spooky historic cemetery is in the Old Town and it’s free to visit. This is another place in Edinburgh that has a Harry Potter connection.
If you look closely at some of the gravestones, you’ll see that J.K. Rowling got some inspiration for character names in the series, including Tom Riddle, Cruikshanks, McGonagall, and Potter himself.
Calton Hill
If you’re looking for a scenic viewpoint of Edinburgh, Calton Hill is an excellent place to go! This hill in the center of Edinburgh offers sweeping views of both the Old Town and the New Town.
You can walk up to the top of Calton Hill in about 15 minutes, and it’s not too challenging.
Arthur’s Seat
If you’re looking for a more demanding hike, head up to Arthur’s Seat. You can see Arthur’s Seat from many points in the city rising up dramatically from the earth — it’s actually an extinct volcano!
Climbing to the top of Arthur’s Seat takes longer (around 50 minutes) but the view from the top is worth it!
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Another one of the best free outdoor activities is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It’s a bit further outside the city center, but if you have the time to spare, the botanic garden is well worth a visit.
This pristine garden was founded in 1670. The garden is 70 acres of more than 13,000 plant species.
Princes Street Gardens
Once upon a time, Princes Street Gardens was a body of water called Loch Nor. But it was filled in during the 1820s, and now it’s the main public park in the center of Edinburgh. Princes Street Gardens separates the Old Town from the New Town, and it’s a great place to go for scenic views of the city.
Dean Village
One of the most picturesque parts of Edinburgh is Dean Village. It’s a short walk outside the center of Edinburgh to get here, but it’s definitely worth it and I highly recommend taking the time to go.
Dean Village is situated on the Water of Leith and is full of charming historic homes from the 1800s. It’s also a great place to start walking the Water of Leith Walkway, which I’ll talk more about next…
Water of Leith Walkway
The Water of Leith is a small river that runs through Edinburgh. There’s a 13-mile path called the Water of Leith Walkway that runs along it, and it’s a beautiful place to go for a stroll.
There are many places where you can start walking on the path, but one of my favorite spots is Dean Village. From there, you can walk about 20 minutes along the path to the National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One, or you can go in the other direction about 15 minutes to the cute area of Stockbridge.
You can continue on an additional 15 minutes from there to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Portobello Beach
Best visited during the summer months, Portobello Beach is located about a 40-minute bus ride from the Old Town of Edinburgh. This laidback beach is the perfect place to spend a warm and sunny afternoon.
This is a great way to get out of the city center and see a different side of Edinburgh.
Other Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
St. Giles’ Cathedral
St. Giles’ Cathedral is a beautiful church located along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Founded in 1124, this historic church has been extremely important throughout Edinburgh’s history.
Visiting the church is free, and it’s worth popping in for a few minutes to admire the interior.
Harry Potter tour
There are tons of free walking tours you can take in Edinburgh, but I have to note that this isn’t exactly free. These free tours are tip-based, so if you enjoy the tour, you should tip your guide generously.
I recommend this free Harry Potter tour which will take you to destinations like Victoria Street, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and The Elephant House, the cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote the first book.
Ghost tour
Another free tour you can take in Edinburgh is a nighttime ghost tour. Edinburgh is known as one of the most haunted cities in the world, and it definitely has a spooky, mysterious ambiance at night.
This free ghost tour is a good choice, and you’ll hear lots of spooky true stories about Edinburgh’s dark history, as well as some more haunted legends and ghost stories, as you explore the Old Town by night.
Scottish Parliament
One last free thing you can do in Edinburgh is visit the Scottish Parliament. The parliament building is located right across from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and its polarizing modern design means that it’s both loved and hated by locals. You’ll have to visit for yourself to see which camp you fall under.
The Scottish Parliament is open to visitors and you might even be able to watch parliamentary business taking place. Just take a look at the schedule before you go to see what’s happening.
Best Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
These are the best free things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Edinburgh is an amazing city for many reasons, but one of the coolest things about it is how many free things there are to do, from visiting world-class museums to exploring nature and the outdoors.
You can easily spend several days in Edinburgh just enjoying all of the many free activities the city has to offer. There are many reasons to love Edinburgh, and the abundance of free things to do is one of them!
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