Looking for completely free things to do in Edinburgh? You don’t need to be on a budget to want to explore Edinburgh without entrance fees.
Here are my favourite places to visit in Edinburgh without spending a penny. From museums and art galleries, parks, to insta spots and hidden gems—all with zero entry fee!
Enjoy the best of Edinburgh for free by climbing Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill for panoramic views, discovering peaceful Dean Village and the Royal Botanic Garden.
Explore top-tier free museums like the National Museum of Scotland, Writers’ Museum and Portrait Gallery. Visit the Royal Mile and the Greyfriars Bobby statue.
This guide is perfect for both budget travellers and first time visitors to Edimburgh alike.
Top free things to do in Edinburgh
- Climb Arthur’s Seat at Holyrood Park – an extinct volcano in the heart of the city offering panoramic views—especially at sunrise or sunset. Don’t miss Salisbury Crags and St Margaret’s Loch nearby.
- Stroll through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – Just one mile from the centre, the Botanics span over 70 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Free entry (though glasshouses may charge) makes it perfect for peaceful wandering or a picnic.
- Wander the Royal Mile & Old and New Towns – cobbled streets linking Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace are packed with historic charm. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ideal for exploring on foot
- Take a tour of Edinburgh’s insta famous locations – find the Vennel viewpoint, visit Victoria Street / West Bow, explore Circus Lane and Dean Village and climb up Calron Hill for a view of Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
- Climb up Calton Hll – a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station, this vantage point offers fantastic views of Edinburgh and neoclassical monuments like the National Monument and Nelson’s Column.
Free museums in Edinburgh
- National Museum of Scotland – The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street isn’t a traditional museum. It’s stuffed full of lots of fun interactive exhibitions for kids (and adults) – why not try and drive a F1 car, have fun generating electricity running around in a giant hamster wheel and marvel at the huge display of animals in the Natural World Gallery. I will always wonder just how they got a whole train into the building! Visit the National Museum of Scotland.
- The Museum of Edinburgh – located in the historic Huntly House on the Royal Mile this museum tells the story of Edinburgh. Highlights include the original 1638 National Covenant, James Craig’s New Town plans, Greyfriars Bobby memorabilia and a recreated WWI headquarters. Visit The Museum of Edinburgh.
- The Writer’s Museum – in the lovely Lady Stair’s House off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, The Writer’s Museum celebrates Scotland’s literary giants—Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. On display are rare books, manuscripts, and quirky relics like Burns’ skull cast. Visit The Writer’s Museum.
- Museum of Childhood – the first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, there are 60,000 artefacts on display – from 18th‑century Queen Anne dolls to Kindertransport bears. Visit the Museum of Childhood.
Free art galleries in Edinburgh
- Scottish National Gallery – located on Edinburgh’s Princes Street and features an extensive collection of fine art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. Highlights include works by Titian, Rembrandt, Turner, and Van Gogh. Visit The Scottish National Gallery.
- Modern Art Gallery – (Modern One & Two), located on Belford Road, this gallery showcases modern and contemporary art from 1900 to today. With over 6,000 works on display including pieces by Bacon, Warhol, Emin, and Paolozzi, you can also explore sculpture-filled grounds by Hepworth and Moore. Visit the Modern Art Gallery.
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery – in a red‑sandstone Gothic Revival building opened in 1889, this was the world’s first purpose‑built portrait gallery. It holds over 3,000 portraits, sculptures, prints and photographs of Scots ranging from Mary, Queen of Scots to contemporary figures like Billy Connolly. Visit Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Edinburgh history & free architecture to visit
- The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh – a World Heritage Site, the Old Town is full of historical landmarks, including the Royal Mile, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and Mary Kings’s Close. Cross Princes Street to explore the New Town’s beautiful Georgian streets and crescents.
- St Giles’ Cathedral – officially the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St Giles was founded in the 12th century and rebuilt in Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries. Inside is the beautifully ornate Thistle Chapel. Daily free guided tours take place at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm can be booked in advance and last approximately 45 minutes. Visit St Giles’ Cathedral.
- Greyfriar’s Kirkyard – beside Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Krikyard is a historic cemetery dating to the late 16th century. It’s famed for its spooky atmosphere, Covenanters’ Prison, and as the resting place of Greyfriars Bobby’s master. A statue near the entrance honors Bobby, the loyal Skye Terrier who guarded his grave.
- The Scottish Parliament – designed by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, the Scottish Parliament is well worth a visit for architecture fans. Public admission is free, Monday–Saturday. Free guided tours (≈ 45 min) are offered on non‑sitting days, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Advance booking is recommended. Visit The Scottish Parliament.
- University of Edinburgh’s Old Campus and the New College – The University of Edinburgh’s Old College (South Bridge) was designed by Robert Adam and completed by William Playfair in 1827, featuring the iconic dome and gilded “Golden Boy” statue above its central courtyard. The New College on The Mound is a striking neo‑Gothic building dating from 1846, home to the School of Divinity and the UK’s largest theological library.
- Scottish Poetry Library – home to modern Scottish writing, the library is located in a lovely building in the old Brewery quarter off the Royal Miles. Visit the Scottish Poetry LIbrary.
Take a tour of Edinburgh’s instagram spots
- The Vennel viewpoint (near Grassmarket) is a probably the best place to take a photograph of the castle; you will find the Vennel behind Mary’s Milk Bar.
- Victoria Street / West Bow – this pretty street leads from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket and was famously the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
- Circus Lane – behind Edinburgh’s grand houses are a series of cobbled mews lanes and the most famous, Circus Lane. To take the classic insta-shot head down the lane until the imposing tower of St Stephen’s Church comes into view.
- Dean Village – one of Edinburgh’s prettiest villages, Dean Village is hidden away near Stockbridge. The classic shots are of Hawthornbank Lane, of the river from the metal bridge and Damside.
- Edinburgh’s Princes Street from Calton Hill – walk as far to the west of Calton Hill you will be rewarded with a view right down Princes Street.
Edinburgh parks, gardens & walks
- Edinburgh Botanical Garden – established in 1670, this renowned garden spans 70 acres and features a vast collection of plants from around the world. Highlights include the Rock Garden, Chinese Hillside, and the Victorian Temperate Palm House. Free entry to the gardens, but there is a charge for the glasshouses.
- Calton Hll – a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station, this vantage point offers fantastic views of Edinburgh and neoclassical monuments like the National Monument and Nelson’s Column.
- Water of Leith Walkway – stroll this 13‑mile path running from Balerno to Leith, weaving through woodlands, historic villages, it is a great spot for wildlife spotting – see if you can see kingfishers and even otters. Look out for the famous Antony Gormley statues along the river.
- Princes Street Gardens – these lovely gardens to the north of Princes Street are a great place to escape the busy city.
- The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links – loved by locals, the Meadows are a perfect spot for a picnic – and even watching the cricket
- Inverleith Park – a lovely park in Stockbridge, another popular locals hangout.
Explore Edinburgh’s neighborhoods
Stockbridge and Dean Village – a proper village in the city. Browse the Stockbridge Sunday market, browse the independent fashion shops (if you like fashion try Dicks, Treen, Toast, and Epitome) visit the gorgeous Golden Hare Books, renowned Edinburgh cheese shop IJ Mellis, pastries at the insta famous Lannan Bakery.
Portobello – a favourite of Edinburgh locals for a stroll on a sunny day when the sun is out and that blue sky is all above you there are very few places better. Even if it is not often warm enough to sit on the beach! Instead, take a bracing walk along the prom and have a go on the vintage penny arcades. Brunch after your walk is available at the cool Espy Bar or the Beach House cafe.
Leith & The Shore – once its own town, Leith’s historic harbour area is easily accessible by tram from Princes Street. With cobbled waterfront streets alongside the Water of Leith, choose between a Michelin-starred restaurants or old school pubs like Malt & Hops or Teuchters Landing. Head to Customs Lane for cafes and pop up shopping.
> You might also like my guide to free things to do in Glasgow
Love from Scotland x