25+ Fun, Amazing & Free Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Last Updated on 22nd August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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As the capital of Scotland, there’s no denying that there are plenty of things to see and do in Edinburgh, though it has to be said that the city is more on the pricey side. Thanks to its enviable location, great transport links and appeal to tourists, you can often end up paying over the odds to visit the city of Edinburgh. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way and there are plenty of ways to save money when visiting. Here are some of the best free things to do in Edinburgh!

Best free things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is easily one of the best cities to spy out free things to do, aside from having plenty of free art galleries and museums to peek around, the city is so green that there’s a world of hiking and stunning viewpoints in the heart of the city. Here are some of the many fantastic free things to do in Edinburgh, as well as some links to useful guides on how to visit.

#1 Explore the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens

One of the best free things to do in Edinburgh is a visit to the little corner of paradise, located not far from Dean Village, the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. 

With over 350 years of history, this verdant green expanse of luscious foliage, tropical plants and rare species of trees is truly a remarkable sight! All of the outdoor areas are open to the public to freely wander around and explore, though to see inside the glasshouses there is a small fee. Read our guide on how to visit Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens here.

#2 Hike Arthur’s Seat

Visible from miles around, at the heart of Edinburgh city lies the enchanting Àrd-na-Said, better known as Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that erupted over 340 million years ago!

Free to hike and soak up the natural beauty of Scotland’s capital, an amazing free and must do thing while visiting is to climb Arthur’s Seat. And at 823 feet above sea level, the view from the top is absolutely incredible. From here, you can see the sea on one side, and the vast city of Edinburgh sprawled out on the other side.

Directions: No vehicular transport is required. You can walk to the base of Arthur’s Seat within ten minutes of leaving the Royal Mile.

#3 See Scottish Parliament

Little known to international visitors is that Scotland has its own parliament and it’s based in Edinburgh. Although closed during the summer months when Parliament is recess, throughout the rest of the year you can go on one hour guided tours of the buildings for free and learn more about Scottish law in the process!

#4 Visit the Scottish National Gallery

Small and ornate, this intimate gallery allows you to get close enough to see the paint flecks on some of the most famous works Scotland has to offer. Located on the Mound on the eastern end of Princes St, Edinburgh’s main high street, here you can see artworks by painters such as J M W Turner, and William McTaggart (an iconic Scottish Artist)… all for free!

#5 Marvel at the National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland is filled with history and gives you the chance to learn more about the city at a local level. Free to visit, it makes the perfect rainy day activity and is even home to Dolly the Sheep (the first ever successfully cloned animal).

#6 Walk down the Royal Mile

Wander down the Royal Mile and explore Edinburgh’s most famous street! Running through the heart of the Old Town is Edinburgh’s most famous road, the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and stretches the distance of approximately one Scots mile.

This street used to be the traditional processional route of monarchs, a long stretch of cobbles, and small narrow alleyways shoot off of the Mile, simply wandering down them and exploring what treasures lie in wait down the little lanes.

Today, The Royal Mile is the second busiest street in Edinburgh and strolling down you’ll find the city’s biggest cathedral, St. Giles, several museums (most of which are free to visit), pubs and lots of souvenir shops.

#7 Visit Greyfriars Kirkyard

The ancient churchyard of Greyfriars Kirkyard dates all the way back to the 16th Century. Located near the Old Town part of the city, a number of famous Edinburgh residents are now interred here.

It’s also said that JK Rowling got much of her inspiration for names in the Harry Potter series by wandering around the graveyard and looking at the grave markers.

#8 Visit the Magdalen Chapel

Little known is that the Magdalen Chapel (open only at select times) is home to some of the oldest stained glass in Scotland. Tucked away in a little corner of Cowgate, this little place of worship has witnessed centuries of history and plenty of revolution.

#9 Climb Calton Hill

One of the best views over Edinburgh does not come in the form of a long hike, but more of a short 5 minute stroll. Found at the eastern end of Princes Street, you’ll find Calton Hill. Filled with monuments dedicated to famous Scottish residents, the area is included in Edinburgh’s neighbourhood, New Town, which is UNESCO’s designated World Heritage Site part of the city, along with its Old Town.

The most famous (and unique) of the monuments on Calton Hill is the National Monument, which was based on the design of the Parthenon in Athens. Built as a tribute to the Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars, the structure was never completed and remains half-finished.

#10 Take a Free Walking Tours of Edinburgh

There are free walking tours of the city available on a daily basis. Tours are available on a daily basis, and including a variety of topics from the middle of the Royal Mile. However, do be warned that while these tours are free, it is expected that you will still tip your guide!

If you’re on a budget, then it’s a great way to get an introduction to the city from a local, and learn about plenty of interesting stuff in the process! If you’re looking for a self-guided trail, check out my free walking tour of Edinburgh.

#11 Climb up to Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh’s famous castle, which is strategically built atop a rock and has been occupied by humans since the Iron Age and at one time a royal residence, looms over the city, sat atop a volcanic plug. While the castle in of itself is not free, the view from its courtyard is, boasting of stunning views overlooking Edinburgh’s Old Town to the left and New Town to the right.

#12 Visit the Museum on the Mound

Marvel at a million pounds worth of (fake) cash in the reception. And that’s just the beginning. The Museum on the Mound is free to visit and well worth a trip (if only to glance around for a half hour). Learn all about the history of money in Scotland, as well as its banks, at this free museum.

#13 See all of the Harry Potter sites in the city!

It’s well known that JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh (and still does) while writing much of the Harry Potter Series. As a result, many of the locations in the books, and subsequently the films, featured heavily as inspiration for the magical series. Take yourself on a self-guided Harry Potter tour of the city to really get a feel for the real world behind the Boy Who Lived…

#14 Visit Dean Village

Of all the free things to do in Edinburgh, a visit to Dean Village is most probably my favourite. Situated just a short walk from the end of Princes Street, you’ll find a village which was first built for mill workers (dating back to a time when much of Edinburgh’s exports were focused on the mill trade).

Follow the path down, and you’ll reach a small area with a rich history. Dean Village is picturesque and pretty as a postcard. You could easily spend a couple of hours here, wandering along the river and snapping pictures of all the pretty houses.

#15 Check out modern art at the galleries Modern One & Two

The Scottish Modern Art Galleries, named Modern One and Modern Two, are iconic buildings that house a huge permanent and rotating collection of contemporary Scottish art and sit on beautifully designed landscaped grounds. The galleries are part of the National Galleries, and as a result are completely free to visit (although donations are always welcome and there are sometimes paid exhibitions).

#16 Visit St Giles Cathedral

Located in the very middle of the Royal Mile, St Giles Cathedral has stood for Centuries. Also known as the ‘High Kirk of Edinburgh’- Kirk is the Scottish word for Church, it’s the main Christian place of worship in the city. It’s also free to visit and well worth a visit if only to admire the beautiful stained glass windows.

#17 Take a day trip to Cramond Island

You don’t have to stay in the middle of the city to find free things to do in Edinburgh. Instead, consider a day trip from the city. Located on the very edges of the Scottish capital, Cramond Island makes the perfect day trip from the city.

Lying beside the coast, the village of Cramond is the perfect escape from busy city life. And island in the Firth of Forth, the quaint village has just one pub and one café, making it a lovely adventure away from Edinburgh proper. Just over a mile from the shoreline lies Cramond Island, a tidal island which is approachable via foot for a couple of hours each day.

Once home to a Roman settlement, this tidal island is uninhabited and perfect for a nature escape. Just be sure to check the tide times before planning a day trip to this beautiful coastal island as you can only reach it and return back to the mainland when the tide is low!

There, you can enjoy a picnic, explore the 19 acres of woodland and see the remains of several WWII military defences. The view from the top of the island across the surrounding bay is pretty spectacular too!

Directions: 41 Bus; 50 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh.

#18 Enjoy the gardens of Lauriston Castle

Overlooking the sea and filled with flowers, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as heading to the Gardens of Lauriston Castle. While you have to pay to visit the Castle itself, the gardens are completely free to visit (and chill out in).

Barely twenty-five minutes by bus from the middle of the city, here you’ll find a Japanese Garden, an Italian Garden and plenty of green space to wander around. As you might expect, the best time to visit Lauriston Castle is during the summer months when the weather is at its best.

#19 Relax in Dunbars Close

Edinburgh is filled with little spaces, cobbled alleyways and green areas. One such is most unexpected and located just off from the Royal Mile. Dunbars Close is a secret little garden which is free to visit and hidden in plain sight, meaning that it most definitely makes the list of the best free things to do in Edinburgh!

#20 Visit the Museum of Childhood

Tucked away on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood is the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood. Free to enter, the museum is filled with vintage toys, board games and other items relating to childhood. It’s the perfect place to relive your youth!

#21 Wander through the neighbourhood of Stockbridge

Just a short walk down a steep slope, the small affluent neighbourhood of Stockbridge sits on either side of the Water of Leith and has a charming village feel to it, filled with shops of artisanal goods, bakeries, cosy cafés and hidden underground cocktail bars and pubs.

Characterised by its Georgian architecture, luscious green parks and beautiful pathways that follow along the river. There are several pockets of this neighbourhood to explore and fall in love with, all for free!

#22 Visit Gothic St Mary’s Cathedral

Located in the ‘New Town’ area of the city (which nevertheless is incredibly beautiful and still centuries old), St Mary’s Cathedral was constructed in the late 19th Century. Designed in the Gothic style, the cathedral is just as beautiful on the inside, as it is on the exterior.

#23 Soak up some sea air in Leith

Leith is one of Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods that sits close to the water’s edge. Take a visit to the area known as The Shore, the harbour area of Leith that dates back to the 14th century and by the 18th century and was Scotland’s main trading port, it was also frequently visited by monarchs.

In the area, you’ll find the Royal HMY Brittania. Though a visit onboard the ship itself is charged, it’s free to admire from the outside. Once the holiday home (among other things) for the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family, the ship is a great memory of the Monarchy’s past.

#24 Sunbathe on the beach at Portobello Beach

Okay, so maybe Edinburgh’s weather doesn’t permit that much ‘sunbathing on the beach’… but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your own little escape to the sea.

After all, Edinburgh is located on the fringes of the North Sea. Plan a trip to the beach, stroll along the sand and eat an ice cream (or two) at Portobello Beach. Of all the free things to do in Edinburgh, this may seem like one of the most unusual, but weather depending, you’re guaranteed to have fun!

#25 Relax in Princes Street Gardens

Part of the New Town, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most beautiful green spaces of the city is the verdant expanse known as Princes Street Gardens. Sat directly below the looming castle, there are sloping hills of grass, several benches and a beautiful fountain. Free to wander around, there are technically two gardens that stretch the entire length of Princes St. 

#26 Enjoy live performances at the Fringe Festival

Although lots of the performances at the Fringe Festival are ticketed, some are also free. There are free comedy shows, music performances and many other things. The Fringe Festival takes past in August every year and lasts for much of the month.

#27 Visit the Writers’ Museum

This museum is a must-see for the literary lovers. The Writer’s Museum is set over three levels and is free to visit. Set within Lady Stair’s House, a faux medieval buildings, this small cultural space showcases the literary history of the city and its residents. 

#28 Learn local history at the Museum of Edinburgh

A museum which even the locals seem to pass by unaware of, the Museum of Edinburgh is tucked off of the Royal Mile and houses a rich collection that documents Edinburgh’s history throughout the years until the present day. It’s a surprisingly large museum and completely free to visit!

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