Free Things To Do In Edinburgh

For all you art lovers out there, this free museum is the one for you! The City Art Centre Museum exhibit historical Scottish paintings, photography and visual arts. With a range of art pieces to see on six floors within the art gallery. City Art Centre holds Scottish art pieces from the 17th Century, with over 4,500 pieces of art!

There are over 220,000 objects held here which are cared for by staff members. Don’t forget to visit Edinburgh’s two tallest monuments, the Scott Monument and Nelson Monument.

A lovely cafe called Mimi’s Bakehouse offers fresh cakes, hot drinks and all-day brunches. This cool free thing to do in Edinburgh is great for everyone to learn about history!

Are you curious to discover Van Gogh’s paintings or interested in seeing the incredible collection of Scottish artists? Then pop on down to this free museum in Edinburgh. The art space is filled with the best pieces of art, objects and sculptures. This is one free experience in Edinburgh you don’t want to miss. Especially with all the cool events they throw throughout the year! You’ll find something for everyone here.

With an impressive collection of over 96,000 objects, the guests will see how strong the quality of the art is here! The gallery also has a publishing house. A wide range of high-quality titles, interesting research and engaging writing.

This free trip is a great experience for everyone to enjoy!

History buffs will love this amazing museum. You’ll find that it’s filled with the bones of dinosaurs, the animal world and ancient Egyptian items. With many free attractions for you and your family to enjoy. This national museum takes you into different worlds through its exhibitions.

You will learn about the rich history and different cultures in the world as well as Scottish Culture. Seeing the scientific breakthroughs from fashion to space! This free museum is made for everyone and lets everyone enjoy every aspect of the museum space!

Are you ready to explore the 16th Century buildings whilst learning about truthful and gruesome stories? Located on the Royal Mile, everyone can learn about important history whilst having fun!

The museum also holds objects from the First World War which are on display. There is also a range of Scottish items, letting guests understand Scottish history. Many Scottish items on display were made in the 18th Century.

The Scottish capital is filled with many free museums holding natural collections of art, historical objects and more. It’s a fab opportunity to gain some insight into the past!

Travel through the high hills and rocky footpaths to see Edinburgh’s beautiful skyline for free! This public park is open to everyone, from the volcanic cliff faces to mini lochs and steep pathways. Known as a Royal park since the 12th Century and this is now a historical feature in Scotland! It’s a popular spot for tourists, so make sure you make the trip!

The Arthur’s Seat is held here, which is Holyrood’s highest point being an ancient volcano. Sitting 251m above sea level, imagine the spectacular views travellers can get! The Salisbury Crags are a selection of 150-foot cliff faces which looks down on the Edinburgh skyline.

It’s a rewarding experience that will have everyone feeling like true explorers.

Located North of the City Centre this beautiful public park holds many fantastic views. The park is 54 acres and is one of Edinburgh’s largest green spaces.

There is a majestic pond filled with swans, ducks and a little marsh too. Nearly 400 events are held every year here and it has a great view of Edinburgh houses.

This majestic park is great for a family picnic or a free romantic date walking along the pond.

A vibrant park filled with beautiful flowers, fresh greenery and fantastic views of the coast. The 2.7 acres of fresh grass hold a cultivated Victorian rose garden.

There is also a distinctive flower bed which is shaped like an eight-pointed star! This is a great family day out and lets everyone enjoy the amazing views. So, step into mother nature and take a nice relaxing walk along this aesthetic park. You’ll find the perfect spot for a picnic or even to admire the surroundings.

A free day out that gets you and the family exploring the outdoors and getting that all important fresh air!

Portobello Beach is located a few miles from Edinburgh City Centre. This delightful beach is perfect for swimming or sunbathing with the sand between your toes. A walk along the beach is a great way to relax or even to have a nice picnic!

The beach also holds annual Big Beach events which involve volleyball competitions and triathlon events. This free beach is great for kids to create sand castles whilst the parents relax with ice cream! Portobello’s classy Victorian beautiful architecture is protected behind the beach, offering awesome views.

If you’re in need of a pick me up or a refreshment, you’ll find plenty of bars and cafes along the beach. On the high street, there are high-quality restaurants and independent shops for everyone to enjoy some delicious food and purchase some trinkets!

This beach is filled with sand and pebbles making it perfect for a perfect free day out. The beach contains various remains of military structures. You will be able to see the beautiful views and breathe in the fresh air from the coast.

Why not explore the rock pools and see if you can find any marine critters? You could stumble on tiny crabs!

A cafe is nearby where you can have fresh cakes and tea. But you can burn off those calories by walking along the beautiful beach. Let’s hope for some dry weather!

Calton Hill holds some of Scotland’s stunning panoramic views of historical monuments and Edinburgh’s Skyline!

You will see the iconic views of Edinburgh from the top of the hill whilst understanding Scottish history. The National Monument was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. To commemorate a Scottish serviceman who passed away in the Napoleonic wars. A historic building

Also, the City Observatory is a Greek-style building which was developed by William Henry Playfair in 1818. A beautiful location for family and friends to understand the significance behind each beautiful building for free!

Castle Rock is a volcanic neck which has been around for almost 340 million years. Castle Rock is surrounded by sedimentary rocks and is a beautiful destination for a free trip!

This attraction is 130 metres above sea level with rocky walks around the location. Climb up to the rocks and you will see the amazing views of the Firth of Forth.

Get back to nature at the Royal Botanic Garden. With themed gardens, meandering pathways, and captivating greenhouses, it’s an educational journey through the world of plants. Known as one of the finest botanic gardens in the world with 72 acres of beautiful scenery. The stunning views are a great way to see the city’s skyline and relax in nature too!

A beautiful location which has been maintained for over 350 years, letting visitors discover interesting history! The Royal Botanical Gardens have a living collection of over 13,000 different plant species.

During the school holidays, if you’re looking for an educational but fun trip, the Royal Botanic Garden is a good shout! Your kids will understand the rare species of plants! Not only are you treated to flourishing flora but also beautiful views of the glorious gardens. It’s a real treat and best of all…it’s FREE!

It’s time to visit one of the most urban parks in the heart of the capital city of Scotland!

The beautiful garden spans 37 acres and is divided into two due to The Mound, an artificial hill that connects New Town and Old Town.

Containing history from the 19th century and more, it’s part of important Scottish heritage. Did you know it was used as a natural Medieval defence alongside Edinburgh Castle? It was also where ‘witch ducking’ took place… Gruesome history.

Of course, we can’t write a blog about Edinburgh without mentioning the fantastic Royal Mile!

Begin your exploration by strolling along the Royal Mile, a historic street that runs through the heart of the Old Town. Admire the charming architecture, browse through quirky shops, and soak in the lively atmosphere. Walk along the cobbled street, visit the gift shops and admire the street performers along the way!

Then take a detour and visit the 17th-century garden alongside Dunbars Close! It’s just a short hop away from the Royal Mile.