Edinburgh is a city full of history, culture, and charm. One thing I was surprised by is that there are so many great free things to do in Edinburgh!
Whether you’re visiting solo, as a couple, or as a family, you’ll discover the top free things to do in Edinburgh in this guide, ensuring a memorable trip without breaking the bank.
We visited Edinburgh with our two-year-old toddler. These things are not specifically aimed at children, but they are all family-friendly!
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The Best Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
Admire the Architecture
One of the things I love to do in a new city is to just wander around and admire the architecture. Edinburgh will not disappoint you. The Old Town is especially beautiful and there are so many fabulous buildings to see. I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.
While you do have to pay to visit Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, looking at them from the outside is absolutely free!
Walk Along The Royal Mile
Following on from my last point, one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh is to walk the Royal Mile. Starting at the castle and finishing at the palace, the Royal Mile is packed with atmosphere and interesting things to see.
From window shopping to watchingpreformers playing bag pipes. This is a must-do when visiting Edinburgh!
Visit a Free Museum
A museum (or gallery) is a great option if you visit Edinburgh and get typical Scottish weather (which is rain!). There are actually 35 museums in Edinburgh, quite a few of them are free!
We visited the National Museum of Scotland and it is the most beautiful museum I’ve ever seen and it is completely free to visit. This museum also has a lot of areas that are great for kids!
Other popular choices include: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, The Museum of Childhood and The Museum on the Mound.
Climb to See Panoramic Views of Edinburgh
We chose to climb Calton Hill. It was surprisingly, a pretty easy climb, only taking around 5-10 minutes from the bottom to the top. The views are stunning so it is well worth it!
If you’re looking for a bit more of a hike, try Arthurs Seat. We chose not to do this long hike with a toddler, but I know it is a popular thing to do when visiting Edinburgh!
READ MORE: OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST VIEWS IN EDINBURGH
Visit The Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens should be high on anyone’s list of things to do in Edinburgh.
I am truly amazed that these beautiful gardens are free to visit. If you’re there on a sunny day, you could take a picnic and spend quite a while exploring the 70 acres of plants and flowers!
There is so much to explore here and it is very family friendly.
The Royal Botanic Gardens are lovated a short bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh. You can get bus number 8, 9, 23 or 27 which will take you to the Garden’s East Gate entrance on Inverleith Row. A single bus journey for adults is just £2.20, or you can buy a day ticket for £5.50.
Wander Through Princes Street Gardens
There are plenty of parks in Edinburgh you can enjoy for free. My favourite was Princes Street Gardens, located right between the Old and New Towns. It is so beautiful and has some amazing views of Edinburgh Castle.
Other parks include The Meadows and Holyrood Park.
Take a Walking Tour
City Explorers is a company that organises free walking tours in Edinburgh. These tours are interesting (We did the Harry Potter one) and are a great way to explore the city.
While these tours are “free”, you are asked to tip the guide/ pay what you can afford. Obviously, it is your choice however, I would have felt pretty guilty to pay nothing!
If you’re not a Harry Potter fan, they also do general Edinburgh walking tours!
READ MORE: HARRY POTTER EDINBURGH LOCATIONS
Thank you so much for reading our guide about the best free things to do in Edinburgh! I hope it has helped you plan your trip to Scotland!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
OUR GUIDE TO EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
HARRY POTTER EDINBURGH LOCATIONS TO VISIT
Happy Traveling,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.
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