Edinburgh is a city full of history, culture and charm, and one thing that surprised me when we visited was just how many wonderful things you can do without spending a penny!
From exploring historic streets and beautiful gardens to enjoying panoramic views across the city, there are plenty of ways to experience Scotland’s capital on a budget. In this guide, I’ll share some of the best free things to do in Edinburgh, whether you’re visiting solo, as a couple or with your family.
We visited Edinburgh with our son when he was just two years old. Although these activities aren’t specifically aimed at children, we found plenty to enjoy as a family, making them great options for a trip with little ones, too.
The Best Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
There are so many free activities in Edinburgh to discover. Below I will share the favourites form our trip. If you’re looking for more inspirartion on things to do in Edinburgh, read our complete guide, linked here.
1. Walk Along The Royal Mile
One of the best free things to do in Edinburgh is to walk along the famous Royal Mile, which stretches from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Old Town to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. The historic street is full of character, with beautiful old buildings, independent shops and plenty to see along the way.
Take your time browsing the shop windows, soaking up the atmosphere and watching street performers, including traditional Scottish bagpipers. It’s a wonderful way to experience the heart of Edinburgh without spending a penny!
Walking Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
2. Admire Edinburgh’s Architecture
Honestly, one of my favourite things to do when visiting a new city is to wander around and admire the architecture, and Edinburgh certainly doesn’t disappoint. The Old Town is particularly beautiful, with historic buildings, charming streets and striking buildings around every corner.
Although you’ll need a ticket to explore Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you can still admire both impressive landmarks from the outside for free.
The beautiful streets in Edinburgh.
3. Visit The Royal Botanic Gardens
I am truly amazed that Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens are free to visit. If you’re there on a sunny day, you could take a picnic and spend the day exploring the 70 acres of plants and flowers. This would be a beautiful, budget friendly day out in Edinburgh!
There iare so many beautiful corners to explore here and if you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids, it is very family friendly.
For me, the top highlights were seeing the glass house and the cottage set in the wildflower medow.
The Royal Botanic Gardens.
4. Visit a Free Museum
If you’re visiting Edinburgh and need a rainy day activity, spending a few hours in a museum or art gallery is a great way to escape the weather. Edinburgh has around 35 museums and similar attractions with many of them offering free admission!
We visited the National Museum of Scotland, and it’s one of the most beautiful museums I’ve ever seen. Entry to the permanent galleries is free, and there’s so much to explore, including exhibits that are great for children, making it a brilliant option for a family visit.
If you fancy exploring somewhere different, other popular options include the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Museum on the Mound.
The National Museum of Scotland & The Scottish Storytelling Centre.
5. Climb to See Panoramic Views of Edinburgh
f you’re looking for beautiful views across Edinburgh, two popular options are to climb Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat. Both offer fantastic panoramas of the city, but the walks are quite different.
We chose to climb Calton Hill when visiting, as we were with our toddler. I’s a much shorter and more manageable walk for families with little ones. It only took us around 5–10 minutes to reach the top, and the stunning views made it well worth the effort!
If you’re after more of a hike and fancy a challenge, Arthur’s Seat is another popular option. We decided to save this one for another visit while our son was so young, but it’s well worth considering if you have older children or enjoy a longer walk.
Read more in our guide to the best views in Edinburgh.
Views from Calton Hill and looking at Arthur’s Seat.
6. Wander Through Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh has plenty of beautiful parks and green spaces that you can enjoy for free, but my favourite was Princes Street Gardens. Located between the Old and New Towns, it’s a lovely place to take a stroll, relax for a while and enjoy some fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle.
If you have time to explore further, The Meadows and Holyrood Park are also worth considering. Both offer more green space to enjoy during your visit to Edinburgh.
The view of Edinburgh Castle from Princess Street Gardens.
7. Take a Walking Tour
If youre looking for a free activity in Edinburgh, we really enjoyed a walking tour with City Explorers. They have multiple different themes to chose from, including a general Edinburgh tour and a ghost tour.
We are Harry Potter fans, so we chose that option. It was really interesting and a great way to explore the city. Our guide offered lots of interesting facts, both about Harry Potter, and the city in general.
While these tours are free, it is custom to tip your guide at the end if you’ve enjoyed your tour.
Ive also written a guide on where to find all the Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh, you can use this to do a self guided walking tour if you wish.
Victoria Street in Edinburgh is said to be one of the inspirations for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
8. Take a Photo at the Vennel Viewpoint
If you’re looking for one of Edinburgh’s most photogenic spots, add the Vennel Viewpoint to your list. The historic steps offer a beautiful view of Edinburgh Castle, making it a wonderful place to stop for photos during your visit.
This was somewhere I really wanted to visit when we travelled to Edinburgh! We went by early on morning and I was really pleased with how my photos turned out! Best of all, it’s completely free to enjoy.
Posing at the Vinnel Viewpoint.
FAQs on Visiting Edinburgh on a Budget
No, unfortunately, you need purchase a ticket to enter Edinburgh Castle. However, you can admire the castle from the outside and enjoy beautiful views across the city from the surrounding area without paying for admission.
Edinburgh isn’t generally considered a cheap city, particularly when it comes to accommodation and eating out. However, there are plenty of fantastic free things to do, from exploring the Royal Mile to visiting beautiful gardens and museums. Combining these with one or two paid attractions is a great way to experience the city withouth blowing your budget.
Final Thoughts on The Best Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an incredibly beautiful city to explore, and luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy everything it has to offer. Simply wandering and admiring the cities stunning archetecture was really highlight for me. Enjoying panoramic views and the Botanic Garden we’re also favourites form oour trip. While there are pleanty of free museums and galleries to enjoy on a rainy day. You’ll find plenty of ways to experience Scotland’s capital for free.
We loved our visit to Edinburgh, and it was lovely to discover how much you can enjoy without spending money on attractions. Whether you’re planning a weekend city break, visiting as a family or exploring on a budget, I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration for your trip!
Read More About Edinburgh in These Guides:
Our Complete Guide to Edinburgh
All the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh
The Best Views and Photo Spots in Edinburgh
Other UK Destinations You’ll Love:
Looking to explore more of the United Kingdom? Read our travel guides about these destinations next:
London – The Cotswolds – Cambridge
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!
Happy Exploring,
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.