Free things to do · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
13 free things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Edinburgh without paying an entry fee: The Royal Mile, Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument and St Giles' Cathedral are all free. The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art and St Giles' Cathedral are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 13
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Street · Old Town
1.The Royal Mile
Duck into the closes off the main street; many open onto quiet courtyards and views over the New Town.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
Viewpoint · New Town
2.Calton Hill
Go at sunset or sunrise; the steps up from Regent Road take about five minutes.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Iconic
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Garden · New Town
3.Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument
The monument's spiral stairs become very narrow near the top; skip the climb if you dislike tight spaces.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
Religious site · Old Town
4.St Giles' Cathedral
Entry is free; ask a guide to point out the bagpipe-playing angel in the Thistle Chapel.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Nature · Holyrood Park
5.Arthur's Seat
Take the gentler route from Dunsapie Loch with children or if short on time, and avoid the summit rocks in strong wind or wet weather.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
Museum · Old Town
6.National Museum of Scotland
Start children in the hands-on science and technology galleries, then go up to the roof terrace for the castle view.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Gallery · New Town
7.Scottish National Gallery
Combine it with a walk through Princes Street Gardens; the gallery's lower level opens straight onto them.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
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Neighbourhood · Stockbridge
8.Dean Village
Walk from Dean Village to Stockbridge along the river path, then return via Circus Lane, a curving mews of painted doors.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Garden · Inverleith
9.Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Enter by the West Gate on Arboretum Place for the café and the best skyline view from the lawn by Inverleith House.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Historic site · Old Town
10.Greyfriars Kirkyard
Look for the carved memento mori on the tombs along the walls, and stop at Bobby's statue on Candlemaker Row on the way out.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Street · Old Town
11.Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Come early in the morning for photographs without crowds, then return in the evening for the Grassmarket pubs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
- After dark
Gallery · Dean Village
12.Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Walk there along the Water of Leith from Dean Village; steps lead up from the riverside path to the gallery grounds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Island · Cramond
13.Cramond Island
Check the tide times posted at the causeway and leave the island well before the crossing closes; people are regularly cut off by the rising tide.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
- Nature
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | The Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Victoria Street and the Grassmarket | 2–3 hours + 45 minutes + 2–3 hours + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| New Town | Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument and Scottish National Gallery | 45 minutes + 1 hour + 1.5–2 hours |
| Holyrood Park | Arthur's Seat | 2 hours |
| Stockbridge | Dean Village | 1–2 hours |
| Inverleith | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | 1.5–2 hours |
| Dean Village | Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art | 1.5 hours |
| Cramond | Cramond Island | Half a day |
More ways to save
- The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art and St Giles' Cathedral are all free.
- Avoid August and Hogmanay if budget matters; hotel prices rise sharply during the festivals.
- Tap a contactless card on Lothian buses and trams; fares are capped at a daily amount.
- Many Fringe shows are free or pay-what-you-want, especially at the Free Fringe venues.
- Pre-theatre set menus give two or three courses for less in the early evening.
- Stay in Leith, Newington or Portobello for better-value rooms with quick bus or tram links.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Edinburgh expensive to visit?
Edinburgh is expensive for most visitors, but 13 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Edinburgh?
The Royal Mile: Duck into the closes off the main street; many open onto quiet courtyards and views over the New Town.