32 Fun Free Things ​To Do in Edinburgh – History, Parks & More

After hiking Arthur’s Seat, you should linger in Holyrood Park which is the largest green space in Edinburgh. You can also learn about the area’s history and archaeology at Holyrood Lodge Information Centre and Iron Age forts.

3. Visit The Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh

What was once primarily a place for the scientific study of plants is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland. It was founded in 1670 to grow medicinal plants and now holds more than 13,000 species. Wander at your leisure and find peace and quiet in the heart of the city.

4. Princes Street Gardens

Relaxing in a park is certainly one of the best things to do in Edinburgh during the summer months. Princes Street Gardens are busy and atmospheric during sunny days and evenings but you can usually find a secluded spot under a tree to relax and unwind.

The best thing about Princes Street Gardens is that you get fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle without paying to go inside!

5. The Meadows

An act of Parliament in the 1800s prohibited this patch of land from being built on and, as a result, it’s become one of Edinburgh’s best-loved parks. You can relax in the park, hold an event there or compete in The Meadows Marathon, a 5k fun run held in aid of charity.

6. Pentland Hills Regional Park

The drawback of hiking Arthur’s Seat is how busy it gets especially during summer weekends. For hikers, the best free thing to do in Edinburgh is escape the beaten path and travel further afield to Pentland Hills Regional Park.

Here you can take several walks of varying difficulty levels. Families and children can learn about local wildlife along Harlaw biodiversity trail.

Free indoor activities in Edinburgh – museums & more

For rainy days and to learn about Edinburgh’s rich history and culture, pay a visit to the following museums, galleries and other indoor free locations in Edinburgh…

7. The Writers Museum

Celebrating the three most famous Scottish literary legends, this cosy museum is dedicated to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Here you can see books, writing equipment and personal items used by the three writers, all without spending a penny on entrance fees.

8. People’s Story Museum

This second free museum in Edinburgh is dedicated to the real working-class people of Edinburgh. Images, objects and personal stories are used to document the lives of locals between the 18th and 20th centuries. Spend an hour browsing.

9. Museum on the Mound

Located on (you guessed it) The Mound, this unique museum in Edinburgh focuses on money, yet entrance doesn’t require any. Inside you’ll spy a Bank of England £1 million note and learn about ancient Scottish currency. This quirky museum was set to close in 2017 but after public outcry, it was saved!

This modern museum which covers just about everything from ancient Scottish history to inventions.

The most impressive exhibit is the preserved body of Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal to be genetically cloned. It has dedicated rooms to other non-Scottish topics like African animals and Asian culture. Basically, it’s a vibrant and interesting place to spend a rainy afternoon.

11. Museum of Edinburgh

This small and cosy museum across the road from The People’s Story is another free Edinburgh attraction. It tells the story of the Scottish capital from gruesome details to bizarre facts. There are plenty of iconic items inside including the collar and dog bowl of famous Greyfriars Bobby (more on him later!).

13. Scottish Parliament

From Monday to Saturday, you can visit and learn about Scottish Parliament from within its headquarters. Better yet, it’s free! For opening times, tours and what you can do while visiting, check out the Scottish Parliament website.

If you’re escaping the rain and bored of museums, huddle inside this quirky bookshop. Armchair Books sell everything from Harry Potter to ancient, crumbling leatherbacks which look like they’re made from parchment.

16. The National Gallery of Modern Art

Modern art fans will enjoy this free activity in Edinburgh. I personally enjoy modern art more than fine art so decided to prioritise this gallery over the Scottish National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery mentioned above.

The venue is home to modern art exhibitions, sculptures, a pop-up cafe and a beautiful set of gardens. Check opening times on the website.

18. The Museum of Childhood

Despite there being millions of children in the world, there’s only one Museum of Childhood. This is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh for families thanks to its fun and interactive exhibits.

There are lots of games and toys including a few with emotional stories, for example a teddy bear that travelled on a Kindertransport train destined to rescue children from Nazi Germany. These poignant items will ensure that even adults will enjoy this museum.

One of the best free things to do in Edinburgh (in my eyes anyway) is get immersed in the history and learn about its past. There are plenty of tour companies offering paid-for tours but luckily, Sandemans operate for free meaning you can learn about fascinating Edinburgh without spending a penny!

Although the tours are free, you can give tips if you enjoy them. I have done a few in Europe and usually give £5. If I had the budget, I would gladly give more as they’re usually fantastic and really informative. This free Edinburgh tour is no exception. It takes you past the castle, around Greyfriars Kirkyard and through Grassmarket. Book your space at New Europe tours.

Tip: try and get Fiona as your guide – she’s hilarious!

For a beautiful morning and totally free thing to do in Edinburgh, take a walk to Dean Village. This picture-perfect neighbourhood which looked more like Bavaria than Scotland.

All set around a pretty river, you’ll find the village about a 20-minute walk from the centre of town. I promise it’s worth the trip over there.

Another free activity in Edinburgh is aimlessly wandering the Royal Mile, picking up your souvenirs and watching the street performers. It’ll be busy with tourists every single day of the year but that’s no reason not to join the party.

This colourful, winding street could have been made for Instagram but no, it was built many hundreds of years before it was invented. Harry Potter fans can go crazy in the dedicated shops here, or you can sample the best pulled pork sandwich in the city at Oink.

This important area of the city is where the gallows stood and people were publicly executed. The lines of the gallows are still painted on the ground yet it’s hard to imagine such events occurring – it’s a reminder of Scotland’s rich yet gruesome history.

The only woman recorded to survive her execution now has a pub on the street dedicated to her, Maggie Dicksons. Explore the area and, if the budget allows, grab some of the best ice cream in town at Mary’s Milk Bar.

Between Arthur’s Seat and town is another free thing to do in Edinburgh: Calton Hill. This is a great place to catch urban views to one side and mountainous ones to the other. The unfinished Scottish National Monument is also at the top.

27. Visit Portobello Beach

Very occasionally in Scotland, the sun comes out. When it does, a free Edinburgh activity is heading down to the beach before it hides away again.

I didn’t make it over during my recent visit but I have fond memories from when I visited as a teenager for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You can reach Portobello in 45 minutes on the number 45 bus.

Greyfriars Bobby is now a pub named after Scotland’s most famous canine. This terrier guarded the grave of his owner, city watchman John Gray, for 14 years until he too passed away. You can admire the statue of Bobby outside the pub.

29. Take a trip to Leith

If you have spare time in Edinburgh, take a trip to the neighbourhood of Leith. The most popular attraction is the docked HMY Brittania which once belonged to the Royal Family. 

However, I most wanted to get over there for the Pitt Market which serves world street food and is open ’til 10pm on Saturdays.

Whatever your motivation for visiting Leith, it’s a lovely area which can be reached in half an hour from Edinburgh city centre.

30. Water of Leith Walkway

Locate the Water of Leith Walkway which runs for 22 miles beside the river. Wander along until you run out of time or energy.

32. Edinburgh Fringe free events

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival happens once a year in the month of August. Even though accommodation prices are notoriously high during the festival, plenty of the events are free from dance performances, theatre, concerts, magic shows and more.

It’s one of the UK’s most exciting and vibrant festivals that I’ve been lucky enough to experience twice!