More than 40 free things to see and do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is perfect for a weekend getaway. With its imposing castle and the division between the Old Town and the New Town, you can explore this charming city on foot and, in 48 hours, discover its most iconic and historical sites. Plus, it caters to all budgets, whether you’re visiting on a low-cost basis or indulging in luxury. Ready to explore?

If your answer is a resounding yes, then you’ll definitely be interested in our travel guide featuring 50 places and activities to enjoy in the Scottish capital without spending a single euro (or rather, a single pound).

What to see and do in Edinburgh for free

1. Stroll along the city’s most famous street, the Royal Mile. Located in the heart of the Old Town, as its name suggests, it measures a Scottish mile (approximately 1.8 km) and connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

2. On the same Royal Mile, enter St Giles’ Cathedral and admire its impressive stained glass windows.

3. Spit (or not) on the Heart of Midlothian cobblestones in front of St Giles’ Cathedral.

Churches are not what they seem

4. Step inside Edinburgh’s churches and discover that some are not what they seem! You might find a design market or even a nightclub.

5. Look out for all the unicorns in the city. Did you know that this mythical creature is Scotland’s national animal?

6. Discover what many consider the most beautiful street in Edinburgh: Victoria Street. Located in the Old Town, it has two levels and slopes in a C shape. Its colorful houses, shops, and cafes will steal your heart.

7. Victoria Street leads into Grassmarket, a square full of bars, ideal for resting and enjoying a pint. In the past, it was one of the city’s public execution centers. If you look at the names of the pubs, some of them refer to this episode in its history. For example, The Last Drop, where future executions would have their final drink.

8. Explore the city’s closes, narrow alleys that lead to courtyards or connect streets. Each has its own name, many related to professions.

9. Discover the secret gardens of the Royal Mile at Dunbar’s Close, one of Edinburgh’s most charming alleys.

10. Another of the most beautiful closes in the Scottish capital is White Horse Close, located very close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

11. Find and explore Mary King’s Close, one of Edinburgh’s most terrifying.

The most faithful dog in England rests in Edinburgh

12. Rub Bobby’s nose (they say it brings good luck), one of the most faithful dogs in the world. Legend has it that this dog spent 14 years by his owner’s grave after he passed away from a serious illness.

13. Place a branch on Bobby’s grave in Greyfriars Cemetery.

Tracking Harry Potter’s footprints

14. In the same Greyfriars Cemetery, seek out the grave of Lord Voldemort, the famous character from Harry Potter. If you’re a fan of the series, you’ll know that ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ is named Tom Riddle. This character existed and is buried in this cemetery (look for the name engraved on the tombstone).

15. Did you know that in Greyfriars there is another grave that inspired J.K. Rowling? It belongs to William McGonagall, which in the author’s novels would become the character Minerva McGonagall.

16. Very close to Greyfriars Cemetery (you can even see it from there) stands the imposing George Heriot’s School. This school also served as inspiration for the magical Hogwarts. More coincidences between the two schools: students are divided into 4 houses.

17. Don’t miss the café where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter installment. The place was called Nicholson’s Café but it no longer exists today. You will now find another café called Spoon, and if you look closely, there is a commemorative plaque at the entrance marking this fact.

18. Have a coffee or tea at The Elephant House. J.K. Rowling spent many hours writing at one of the tables in this café. It’s said that this is where she continued the famous saga.

19. Let’s return to Edinburgh’s most beautiful street. Did you know that Victoria Street is the Diagon Alley of Harry Potter?

20. Without leaving Victoria Street, step into Edinburgh’s most magical shop. Inside, you’ll find all kinds of items related to the novels, such as magic wands or flying brooms. If you’re lucky, they might offer you jellybeans like the ones Harry Potter and his friends enjoyed. What flavor will you get?

21. Very close to this shop is also a very famous joke shop: Aha ha ha Jokes & Novelties. You can’t miss it!

Just like in Hollywood, Edinburgh also has a ‘walk of fame’

22. On the Royal Mile, right where the Edinburgh City Chambers building (City Hall) is located, you’ll find the Scottish walk of fame. Here, you’ll discover J.K. Rowling’s handprints.

In Edinburgh and its free museums

23. Meet Dolly the sheep at the National Museum of Scotland.

24. In the same museum, find Bobby’s leash and collar.

25. Before you leave, don’t miss the curious spectacle offered by the Millennium Clock Tower when it chimes every hour.

26. And if you’re with kids, visit the interactive exhibits. Besides learning, they surely won’t get bored at the museum.

27. Go up to the rooftop terrace of the National Museum of Scotland and enjoy the view it offers of the city. The Rooftop Terrace provides spectacular 360º views.

28. Visit the Anatomy Museum, which opens to the public on the last Saturday of the month. It is said that some of the notebooks are covered with the skin of one of the city’s famous body snatchers and murderers. Could it be true?

29. Don’t miss the Writers’ Museum. We recommend entering through Lady Stair’s Close, which leads to a picturesque square (Makars’ Court) where the museum is located. Lady Stair was the former owner of the mansion that now houses the Writers’ Museum

30. Find the slabs that commemorate Scotland’s most famous writers at Makars’ Court.

31. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden, where you’ll find plants from almost every corner of the world. It’s also a true oasis of peace.

33. If you feel like taking a break from the city, take a walk along the Water of Leith. This popular riverside path passes by many points of interest, such as the Royal Botanic Garden.

Markets you can’t miss in Edinburgh

34. Savor Scottish cuisine at the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market. It takes place on Saturdays, and you’ll find it almost at the foot of the castle.

35. Staying with the theme of gastronomy, another weekly market is held on Saturday mornings in the Old Town: the Grassmarket Market. You’ll find high-quality organic products as well as street food stalls in case you get hungry.

36. If you’re looking for a flea market, then you can’t miss the Sunday Market. It takes place every Sunday in the underground parking lot of the Omni Centre building in Leith. You’ll find real vintage bargains by rummaging through the cars.

37. Savor Scottish cuisine, especially haggis.

38. At The World’s End pub, they serve typical food, and you can also listen to live music.

39. And if not there, you can enjoy live concerts in many of the city’s pubs. Plus, you’ll likely find it easy to strike up a conversation with a local; they’re very friendly

Edinburgh, a city with a lot of history

40. Discover the remaining fragments of the old city wall. In The Vennel, a narrow alley, you can see a section of it and get a close-up view of the castle. Other places where well-preserved remnants of the wall can be found are Greyfriars Cemetery and George Heriot’s School.

41. Guess what? The valley that separates the Old Town from the New Town used to be a huge lake. Today, it’s a train station, and its history is truly terrifying. It is said that its murky waters were used to determine whether a woman accused of being a witch was truly one or not. Many lost their lives in that ritual.

42. Beneath the current city, there are many buried areas, and some of them can be visited. For example, the old South Bridge. It was built with 19 arches, and its vaults provided shelter for the city’s most disadvantaged and also served to hide some of the most heinous crimes of the time. Today, the only visible arch is the one at Cowgate. To visit the buried ones, you need to take a tour.

43. Take advantage of one of Edinburgh’s free tours to discover its ancient history (it has plenty and it’s very interesting) as well as its most terrifying myths.

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Find cheap accommodation and flights to Edinburgh ✈️

All the things to see and do in the capital of Scotland that we’ve just shared with you can be done for free. Now, you just need to find cheap flights to Edinburgh. ✈️

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