Top Free Things to Do in Edinburgh: Explore the City on a Budget

Edinburgh is one of the world’s greatest and most popular cities, offering countless cultural, historical, and fun attractions for travellers. Needless to say, it’s not all about entry fees though; you can still find several free things to do in Edinburgh for a budget-friendly trip. Sounds interesting? Let’s check some of them out below.

Must-Visit Edinburgh Free Attractions

From natural wonders to plenty of other attractions, there’s a lot that you can explore without paying a dime. Here’s looking at a few of them.

1. Arthur’s Seat- It’s one of Edinburgh’s defining attractions and a must-visit if you’re feeling more adventurous! Climb up to this ancient and iconic volcano that’s positioned 251 metres above sea level, offering fabulous views of the city and beyond.
2. Corstorphine Hill and Calton Hill- The former is a beautiful nature reserve that you’ll love exploring free of cost, while the latter is a must-visits for its gorgeous city views. The hill is also home to several monuments like the National Monument and the Nelson Monument, to name a few.
3. Saughton Park- It’s one of the best places to check out the best of Edinburgh on a budget. You’ll love the 34-acre green oasis with its lovely gardens, outdoor fitness facilities, skate park, chess tables, and a lot more.
4. The Water of Leith Walkway- This flows into Edinburgh from the beautiful Pentland Hills and is a route spanning 13 miles, going through the Dean Village to the docks. It also enters the Firth of Forth at Leith and is ideal for relaxing strolls, cycling, and even horse rides.
5. The Royal Botanic Garden- This ancient garden goes back almost 350 years and is one of the top such botanical gardens in the world. Make sure you explore the Woodland Garden, Rock Garden, Rhododendron collection, Chinese Hillside, Scottish Native Plants Collection, and more.
6. Dunbars Close- It’s just off the Royal Mile and showcases a charming 17th century garden layout and style. You will appreciate the neat cobbled pathway and clipped shrubs with the trees forming a lovely canopy above.
7. Colinton Tunnel- Who would have thought a former railway tunnel is now one of Scotland’s biggest murals and a fascinating tribute to local heritage, culture, and history? Check out these fabulous installations for free on your trip.
8. St. Giles’ Cathedral- You will fall in love with this stunning cathedral on the Royal Mile, complete with stained glass windows and a rich history dating back to the 12th century. You can take a free walking tour and learn more about the early foundations of the building, while viewing the iconic Thistle Chapel (houses the Order of the Thistle).
9. Greyfriars Kirk- Don’t miss this landmark that’s been there from 1620 and is famous for its intriguing collection of ancient graves. The most talked about is the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog who reportedly watched over the grave of his master. There’s even a statue of Bobby outside the Kirk.
10. The Mansfield Traquair Centre- Capture this beautiful mural decoration executed by Phoebe Anna Traquair, an iconic arts and crafts legend from the 19th century. The building opens on the second Sunday afternoon each month with free tours available for travellers.
11. St. Andrew’s and St George’s West Cathedrals- Do check out these stunning cathedrals, with the former showcasing Georgian architecture and the latter offering a Neo-Gothic three-spired look in the West End.
12. Scottish Parliament- Operational from 1999, it has been here at Holyrood from 2004 and showcases a flamboyant design that you can appreciate best from Salisbury Crags nearby. Miralles’s interior is another option and you can visit for free, checking out the committee rooms and the lovely main chamber.
13. Portobello Beach- If you’re into a relaxing escape away from the city bustle, venture to this lovely beach with its quaint cafes, restaurants, and bars. Enjoy the lovely sea air and take long strolls on the soft sands.
14. The People’s Story- Housed in the former Canongate Tolbooth where justice was dispensed from the late-16th century onwards, this museum focuses on local citizens over the last few centuries. It gives you a lovely glimpse of tenement life, war, football, trade unionism, and more, till the late-20th century.

Enjoying Free Walking Tours in Edinburgh

There are plenty of free walking tours in Edinburgh that you can enjoy. For starters, there are tours starting each day from 10 AM, 11 AM, or 1 PM on the Royal Mile. Other tours offer free visits to the St. Giles’ Cathedral, Royal Mile, and many other landmarks, beginning from High Street.

These free tours offer guided experiences that give you amazing insights into the city’s stories, culture, history, and other local legends behind its defining landmarks. While you can book them for free, do consider leaving a tip for the guide in case you enjoy the experience!

Free Cultural Experiences for Visitors

There ‘s a lot to do in terms of soaking in the rich culture of the city, right from checking out free museums in Edinburgh and plenty of other attractions. You can visit all three National Galleries of Scotland absolutely free of cost, including the National Galleries of Scotland National (fine art from the Renaissance period to the early 19th century), National Galleries Scotland: Modern (a sculpture park with works by Picasso, Dali, Matisse, and more), and of course, the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait. This one’s a stunning building dating back to 1889 and it was the first purpose-built portrait gallery in the whole world. Discover hundreds of thought-provoking images of famous people like Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Robert Burns, and many others.

The City Art Centre is another pit-stop for enjoying exhibitions, contemporary arts and crafts programmes, photography, and more. Dovecot Studio also lets you see skilled weavers working in the former Victorian Bath House. Another must-visit attraction is the National Museum of Scotland which offers a vast line-up of exhibitions and galleries, covering fashion, art, science and technology, and Scottish archaeology and history.

You should also consider visiting The Writers’ Museum which is located in the Lady Stair’s House dating back to 1622. It commemorates Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson and makes for a fabulous attraction worth visiting for literary buffs. The Royal Mile is also a must-visit with several free museums that offer superb glimpses into the city’s past and its local cultural traditions. The Museum of Childhood will take you on a nostalgic trip, being the world’s first museum to focus on the history of childhood. It showcases several interesting items from the 1800s till recent times. Other options include the Museum on the Mound and the Museum of Edinburgh.

Budget-Friendly Stays in Edinburgh: Affordable Accommodation Options

If you’re looking to enjoy your Edinburgh trip on a budget, the above-mentioned list of free attractions and cultural wonders will help. In fact, plan your trip in advance to avoid last-minute hassles and look up Serviced Apartments in Edinburgh near these landmarks to ease your commutes. You will find several apartments at reasonable rates in prime locations throughout the city at TheSqua.re. So, without further delays, create and plan your itinerary, finalise your accommodation, and gear up for a wonderful Edinburgh vacation ahead!

Abhay is a professional wordsmith with 4+ years of experience in content writing and editing in the travel industry, with a strong focus on serviced apartments.