Free Things to Do in Edinburgh

One of life's greatest pleasures is getting out and seeing somewhere new, and if there’s one destination that is perfect for visitors to explore on a budget, it is Edinburgh. If you're wondering what to do in the Scottish capital, explore some of the best free things to do in Edinburgh with CrossCountry. 

Calton Hill

One great Edinburgh hill walk to tick off your hiking bucket list is Calton Hill, an inactive volcano that rewards those who summit it with views fit for a painting. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the headquarters of the Scottish Government, as well as Holyrood Palace and several monuments. Marvel at the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Duguld Steward Monument, and more. 

The bottom of Calton Hill is a six-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley that will take you past some lovely bistro-style cafes. Be prepared for a steep climb to the top; while it's not a long walk, the incline can be challenging, especially in wet or windy weather. 

National Museum of Scotland

If your idea of a great day out is exploring museums and galleries, then Edinburgh is the perfect destination. The National Museum of Scotland is a hugely popular attraction found in the heart of the city, with everything from art to technology. The museum has a revolving door of intriguing temporary exhibitions, like deep dives into Scottish history and celebrations of the animal kingdom.  

They also have fantastic permanent exhibitions, including the Galloway Hoard. Discovered in 2014, the Galloway Hoard is considered to be the most important collection of Viking items ever found in the UK.  

The National Museum of Scotland is a ten-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley, taking you past plenty of shops, cafes, and tourist attractions. 

The Witches Well

Many are unaware that Edinburgh Castle sits atop a heavy history - the site where thousands of accused witches were put to death. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, over four thousand people, mostly women, were put to death here. The Witches Well stands in memory of those people.  

The well can be found at the lower end of the Castle Esplanade and is especially beautiful in Spring when its pot of flowers is blooming with colour. In February 2025, a new tartan was registered in memory of the thousands of women executed under the Witchcraft Act. The Witches of Scotland tartan was designed to support the formal recognition of the injustices they suffered during those dark times. 

The Wynds, Closes, and Courts

Exploring the wynds, closes, and courts of Edinburgh's Old Town reveals a hidden history in the city’s narrow passages. A wynd is typically an open-ended alley connecting two streets, while a close is a narrow lane, often leading into courtyards. Courts are wider, open spaces surrounded by buildings, and Edinburgh is full of them.  

One of our favourites is Makars Court, where you’ll find the Writers Museum. Take a closer look at the flagstone buildings and spot the names of famous Scottish writers engraved into the walls. Exploring Edinburgh’s medieval layout amongst the dense, towering tenements of the Royal Mile is a surefire way to uncover remnants of a fascinating past. 

Arthur's Seat

If you’ve got a sense of adventure, pull on your walking boots and go for a hike up the rocky crags of Edinburgh’s famous dormant volcano, Arthur’s Seat. Offering breathtaking views over the cityscape, the climb to the peak is not overly taxing and can be enjoyed by all the family, with a range of paths that cater to different abilities. 

Pack a picnic and enjoy the calm waters of Dunsapie Loch at the base of the hill. You will be greeted by the friendly quacks of the resident ducks and swans. Plus, the surrounding parkland is also great for exploring. 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden is the perfect attraction for green-fingered visitors and a great place to visit in Edinburgh for free. From the unusual to the familiar, the plants and flowers that bloom here are a gardener’s delight.  

Get back to nature while you go on an outdoor adventure around the rock garden, into the arboretum and through the seventy acres of verdant parkland. Discover the Chinese Garden in all its exotic glory before making your way to the duck pond, where you can spend hours feeding the feathered residents. There are also plenty of interactive displays found in the main building, along with a shop and places to grab a bite to eat. 

To reach the Royal Botanic Garden from Edinburgh Waverley, there are buses available from The Mound. Alternatively, it’s about thirty minutes walking distance. 

The Museum of Childhood

One of the best free things to do in Edinburgh is visiting the Museum of Childhood, the first in the world to curate a collection dedicated to the history of childhood. The museum has been growing since 1955, and a visit there will undoubtedly spark nostalgia for your own younger self. Toys and games you thought you’d never see again will suddenly gaze at you from behind clear glass. It’s a great place to visit to bridge a growing divide between older generations and the young.  

With curios dating from the mid-eighteenth century, the Museum of Childhood is a fantastic place to visit in Edinburgh for free. It’s a seven-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley.  

Colinton Tunnel

The Colinton Tunnel, an abandoned Victorian railway tunnel, is Scotland’s largest historical mural. For thirteen years after the line closed, the Colinton Tunnel remained bricked up at both sides. Then, in 1980, the tunnel was repainted as part of the creation of the Water of Leith Walkway. However, by 2017, the Colinton Tunnel was in dire need of another refresh. That’s when the Colinton Village community came together to bring the space back to life – aiming to make it a safe and inviting place that uplifts the village.  

The Colinton Tunnel mural is based on the poem From a Railway Carriage by Robert Louis Stevenson, one of the most influential poets to come out of Scotland. A walk through this transformed underpass, with all its colour and positive words, will instil a sense of happiness and appreciation for what can be achieved when we all pull together. 

There are buses available to the Colinton Tunnel from Edinburgh Waverley that take roughly thirty minutes.  

Stockbridge

Stockbridge is the perfect amalgam of quaint coffee shops, picture-perfect lanes, artisan food stalls, and bookshops you could spend all day in. One of our favourites is Rare Birds Book Shop, a vibrant celebration of women who write, neatly arranged on Canary yellow shelves. If you’re into photography, Circus Lane looks like it was made to exist within a camera’s lens. However, we advise approaching any Instagram opportunities in a quiet and respectful way, as it is a residential area. 

Stockbridge has some of the best free attractions in Edinburgh, and it’s just over twenty-five minutes walking distance from Edinburgh Waverley. 

The People’s Story Museum

Discover the past lives of Edinburgh for free at the People’s Story Museum on the Royal Mile. With the goal of unlocking the lived experience of working-class Scottish people between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries, the museum showcases a range of original objects and tales that teach visitors about the people’s history and culture of Edinburgh. Explore a bookbinder’s workshop, a wartime kitchen, and even a jail cell and immerse yourself in a storied working-class history. 

The People’s Story Museum is a ten-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley and sits opposite the charming Museum of Edinburgh, another great free activity. 

If you’re planning to explore some of the free things to do in Edinburgh, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.