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Hayley on Holiday

20+ Cheap & Free Things To Do in Edinburgh

December 21, 2022 in Budget Travel, Scotland, Sponsored, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle glowing at sunrise from Edinburgh's Grassmarket neighbourhood.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here.

Here are all of my favourite free things to do in Edinburgh and cheap Edinburgh attractions too. 

One of the (many) things I love about Edinburgh is that although it’s not the cheapest place to visit in Europe, there are plenty of free things to do. From historic landmarks to natural attractions, you can easily enjoy Edinburgh on a budget. Here are over 20 of my favourite cheap and free things to do in Edinburgh. 

Check out my guide to all the reasons to visit Edinburgh

Table of Contents Show
Edinburgh travel tips
Getting to and around Edinburgh
Where to stay in Edinburgh (on a budget)
Cheap and free things to do in Edinburgh
1. Do a free walking tour
2. Visit Edinburgh Castle
3. Window shop for merchandise
4. Walk along the Royal Mile
5. Stop for ice cream
6. Go to the Royal Botanic Garden
7. See the view from Calton Hill
8. Visit Dean Village
9. See Stockbridge
10. Have a picnic in Princes Street Gardens
11. Visit Victoria Street
12. Visit the National Gallery
13. Step inside St Giles
14. Wander the Writers’ Museum
15. Visit the National Museum of Scotland
16. Meander more museums
17. Conquer Arthur’s Seat
18. Go for a walk around Leith
19. Go to more galleries
20. Step into Greyfriars Kirkyard
21. Go behind the scenes at Scottish Parliament
22. Explore the New Town
Edinburgh travel FAQs

Edinburgh travel tips

Getting to and around Edinburgh

You can arrive in Edinburgh via all modes of transport: bus, train and plane. Personally, I’ve travelled to the city by bus from Glasgow and by train from York. Both times I’ve left Edinburgh, I’ve hopped on the train to London. As for getting around Edinburgh, there’s a good public transport system with buses and trains available. However, Edinburgh is a very walkable city and I only caught the public bus once.

Kick Ass Greyfriars central location in Edinburgh, Scotland

Where to stay in Edinburgh (on a budget)

I’ve visited Edinburgh twice now and both times I stayed at Kick Ass Greyfriars (formerly Budget Backpackers). It’s a very affordable hostel, considering its location steps from The Royal Mile, Grassmarket and Victoria Street. With modern rooms, kitchen facilities and an onsite bar, I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Edinburgh. They also have a sister hostel nearby called Kick Ass Grassmarket.

Cheap and free things to do in Edinburgh

1. Do a free walking tour

We all know I love a free walking tour and there are plenty of free walking tours in Edinburgh. I did a historic Old Town tour that takes you past points of interest like The Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, Victoria Street, Grassmarket and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Along the way, our host was great and spoke about politics, religion, Edinburgh’s history and points of interest to Harry Potter fans.

I always recommend doing a free walking tour on your first day in a city, as most guides will point out attractions and pass on recommendations that you can enjoy for the remainder of your trip.

Red phone boxes and quiet cobblestone street in Edinburgh's Old Town

The Royal Mile

2. Visit Edinburgh Castle

Now, you do have to pay to enter Edinburgh Castle. However, you can take great photos of the castle from the end of Grassmarket (see the first photo) and from Princes Street Garden. Plus, the sweeping views over Edinburgh from the outside are pretty spectacular too.

Edinburgh Castle glowing at sunrise

A glowing Edinburgh Castle photo at sunrise.

3. Window shop for merchandise

Any Harry Potter fans here? There are so many merchandise shops in Edinburgh, where you can buy everything from Harry Potter to Star Wars paraphernalia. But we’re going to just classify this as “window shopping” so we can add it this list of cheap attractions in Edinburgh. I really liked Galaxy, but other recommendations include Museum Context, The Enchanted Galaxy and John Kay’s Shop.

4. Walk along the Royal Mile

One of the most popular free things to do in Edinburgh that you can’t skip when in town is strolling down the Royal Mile. Yes, it’s the main tourist hub, but there are so many worthwhile attractions, restaurants and shops along the bustling strip. Personally, I couldn’t resist grabbing a souvenir scarf in my family tartan. My tip is to step into the Closes off the Royal Mile to see what you find and for great views.

Free things to do in Edinburgh: see historic buildings along The Royal Mile.

5. Stop for ice cream

There’s always room in the budget for ice cream, right? If so, you have to visit Mary’s Milk Bar. They make their gelato fresh daily and the walnut flavour was to die for. Plus, you can enjoy it with a view of the castle.

Ice cream from Mary's Milk Bar with Edinburgh Castle in the background.

The perfect view while enjoying an ice cream from Mary’s Milk Bar.

6. Go to the Royal Botanic Garden

Now, it’s free to walk around the Royal Botanic Garden, which is a walkable distance from the city centre. However, it’s also home to 10 glasshouses that represent different climates and you have to pay an entry fee to visit them.

7. See the view from Calton Hill

Climbing the steps up to Calton Hill is definitely worth the exertion. It’s home to several moments, including the National Monument of Scotland (inspired by the Parthenon in Athens) and the Nelson Monument. But it’s the views across Edinburgh to the castle, Arthur’s Seat and the water beyond that are the most impressive.

The view from Calton Hill in Edinburgh.

Calton Hill views.

8. Visit Dean Village

If you’re wondering whether Dean Village is worth the visit, my answer is 100% yes! It’s as pretty as a picture, with 19th-century buildings lining a tranquil stream. Seriously, it’s something out of a children’s storybook. Don’t miss it! Then you can follow my lead and follow the path along the Water of Leith Walkway that leads you to Stockbridge.

The Water of Leith surrounded by buildings in Edinburgh's Dean Village (free things to do in Edinburgh).

Dean Village

9. See Stockbridge

Speaking of… Stockbridge is another great Edinburgh area to spend the afternoon. It’s known for its gorgeous Georgian architecture, cobbled streets and independent shops and restaurants. Here’s a great guide full of things to do, places to eat and shops to visit. 

10. Have a picnic in Princes Street Gardens

If you happen to visit Edinburgh when the weather is cooperating, make the most of the sunny conditions and enjoy a picnic in Princes Street Gardens. There’s plenty of open grassy space and the castle views aren’t half bad.

Fall colours overlooking the Old Town in Edinburgh, Scotland

11. Visit Victoria Street

One of my favourite free things to do in Edinburgh is of course photograph the picturesque colourful buildings lining Victoria Street in the Old Town. I recommend getting in early to try and capture the view without people and cars. But no matter what, don’t miss it! 

Colourful shop fronts and brick buildings lining Victoria Street in Edinburgh, Scotland

12. Visit the National Gallery

The Scottish National Gallery is another one of the best free attractions in Edinburgh. It houses Scotland’s national fine art collection, dating back to the early Renaissance. Think Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Monet and Botticelli.

13. Step inside St Giles

St Giles’ Cathedral is located in the heart of the Old Town on the Royal Mile. It’s been a working church for nearly 900 years and I highly recommend stepping inside to see the striking interior. The amazing stained glass windows are something else, let me tell you!

St Giles' Cathedral (free things to do in Edinburgh).

14. Wander the Writers’ Museum

This was a recommendation from my free walking tour guide, but I was really glad I visited the Writers’ Museum. One of several free museums in Edinburgh, it’s dedicated to the lives of three prolific Scottish writers: Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. It houses portraits, rare books, manuscripts and personal items.

Outside The Writers' Museum in Edinburgh, Scotland.

15. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Oh look, she’s recommending another museum. But I did say Edinburgh is home to some great free museums! The National Museum of Scotland is a beautiful building that houses natural history and industrial exhibits. There are displays on transport, fashion, communication, animals, you name it! Want to know a secret? Take the lift to the top floor and enjoy awesome views from the rooftop. You’re welcome.

Inside The National Museum of Scotland.

16. Meander more museums

But wait, there’s more. Want more free Edinburgh museums? Check out this post. Top picks include the Museum of Edinburgh and the Museum of Childhood, which is known as the “world’s noisiest museum.” Enjoy!

17. Conquer Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is actually an ancient volcano on the outskirts of the city that you can walk up for stunning views in all directions. It’s a 4-kilometre loop trail that’s on the moderately challenging side, so be prepared!

Looking at Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh from Calton Hill.

The view of Arthur’s Seat from Calton Hill.

18. Go for a walk around Leith

When I said I only took the public bus once? That was to visit Leith. It’s one of Edinburgh’s trendiest neighbourhoods on the waterfront. Go for a walk along The Shore’s cobblestones, which runs adjacent to the Water of Leith. It’s lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. But my top recommendation is to make a beeline for Mimi’s Bakehouse. I still think about their Nutella French Toast, it was SO good!

If you visit on the weekend, check out if there’s a free event or pop-up happening at Custom Lane and the adjoining Custom House. The Pitt Market is also a Saturday-only market that’s £2 for adults but includes street food, beers and live music. What more could you want?

Buildings lining the Water of Leith in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

19. Go to more galleries

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the City Art Centre and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to name a few. That’ll keep you busy!

20. Step into Greyfriars Kirkyard

One thing you don’t expect to see in Edinburgh’s Old Town among the beautiful buildings is a cemetery. But burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard have been taking place since the 16th century and it’s undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous graveyards. It’s said that JK Rowling meandered the graveyard after writing at the nearby cafe, The Elephant House and took inspiration from many headstones, so keep an eye out for the Potters, Thomas Riddell, McGonagall and Moodie. While here, don’t miss saying hello to Greyfriars Bobby too.

Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh - a place to visit on a Harry Potter tour.

21. Go behind the scenes at Scottish Parliament

You can visit Scottish Parliament for free and explore their free exhibition, join a free guided tour or watch a meeting in the Debating Chamber. Visit their website for more information.

22. Explore the New Town

If you spend time in Edinburgh’s Old Town, it’s only right to then walk over to the adjacent New Town. Here you’ll find Princes St, the city’s main shopping street, plus surrounding streets lined with restaurants and attractions galore. This includes the aforementioned Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Calton Hill and The Scott Monument. This is a Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, but you have to pay to climb to the top.

Pink bunting strung between brick buildings in Edinburgh's New Town

Edinburgh travel FAQs

What to do in Edinburgh with no money?

As you can see, there are so many things to do in Edinburgh with no money. Visit free museums and art galleries, stroll through unique neighbourhoods or soak up the hustle and bustle on the Royal Mile.

Can you walk around Edinburgh Castle for free?

There is a large area leading up to Edinburgh Castle you can walk around for free. However, to go inside you must pay an entrance fee.

Are museums in Edinburgh free?

Not every museum is free but yes, there are so many free museums to enjoy in Edinburgh. This includes the Writers’ Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Edinburgh.

Is Princes Street Garden free?

Yes, this sprawling park is free to roam around it to your heart’s content.

What can I do on a rainy day in Edinburgh?

There are so many free indoor things to do in Edinburgh. Just look at how many art galleries and museums you can visit! 

As you can see, there are so many amazing free things to do in Edinburgh.

From museums to art galleries to pretty attractions, I hope you have an amazing time while visiting Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities.

You may also like these blog posts: How to travel Europe on a budget, my top tips for travelling alone in Europe and my other favourite cities in Europe to visit solo.

Thank you to GuruWalk for partnering with me on this post.

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Hi 👋🏻. I’m Hayley, an Australian who’s been solo travelling around the world for 10 years. 40+ countries and two working holidays in Canada later, Hayley on Holiday is my one-stop resource for solo and budget travel. I hope it inspires you to take the leap and explore this wonderful world we live in.

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Places to visit in Australia: Mount Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania

The 10 Best Places to Visit Alone in Australia

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. I’m back with another solo travel-focused post today. This time, we’re talking about my favourite solo travel destinations in Australia for solo weekend getaways. Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Australia alone. My solo travels are not limited to overseas destinations. Yes, I’ve travelled solo across Europe and North America. But I’ve also visited many Australian cities alone as well. Don’t be daunted by solo travel in Australia, because I guarantee you can have a great time Down Under with or without a travel companion. Based on my personal experience (and wishlist), here are the best places to visit in Australia alone. Can you tell I’m a Queenslander? 😂   Note: Australia is a big country and most people will recommend hiring a vehicle to see all the best sights: from cute country towns to cosmopolitan cities. 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I recommend visiting Mount Wellington, getting up close to Aussie animals at Bonorong Sanctuary and wandering around Salamanca. Where to stay in Hobart: I stayed at The Pickled Frog and wouldn’t recommend staying anywhere else. They offer free day trips to MONA and Mount Wellington, and the hostel is conveniently located in the CBD. Read more: A visit to Mount Wellington, top things to do and where to eat in Hobart. 5. Cairns So Cairns is located a five-hour drive north of Townsville (the two cities have been frenemies forever). Thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it’s the fourth most-visited destination in Australia. Because it’s such a tourist hotspot, Cairns is also one of the best places to visit in Australia when travelling solo. The city centre is compact and easily walkable, and there are plenty of tours available. Top attractions near Cairns include Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge, Kuranda and Fitzroy Island. 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My Top Picks For The 21 Best Places To Travel Alone In Europe

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Enjoying the view at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida in Bali, Indonesia

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. As someone who’s visited Bali, Indonesia on multiple occasions (both with my family and as a solo female traveller), here is my top advice for solo travel in Bali. Keep reading to discover the best places to visit in Bali for solo travellers and the top things to do in Bali alone. Hi, my name is Hayley and I miss Bali. But seeing as we can’t travel there right now, the next best thing (for me, anyway) is to write about it. I’ve visited Bali on several occasions and last year I stayed for a whole month (and didn’t get sick 🙌🏻). Bali will always be one of my favourite places and it’s already been the focus of quite a few blog posts. But I thought I would talk about Bali from a solo female traveller’s perspective today. 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On my last trip, I stayed […]

Tower Bridge in London, England

My Complete Solo Traveller’s Guide to Lovely London

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read the full disclosure policy here. My latest solo travel guide focuses on lovely London. Keep reading to find out where I stayed in London, solo London travel tips and the best things to do alone in London. It’s about time I wrote a guide on solo travel in London. I’ve spent nearly a month in London overall, so I’m basically a local 💁‍♀️. It’s one of my favourite cities to visit – there’s just so many cool neighbourhoods to visit and attractions to see. It’s also a great city to visit as a solo traveller. So here’s my guide to visiting London by yourself, including the best things to do alone in London. If you’ve ever wondered what to do alone in London, I have you covered. Solo London travel tips First up, here are a couple of travel tips for fellow solo travellers visiting London alone. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings in busy places as there are pickpockets in London (like every other major city in the world). I also found I felt safe walking from the tube back to my hostel at night alone, as it was located on a busier street and there were always people around. However, I only did this on a couple of occasions. As always, do what feels right to you. All of the amazing things to do alone in London listed below are daytime activities anyway. How to get to London alone Hello, my name is Hayley and I am now a pro at travelling to London alone. So far I’ve arrived and departed from London by plane, train and bus. I’ve flown in and out of London from both Vancouver and Australia – check Skyscanner for the best flight deals. I’ve also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and FlixBus to Bruges. Within the UK, I have taken National Express buses and the train from London as well. So yes, there are plenty of ways to get to and from London. How to get around London Public transport is fantastic in London, so take advantage. I used the tube most days and even caught a few buses. I simply relied on Google Maps to figure out which tube line or bus would take me to my destination. The best hostel in London for solo travellers In my opinion, the best hostel in London for solo travellers is Wombats City Hostel. I’ve now stayed there multiple times in a six-bed female dorm room (with an ensuite). It’s conveniently located 10 minutes from both Tower Bridge and Brick Lane in East London. The hostel is also within walking distance of two tube lines and two grocery stores. I like the large common areas at the hostel and the onsite bar. The bar hosts weekly events as well, which is the perfect place to meet other solo travellers in London. I’ve also stayed overnight at the Astor Victoria as it’s walking distance from Victoria Coach Station. Let’s just say, Wombats is 100 times better. I had to walk up seven flights of narrow stairs to my female dorm, which isn’t the easiest with a nearly 20kg suitcase. I also thought the shared bathrooms weren’t the cleanest and the common areas at Wombats are so much better.  Here are my top hostelling tips & travel essentials for fellow solo travellers Fun things to do alone in London  Here are lots and lots of things to do in London on your own. You won’t be bored in London after reading this list! 1. Walk along the Thames to see the best London attractions If you’re wondering where to go alone in London, here are several ideas. On my first day in London in 2017, I ended up walking from my hostel near Tower Bridge to Oxford Street. It was a lot of steps, but I passed so many beautiful London attractions on the way. Firstly, there’s Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. I haven’t been to the Tower of London yet, but I’ve heard it’s worthwhile. Then there’s St Paul’s Cathedral before you make it to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It was pretty quiet until I got to Big Ben, which is always overflowing with tourists. Don’t forget Westminster Abbey either. On another day, I walked on the other side of the River Thames to visit some Christmas markets. This is where you’ll find the Shard, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe. A final, but nonetheless awesome option, is to take a cruise along the River Thames.  2. See the Queen at Buckingham Palace Can you even say you’ve been to London if you don’t visit Buckingham Palace? It’s fortunately located in central London, so there are other things to see and do nearby. If you happen to visit in autumn like me, don’t miss seeing all the falling leaves in St James’ Park and Green Park. It’s magical! While we’re on the topic, check out my autumn packing list 😉 3. Do a free walking tour Can you believe I’ve never done a free walking tour in London? I’ve done one in like every other country in Europe, but not London. Anyway, don’t be like me and join a free walking tour. It’s one of the best things to do alone in London (and any place for that matter). 4. Go shopping along Oxford and Regent Streets Oxford and Regent Streets are hectic, no matter when you visit. But Oxford Street is home to all of my favourite English stores (a.k.a. Primark), so it’s always on my personal list of things to do alone in London. If you end up visiting London at Christmas, you also must see the Christmas decorations along Oxford and Regent Streets. While you’re in the area, head to Carnaby Street, which has more independent stores. I loved the handmade products and unique London souvenirs inside We Built This City. Here are […]

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