15 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh (2026)
The 15 highest-rated things to do in Edinburgh that aren't just castles and museums. Escape rooms, chocolate tours, underground whisky, street art, and the walks locals actually do.
Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the National Museum. You already know about those (and we’ve written a full best museums guide covering all 15). If you want the itinerary version with all the big hitters, we’ve written a 5-day Edinburgh itinerary that covers them properly. This page is different. These are the things that don’t make the generic top-ten lists but consistently get the highest Google ratings from the people who actually do them.
What you’ll notice: Edinburgh’s best-rated activities lean heavily toward experiences rather than sights. Escape rooms, chocolate tours, underground whisky tastings, guided walks. The kind of thing where someone’s talking to you and you’re doing something with your hands, not just looking at a plaque. That’s partly because Edinburgh has been doing the heritage thing for centuries and the new generation of experience businesses has learned that people want to participate, not spectate.
A few of these are free (Arthur’s Seat, Victoria Street, Dean Village). A few are niche enough that you’d never find them without a list like this. All of them hold a 4.9 or 5.0 Google rating, which in a city with as many tourist traps as Edinburgh, actually means something.
1. Arthur’s Seat
You’ve probably seen the photos. An extinct volcano sitting right in the middle of a capital city, 251 metres above sea level, with 360-degree views of Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and on clear days, the Highlands in the distance. The climb takes 30-45 minutes from the Holyrood Park entrance and it’s steeper than it looks in pictures. Wear proper shoes with grip, not trainers. The rocks near the top get slippery in wet weather, and in Edinburgh it’s always either raining or about to rain. The summit is exposed and windy even on warm days, so bring a layer. If you can time it for sunrise or sunset, the light is extraordinary. The main path from Holyrood Palace is the most popular route; the Radical Road approach from the south is quieter and arguably more scenic. Covered in more detail in our 5-day itinerary on Day 3.
Arthur's Seat
- Experience a challenging yet rewarding hike with amazing scenery
- Enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh and beyond from the summit
- Explore Holyrood Park containing other attractions like Holyrood Palace
Wear sturdy shoes for traction on slippery rocks and steep paths
"Arthur's Seat is a popular hiking destination offering stunning views of the city. Reviewers mention the challenging yet rewarding hike, with some recommending proper footwear due to windy conditions."
2. The Chocolatarium
A 90-minute guided tour where you learn about chocolate production, taste single-origin chocolate from different regions (you’ll be surprised how different they are), and make your own Scottish-themed chocolate bar to take home. It costs £28 for adults, £18.50 for kids aged 6-15, which feels steep until you’re there and realise you’ve been tasting continuously for over an hour. The guides are the real asset here. Reviewers name-check Bogi, Carina, Mackenzie, Sandy, Raffa, and Annabel specifically, which tells you the team is consistent, not just one good host. They accommodate vegan, coeliac, and lactose-intolerant visitors, which most chocolate experiences don’t bother with. Winner of five TripAdvisor Best of the Best awards. Book ahead; this is one of Edinburgh’s most popular paid experiences and slots fill up, especially on rainy days (which is most days).
The Chocolatarium
- Engaging 90-minute chocolate tour with interactive experiences
- Opportunity to make your own chocolate bar with various molds and flavors
- Accommodating dietary requirements including vegan and coeliac options
Book in advance to secure your spot on the popular tours at The Chocolatarium
"The Chocolatarium is a paradise for chocolate lovers, offering an engaging 90-minute tour. Visitors rave about the knowledgeable guides, the chocolate-making session, and generous tasting opportunities."
3. Escape The Past
Edinburgh’s highest-rated escape rooms on TripAdvisor, and for good reason. The two main rooms, The Anatomist and The Deacon’s Cabinet, are both rooted in real Edinburgh history rather than generic zombie/spy themes. The Anatomist puts you in the study of a 19th-century surgeon, and the props are genuinely beautiful. The Deacon’s Cabinet is based on Deacon William Brodie (the real-life inspiration for Jekyll and Hyde) and features a cabinet that’s a masterpiece of physical puzzle design. The puzzles mix observation, riddles, ciphers, maths, and physical challenges. Not easy. Experienced escape room groups find it satisfying; first-timers won’t feel patronised but will definitely need hints. The venue is in a basement on Nicolson Square, just south of the Royal Mile. Book online.
Escape The Past Edinburgh
4. The Lost Close
An underground whisky (or gin) tasting in a hidden vault behind St Giles’ Cathedral. The space was discovered during renovations of the CoDE Hostel, buried under rubble from the Great Edinburgh Fire of 1824. You meet outside John’s Coffee House on Parliament Square and head underground. The tastings are small-group (usually 8-12 people), which means the host can actually talk to you rather than projecting at you. The 90-minute whisky tasting includes four drams from different regions, and the host explains the geography and distilling process in a way that makes sense even if you know nothing about whisky. They also do gin tastings if whisky isn’t your thing. For whisky enthusiasts, see also our best bars guide which covers Tipsy Midgie, a bar with over 1,000 whiskies.
The Lost Close
- Experience a unique whiskey or gin tasting in a historical underground site
- Enjoy personalized tastings with knowledgeable hosts
- Taste high-end whiskeys in an intimate setting
Pre-book your whiskey or gin tasting to secure your spot as spaces fill up quickly
"The Lost Close offers unique whiskey and gin tastings in a historical underground site discovered during renovations. Small group sizes allow for an intimate experience."
5. Victoria Street
The most photographed street in Edinburgh that isn’t the Royal Mile. Victoria Street curves downhill from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, lined with colourful shopfronts that J.K. Rowling has acknowledged as an inspiration for Diagon Alley. The shops themselves are a mix of independent bookshops, vintage clothing, specialty food stores, and tourist tat. The best time to photograph it is early morning before the crowds arrive, or late evening when the shop lights glow against the old stone. It’s free to walk, and you can combine it with a wander through the Grassmarket below. The downside: on summer afternoons and during the Fringe, it gets so crowded that the charm evaporates. Go early.
Victoria Street
- Experience the enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of Harry Potter's Diagon Alley
- Explore unique shops offering designer fashion to vintage treasures
- Enjoy the vibrant mix of bars, restaurants, and artisanal stores along the cobbled street
Visit early in the morning or late evening to avoid crowds and capture stunning photos
"Victoria Street captivates visitors with its colorful buildings and enchanting atmosphere. Often likened to Harry Potter's Diagon Alley."
6. King Pins
Opened in early 2026 in the basement of Waverley Market, directly above Waverley Station. Ten lanes of bowling, mini golf, shuffleboard, ice-free curling, tech darts, ping pong, and a floor of arcade games. The food is better than it needs to be for a bowling alley (pizzas from Marvin’s, decent fried chicken). It’s family-friendly during the day and shifts to more of a night-out vibe after 8pm. The main draw is the location: you can hop off a train at Waverley and be bowling in five minutes. The main complaint in reviews is that it can get loud and chaotic at peak times, which is either a feature or a bug depending on what you’re after. Good rainy-day option.
King Pins
7. Lady Stair’s Close
One of Edinburgh’s best closes (the narrow alleyways that run between the Royal Mile’s buildings). Lady Stair’s Close is off the Lawnmarket section of the Mile, through an archway that most tourists walk straight past. Inside is a courtyard and the Writers’ Museum, a free museum dedicated to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The close itself has a winding staircase, old stone walls, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back 300 years. Free entry, no booking needed. The museum is small enough to see in 20-30 minutes. Combine with a walk along the Mile.
Lady Stair's Close
- Transport yourself back in time climbing up the winding staircase
- Discover hidden beauties in small alleyways
- Visit the Writer's Museum for its charm and interest
Explore beyond High Street to find hidden courtyards like Lady Stair's Close
"Lady Stair's Close offers stunning views from the upper floors and a central location that transports visitors back in time. The Writer's Museum here is lovely and ideal for exploration."
8. Wee Ecosse
French-language walking tours of Edinburgh, which sounds niche but hear me out: even if you’re not a French speaker, Wee Ecosse is consistently rated higher than the big English-language tour companies because the small group sizes (usually 6-10 people) and passionate guides create a more personal experience. Themes include Dark Tales of Edinburgh, Myths and Legends, and a Harry Potter tour. The guides Elizabeth, Julian, Mathilde, Jonathan, and Amandine all get named in reviews, which is unusual for a walking tour company. Book ahead.
Wee Ecosse
- Explore Edinburgh through unique themed tours like Dark Tales or Myths and Legends
- Enjoy personalized experiences in small groups led by passionate guides
- Discover both famous landmarks and hidden gems
Book your tour in advance as spots may fill up quickly
"Wee Ecosse offers fantastic tours with passionate guides. Small groups, rich anecdotes, and coverage of hidden gems alongside major attractions."
9. Dean Village
A former grain-milling village that sits in a valley along the Water of Leith, five minutes’ walk from Princes Street but feeling like rural Scotland. The stone buildings, the river, the footbridge. It’s free, it’s beautiful, and the walk along the Water of Leith in either direction (toward Stockbridge or toward the Modern Art galleries) is half the fun. Also covered in our 5-day itinerary. Best visited on a weekday morning when the Instagram crowds are thinner.
Dean Village
10. Mary of Guise Palace Wall
A fragment of the palace that Mary of Guise (Mary Queen of Scots’ mother) built on Castlehill in 1544, after Holyrood was burned by the English. The original mansion had carved gothic doorways, elaborate stone recesses, secret chambers, and a hidden escape route through a moveable wooden panel. It was demolished in 1845 to build New College, but a section of wall survives at 533 Castlehill. Most people walk right past it. Free to see, and a more interesting stop on the Royal Mile than the fifth souvenir shop selling tartan tat.
Mary of Guise Palace Wall
11. The House of Smalls
A small independent art gallery on Henderson Row in Stockbridge that started as an online dollhouse project during the 2020 lockdowns. The concept: women artists create miniature works that are displayed in a public-facing dollhouse in the window, alongside full-size work in the gallery space. The themes tend toward the personal and thought-provoking (grief, mental health, recovery, activism) rather than the decorative. Not a mainstream tourist attraction, but if you’re in Stockbridge and appreciate art that’s trying to say something, it’s worth the detour. Free entry. Check their website for current exhibitions.
The House of Smalls
12. Enlightenment at Edinburgh: Vivaldi Show
A classical music experience at Teviot Place. Immersive concert experiences have been popping up in Edinburgh (and every other city), and the quality varies wildly. This one holds a 4.9 on Google, which suggests the production values are above average.
Enlightenment at Edinburgh: Vivaldi Show
13. The Gardeners Cottage
On Commercial Quay in Leith, The Gardeners Cottage is a restaurant-meets-gathering-space that focuses on seasonal, locally sourced food. Leith’s food scene is already strong (see our best restaurants guide for the full picture), and this is one of its more distinctive additions.
The Gardeners Cottage
14. Summerhall Distillery
Home of Pickering’s Gin, tucked inside the Summerhall arts complex on the Southside. The gin tasting tour takes you through the history of the distillery and the botanicals they use, and you taste your way through their range. Hosts Max and Alyssa get consistently name-checked in reviews for being genuinely engaging rather than reading from a script. It’s the kind of experience where you walk in thinking “I don’t really drink gin” and walk out with a bottle. Summerhall itself is worth exploring too: a former veterinary school turned arts venue with galleries, performance spaces, and a decent bar. Finding the distillery within the complex can be confusing, so ask at the front desk.
Summerhall Distillery
- Experience exceptional gin tasting with knowledgeable hosts
- Explore a historic distillery in a unique setting at Summerhall
- Learn about the rich history and creative process behind Pickering's Gin
For detailed directions to find Summerhall Distillery within Summerhall venue, inquire upon arrival or check online resources beforehand
"Summerhall Distillery offers an exceptional gin tasting experience with knowledgeable and engaging hosts like Max and Alyssa. Visitors praise the warm atmosphere and unique flavours."
15. St Cecilia’s Hall
Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, now a music museum run by the University of Edinburgh on Niddry Street, just off the Royal Mile. Over 400 instruments across four galleries, dating from the 16th century to the present. The harpsichords and clavichords are the stars, but the collection covers instruments from across Europe and beyond. The building itself has phenomenal acoustics (it was designed for music, not converted from something else), and they still host concerts and recitals. The volunteer guides, particularly David who gets mentioned repeatedly, bring the instruments to life with stories about who played them and why they matter. Free entry. Book a guided tour in advance for the full experience. Most visitors spend 45-60 minutes.
St Cecilia's Hall
- Explore over 400 objects across four galleries dating back to the 16th century
- Experience stunning architectural beauty and phenomenal acoustics in Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall
- Enjoy a lively program of events including concerts, talks, workshops, and tours
Book a tour guide online in advance for a more educational visit
"St Cecilia's Hall showcases an incredible collection of musical instruments from various countries and time periods. Enthusiastic volunteers provide in-depth knowledge."
How to Plan Your Edinburgh Activities
Rainy day (and there will be rainy days): The Chocolatarium tour, Escape The Past, King Pins, or The Lost Close underground tasting. All indoors, all good.
Active morning: Arthur’s Seat at sunrise, then breakfast at one of the places in our best restaurants guide.
Old Town afternoon: Victoria Street for photos, Lady Stair’s Close and the Writers’ Museum (free), then Mary of Guise’s palace wall on Castlehill. Finish with drinks at one of the best bars in the Old Town.
With kids: The Chocolatarium (ages 6+), King Pins bowling, Arthur’s Seat for older kids. Escape The Past works well for teens.
For whisky lovers: The Lost Close for the underground tasting, then Tipsy Midgie for the bar experience (see our bars guide).
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