Top free things to do in Edinburgh

Another top experience is also another free thing to do in Edinburgh. Stretch your legs with a hike up through Holyrood Park to Arthur’s Seat, a (thankfully extinct) volcano, which offers some of the best views over the city below. As well as being able to enjoy spot top sights like Edinburgh Castle, there’s plenty more to do in the park itself, like the medieval St Anthony’s Chapel.

Simply walking along The Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh, is a feast for the eyes, and is one of Edinburgh’s top tourist attractions. Many of its shops, museums, pubs and more are housed in historic buildings, which makes for sightseeing in itself. One of the top spots to come to is Grassmarket: once a medieval public execution spot, today the area is much more pleasant with its unique shops and street performers.

Need a picture-perfect spot? Head up to the UNESCO-listed Calton Hill for perfect views back down over the city. If you don’t want to tackle the steep incline of Arthur’s Seat but still want awesome views, Calton Hill is a great alternative as it only requires a shorter walk uphill that isn’t so tiresome. Gaze across the historic city with its tall brick buildings, ancient church spires and further afield to the blue sweep that makes up the North Sea.

Although there are many free museums to choose from in Edinburgh, The People’s Story is one of the best. As the name implies, this museum tells the story of Edinburgh’s ordinary people, and those who achieved extraordinary feats. Expect to see protest banners, Votes for Women memorabilia and other political artefacts on display, all of which piece together the people of Edinburgh’s story of their own city.