Several of our readers recommended Edinburgh Botanic Gardens as a great place to go to enjoy a free day out. There are over 70 acres of beautiful land to explore, with sections including the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden, the Pond, the Arboretum and the Chinese Hillside.Several of our readers recommended Edinburgh Botanic Gardens as a great place to go to enjoy a free day out. There are over 70 acres of beautiful land to explore, with sections including the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden, the Pond, the Arboretum and the Chinese Hillside.
Several of our readers recommended Edinburgh Botanic Gardens as a great place to go to enjoy a free day out. There are over 70 acres of beautiful land to explore, with sections including the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden, the Pond, the Arboretum and the Chinese Hillside.

Things to do Edinburgh: The 10 best free activities to do in Edinburgh, according to our readers

Anna Bryan
By Anna Bryan
Published 16th Jun 2023, 04:45 BST
You don’t have to spend money to have fun in Edinburgh

If you’re looking for something fun to do on a budget, here are 10 of the best free things to do in Edinburgh.

While some tourist attractions will set you back a pretty penny, there’s plenty of free activities to enjoy in the city. We asked Edinburgh Evening News readers to share their favourite things to do in the Capital that don’t cost anything, and they came up with some great suggestions.

These are the 10 best free activities to do in Edinburgh, according to our readers.

These are the 10 best free activities to do in Edinburgh, according to our readers.

A graveyard might seem like a strange place to spend a day to some, but our readers recommended a wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Edinburgh cemetery, which is supposedly haunted, is the resting home of many fascinating historical characters. While you can pay for a tour, Greyfriars Kirkyard is free to enter, and visitors can find interesting information about its history online for no cost.

5. Walk through Greyfriars Kirkyard

A graveyard might seem like a strange place to spend a day to some, but our readers recommended a wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Edinburgh cemetery, which is supposedly haunted, is the resting home of many fascinating historical characters. While you can pay for a tour, Greyfriars Kirkyard is free to enter, and visitors can find interesting information about its history online for no cost. Photo: Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard

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This unique museum on Edinburgh's Royal Mile is completely free to visit. It's a great spot for both adults and kids, with interactive play areas and displays of toys, games, clothes, books and dolls, dating from the 1800s to the present day.

6. Reminisce at the Museum of Childhood

This unique museum on Edinburgh's Royal Mile is completely free to visit. It's a great spot for both adults and kids, with interactive play areas and displays of toys, games, clothes, books and dolls, dating from the 1800s to the present day. Photo: Ian Georgeson

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For an adventurous day out that costs no money, why not try walking out to Cramond Island. There is much to explore on the tidal island, including old gun emplacements and ex-military buildings built during the Second World War. The island can be reached by a causeway from the village of Cramond, but make sure to check tide times for safe crossing back.

7. Walk out to Cramond Island

For an adventurous day out that costs no money, why not try walking out to Cramond Island. There is much to explore on the tidal island, including old gun emplacements and ex-military buildings built during the Second World War. The island can be reached by a causeway from the village of Cramond, but make sure to check tide times for safe crossing back. Photo: Ian Rutherford

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While visitors have to pay to enter this 16th century house, there is plenty to explore in the Lauriston Castle grounds - which are free to enter. There are 33 acres of land, with ponds, woodlands, and a calm and tranquil Japanese garden.

8. Explore the grounds of Lauriston Castle

While visitors have to pay to enter this 16th century house, there is plenty to explore in the Lauriston Castle grounds - which are free to enter. There are 33 acres of land, with ponds, woodlands, and a calm and tranquil Japanese garden. Photo: Greg Macvean

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