19 of The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh (You Haven’t Done Before)

Rightfully, Bobby the Skye Terrier takes centre stage as Edinburgh’s canine mascot. 

But if you’re looking for something quirky to do in Edinburgh…you could go and track down some other, less famous pups: Bum (yes, really!) in Princes Street Gardens, and Callum, the faithful Scotch Terrier at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Surely eating is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh (or anywhere, really). 

There are plenty of food guides in Edinburgh telling you what you should definitely eat while in town, but for me, this is an absolute favourite.

If you like Japanese food as much as I do, then you’ve got to head here. And don’t worry, there’s more than just sushi. I really recommend the bento boxes and the incredible tempura crab.

Everywhere you look in Edinburgh, there’s something to surprise you. While you’re out and about, pay your respects to a WWII hero who…happens to be a Syrian brown bear. 

Located in Princes Street Gardens, the Wojtek Memorial commemorates the bear who fought alongside Polish soldiers and lived out his days at the Edinburgh Zoo.

Looking for unusual things to do in Edinburgh? Ditch the standard walking tour for a self-guided treasure hunt like no other. 

Pick a trail that suits you, and then, using only cryptic clues delivered to your phone, you’ll navigate Edinburgh's hidden gems, "closes" and "wynds," discovering historical details that even locals tend to walk right past.

Tucked away in Lady Stair’s Close,The Writers Museum is one of my favourite Edinburgh hidden gems. Predictably, it celebrates Scotland’s literary giants, including Robert Louis Stevenson. But it’s a lot cooler than it sounds. 

Head to the Stevenson room to discover why the people of Samoa called him Tusitala ("Teller of Tales") and see his personal collection of Pacific artifacts (including his boots and a tortoiseshell ring).

Not all touristy places are bad, and to prove it, I’m going to recommend you have a look around Tron Kirk Market.

The amazing thing about this market is that it’s housed in the former 17th-century Tron Kirk (church) on the Royal Mile and it’s stuffed full of lovely Made in Scotland crafts, jewellery and art. I got myself a lovely pair of handmade socks here, and let me tell you, my toes have never been so toasty. 

Also, it’s just cool to tell people you’ve gone shopping on a floor that predates the Great Fire of Edinburgh. Even if you have no idea when that was (Psst: it’s 1824).

I hope that the skies are delightfully blue when you visit Edinburgh, but the reality is that you might just get a sudden Scottish rain shower you haven’t ordered.

Regardless, this is probably the most sophisticated way to escape a sudden downpour and, best of all, it’s absolutely free. You’ll find the National Galleries of Scotland on The Mound, and inside, there’s everything from Botticelli paintings to local Scottish masterpieces. Worth it!

I know, visiting Edinburgh Castle is probably one of the most iconic and recognisable things to do in Edinburgh. But make sure you spare some time for this!

If you blink, you’ll miss it, so once you get to the castle ramparts, look down! You’ll find a tiny, exclusive dog cemetery beneath you. It’s been there since the 1840s and it’s the final resting place for regimental mascots and officers' pets.

Again, this is a touristy activity but that doesn’t make it something you should miss. 

Genuinely engaging and very fascinating, this living museum allows you and a group to descend into a 17th-century street frozen in time beneath the Royal Mile. 

Go room to room and find out how life in Edinburgh evolved over time, and enjoy hearing some harrowing (and darkly humorous) tales of the Great Plague of 1645.

If you ever get tired of exploring, it might be a good idea to go and enjoy some “old-fashioned” fun (if your idea of old-fashioned is the 80s and 90s!). 

If that sounds like your cup of tea, head to Edinburgh’s neon-soaked "retrogaming" den, NQ64. This is where everyone’s favourite combination of nostalgia and cocktails lives, and where you can play Pac-Man, Mario Kart and Guitar Hero, and challenge whoever you’re with to just one more game.

Yes, you read that right. This local tradition is low-effort but high on the quirky scale, and the best part is, you don’t really have to go out of your way to find it. Just head to the Royal Mile, give the shiny bronze toe of the David Hume statue a rub and reap the benefits. 

What are they, I hear you ask? Legend has it that the Great Enlightener grants "intellectual luck" to anyone facing an exam or a difficult decision.

Looking for one of the best things to do in Edinburgh that makes for a great pic on the ‘gram? Head over to Morningside. 

You’ll find a saloon, gaol and a general store hidden behind a library in the residential Morningside district, and while it’s technically just a film set from the 1990s, it doesn’t make it less cool.

Harry Potter fans will already know that Edinburgh has all kinds of Hogwarts-lore related landmarks, but nobody really gives this guy enough respect. 

Famous for his unintentionally hilarious rhymes and being widely considered the "worst poet in British history," William McGonagall’s grave has become a cult pilgrimage site for literature fans (and not just people who are still waiting for their Hogwarts letters).

Just in case you’re more of a cat person than a dog person, head on over to this cosy cat café on West High Street.

As the name suggests, this is where you’ll find a clowder of friendly felines and a place to purr in peace (or just enjoy refilling your social battery for a bit) surrounded by kitties. Also, look at this darling I saw in the window!

If you’re looking to catch a flick while visiting Edinburgh, head on over to The Cameo in Tollcross. 

Opened in 1914, this indie cinema retains its original Edwardian architectural charm while screening the latest arthouse hits. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a drink in their legendary backroom bar.

Yep, read that again, and then make sure you read it a third time.

If you know where to go, one of the best things to do in Edinburgh is just to go and locate all the quirky little gems that nobody ever spots. 

For this one, you’ll want to look up when you enter the Thistle Chapel inside St Giles’. Hidden among the intricate neo-Gothic woodcarvings, you’ll spot tiny, whimsical angels playing the Highland bagpipes. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

If you’re looking for things to do in Edinburgh that indulge your reading habits, prepare to step into a bibliophile’s dream at Armchair Books near Grassmarket. 

Believe me when I say this secondhand bookshop is famous for its "precarious" floor-to-ceiling stacks and the smell of old paper, and you can find some true gems from every genre here. Worth it even if you only plan on adding a volume to your growing to be read pile.

There’s a lot to love about the National Museum of Scotland, but this particular item is a top favourite of mine. 

The museum itself is on Chambers Street, but don't miss the Scotsman Steps. This public art installation features 104 different types of marble from all over the world, turning a functional staircase into a colorful geological rainbow.