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100 Free things to do in Edinburgh

100 free things to do in Edinburgh: a full list of free attractions in the city, both indoors and outside. 

Throughout this post, I’ve tried to group activities and places into categories in the hope of making it a little easier for you to plan what to do in Edinburgh today. Choose one of two things to whet your appetite for the capital city, or try get around all 100!

Before we dive on into the list, if you’re looking for all kinds of vegan goodness (this is a vegan blog after all), take a look at my Vegan in Edinburgh posts, along with reviews of the vegan offering at The Ivy, Wagamamma, Dishoom and a ton of other places.

Throughout the post, I’ve included a few links and photographs to help you along. However, each point is titled in a way in which you can simply drop it into our old friend Google for more info.

Free Tours in Edinburgh …

1) Edinburgh free ghost tour – Everyday, City Explorers run free ghost tours exploring one of Europe’s most haunted cities. Starting on the Royal Mile, the tour takes you through haunted alleyways and spooky locations, accompanied by ghostly tales and sinister stories.

2) Free walking tour – Edinburgh has a number of free city tours starting on the Royal Mile each day at around 1pm. The tours tend to focus on the history and architecture of the city and include highlights such as Grey Friar’s Bobby and the Edinburgh old town.

3) Potter Trail free Harry Potter tour – The Edinburgh tourist scene has gone Harry Potter mad. Get involved in the mania and follow your robed guide around the city to visit the location where Lord Voldemort is buried, the school that inspired Hogwarts, and lots of other famous locations from the books.

4) GPSMYCity App – Not content with the free walking tours the city provides? GPSMyCity offers downloadable self-guided routes including religious sites and kids entertainment tours.

Free Museums & Galleries in Edinburgh

4) The National Museum of Scotland – Ranked no.2 on TripAdvisor, this huge museum covers everything from the age of dinosaurs to modern technology. Regardless of whether museums are your thing, the building itself is pretty spectacular.

5) The National Portrait Gallery – A large red sandstone neo-gothic structure nestled right in the centre of the city. The gallery holds the national collections of portraits, all of which are of, but not necessarily by, Scots. The building dates back to 1889.

6) The Writers Museum – This museum covers the lives of three of Scotland’s most recognised writers – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Also known as  Lady Stair’s House, this quirky looking home was gifted to the City in 1907 and houses collections and personal objects of the writers.

7) The Library of Mistakes – No, this isn’t a list of celebrity failed marriages (but that would be pretty interesting, right?). This little library carries a heavy catalogue listing financial disasters that have wreaked havoc on our economy over the ages. The intention of the venture is to avoid future financial catastrophes. Visits to the library are given only to those who register with them.

8) The Scottish National Gallery – This large gallery sits right in the centre of Edinburgh’s main street, Princes Street. It’s home to the national collection of fine art, covering Scottish and international art from the beginning of the Renaissance up to the start of the 20th century.

9) The Modern Gallery of Art – Made up of two buildings facing each other in the surrounds of an impressively sculpted landscape. Housing the national collection of modern and contemporary art, the gallery exhibits have included the work of Turner Prize winner Tracey Emin, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst.

10) Dovecot Studios – An impressive tapestry studio located in a renovated Victorian pool building. The studios are famous for their colourful exhibits and viewing gallery, where you can watch the artists at work.

11) The Open Eye Gallery – an easy walk from Princes Street, this little space is a commercial art gallery working to promote young contemporary artists.

12) The Number Shop Gallery – This little studio and gallery space is an artist-run venture that aim to support recent-graduates and early-career/emerging creative. They regularly host events, and participate in the Edinburgh Arts and International Science Festivals.

13) The Museum of Childhood – Situated on the Royal Mile, this museum was the first in the world to specialise in the history of childhood. A great place for a boost of nostalgia, documenting growing up through the ages. Great for adults and children alike with hands-on activities like a puppet theatre and dressing up area.

14) The Fruitmarket Gallery – Right next to Waverly Train Station, this is another gallery for lovers of contemporary art. Unlike some of the Edinburgh galleries, the gallery boasts a healthy list of international artists alongside the more local representatives.

15) The City Art Centre – Nationally recognised collections of Scottish art are displayed here on a rotating basis. Exhibitions have a shorter shelf life than some other museums, and therefore, it’s a great place to keep popping back into.

16) The Anatomical Museum – A treat of a museum given that it’s only open one Saturday a month! Part of the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, this fascinating space houses all kind of Macabre artefacts from Scotland’s medical history. If the skeleton of a notorious serial killer and the prospect of more than 1500 skulls is appealing, this place is for you!

17) The Red Door Gallery – Credited with being ‘one of Edinburgh’s most varied and interesting art spaces’, this tiny little gallery on the beautiful Victoria Street displays funky jewellery, arts and illustrations.

18) Edinburgh Printmakers – The first open access studio in Britain, the Edinburgh print makers provides artists with a low cost space to practice the fine art of printmaking. Visitors can attend the most recent exhibition of prints, or take a stroll to the viewing window to watch artists at work in the studio.

Free things for History buffs in Edinburgh

19) The Dean Cemetery Pyramid – Pyramid? In Scotland? Would you believe this isn’t the first time I’ve written about pyramids in this little country? As well as the newly-famous giant pyramid of the Cairngorms, Scotland has another structure tucked away among the graves in Edinburgh. Granted, this one is a lot smaller, but this pink granite memorial is still a cool little find.

20) Edinburgh Castle – Although it’s not free to get inside of the castle, you can actually get much further than most would have thought without unzipping your wallet. The front entrance, under the main archway and all the way up to the tourist info centre is free game for those on a tight budget.

21) Holyrood Palace – At the bottom of the Royal Mile, the palace is the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Like the castle, there are paid tours, but you can get a great look just from being at one of the gates. The palace has served as the main residence to kings and queens of Scotland since the 16th century,

22) Greyfriars Kirkyard – This little city centre graveyard is thought to be one of the most haunted burial grounds in the world, complete with violent poltergeist! It’s home to numerous famous graves, including some that J.K. Rowling allegedly took inspiration from whilst forming the character names to her books.

23) Explore the closes – Edinburgh is teaming with alleyways leading off the main street, Royal Mile. These tight little passageways were often named after memorable occupants. With hidden gardens and high walls, they are a great way to experience the way the residents of the city used to live.

edinburgh closes

24) Walk the Innocent Rail Tunnel – Very close to Arthur’s Seat, this secret railway tunnel is great for a stroll. So secret that a lot of the Edinburgh residents aren’t even aware that it’s there! I love this find so much that I included it in my local’s list of Edinburgh tourist spots post.

25) Waverley hidden railway line – Blink and you’ll miss this little gem! This railway line entrance located near the start of King George V Park is now fenced off, but is still an interesting tourist find due to its size and history. The Waverley Station entrance was destroyed in the 1980s, adding to the unique feel of this tunnel entrance that leads all the way up under the city to its main station.

26) Wojtek The soldier bear memorial – A statue in Princes St gardens immortalising an orphaned bear that was adopted by a group of Polish soldiers. He carried weapons for them during the end of WW2 and was given a name, rank and soldier number.

The soldier bear

27) George Mackenzie’s mausoleum – George Mackenzie’s Black Mausoleum, situated in Grayfriars Kirkyard, was supposed to be the resting place of the former Lord Advocate. However, since it was disturbed in 1998, there has been 500 recorded incidents of the Mackenzie poltergeist attacking people.

greyfriars kirkyard

28) Spit on the heart of Midlothian – Don’t be alarmed if you see locals spitting as they walk past this heart-shaped mosaic in the cobblestones of the Royal Mile. The site was once home to a tollbooth and execution point, and the 200 yr tradition is thought to have been derived from one of two reasons -people expressing their loathing for the sickening deeds associated with the spot, or mimicking the treatment the public gave to those walking to execution for their crimes.

29) Grayfriar’s Bobby – This little bronze, life-sized, statue of a Skye Terrier was built in memory of the little pup who faithfully guarded the grave of his owner for 14 years. Please don’t rub his wee nose. The tourists have done it so much that it’s being rubbed away!

30) The Royal Mile – The Royal Mile was the main thoroughfare for Edinburgh’s old town. As the name suggests, it runs a mile long – starting at Edinburgh Castle and running down to Holyrood Palace. The street is now one of the busiest tourist locations in Edinburgh and is lined with tourist attractions, pubs and shops.

31) Scott’s Monument – A dramatic Victorian Gothic monument built to honour the death of Sir Walter Scott in 1832. It is the largest monument to a writer in the world. Although there is a charge to climb it, it’s pretty spectacular just standing in front of it.

32) St Bernard’s Well – The well was built and designed in 1789 by Edinburgh landscape painter Alexander Nasymth, drawing inspiration from the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli in Italy. Legend has it that the spring on which it was built was first discovered in the 12th century by an unwell St Bernard of Clairvaux. After drinking the water, he was restored to health.

33) Burns monument Regent Rd – After a big restoration project, this 1800’s circular temple was re-opened in 2009. The monument lies at the Southerly foot of Calton Hill and was built in honour of Scotland’s famous poet, Robert Burns.

34) The Sheep’s Heid – This old inn, located in Duddingston, Edinburgh is thought to have been selling liquor since 1360, potentially making it the oldest surviving licensed premises in Scotland. It’s worth a visit just to day you’ve seen it, and to check out the separate old fashioned style skittle (bowling) alley.

35) Old Calton burial ground – There’s something weirdly interesting about reading old tombstones in graveyards. This old burial ground at Calton Hill was opened in 1718, and is the final resting place of many nobles Scotts, including painter David Allan, philosopher David Hume and the creepy stone erected by Captain John Gray in memory of his parents.

36) The Heave Away Hoose – By the middle of the 1800’s, a lot of the old town’s houses were at least 300 years old and badly deteriorating. In 1871, the building that stood here collapsed, killing 35 people. The only survivor was a boy who was heard shouting “Heave Awa Lads I’m no deid yet”. The building that replaced the collapsed one, is engraved with his cries, although ‘lads’ was replaced with ‘chaps’ for Victorian tourists.

37) Craigentinny Crescent marbles – A bit of a walk, but an unusual site given that this reasonably sized monument is right in the middle of a housing estate, surrounded by bungalows. The Miller Mausoleum (or marbles) is the resting place of William Miller, who died in 1848 with no heirs. He had set aside a £20k fortune for his funeral and instructed that he be buried in a magnificent tomb erected in the classical style over him.

38) The Grassmarket and the Covenanters memorial – Edinburgh’s Grassmarket was a important business hub documented way back to the 1400’s. It’s now a busy tourist spot full of shops and restaurants, and home to the Covenanters memorial – where hundreds of people were hanged for their religious beliefs and various other crimes.

Free nature related attractions in Edinburgh

39) Botanic Gardens – These huge gardens are free to visit, and perfect for exploring, or simply relaxing, on a fine day. They are the second oldest botanic garden in Britain, and run regular free guided tours in the mornings.

40) Climb Arthur’s Seat – Not many cities can boast to having an enormous extinct volcano smack bang in its city centre! Now, the hill is popular on the tourist tick list, with its spectacular city views and historic hillside ruins.

41) Water of Leith – Flowing 24 miles, this riverside walk takes you through a varied route of industrial and picturesque spots through Edinburgh. Most visitors to the city make their start around the aesthetically pleasing Dean Village or Stockbridge.

42) Walk to Portobello beach – Yes! There are a few beaches around Edinburgh! 3 miles to the East of the city centre, Portobello draws large crowds on sunny days (there aren’t that many!) with its promenade and anti-corporate local community ethos.

43) Walk to Cramond beach – A heftier 6 mile walk, Cramond and its small sand beach give off old fishing village feels. It is a popular destination with locals, with a causeway out to Cramond Island, which can be walked at low tide. Just don’t get stuck!

44) Blackford Hill – If you’ve made it as far as Morningside, head to Blackford Hill and its wooded nature reserve. It’s a relatively easy climb, and offers panoramic views of the city.

45) The Meadows – Once a loch, The Meadows is now a large public park, popular with the locals on a sunny day for chilling out after a long day at work. During the summer months, a number of free festivals and events are hosted here, including the famous (and pretty large) Meadows festival.

46) Watch the squirrels in Princes St Gardens – The squirrels of Princes Street gardens are familiar little critters. Years of being fed by the public have meant that are often curious about anyone that looks like they’re bending down to offer them something. As a result, it’s usually relatively easy to get a cute up-close snap. For the friendliest of squirrels, head to the path lined with memorial benches.

47) Dunbar Close – Just off the Royal Mile, this hidden little garden has been designed to look like one of the 17th century gardens of the wealthy in the city. Walking into it, you could almost forget you just stepped off the busy street’s of Edinburgh.

48) Dr Neil’s garden – A secluded garden in Duddingston near Arthur’s Seat. It’s often known as Edinburgh’s secret garden, and is a wonderful spot for meditation and contemplation.

49) Dudingston Loch – A wonderful little natural loch close to the city centre, perfect for wildlife spotting – attracting wildfowl, great crested grebe, swans, heron and ducks.

50) Newhaven harbour Newhaven was once its own successful little fishing village. In 1504 the ‘new harbour’ was built for the construction of warships.

51) Princes Street Gardens – The main gardens of Edinburgh’s city centre are divided into two, split by The Mound, leading up to the Royal Mile. The gardens were created in the 1700’s after the decision was made to drain an artificial loch around the city, which was originally  part of its medieval defences.

52) St Andrews Square – A peaceful little park area in the New Town, acting as a centre piece to a lot of Edinburgh’s major offices of banks and insurance companies. The impressive Melville Monument is a fluted column that stands in the centre of the gardens, and attracts a lot of city events and tourists.

Free Modern things to do in Edinburgh

53) Banshees Labyrinth free cinema – Scotland’s ‘most haunted pub’ has its own cinema in which they host free screenings, cinema clubs, comedy and poetry nights. Great for tourists on a budget, they don’t require booking.

54) Get a selfie at Elephant House – You’ll see many a Harry Potter fan visiting this tea house for quick coffee, in order to soak up the atmosphere of the location in which J.K Rowling is rumoured to have written parts of her book series. For us freebie hunters, a quick selfie outside should suffice.

55) The Stand comedy shows – Every Sunday, Edinburgh’s most famous comedy club hosts a free lunchtime improv show – the perfect place to lull you out of your post Saturday night hangover.

56) Harry Potter school – George Heriot’s school, built in 1628, is an impressive castle-like building originally used as an orphanage and hospital for boys. The school is said to be the inspiration behind J.K. Rowling’s famous Hogwarts school.

57) No.2 Wellington Place, Leith – Movie buffs will love this secret little location in Leith. Without even as much as a plaque on the door, you’d never know that Scottish author Irvine Welsh wrote his debut novel Trainspotting on the top floor.

58) Grassmarket community project film screenings The Grassmarket Community Project was formed as a stand-alone charity, creating a community and providing sanctuary for vulnerable citizens. They now run free weekly cinema screenings, with different movies showing each week.

59) Go film location hunting – VisitScotland and Film Edinburgh teamed up to create a free downloadable movie location map. The map lists 32 locations around the city, used in 21 different cinema releases.

60) Train spotting on Waverley Bridge – We know there must be some train spotting enthusiasts out there (we mean real trains, not the famous Edinburgh based movie). Peer over the walls of Edinburgh’s Waverly Bridge, and you’ll get a birds eye view of all of the vehicles rolling in and out of the city.

61) J.K. Rowling’s golden hand prints – On a flagstone in front of Edinburgh City Chambers, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was awarded the Edinburgh award – her hand prints installed in the stone. Edinburgh’s answer to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Free Cool stuff to do in Edinburgh

62) Old Wild West Town – In amongst the cobbled streets and dusty graveyards, Edinburgh has its very own wild wild West (kind of). Built to attract attention for the furniture businesses in the area, the little hidden street is so off the beaten track that a lot of the Edinburgh locals haven’t seen it. It’s no longer in use and, as a result, is looking a bit worn down these days – but still worth a visit.

wild west edinburgh

63) Visit the Narnia mirrors in Whitestuff – Remember The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when they find that their seemingly basic closet opens up into a completely new world? Clothing store, White Stuff, have recreated this, using their dressing rooms as inspiration. Each wardrobe opens up into a different theme – from E.T’s iconic teddy bear wardrobe to a 50’s inspired kitchen space. They also serve free herbal teas from Edinburgh based Just Be Botanicals.

64) Little free library – These tiny little library cabinets operate on the trusting basis that for every book someone takes, they will replace it with another. Great for an unusual find, a wonderful example of them can be found on Scotland Street.

little library edinburgh

65) Brass rubbing plaques in Granton – Along the Edinburgh waterfront are 6 plaques depicting scenes from the past and present. The trail starts at Granton Harbour and run all the way up to Crammond, with each plaque measuring perfect postcard size in order for you to create your own rubbings to take home as memories.

66) Monday Meadows Fire Club – The Edinburgh Fire Club meets at Pavillion Cafe near the meadows every Monday night at 9pm, welcoming anyone looking to learn, practice or skill share in the art of fire spinning, dancing and juggling.

67) Guru Nanaks Free Kitchen – Looking to give something back whilst on your travels? Guru Nanaks aim is to provide and serve free food to the homeless. They’re always looking for volunteers to help – and there’s a curry in it for you for helping them deliver this selfless service.

68) Edinburgh Fringe – Every August, Edinburgh turns into the world’s biggest arts festival. Head to the Royal Mile for a host of free street performers, from fire eaters to mini cabaret shows. Here, you’ll also find tons of people promoting their free comedy shows – a perfect way to fill a full day on a budget.

69) Go owl spotting – Argyle owl – Whilst you’re up in The Meadows park area, keep your eyes peeled for this tiny little guy hiding in a tree – positioned to deter squirrels. The Edinburgh squirrels have long cottoned onto this little trick, but the owl is still an interesting find, given that a lot of the locals aren’t even aware of it.

70) Tartan Mill’s free scraps – The Edinburgh Tartan Mill next to the castle offers visitors free demos showing how they weave their fabrics, but downstairs they also have a little bucket of tartan scraps. These free samples are great little souvenirs for those on a budget, or for keen crafters.

Free architecture to see in Edinburgh

71) Circus Lane ‘prettiest street in Britain’ – Sandwiched between the large Georgian town houses and Stockbridge ‘village’, Circus Lane is great for those looking for the perfect Instagram shot, after being named ‘Prettiest Street in Britain’.

circus lane edinbugh

72) Views of Edinburgh from the Museum of Scotland rooftop – A lot of Edinburgh’s visitors miss this gem whilst visiting the city, but the museum’s rooftop terrace boasts some of the most spectacular views of the old and new town.

73) Get your photo on Victoria street – The pretty 1800’s building of Victoria Street have become quite a talking point for travel Instagrammers recently. Their colourful fascias, combined with the beautifully curved design of the street (and the addition of quirky independent shops) has made them a must see for tourists.

74) The Union Canal – The canal, starting at Fountain bridge, was built in the early 1800’s and runs a 31 mile route that you can now follow. A nice little location for a stroll and to spot the odd canal boat parked up at Lochrin Basin.

75) Jacobs Ladder – Climb these steep, uneven steps carved into the volcanic rock that houses Edinburgh Castle for magnificent views across Edinburgh’s new town and gardens. The stairway is first documented in maps from 1784, but it’s thought that they long pre-date this.

76) Bronze doors at St. Andrews house – Art lovers and architecture buffs alike will appreciate these enormous 2-leaf bronze doors with carved relief. They serve as one of the entrances to St. Andrews House on the Southern flank of Calton Hill.

77) St Giles’ Cathedral – The 12th century Cathedral on the Royal Mile was thought to have been the focal location for Scotland’s spiritual and historical events for hundreds of years. A Monument dedicated to 19th century author  Robert Louis Stevenson, along with many others, can be found here, alongside elaborate carvings and stained glass depictions.

78) The Scottish Parliament building – Whether you’re interested in politics or not, this building is worth checking out for the architecture alone. Opening in 2004, its design received a mixed response from the public, but went on to win it numerous British architecture awards.

parliament

79) Calton Hill – A famous tourist stop off point in Edinburgh, the hill is an obvious location for keen photographers and painters, due to its central views over the city. Topped by a number of Edinburgh’s historical landmarks, Calton Hill is also one of the best places to watch the sunset/rise.

calton hill

80) Dean Village – Picture perfect Dean Village is only a 10 minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, but still maintains the tranquil feel of its old mill village roots. It’s a great place to check out some of Edinburgh’s older housing architecture – exploring cobblestones roads and following the stream along the Water of Leith.

81) Scotland Street car garages – Half way down Scotland Street is a little cobblestone road that appears to lead to the back of some of the big old tenement buildings. There are hundreds of these little streets in Edinburgh, but this one is particularly interesting, as it leads to a tiny close of work spaces and car garages – some with burnt out disco lights and their original signage. From here, you can also catch a glimpse of some of the great ways the architects have used the space to create communal gardens for tenants. One of my favourite little secret spots in Edinburgh!

scotland street

82) The Vennel Instagram spot Herriot Place – This little lane leading from Herriot Place down to the Grassmarket gives visitors a unique view of the castle, making it one of the top Instagram spots in Edinburgh.

83) Makars’ Court – Just next to the Writers museum, Makars’ Court is described as an “evolving national literary monument”, with flagstones inscribed with the words of some of Scotland’s most famous writers.

Free night time things to do in Edinburgh

84) Whistle Binkies – Claiming to be the only free live music venue in Edinburgh, Whistle Binkies only charges a cover fee on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekdays, they are open until the early hours of the morning, hosting local live music, and also open mic nights.

85) El Bario salsa – Fancy yourself as a bit of a dancer? This night club in the New Town hosts free Salsa classes from 8-10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Entry to the Cuban-style bar and dance club is also free before 10pm.

86) Three Sisters – If there’s a big sporting event on, chances are, the Three Sisters bar will be streaming it on their large outdoor screens. The bar is a great place to soak up some sporting atmosphere and make some new friends without having to drop a cover charge.

87) Couchsurfer meet ups – You don’t have to be travelling to attend Couchsurfers city meet ups, in fact, they’re a great way to meet new people and hear about the hidden finds of others. Being the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh hosts a number of Couchsurfing meet-ups each week, all free to attend.

88) Latin dance meet up at Boteco do Brasil & Club la Vida – OK, so I like my Latin music. As well as free evening Salsa classes, both of these locations offer a Bachata class – with first timer classes followed by a higher level one.

boteco de brasil edinburgh

Free Sports related activities in Edinburgh

89) Forever in Our Hearts F.C. Memorial garden – A memorial garden set up in the Tynecastle Stadium, dedicated to supporters of the club, dotted with touching messages and memorabilia.

90) Hearts F.C. museum – Although tours of the actual stadium incur a cost, you can visit the Hearts F.C museum within the stadium for free from Thursday to Sunday each week. The museum tells the story of the history of the club via words, artefacts and video, with visitors being encouraged to talk to the clubs historians.

91) Sunday yoga Lulu Lemon – Whether you’re hangover free, or looking to shake it off, sports apparel store Lulu Lemon on George Street is the perfect place to get your body back in check on a Sunday morning. The store houses a decent sized studio in it’s basement space, offering free, all levels, 10am classes (including use of yoga mats).

92) Free meditation and yoga at the Edinburgh language centre – Every Wednesday evening, the Language Centre hosts Sahaja Yoga meditation meetings at 6.30pm. There’s no need to book in advance. Guests are encouraged to sit on chairs to achieve meditation effortlessly and spontaneously, so there’s no need to bring mats or special clothing.

93) Edinburgh Parkrun – Every Saturday at 9.30am, hoards of runners gather in Crammond Village to take part in this community organised 5k run. It’s open to all levels, and is perfect for those of you feeling a bit lethargic from travels.

Free to window shop Markets/Shopping in Edinburgh

94) Stockbridge market – The affluent area of Stockbridge hosts an interesting little hipster style market every Sunday. A great little market for trinket hunting and meeting some of Edinburgh’s local crafters and food suppliers.

95) Leith market – Leith market is foodie central, and has the added bonus of a vegan quarter on the first Saturday of every month. This has become quite popular with a lot of the vegan set-ups in Edinburgh and often features vegan pizzas, vegan cakes and even vegan donor ‘meat’ kebabs!

leith market

96) Saturday Farmers market – This weekly Saturday market is situated right in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, offering sustainable sourced produce, as well as street food and gifts. This is a wonderful market to visit if you’re not so keen to travel far for your street stall browsing fix.

97) Ocean Terminal car boot sale – What you find here is completely up to what the mixture of regular sellers and one time de-clutterers have to offer that week. The boot sale runs every Sunday morning – be there at 7.30am for the good stuff, check it out at 12pm for some last-minute bargain reductions.

98) Out of the Blue Drill hall market – 45 stalls of clothing, furniture, jewellery, bric-a-brac, music etc. This indoor Leith market is one of Edinburgh’s most popular flea markets, and runs on Saturdays from 10am-3pm.

99) Browse vintage clothing in Armstrong’s – Whether you’re in the market for a new outfit or not, Armstrong’s, one of the UK’s oldest vintage clothing stores, is definitely worth a visit. The stores are a vintage hunters dream, playing host to both a ladies and a mends department.

100) Princes St – Edinburgh’s official main street is teaming with well known high street names, and offers uninterrupted views of the famous castle and gardens. Princes Street is also one of the best places to be to listen out for the daily canon firing at 1pm.

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Travel writer, marketing adviser and blogger based in Edinburgh, with a focus on budget and vegan travel. 39 countries to date, with extensive knowledge of travel within Asia, particularly within Thailand.

8 Comments

    • Sarah

      I’ve lived here for years and think I’d missed most of it! Haha! I can’t believe I didn’t know about the J.K. Rowling hand prints before writing this post.

  • Jakob

    Hi Sarah,

    I just stumpled upon your site and got pretty excited about your content and writing style.

    I run the Danish travel site RejseSpion.dk (travel spy) and would be very interested in republishing one of your travel articles – maybe your Edinburgh guide.

    I would translate it into Danish and naturally with your name and link on it. This could provide you with some fresh Danish readers/followers.

    Please let me know if you would be interested in this kind of of co-operation.

    Best regards,

    Jakob
    https://www.rejsespion.dk

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