Every time I travel to Edinburgh, I try to pick a theme.

Last October, I spent a few days immersed solely in discovering the city’s best bookshops. Before that, in late April, I travelled to Edinburgh with my girls to scout out the most beautiful cherry blossom spots.

During my recent trip to Edinburgh, I decided to check out as many museums and galleries as I possibly could in five days.

It was no easy feat and required a bit of thoughtful pre-planning, but I managed to tick off two monuments, four galleries and seven museums, most of which were free.

Some of the museums I’ve been to before, some of them were new to me, but all of them turned out to be endlessly fascinating and well worth a visit.

So, if you like the idea of spending a few days in Edinburgh to discover the city’s best museums and galleries, keep reading, as I will share how you can explore Edinburgh’s rich history and culture without spending a single pound.

Without further ado, here’s the list of 9 FREE museums and galleries you absolutely can’t miss in the Scottish capital.

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Best Free Museums in Edinburgh

#1. The Writer’s Museum & Makar’s Court

Best for literature fans, history lovers, and photographers seeking a hidden courtyard.

Have you ever heard of Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, or Robert Louis Stevenson, Scotland’s great literary figures? If not, you can stop by the Writer’s Museum and learn more about them.

The Museum is tucked away in Lady Stair’s Close within the aptly named Lady Stair’s House and is free to visit.

Inside, you’ll find manuscripts, books, and portraits along with insight into each writer’s life story. In the separate area devoted to Sir Walter Scott, you can see a precious first edition of his novel Waverley, as well as his chess set, printing press, an inkwell, and the rocking horse he used as a child.

Before you leave, make sure to appreciate the historic 17th-century townhouse and the quiet, peaceful courtyard, too.

If you wish to learn more about Scott, you can climb the Scott Monument on Princes Street or even embark to the Scottish Borders to see Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott.

*Special features – pavement slabs that feature quotes spanning 600 years in English, Scots, and Gaelic.

• Address: Makar’s Court, Lady Stair’s Close, Edinburgh EH1 2PA

• Opening Times: seven days a week, 10 am to 5 pm

• General Admission: Free entrance [Donations Welcome]

Read More: Some of the Best Places To See Cherry Blossoms In Edinburgh, Scotland

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#2. The People’s Story Museum

Best for anyone interested in social history, working-class heritage, and everyday life.

As the name suggests, the People’s Museum lets you step into the real lives of Edinburgh’s people from the 18th century to today.

The museum is located at the Canongate Tolbooth, the 16th-century administrative centre of the burgh of Canongate, which is, in my humble opinion, one of the most striking buildings you’ll see on your walk down the Royal Mile.

Back in the day, the building housed a prison, a courtroom and meeting place for the Council, and also a police post, a library, a Registrar’s office and accommodation for staff.

The museum is free to enter; it uses reconstructed shops, prison cells and personal objects to tell powerful and heartfelt stories of the city’s working-class residents and how they lived and worked.

I find that the wonderful museum is a welcome reminder to visitors that history happens to everyone, not just the famous.

*Special features: Life-size costumed figures, period room recreations, and local trade exhibits.

• Address: Situated at 163 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8BN

• Opening Times: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• General Admission: Free Entry

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#3. Museum of Edinburgh

Best for local history fans, architecture buffs, and pop-culture tourists

Right across the street from the People’s Museum is the Museum of Edinburgh.

It is housed in Huntly House, one of the best old buildings in the Old Town, a group of 16th and 17th-century dwellings, rising to three storeys, surrounding an internal courtyard.

Originally, Huntly House was built in 1570 for the Achesons, and was used by the Gordon Earls and Marquises of Huntly.

Later, it became the headquarters of the Incorporation of Hammermen, who had the architect Robert Mylne extend their building, before the property went to the City of Edinburgh in 1924.

The building is now the Museum of Edinburgh, where you can uncover local history for the capital, housing a fine collection of Scottish silver, glassware, clocks, pottery and porcelain.

*Special Features – Greyfriars Bobby’s collar and bowl and a copy of the National Covenant, signed in 1638. 

• Address: 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD

• Opening Times: Open seven days a week from 10am – 5pm

• General Admission: Free

Read More: 11 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Edinburgh, Scotland, Even Locals Don’t Know

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#4. Museum of Childhood

Best for young kids, families and adults craving nostalgia

Further up the road on the Royal Mile, you can find the Museum of Childhood – the world’s first museum dedicated to the history of growing up.

As I was staying in a hotel near the museum, I decided to check it out and was quite amazed to see all the toys, games, and childhood memorabilia spanning generations.

I found Victorian dolls, 1980s action figures, pedal cars, train sets, doll houses and traditional games, which stirred up memories and waves of nostalgia from my childhood 

If you are visiting with little ones, they’ll be delighted to discover lots and lots of interactive bits and interesting exhibits.

 There’s a buggy parking area, toilets, and a small shop stocking toys at the front.

*Special Features – life-size model of a classroom area.

• Address: 42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TG

• Opening Times: Seven days a week from 10am – 5pm

• General Admission: Free to visit

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#5. National Museum of Scotland

Best for families, history buffs, science fans, and casual visitors

If you only have time to visit one museum in Edinburgh, make it the National Museum of Scotland.

It is your one-stop for an unforgettable journey through time and the world. Here, you can discover ancient dinosaurs, Egyptian relics, Scottish history, and even see Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

Depending on your itinerary, you can spend an hour sweeping through the museum highlights or settle in for half a day slowly coming through the various galleries.

The museum is home to giant skeletons, including a T. rex, and the taxidermy galleries. You can also find a large section devoted to Scottish history, with many fascinating artefacts from early medieval times, including the famous Lewis Chessmen pieces.

*Special Feature: A Rooftop Terrace providing incredible panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town

• General Admission: Free for all visitors

• Special Exhibitions: Paid tickets are required for select temporary or special exhibitions.

• Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed December 25)

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#6. Scottish National Gallery

Best for budget travellers, art lovers and people looking for a free, central activity

If you wish to discover masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Turner, as well as the iconic Scottish Colourists, then you should stop by the Scottish National Gallery.

The gallery is located on the Mound right next to Princes Street Gardens; it would be easy to incorporate it into your daily Edinburgh itinerary.

I was astounded by the quality and the variety of the collection and delighted to see the showstopper paintings that draw visitors from far and wide – Monarch of the Glen by Sir Edwin Landseer, the eternal symbol of Scotland and the most reproduced of all 19th-century British paintings.

The painting of The 12-point stag set against a misty Highland was my favourite highlight, as well as Winter Landscape by Hendrick Avercamp.

But there is so much to see and appreciate.

*Special Features – The iconic Scottish painting The Monarch of the Glen

• Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

• Opening Times: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• General Admission: Free entry

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#7. Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Best for art fans and history lovers

Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a place where history meets art face-to-face.

And I can’t think of a more relaxed indoor space in this city where you can spend a few slow hours admiring paintings and sculptures.

Here, you can walk among the stunning paintings and photographs of the many famous figures who shaped Scotland’s story, all housed in a beautiful building with a Gothic Revival red sandstone interior.

While the iconic collection of portraits is the main visitor draw, its focal point is the Great Hall zodiac ceiling, which maps out the accurate constellations of the northern hemisphere.

If you look up, you’ll see the marvellous ceiling, designed by artist William Brassey Hole, sitting above a massive fresco mural featuring 155 key figures from Scottish history.

It’s also possible to ‘adopt’ or dedicate one of the stars to your loved one by visiting their page online.

*Special feature – Astrological ceiling with over 2,000 hand-painted golden stars that gleam across 30 distinct panels

• Address: 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD

• Opening Times: daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

• General Admission: Free entry

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#8. Museum on the Mound

Best for history buffs, curious kids and families

If you wish to see a stunning display showing the physical scale of a million pounds or want to try your hand at cracking a safe or designing a model home, you should stop by the Museum on the Mound.

The museum is situated inside the Bank of Scotland Head Office building at the junction of Bank Street and North Bank Street.

The fascinating museum is dedicated to money, banking, trade, security and also crime and is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

My visit to the museum was brief, and I found it well laid out and easy to navigate. It’s a great place for families as you’ll find activities both for kids and adults.

*Special Features – some of Scotland’s oldest banknotes

• Address: The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 1YZ

• Opening Times: Tuesday to Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 1:00 PM – 5:00

• General Admission: Free

Read More: Some of The Best Things To See At The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh

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#9. Edinburgh City Art Centre

Best for art lovers and budget travellers

Located right in the heart of the city across the road from Edinburgh Waverley Station, Edinburgh City Art Centre has one of the best collections of Scottish art.

You can explore six spacious floors of changing temporary exhibitions and discover works by local and international artists.

It’s a nice space, and I really loved what I saw, especially family portraits and stunning still life.

During my visit, the gallery featured photography and social commentary by the late community artist and photographer Sandra George.

Sandra was a photojournalist and photographer who documented life on Edinburgh’s streets in the 1980s and 1990s. She never showed her work publicly, and it was only discovered after she died in 2013 – all 80,ooo of them.

Now a fraction of them are displayed at the gallery, and I am glad I had a chance to see them.

• Address: 2 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DE

• Opening Times: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pmSun, 12pm-5pm

• General Admission: Free

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Fruitmarket Gallery

Best for casual visitors short on time, contemporary art lovers and budget-conscious travellers

Fruitmarket Gallery is located right beside Edinburgh’s train station and is an industrial multi-artform creative space which displays exhibitions of contemporary local and international artists.

It’s one of the galleries I stop by every time I am in the city because you are guaranteed to find stimulating and unusual exhibitions as well as video discussions with artists.

The exhibition space itself is large enough to be impactful, and, combined with a cosy cafe and a bookshop, it works perfectly to create a buzzing, happy atmosphere for visitors.

During my visit, the main exhibition space was taken over by London-based Irish artist Eva Rothschild, who is one of the leading sculptors of her generation.

Her work shows a deep knowledge of the modernist tradition while preserving its own distinctive sculptural language.

• Address: 45 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF

• Opening Times: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily

• General Admission: Free

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Where to Find Edinburgh’s Best Museums and Galleries

In Edinburgh, museum visits work best when you stay in the area you’re already walking.

The Old Town is where you’ll find the most museums, with several of them close together along the historic Royal Mile.

It’s the easiest place to fit short museum stops into a busy day without losing momentum.

The New Town would suit art gallery lovers better, because most of them are located in or around the city centre.

If you’re crossing between the two, do it once and plan around it. Back-and-forth trips burn time faster than most visitors expect.

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Useful Tips for Visiting Edinburgh Museums and Galleries

To make the most of your time exploring the city’s many museums and galleries, here are a few useful practical planning tips:

• Check bag policies: Many museums won’t allow you to bring in large backpacks; they must be checked in cloakrooms or, if possible, worn on your front.

• Grab a bite: Most museums and galleries feature wonderful cafes for a midday tea and cake break.

• Combine nearby stops: Group your visits by geography, pairing Old Town staples like The Writers’ Museum with the nearby Museum on the Mound

• Choose your timing wisely: Aim to arrive at 10:00 AM opening time to see popular galleries before the large tour groups arrive.

• Allow enough time: Edinburgh City Art Centre and the National Museum of Scotland span multiple floors and need at least half a day if you want to explore them properly.

• Visit on weekdays: Weekends, especially rainy afternoons and peak summer festival seasons, get pretty dense, so it’s best to plan your visits for weekdays

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FAQs

Are Edinburgh’s art museums free to visit?

Yes, many of Edinburgh’s major art museums, including the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Gallery of Modern Art, offer free admission.

How much time should I plan for each museum?

A quick visit to the smaller museums can take about an hour, but to fully enjoy the various collections—especially at the larger museums—plan for around 2–3 hours.

When are the museums best to visit

Always aim to arrive early in the day, because mornings – right when the doors open – are much quieter and less crowded. Or you can visit during the late afternoon after 3:00 PM. Also, make sure to double-check opening times on the day if your schedule is tight.

Which free museums are best in the city centre?

The National Museum of Scotland is the best choice in the centre. On the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood, People’s Story Museum, Writers’ Museum, and Museum of Edinburgh would be easy to fit into your day without needing extra time.

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And that’s a wrap

And there you have it. Some of Edinburgh’s best free museums and art galleries you could easily incorporate into your itinerary

As you can see, there are many fantastic museums throughout our wonderful city, each with its own unique personality and fascinating history

I very much enjoyed revisiting many of Edinburgh’s museums. I find that return visits let you notice missed details, view updated rotating displays, and appreciate art and history with your new life experience

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Now, over to you!

Have you been to any of Edinburgh’s museums? Let us know in the comments below!

Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Edinburgh and have travel-related questions!

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