8 Cultural activities and attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland | learn about the Edinburgh's history and traditions
- Gem
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
Edinburgh offers a rich blend of history, culture, and tradition hidden or in plain sight on every corner of the city. Whether you are a history buff, a literature fan, or simply curious about Scottish heritage, this city has something unique to offer for everyone. Besides impressive buildings and statues, Edinburgh also has many cultural activities, sights and attractions that you might not know about yet.
This guide highlights 8 of the most interesting cultural activities and sights that will deepen your understanding of the city’s past and present. This list also includes prices and opening hours. Don't miss out on these hidden gems as well as the bonus activity at the end!
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1. Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour
If you enjoy literature and a good drink, the award-winning Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour is a perfect way to combine both. This guided walking tour takes you through the city’s historic pubs and literary-related spots while sharing tales about famous Scottish writers like Robert Burns, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and J.K. Rowling. The best thing is, the tour guides are professional actors who play different roles, creating a fun, humorous and interactive tour while you learn about Scotland's greatest writers.
For just £25 (€28,88 or $33,69) you can join this 2-hour tour on every thursday until sunday evening.
You’ll visit around five traditional pubs, some of them really hidden in the city, hear about the city’s literary heritage, and enjoy a drink at each stop if you want to. This tour offers a lively way to learn about Edinburgh’s influence on literature and its vibrant pub culture. Th tour guides are very enthusiastic, there is some role play involved and you will never be bored with them. Even for people who do no know a lot about Scottish literature, this tour is an interesting and fun activity.
Just a heads up: The speakers do have a heavy Scottish accent so keep your focus on them to not miss the great storyline.
2. National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland offers a comprehensive look at Scottish history, culture, and its natural world. Its diverse collections range from ancient artifacts to modern inventions like the Lewis Chessmen, a giant T. rex skeleton, and exhibits on Scottish inventions and traditions. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and family-friendly activities, making it a great stop for all ages.
Entry to the National Museum of Scotland is free for everyone during their opening hours from 10 AM to 5PM everyday.
3. Rosslyn Chapel
Located just outside Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel is famous for its intricate stone carvings and mysterious history. Built in the 15th century, it has inspired many legends and featured in popular books and films like the movies The Da Vinci Code and poems from Sir Walter Scott.
During a guided tour, you will find the the symbolism behind the chapel’s carvings and its connection to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. The chapel’s peaceful setting and unique architecture make it a must-see cultural site.
Admission to Rosslyn Chapel is £9 for adults and £5 for children. The opening days vary due to seasons but the Chapel is generally open between 10 AM and 4:30 PM.
The outside of Rosslyn Chapel (No pictures are allowed to be taken inside)
4. Attend a Traditional Scottish Ceilidh
A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish social gathering with music, dancing, and storytelling.
This is a lively way to experience Scottish pub culture firsthand. No experience is needed, as instructors guide you through the dances. It’s a memorable way to connect with locals and enjoy Scotland’s musical heritage.
Many venues in Edinburgh offer ceilidhs where you can join in the fun and learn traditional dances. Some bars that host them are Ghillie Dhu, Edinburgh Ceilidh Club and The White Heather Ceilidh Club.
The price for this activity varies per location but it costs around £15-£25 per person besides any drinks or food you might order there.
5. National Mining Museum
Another hidden gem you probably haven't heard of; The National Mining Museum, which is located in the best preserved Victorian colliery in Europe, standing just outside of Edinburgh. This museum is an unknown, but large, part of Scotland's history and culture.
You can explore every part of this site and even learn about the mines' political, economical and cultural impact on Scotland. The museum has tour guides who guide you through all the rooms in the museum and past all of the preserved machines. I highly recommend booking this option which is only £1.35 more expensive then the audio tour.
This museum surprised me with many interesting facts, artefacts and the employees at the museum are some of the nicest people I have met in Edinburgh. If you have time to go this museum, then please do and you won't be disappointed. This museum is truly one of a kind in the whole of Europe.
The museum is easily reachable by bus. Tickets can be bought online via the National Mining Museum website. The guided tour costs £11,45 (€13,15 or $15,43) per person and the audio tour is £9,80 (€11,25 or $13,20).
6. Explore Edinburgh Castle
A place that you really cannot miss in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle, which stands proudly on Castle Rock, from which it can almost always be seen on the city skyline. This historic fortress has witnessed centuries of Scottish history, from royal ceremonies to battles. When you walk through its ancient walls, you get a vivid sense of Scotland’s turbulent past.
Inside, you can see the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum. Guided tours are available and included in the ticket price, offering fascinating stories about the castle’s role in Scottish history.
Entry to Edinburgh Castle costs £19.50 for adults, £11.50 for children and it is free for children under 5 years old. The castle is open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM from April to September, and from 9:30 AM to 5 PM in October up until March.
Outside of Edinburgh Castle
7. National Gallery of Scotland
Art lovers will appreciate the Scottish National Gallery, home to masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The museum is quite large and many art pieces will catch your eye, so you may have to manage your time well if you have other things planned on the day of your visit. You can see paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, and Turner, as well as Scottish artists like Allan Ramsay. The gallery’s central location makes it easy to include in your cultural itinerary
Best of all: Entrance to the National Gallery of Scotland is free! This makes it, according to me, the best free museum in Edinburgh. Opening hours are from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Paintings in the National Gallery of Scotland
8. The Georgian House
The Georgian House is a historic townhouse from the 18th Century which has been restored to show how the people lived during this period. The house is decorated just like how the wealthy would decorate such a home but also includes the living quarters of the employees in the house. The house has many interesting rooms and different rooms that show videos with more information.
Visiting this museum gave me an idea of how people used to live in Edinburgh in the 18th and 19th Centuries but also what household items stood in the house. Definitely visit it if you are interested in Scottish history and historical interiors!
The ticket price for an adult is £13,50 (€15,50 or $18,19) and can be purchased online via their website.
The Georgian House is located close to Dean Village, so I recommend to walk from here to Dean Village and explore this part of Edinburgh. Check out the best walking route, which takes just 30 minutes, to discover this area in my other blog post!
The Georgian House
Bonus: Underground and Ghost Story Tour
If you are into unknown and also scary history and stories, then you are at the right place in Edinburgh. There are many tours about Edinburgh's ghosts and the city's creepy past. I went on one of these tours, and the experience of going under the ground of Edinburgh and experiencing the paranormality of some places was definitely a unique experience. Below are some tours with that concept. Check it out and join one of the most unique and interesting activities that you will not forget for a while!
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