Rainy Day Edinburgh
Indoor places for a wet day
Edinburgh's weather turns quickly, and the Old Town, Southside and West End have enough museums, galleries and theatres to fill a wet day. Check each place's own page for opening hours, because several close on certain days.
57 places
All year When
The places
Church · Old Town St Giles' Cathedral The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile. It holds Sunday services at 9:30 and 11:00 with the cathedral choir and organ, and a programme of concerts.
Museum · Old Town The Real Mary King's Close A preserved 17th-century street beneath the Royal Mile, visited on guided tours. Its own page gives the address as 2 Warriston's Close.
Museum · Old Town Camera Obscura and World of Illusions A five-floor attraction on Castlehill with more than 100 illusions and a rooftop terrace over the city. Its page says a valid Kids for a Quid train ticket gets one free child ticket per full-paying adult.
Landmark · Holyrood Scottish Parliament The home of Scottish democracy at the foot of the Royal Mile. Its own site says the building is open throughout the year.
Landmark · Holyrood Palace of Holyroodhouse The royal palace at the bottom of the Royal Mile, next to Holyrood Abbey ruins and Holyrood Park. The Royal Collection Trust's visitor page refused automated reading, so hours and prices are not listed here.
Museum · Holyrood Dynamic Earth A science centre and planetarium that tells the story of the planet from its beginning. Its page gives the address as Edinburgh EH8 8AS and notes a section of Holyrood Road was closed for works.
Church · Old Town Greyfriars Kirk The first new kirk built in Scotland after the Reformation, in the Old Town.
Church · Old Town Canongate Kirk The parish church of the Canongate on the lower Royal Mile.
Museum · Old Town The Writers' Museum A museum in Lady Stair's House on the Lawnmarket about Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Burns' writing desk and Scott's rocking horse are among the objects.
Museum · Old Town The People's Story Museum A free museum in Canongate Tolbooth on the lives of working people in Edinburgh from the 18th century on, with recreated scenes such as a bookbinder's workshop and a wartime kitchen.
Museum · Old Town Museum of Edinburgh A free museum on the Royal Mile with permanent collections and special exhibitions on the city's history.
Museum · Old Town Museum of Childhood The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, opened in 1957. It is free to visit.
Museum · Old Town City Art Centre A city-run gallery of Scottish art and touring exhibitions, with lift and escalator access to all floors. Entry is generally free, with charges for some temporary exhibitions.
Museum · Old Town Scottish Storytelling Centre and John Knox House The centre for storytelling on the Royal Mile, joined to John Knox House. The site said it was open Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 on the check date.
Museum · Southside Surgeons' Hall Museums A museum of the history of surgery, pathology and dentistry, described by its own site as one of Scotland's oldest museums.
Museum · Old Town Museum on the Mound A free museum about money and banking in the Bank of Scotland's headquarters on the Mound. Its site invites you to see a million pounds and Scotland's oldest banknote.
Museum · Old Town St Cecilia's Hall A concert room and music museum run by the University of Edinburgh.
Museum · Southside Dovecot Studios A gallery and museum for contemporary art, design and textiles, built around a tapestry studio. Its address is printed as Edinburgh EH1 1LT.
Museum · Old Town Fruitmarket A contemporary art gallery on Market Street, open 7 days a week according to its site.
Museum · Old Town Scottish Poetry Library Scotland's national poetry library, with free spaces for work and study. Its address is printed as Edinburgh EH8 8DT.
Museum · Old Town Stills A centre for photography with free gallery entry, open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 17:00.
Museum · Old Town The Scotch Whisky Experience A whisky attraction on Castlehill with tours, tastings, a shop and a free audio guide.
Museum · Old Town Edinburgh Dungeon A live-actor attraction on Edinburgh's dark history. The page showed 11:00 to 16:00 with a last tour at 15:45 on the check date.
Museum · New Town The Georgian House A National Trust for Scotland house museum in Charlotte Square. The trust's page refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Museum · Calton Hill Collective Gallery and City Observatory A free contemporary art centre on Calton Hill that uses the City Observatory. Its address is printed as Edinburgh EH7 5AA.
Museum · New Town Scottish National Gallery The national collection of European art on the Mound. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Museum · New Town Scottish National Portrait Gallery The national gallery of portraits on Queen Street. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Museum · Dean Village Modern One The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Belford Road. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Museum · Dean Village Modern Two The second building of the national modern art galleries on Belford Road. The National Galleries site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Museum · New Town Royal Scottish Academy The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture on the Mound, run by artists and founded in 1826. Its address is printed as The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL.
Landmark · West End Usher Hall The city's main concert hall on Lothian Road, hosting classical, rock, pop, dance and spoken word.
Landmark · West End Royal Lyceum Theatre A theatre on Grindlay Street, whose company is registered at 30b Grindlay Street.
Landmark · West End Traverse Theatre Scotland's new writing theatre, in Cambridge Street. Its address is printed as Edinburgh EH1 2ED.
Church · West End St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral The Scottish Episcopal Church's cathedral in Edinburgh.
Church · New Town St Mary's Catholic Cathedral The Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Its site lists the building open 8:30 to 18:30 Monday to Friday.
Landmark · Leith Edinburgh Playhouse A large theatre at the top of Leith Walk, with its box office run by ATG Tickets.
Landmark · New Town The Assembly Rooms A historic venue on George Street for concerts, festivals, exhibitions and conferences, managed by Culture Edinburgh.
Landmark · Tollcross King's Theatre A Capital Theatres venue in Tollcross for musicals, drama and comedy.
Landmark · Southside Festival Theatre A Capital Theatres venue on Nicolson Street for musicals, drama, dance and comedy.
Landmark · Tollcross The Cameo Cinema A century-old cinema and bar in Tollcross that shows blockbusters and independent films.
Museum · Old Town National Library of Scotland Scotland's national library, with collections, stories and research services on its site.
Museum · Old Town National Museum of Scotland Scotland's national museum on Chambers Street. The National Museums Scotland site refused automated reading, so hours are not listed here.
Landmark · Gorgie and Tynecastle Water of Leith Visitor Centre The Conservation Trust's visitor centre with a community cafe and exhibition, open daily 10:00 to 16:00 on the check date.
Park · Canonmills Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh One of the world's leading botanic gardens. Its site says the historic Palm Houses have reopened.
Landmark · Leith Royal Yacht Britannia The former royal yacht, now open to visitors at Ocean Terminal. Its site says it is open 363 days a year, closed 25 December and 1 January, and that you can stay as long as you like within opening hours.
Museum · Fountainbridge Edinburgh Printmakers A printmaking studio and two galleries in Fountainbridge, with a Christmas market and open days listed on its site.
Museum · South Queensferry Queensferry Museum A free museum on the history and traditions of South Queensferry, run by Culture Edinburgh.
Museum · Midlothian National Mining Museum Scotland A museum of the Scottish coal industry in Newtongrange.
Day trip · Midlothian Rosslyn Chapel A 15th-century chapel in Roslin. Its site lists adult admission at £12, reduced £10 and under-17s free, and opening Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00.
Day trip · Stirling and the Trossachs Stirling Castle One of Scotland's best-known castles, run by Historic Environment Scotland. Young Scot and National Entitlement Card holders can visit for £1, and the car park is limited to coaches and accessible parking.
Day trip · Fife Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum A museum in Dunfermline on the life and legacy of Andrew Carnegie. It is free, with donations going to its operation.
Day trip · Fife Deep Sea World Scotland's national aquarium in North Queensferry, with an underwater tunnel. Its site says it is open daily except Christmas Day and lists Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00.
Day trip · St Andrews The R&A World Golf Museum The golf museum in St Andrews, now branded the R&A World Golf Museum.
Day trip · Fife Scottish Fisheries Museum A museum of the Scottish fishing industry in Anstruther. The site showed 10:00 to 16:30 on the check date.
Church · West End St John's Church A Scottish Episcopal congregation on Princes Street, at the west end of the gardens. Its address is printed as Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4BJ.
Shopping · New Town Westfield St James Quarter A shopping centre by Princes Street and Waverley with shops, restaurants and entertainment. Its address is printed as EH1 3AD.
Landmark · Portobello Portobello Swim Centre A pool and gym on the seafront run by Edinburgh Leisure, which describes its Victorian baths and seaside views.
