THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Museums
Museums in Edinburgh
Category types
Museums
Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
Good for
101 places sorted by traveler favorites
Speciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Science Museums • Observation Decks & Towers
Old Town
Art Galleries • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Stockbridge & Dean Village
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Old Town
Military Museums • History Museums
Old Town
Speciality Museums
Old Town
Art Museums
Stockbridge & Dean Village
Historic Sites • History Museums
Old Town
Art Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Old Town
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Showing results 1-30 of 101
What travelers are saying
- littlerae0fsunshineMaitland, Australia174 contributionsVisited after getting tickets on line. Lots of people as Edinburgh Castle was closed due to the visit by King Charles III. And it was raining heavily, so not good at all. Very good to see how homey it was & why the Queen was so upset to see it scuttled. You can visit everywhere on board & but their own freshly made Fudge - but it's very expensive! They have a great gift shop & being inside a shopping centre, there are cafes & eateries. Great place for the history but not on a wet day.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DunelmArtsAberdeen, UK1,094 contributionsMy main reason for visiting the museum was the "Beyond the Little Black Dress" exhibition, which was excellent. This exhibition had an admission charge, but the rest of the museum is free, although donations are welcomed. Pick up a floor plan at the entrance which wil help you navigate the various collections. The areas with the interactive exhibits for children can get quite crowded, but other parts of the museum are relatively quiet.Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- PR1115London, UK19 contributionsWe recently visited here while on vacation in Edinburgh. My child enjoyed a few things towards the end and the camera obscurra show. It was an enjoyable experience.Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Finn C6 contributionsBianca, our guide, was superb. Learnt lots about chocolate but that's not why I was there, was all about the sampling and making. Sampled 10+ chocolates overall and made bars into different shapes with the molds. Had a great time, would come backWritten August 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michał K8 contributionsBeautiful place for a walk. Pretty close to the city center, but not overcrowded with turists. Perfectly maintained, a lot of space for children.Written August 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jason E193 contributionsFirst of all it’s great value, very cheap for 3 adults and 1 child. There is soo much to see and do, you would need to give yourself 2 hours. There is a great workshop where you assemble a full adult real skeleton. Plenty of interactive attractions. Thousands of body parts and organs stored in jars as well as hundreds of modern and old surgical instruments and devices. This is not for the faint hearted or squeamish. Highly recommended.Written August 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andrew3003London, UK84 contributionsFantastic time at Grayson Perry : Smash Hits.
We were extremely fortunate to come across this exhibition, and to be able to gain entrance on the first day of the show.
Cannot recommend enough this exhibition, which I suggest is outstanding and unmissable.
Our visit was very impacting and we were moved by many of the pieces in the exhibition and beyond fortunate to be able to also hear Grayson Perry give a talk on the opening day.
Extremely well curated, I would rate this is one of the very best exhibitions that I’ve ever seen.
The works are extraordinary in providing insight and reflection on Britain, and as is generally with the work of Grayson Perry, that reflection is on the social and economic backdrop of contemporary and past Britain.
Feel extremely blessed and fortunate that we were able to visit, and strongly really strongly recommend anyone… everyone … to go and see.
Suggest allowing at least three hours for the visit.Written July 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PandabuddieUnited Kingdom924 contributionsFirst time visit and spent a few hours looking at all the portraits. Well worth a visit if in the area. Staff and facilities excellent.Written July 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- DanielEnfield, UK44 contributionsGreat planetarium if a little expensive, we went to a live show which was very well presented and entertaining however the prices for admission are a little steep.Written August 11, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jason E193 contributionsA lovely little gem of a find. Give yourself an hour to get around it. Brilliant history about Scotlands financial and banking history as well as showing all the old notes and coinage. You can also see the old banking “technology” as well as new. Also you get to see what £1,000,000 looks like. Well worth the visit.Written August 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JimTerryIVSavannah, GA64 contributionsIn the Jupiter Artland, pieces of contemporary Art are strewn around an estate with little woods and lawns. It is amazingly well done and the art includes some super creative and wonderful works.
It took us a little less than 2 hours to walk the full path, and we enjoyed every minute of it.Written July 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - brad120Jacksonville, AR108 contributionsThis museum was an unexpected pleasure. Even if you have little interest in the authors that are honored here, the building itself it worth seeing. The staff provided very helpful information. It was a delightful way to spend an hour.Written May 31, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- James SBanbury, UK417 contributionsCame for the Harryhausen exhibition and was not dissapointed. A wonderful array of sets, models and exhibits from all of the movies, beautifully put together with interactive elements and displays.
A treat for all Harryhausen fans!Written November 11, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JensdhaSaint Louis, MO57 contributionsInteresting collection of various parts of Edinburgh’s history. One of the individual’s working there was so informative and took the time to show us some architectural items about the building itself as well.
Bonus, it is free!Written May 29, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sarah LLincoln, UK51 contributionsWe really enjoyed this small museum. The personal stories and the way it is set out, setting the scene on different situations, you could imagine how it was.Written July 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Edinburgh
- These are the best places for kid-friendly museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- The Chocolatarium
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- These are the best places for couples seeking museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- The Chocolatarium
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- These are the best places for groups seeking museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- These are the best places for budget-friendly museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- National Museum of Scotland
- The Chocolatarium
- Surgeons' Hall Museums
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- These are the most romantic places for museums in Edinburgh:
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- National Galleries of Scotland: National
- National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two
- These are the best hidden gems for museums in Edinburgh:See more hidden gem museums in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for adventurous museums in Edinburgh:See more adventurous museums in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor




































































