THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Art Museums
Art Museums in Edinburgh
Category types
10 places sorted by traveler favorites
Art Museums
Stockbridge & Dean Village
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Old Town
Architectural Buildings • Art Museums
Leith
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Old Town
Military Museums • Art Museums
New Town
Art Museums • Theatre & Performances
Old Town
What travelers are saying
- 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.
- 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. - neilrenton01Edinburgh, UK389 contributionsMy youngest daughter and I visited here for the Ray Harryhausen exhibition and we loved it.
For one I didn’t know this place existed. It’s reachable from the centre of Edinburgh but it’s off the beaten track. It’s in stunning surroundings which make you forget you’re in the middle of a city.
With both of us being fans of movies and in particular special effect films we went along to the exhibition.
The staff were brilliant and made us feel welcome and safe within the current guidelines.
There was about six rooms of items and displays from the special effects wizard and everything was spaced out with the current regulations.
It was amazing to see props from my childhood so up close.
We spent about forty minutes there. I’d rerun again for another exhibition- especially now I know about it!Written October 22, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Vensure1Ottawa, Canada111 contributionsThis was definitely an attraction of "quality over quantity". I had a very good but not top-notch experience visiting the QG@PoH. It has several beautiful 17th century European paintings, mostly Dutch or Flemish masters, with an audio narrative explaining the artists' and his/her subjects' thoughts, and what certain elements symbolized. So even if you have *some* interest in art metaphors, you'll like the QG.Written June 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- KodoDrummerBuenos Aires, Argentina64,794 contributionsNice modern and contemporary art exhibition. Spectacular architecture of the Greek-style building. Beautiful historical pieces.Written May 13, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ChrisRushden, UK4,464 contributionsUnfortunately closed! Come on RBGE!! Let's get the UK back up and open for business post-Coronavirus!
Now that masks are mandatory, as per government advice things should be opening back up. A little dissappointed with this, but I still give it 5 stars as the building is very impressive.Written July 24, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - artdeco61Lincolnshire213 contributionsThe window art attracted us inside and what a wonderful warm welcome we received. This small gallery has lots of exciting work and sculpture wonderfully displayed. The owner is a beautiful lady with so much knowledge of current art works. The displays are very good and the work is exciting and different. We had a great time looking at and hearing about the artists work. Thank you so much for your time and showing us such interesting pieces. Do wish you every success in your venture. Wonderful art galley. We will visit again next time we get back to edinburgh. Highly recommended Rita and Graham from Lincolnshire. What a wonderful birthday I had in edinburgh. Thank youWritten February 10, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Africa EddieSydney, Australia9,634 contributionsWhile the crown jewels are the highlight of this exhibition there is much history about the Scottish monarchy, their lineage and conflict as well as the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth and other rooms recreated from the past.
The crown jewels are the highlight of and a culmination of all displays hereWritten September 26, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - vera v13 contributionsVery historic and magical place . Perfect for romantic dinner and just for cocktails. Our waiter Robert from Latvija and barman Jan make our night perfect. Food no comments it’s was just perfect.Written February 11, 2018This 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 places are best for art museums in Edinburgh:
- National Galleries of Scotland: National
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two
- The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern One
- These are the best places for couples seeking art museums in Edinburgh:
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- National Galleries of Scotland: National
- National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two
- These are the best places for budget-friendly art museums in Edinburgh:
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- National Galleries of Scotland: National
- National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two
- These are the most romantic places for art museums in Edinburgh:
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
- National Galleries of Scotland: National
- National Galleries of Scotland: Modern Two

























