THE 10 BEST Hidden Gem Activities in Edinburgh
Best Edinburgh Hidden Gem Attractions
Category types
Traveler rating
Neighborhoods
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90 places sorted by traveler favorites
Recommended Hidden Gems (249)
Revenue impacts these recommendations, learn more.
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Southside & Holyrood
Historic Sites
Stockbridge & Dean Village
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Open now
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Speciality Museums
Old Town
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Old Town
Gardens
Southside & Holyrood
Bars & Clubs • Comedy Clubs
Old Town
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Old Town
Historic Sites
Southside & Holyrood
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
New Town
What travelers are saying
- Gemma L2 contributionsFantastic experience, lovely gin with lovely company. Our tour guide Peter, had an incredible knowledge of the distillery and its history and made our experience all the more immersive. Big thank you to him as he made it a fantastice birthday present for my good friend.Written August 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lina A2 contributionsGreat tour, really informative and interesting, well worth the money, would take much more than the cost of the ticket to be this drunk at the end! Would highly recommendWritten August 8, 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.
- Ian LPerth, Australia532 contributionsSimple wandering time is all that's required to enjoy for this scenic and relaxing landscape along the Water of Leith. We enjoyed a blue sky and gentle river, walking along the river from Dean Bridge in July. It is a very old but well maintained part of Edinburgh, just need to stay considerate of the residents living in the area. Make sure you have some reasonable walking shoes just because areas of the path along the river are not sealed. There are lots of interesting landmarks along the way, such as the Rhema Scotland church that is being converted into a function centre as well. On the corner of Queensferry Rd and Bells Brae there is a beautiful old stone house. And the lush green foliage along the banks of the Leith river are full of vocal birds. Not much in the way of cafes so take a bottle of water. This doesn't need a tour guide to enjoy!Written August 5, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TartanTam2Tayside48 contributionsBooked the 'brew it yourself' experience after a friend recommended it, and the 4 of us rocked up with an open mind how the day would go.
We took a couple of bottles with us as we were looking for an Oktoberfest session Lagerbier, and Nathan and his buddy did a tasting with us to try to nail down the flavour profile. Their palate, nose and knowledge was very impressive, and they explained every step of the process.
You are back a few times into the Bar & Pizza kitchen during the process but that is fine as you get done actual beer tokens to try some of the numerous beers on tap.
We loved the interaction, learning about how beer is made, picking our style, grains, hops, flavour and aroma over a 3 hour period.
We stayed a bit after, had some AMAZING 🍕 as well. Looking forward going back in a few weeks for the bottling session, but just wanted to say I cannot recommend this experience enough, and you getca pule of your own beer at the end AND you design your own beer label.
It will mot be the last time we do this, amazing day, products and staff.Written August 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - DunelmArtsAberdeen, UK1,094 contributionsBuilt in 1796, the Georgian House in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town is a worthwhile vist. It's best to start at the top floor with the introductory film, and work your way down the floors. The staff are all lovely, they will help bring the house to life and answer any questions. I especially liked the first flushing loo! Even the lady in the gift shop explains what the basement was used for. The Raeburn exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of his death is especially good.Written August 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ararchibaldGlasgow, UK47 contributionsWonderful day out. Enjoy a short boat trip to the Island then you have about two hours to explore the ruins. There is a small museum and a shop which sells souvenirs and coffees.Written August 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lesley SEdinburgh, UK11 contributionsBeautiful sunny day for a walk with the Alpacas (Praline and Petros). Bob and Cat were really friendly and welcoming. Took you through the dos and don’t while walking the alpacas. Loved hearing about their individual personalities. You could see the separate paddocks for the males, mummies and babies (Cria) and Yearlings - they are well taken care of and spoiled for space to roam around freely. There are a few expectant Mums so more new additions to the family are due any time now. The walk lasted for around 90 mins and you then went back to feed the alpacas their dinner. The experience was really informative, Bob and Cat wanted you to ask lots of questions. The Alpacas were well behaved when cyclists, other walkers and dogs were around. It was a family friendly experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again later in the year when it’s cooler and less flies around - the alpacas didn’t like the flies very much or the heat.Written July 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jouha1 contributionI visited this Castle on Easter. It was sunny and really relaxing to have a walk with your family or dogs. It is more like a park. Kind staff were giving away easter eggs and beautiful calligraphy for everyone. However it is more like relaxing historical site for locals at weekends, not very suitable for solo tourists.Written July 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- SydneyMarySydney121 contributionsA very enjoyable tour with Roz representing three different eras of the property. The tour was fascinating giving a glimpse of life in the building over the years.Written August 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Terry WHamilton, Canada113 contributionsAlways wanted to visit this kirkyard. Incredible details on some of the gravesites. Unusually quiet walking around even though it's in the middle of town and George Bridge Street is not that far away. Well maintained and got to visit both John Gray and Greyfriars Bobby's gravesites.Written August 8, 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. - Jill BStirling, UK239 contributionsAbsolutely stunning, what an impressive view of the house you get driving towards it, it really is something else Lots to see inside the house with information cards in every room. There are guided tours available but I just wandered round myself. Went to the cafe for soup which was delicious. The weather wasn't that great so I didn't manage a walk in the grounds so I will definitely be back for another look around the house and a walk round the grounds.Written July 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- inhortoEdinburgh, UK42 contributionsA five mile walk we often do - park at Balerno, walk to the Canal centre at Slateford for coffee, then catch the 44 bus back to Balerno. Picnic in Spylaw park. A woodland walk, cool on a hot day. Full of wild flowers and birds, with interesting houses and gardens to inspect. And it's all down hill! Feels like you're not in a city.Written July 31, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.






































































