Let's be honest—Edinburgh gets rain. But the city has evolved over centuries to offer plenty of indoor entertainment. From world-class free museums to underground tours exploring hidden streets, you won't be short of things to do when the weather turns.
Many of Edinburgh's best attractions are actually indoors. The National Museum of Scotland alone could occupy half a day, and the underground tours beneath the Royal Mile offer fascinating glimpses into the city's past. Add in escape rooms, whisky experiences, and excellent shopping, and you might find yourself hoping for rain.
Museums & Galleries
National Museum of Scotland
Free entry, rooftop viewsWorld-class museum covering Scottish history, science, technology, art, and cultures. Easily spend half a day here.
Learn more →Scottish National Gallery
Free entry, The Skating MinisterOutstanding European art collection from Renaissance to Post-Impressionism. Botticelli, Vermeer, Monet, and more.
Learn more →Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Free entry, Great Hall muralsScottish history through portraits in a stunning Gothic building. Mary Queen of Scots to modern celebrities.
Museum of Edinburgh
Free entry, Greyfriars Bobby's collarLocal history museum on the Royal Mile telling Edinburgh's story from prehistoric times to today.
Writers' Museum
Free entry, historic buildingDedicated to Scotland's great literary figures—Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Surgeons' Hall Museums
Unique, slightly macabreFascinating medical history collection including pathology specimens and surgical instruments.
Underground Edinburgh
Edinburgh is built on layers. Hidden beneath the modern city are streets, vaults, and chambers that tell darker stories of the past.
The Real Mary King's Close
Explore hidden 17th-century streets buried beneath the Royal Mile. Costumed guides bring 400 years of history to life.
Learn more →Edinburgh Vaults
Underground chambers beneath South Bridge with dark history. Various tours from historical to ghost-themed.
Learn more →Blair Street Underground Vaults
Atmospheric vaulted chambers used for storage, workshops, and less savoury purposes in the 18th century.
Interactive Attractions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
£18+Five floors of interactive exhibits, optical illusions, and a Victorian camera obscura. Fun for all ages.
Learn more →Dynamic Earth
£16+Interactive science attraction exploring Earth's history from the Big Bang to the future. Great for families.
Learn more →Scotch Whisky Experience
£18+Learn about Scotland's national drink with barrel rides, tastings, and the world's largest whisky collection.
Learn more →Edinburgh Gin Distillery
£15+Discover the gin-making process with tours and tastings in the heart of the West End.
Escape Rooms
Edinburgh has embraced the escape room trend with several quality venues offering immersive puzzle experiences. Great for groups on a rainy afternoon.
Escape Reality Edinburgh
Multiple themed rooms including horror, adventure, and mystery. Challenging puzzles for groups.
Can You Escape? Edinburgh
Immersive escape experiences with high-quality production values and engaging storylines.
Escape Edinburgh
Various difficulty levels suitable for beginners to experienced escape room enthusiasts.
Entertainment
Cinema
Independent Cameo and Filmhouse cinemas, plus mainstream chains. Filmhouse hosts Edinburgh Film Festival.
Theatre
Festival Theatre, King's Theatre, Traverse Theatre, and Playhouse for West End shows.
Live Music
Various venues from intimate jazz bars to larger concert halls throughout the city.
Comedy
The Stand Comedy Club is Edinburgh's premier comedy venue with nightly shows year-round.
Bowling & Games
Ten-pin bowling, mini golf, and gaming arcades available in shopping centres.
Indoor Shopping
St James Quarter
Edinburgh's newest shopping destination with 80+ stores, restaurants, and a rooftop garden.
Princes Street
Classic high street shopping with department stores and High Street brands.
Learn more →George Street
Upmarket shops and boutiques in elegant Georgian surroundings.
Victoria Street
Quirky independent shops in colourful curved street. Great for unique gifts.
Learn more →Stockbridge
Vintage shops, charity shops, and independent boutiques in a village atmosphere.
Rainy Day Tips
- ✓The National Museum and galleries are free - perfect for rainy days
- ✓Book underground tours in advance, especially in summer
- ✓Escape rooms need booking - they fill up quickly on weekends
- ✓Many cafes and pubs have cosy corners for sheltering from rain
- ✓Shopping centres have free WiFi for planning your next move
- ✓August visitors have thousands of indoor shows during the Fringe
- ✓Winter brings Christmas markets with covered stalls
- ✓Historic buildings like St Giles' Cathedral offer free shelter