16 Can’t Miss Hidden Gems in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Hidden Gems Scotland United Kingdom
Robbie Vai Author: Robbie Vai
Clock Icon 9 minutes read
Update Icon May 29, 2024

Edinburgh is a modern, bustling city with world-famous landmarks, a rich history, and an unbeatable culture. However, once you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that there’s so much more to this sprawling city than most Edinburgh travel guides tell you about.

Here are our top 16 hidden gems that you won’t want to miss.

1. Port of Leith Distillery

Photo Credit: Patrick Down via Flickr CC 2.0
  • Website: leithdistillery.com
  • Address: 11 Whisky Quay, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6FH
  • Opening hours: 11 am – 11 pm, Tuesday to Sunday

Sampling a wee dram of Scottish whisky while you’re in the country’s capital city is a must-do, and the Port of Leith Distillery is a unique yet often-overlooked place to do that.

This is the UK’s first vertical distillery, and the views across Edinburgh are stunning from the mezzanine bar on the top floor. Visitors can book tastings and tours where knowledgeable staff will tell you all about the process, and you’ll get to taste some of the best scotch in the city.

2. The Surgeons’ Hall Museums

  • Website: museum.rcsed.ac.uk
  • Address: Surgeons Hall Museums, Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DW
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

The National Museum of Scotland is one of the most-visited museums in Edinburgh, but for something a little quirkier, try The Surgeons’ Hall Museum instead. Here, you can explore one of the largest historic pathology collections in the United Kingdom while learning about how surgery has developed over the centuries. There’s also a pretty courtyard on-site, which is a pleasant place to relax on a sunny day.

3. Edinburgh’s Secret Gardens

Photo Credit: Marton Szeles

If you’re staying in the heart of Edinburgh, you may find yourself looking for a tranquil place to escape the crowds. There’s no better place to do so than in one of Edinburgh’s secret gardens.

Dr Neil’s Garden

  • Website: drneilsgarden.co.uk
  • Address: 5 Old Church Ln, Duddingston, Edinburgh EH15 3PX
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

This garden sits alongside the 12th-century Duddingston Kirkland and is conveniently close to Arthur’s Seat, making it a great place for a break after the hike up the peak. This serene, secret spot was developed by doctors Andrew and Nancy Neil and is known as a place to come for meditation and contemplation.

Archivist’s Garden (HM Register House)

The brain behind this secret garden is David R Mitchell, curator of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. 57 plant species were carefully chosen for their connection with Scotland, and displays are arranged in attractive, flowing patterns.

Palace of Holyroodhouse’s Physic Garden

The Palace of Holyroodhouse’s Physic Garden is one of the newer green spaces in the city and boasts a fantastic location in the city center at the foot of the Royal Mile. Explore the three distinct areas representing certain phases in the palace’s 900-year history.

Dunbar’s Close Garden

This 17th-century design garden offers charming views of the Burns Monument, dedicated to famed Scots poet Robert Burns. This historic area was seen as a slum in the 1960s, and the park is now an emblem of the successful regeneration work happening in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

4. Lauriston Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a top attraction in the city, but Lauriston Castle is also well worth visiting. This 16th-century tower house with 19th-century additions looks out at the Firth of Forth and gives visitors a glimpse into the fascinating past of this historic city.

5. Rooftop Terrace, National Museum of Scotland

Photo Credit: clivewa

As one of Edinburgh’s top attractions, the National Museum of Scotland is probably already on your itinerary. But you might not know about the hidden gem here. If you take the elevator all the way up to the seventh floor, you’ll discover a gorgeous rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the city.

From here, you can catch a glimpse of Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Castle, and the busy streets of New Town, and all without the crowds that gather on Calton Hill — one of the best-known spots for spectacular views.

6. Cramond Beach

Portobello Beach is the most popular spot for visitors looking to catch some rays by the sea, but we recommend heading to Cramond Beach and fishing village instead. The beach changes dramatically with the tide, and at certain times of the day, it’s possible to cross a half-mile-long causeway to explore Cramond Island.

7. Well Court

Photo Credit: chrisdorney

Just five minutes from the bustling Princes Street is Dean Village, a charming neighborhood perched alongside the Water of Leith River. This village is known for its impressive architecture, and Well Court is one of its most iconic buildings. Commissioned in the late 19th century by the owner of the Scotsman newspaper, Well Court became social housing for local workers and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The affluent Stockbridge neighborhood is also nearby, and its many cafes make it a great place to stop for coffee.

8. Writers’ Museum

This hidden gem celebrates the work of Robert Burns, Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson, sharing captivating portraits, rare books, and personal objects with visitors. For literature fans, the Writer’s Museum shouldn’t be missed.

9. Grassmarket Market

Photo Credit: Milosz Maslanka

Grassmarket Market is the perfect place to pick up fresh produce, flavorful street food, crafts, and maybe even a souvenir or two. This lively market happens every Saturday and even if you aren’t looking to buy, it’s worth visiting for the people watching alone!

10. Duddingston Village

To the east of Holyrood Park is the historic former village of Duddingston. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Edinburgh, and some of the buildings date back to the 12th century. Despite its relatively central location, many tourists overlook this spot, so it’s possible to have it to yourself while you take a day trip back in time.

11. Scott Monument

Photo Credit: Ivica Drusany

This Gothic monument was built in 1846 to honor the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. The tower’s spire is adorned with 64 figures representing characters from his novels, and fans of Scott’s work enjoy trying to spot which books the characters are from. It’s possible to climb the monument — 287 steps will lead you up a narrow pathway that eventually opens up to a spectacular view of the city.

12. Mary King’s Close

  • Website: realmarykingsclose.com
  • Address: 2 Warriston’s Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1PG
  • Opening hours: 9.30 am – 6 pm daily

Edinburgh is home to dozens of atmospheric alleyways, and Mary King’s Close is one of the most fascinating. The street was named after a merchant who lived in the alleyway during the 17th century before the Bubonic plague ravaged the area.

Tip: It’s worth taking a guided tour of Old Town to learn more about Edinburgh’s alleyways — you’ll be surprised how many secrets they hold!

13. Balmoral Hotel

Photo Credit: Fotokon

Several Harry Potter tours operating in Edinburgh take fans to many of the spots that inspired the hit book series, but none of them include Balmoral Hotel.

This five-star hotel is where JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. She also famously scrawled “JK Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in this room (552) on 11th Jan 2007” on a marble bust here. Room 552 has been renamed the J.K. Rowling suite, and it’s possible to spend the night in it!

14. Jupiter Artland

  • Website: jupiterartland.org
  • Address: The Steadings, Bonnington House, Wilkieston, Edinburgh EH27 8BY
  • Opening hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily

This contemporary sculpture park and art gallery sits among 120 acres of lush woodland within easy reach of central Edinburgh. It’s worth the journey to see impressive artworks, including Cells of Life: eight landforms surrounded by four lakes. You’ll also find works by Anish Kapoor, Ian Hamilton Finlay, and Jim Lambie, among others.

15. The Falkirk Wheel

Photo Credit: Doubleclix

Falkirk is just 45 minutes from Edinburgh and makes a fun day trip. While you’re there, don’t miss the Falkirk Wheel. This is the world’s only rotating boat lift — it links the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, which is 35 meters higher. This feat of engineering replaced 44 lock gates that took travelers the best part of a day to navigate, and now boaters can pass between the two waterways in a matter of minutes.

16. Gladstones Land

Gladstones Land is one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile and delivers a special insight into what life was like in Edinburgh 500 years ago. An immersive visitor experience guides you through three centuries of history, and don’t forget to look up to see the hand-painted ceilings from 1620.

Uncover Edinburgh’s Hidden Gems

Edinburgh in itself is somewhat of a hidden gem, as many tourists visiting the United Kingdom spend their entire time in London. However, making a trip north of the border will reward you with incredible history and culture and a warm welcome that will have you returning time and again. Which hidden gem will you uncover first?

Robbie Vai
Author: Robbie Vai
Our journal features a diverse group of travel enthusiasts who are passionate about exploring the world and sharing their experiences. From solo adventurers to family vacationers, our team of writers offers unique perspectives and insightful tips to help inspire and guide your next adventure. Whether it's discovering hidden gems off the beaten path or indulging in luxurious getaways, we're here to help you make the most of your travels. Robbie is an amalgam of these writers.
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