Location: Edinburgh
Top Things to do in Edinburgh
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What to do and see in Edinburgh, Scotland: The Best Specialty Museums
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
St Cecilia's Hall brings together one of the world's most important collections of historic musical instruments into the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. As well as being Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall, St Cecilia's Hall is open as a free public museum and hosts a range of concerts and public events. St Cecilia’s Hall is proud to be part of The University of Edinburgh. In response to Covid-19 we are currently open Thursday - Saturday with a free bookable 1 hour slot. Please visit our website for more information.
Reviewed By SallyMilan
The museum has a wonderful collection of old and new instruments from around the world, such as the ‘love violin’ (violin d’amore). There are drawers to open in the room on the ground floor with videos, interaction, sounds etc. There are also volunteer guides, happy to walk around with you, who are very friendly and really bring the history of the instruments to life, even demonstrating the odd one. Amazing collection of spinets, clavichord, harpsichords and pianos. Wonderful! Sally
2. Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service
3. SS Explorer
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
The SS Explorer is a historic ship located in Leith Docks in Edinburgh. Built in 1955 as the first purpose built Scottish marine research ship. This extraordinary piece of engineering heritage is a time capsule into life at sea between the 1950’s and 1980’s. The cabins are almost exactly as they were when the ship was decommissioned in 1985, complete with TV’s, phones and life jackets. See the difference between how the crew and officers lived. The SS Explorer Preservation Society intends to restore as much of the ship as possible, including a working main engine and create an exhibition and visitor museum ashore next to the ship. If you are interested in a tour of the SS Explorer please email us to arrange this. Unfortunately due to the historic nature of the ship it is not suitable for those with mobility issues as the many stairs inside are very steep. We are working on ways around this, but at the minute our only solution is a video tour on our website.
Reviewed By Cavernrulesok - Lincolnshire, United Kingdom
If you like steam engines and are interested in the now largely disappeared massive UK distant water fishing industry then it is a rare chance to see round a big steam trawler like those that used to sail from from Grimsby, Hull and Fleetwood in their hundreds. The volunteers are very welcoming and helpful. I have visited several times now and you can see the progress being made on saving this iconic ship - surely the last one afloat. You can set up a visit from the website which has lots of information.
4. The Chocolatarium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 418 reviews
90 minutes of chocolate heaven. Find out how chocolate is made, make your own dream chocolate bar to take home and enjoy a session in the Tasting Room with over 40 kinds of chocolate! Same wonderful tour. Comfortable social distancing.
Reviewed By rah20014
I absolutely loved visiting The Chocolatarium! Erin, our tour guide was fun and very knowledgable about chocolate. Erin explained everything in a great way and made me feel engaged the whole time. Making our own chocolate bars was so fun. I loved the tasting room and it was interesting to learn about how chocolate is made. I would 100% recommend visiting The Chocolatarium to anyone who visits Edinburgh.
5. Royal Yacht Britannia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,167 reviews
Step aboard The Queen's former floating palace and experience this iconic 5 star attraction for yourself. Rated Scotland's Best Attraction for 12 years running and in TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for the last 5 years, Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world. Sailing a million miles on a thousand official visits, during 40 years in service, the Royal Yacht played host to glittering state banquets and official receptions, but was also home to the Royal Family and crew of 220 Royal Yachtsmen. Explore Britannia's highly accessible 5 decks with highlights including the elegant Royal Apartments, Crew's Quarters, Engine Room and stunning Royal Deck Tea Room. Highly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Open year round .Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh city centre (local buses every 10 minutes - 11, 22, 34 and 35 to Ocean Terminal).
Reviewed By JCBH_1 - McLean, United States
The (now retired) Royal Yacht Britannia is a national treasure, frozen in time for all of us to enjoy. Wonderful "whisper" audio sets tied to numbered highlights so you can't miss a thing. Britannia is crowded, but for great reason: It's fantastic. You visit everything from the Bridge to the (impeccable) Engine Room, including the impressive State Dining Room and Salon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's staterooms - staff quarters and even the ship's infirmary and laundry rooms. The Royal Rolls Royce is on board, and the Queen's motor launch (alongside the Britannia - you'll see it last) is very impressive. Furnishings are original. It's amazing. Very nice shoreside ticket facility, gift shop, etc. There is also a tea room - which is apparently very popular. Britannia is a national treasure - terrific to be able to experience it.
6. Scottish Genealogy Society
7. Dynamic Earth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,647 reviews
A visit to Dynamic Earth is like nothing else on Earth. It's a chance to experience the primeval forces of nature as they shaped our planet, to journey through space and time and even go on a 4DVENTURE around the world. You'll be embarking on the interactive adventure of a lifetime - the lifetime of our planet. As if this wasn't enough, Dynamic Earth is home to Scotland's only 360 degree full dome film theatre. We have a variety of films showing throughout the year.
Reviewed By BeckyC526
We visited on 9th February and had an excellent family day out. The staff were really engaging and friendly without being overbearing and from the moment you enter the building there are things to do. The attention to detail for each section of the tour was really something and each area was its own sensory experience full of learning material. We loved it as two adults for what we could learn and our 18 month old daughter was enthralled by the lights and sounds. There was a lot on offer for the entrance fee, as well as the tour there is a 360 showdome and a soft play area. We didn’t use the showdome on this occasion as our little one was getting tired but we can’t wait to see it in action. The cafe food was actually edible and there was good choice. The gift shop had lots of the usual soft toys and trinkets but it also has a nice selection of maps, science kits, minerals and lots of interesting books. I was particularly impressed with the books on offer. Overall I highly recommend a visit and i cannot believe that this was our first visit after 12 years of living in Edinburgh. We will definitely be back soon.
8. Lady Stairs House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By SmileyKay - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This building with a fairy-tale look has almost 400 years of history.Today Lady Stair’s House houses the Writers’ Museum, with displays world-famous authors such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson.
9. People's Story
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 382 reviews
The People's Story gives an unique insight in to Edinburgh's working class people from the 18th century to the late 20th century. The displays include tableaux, original objects, images and personal stories to reveal their fascinating history of the city. The collection focuses on the history, culture, crafts and trades, and the people of Edinburgh but also as a place to explore more contemporary issues, events and opinions.
Reviewed By leither71 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This small museum is worth a visit to learn about the history of the people of Edinburgh. The informative displays cover housing, industry and the trade union movement. The museum is free to visit and gives a real insight into the lives of past generations.
10. West Register House
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