In the capital, the doors to history swing open for free. With a variety of free museums throughout Edinburgh, you can delve into historic culture and satisfy your curiosity at no cost.
Explore our Big Bus guide to 17 free-entry museums in Edinburgh that will inform and delight.
17 Best Free Museums in Edinburgh
Find a free museum in Edinburgh that appeals to your interests.
General History & Social Life
Though visiting landmarks like Edinburgh Castle comes at a cost, much of Edinburgh’s rich history remains freely accessible. These four institutions create an in-depth picture of Scottish society.
1. Museum of Edinburgh
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: The Royal Mile, 142-146 Canongate
Housed in a striking 16th-century building on the Royal Mile, this yellow and red museum tells the intimate story of Edinburgh itself. Discover how ordinary citizens lived, worked and shaped the city’s unique character through artefacts and immersive displays.
2. Museum of Childhood
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 42 High Street
The world’s first dedicated childhood history museum offers a nostalgic and enlightening look at generations of play, education and intimate family life. From Victorian toys to 20th-century games, see how young Scots played across the ages.
3. National Museum of Scotland
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Cambers Street
The National Museum of Scotland tells the nation’s story, from ancient geological formations to contemporary cultural achievements. Spanning natural history, archaeology, science, and technology, it is an essential step in understanding the country’s place in world history.
With so many personal objects from proud Scottish citizens, it’s apt that the National Museum is in the heart of the capital. Its front entrance overlooking the stunning Princes Street Gardens is undoubtedly a plus! There are various free activities for children, including unique insights into exhibits on Fridays and hands-on sensory sessions.
4. Museum Collections Centre
Opening Hours: You can only visit by booking a free guided tour on the Edinburgh Museums website.
Address: Broughton Street
This behind-the-scenes treasure trove provides exceptional access to Edinburgh’s vast cultural collections. See how museums preserve history and discover rarely displayed artefacts.
5. Water of Leith Visitor Centre
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Address: 24 Lanark Road
Nestled along Edinburgh’s historic waterway, this charming centre celebrates the river flowing through the city’s heart. Explore the Water of Leith’s industrial heritage, wildlife habitats and ongoing conservation efforts through interactive displays and exhibits.
Art & Design
Explore the visual arts that have shaped Scottish culture and influenced global creativity through these remarkable free galleries. Group visits are welcome at all locations, with special programs available to enrich your experience of the artwork.
6. Scottish National Gallery
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: The Mound
View Europe’s finest collections of paintings, sketches and sculptures by masters such as Monet and Van Gogh, alongside Scottish artists like Raeburn and Wilkie.
7. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh
Spanning two stunning locations, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art showcases Scotland’s most comprehensive collection of modern and contemporary art. View works by Matisse and Hockney alongside Scottish contemporary artists.
8. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 1 Queen Street
This is a magnificent red sandstone palace dedicated to the faces that shaped Scottish history and culture. This unique gallery tells Scotland’s story through portraiture, from ancient rulers like Mary Queen of Scots to Tilda Swinton and other contemporary figures.
9. Edinburgh City Art Centre
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: 1 Queen Street
The city’s own gallery space showcases an impressive permanent collection of Scottish art alongside rotating exhibitions of local talent and international artistic movements. While admission is free, special exhibitions require a paid ticket.
Literary, Academic & Financial Curiosities
Journey through Edinburgh’s distinguished intellectual history via these remarkable free museums showcasing writers, thinkers and innovators.
10. The Writers’ Museum
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Lady Stair’s Close just off the Royal Mile
The Writer’s Museum is a shrine to Scottish literary greats, including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Through personal possessions and interactive displays, discover how these literary giants shaped world literature. Exhibits include rare books and the printing press that revealed some of Scott’s work.
Next to The Writer’s Museum is a peaceful extension, the Makars Court. Walk past flagstones marking Scottish writers from the 14th century to the present day.
11. The Library of Mistakes
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday, booking required
Address: 33A Melville Street Lane
Take a deep dive into peculiar Scottish literature. This unique and thought-provoking institution examines humanity’s relationship with failure, error and learning from mistakes. It’s one of Edinburgh’s most unassuming intellectual museum experiences with quirky artefacts and books.
12. Heriot-Watt University Museum & Archive
Opening Hours: Wednesdays 2 – 4 p.m. and by appointment
Address: Heriot-Watt University campus
Visit one of Scotland’s most pioneering educational institutions. The collection traces the evolution of technical education and highlights innovations in engineering, textiles and applied sciences.
13. Museum on the Mound
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Bank Holiday Mondays: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m
Address: The Mound
Located in the historic Bank of Scotland headquarters, this financial museum tells the story of money, banking and economic development in Scotland. It features displays with Scotland’s oldest bank note and one million pounds.
14. People’s Story Museum
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: The Royal Mile, 163 Canongate
Set in the historic Canongate Tolbooth, this museum chronicles the everyday lives of Edinburgh’s working people from the 18th century to the present. Experience recreated shops, homes, and workplaces that show how the city’s social and economic development has evolved across the centuries.
Science, Medicine & Natural History
Uncover the scientific minds and medical pioneers who made Edinburgh synonymous with excellence in healthcare and natural sciences.
15. Surgeons’ Hall Museums
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Address: Nicolson Street
The Royal College of Surgeons houses the evolution of surgical practice from medieval times to modern medicine. Exhibitions feature historic instruments and anatomical specimens, along with interactive displays.
16. Anatomical Museum
Opening Hours: The venue is open to the public on select days. Please visit the university website to book a free ticket.
Address: University of Edinburgh
Spanning 300 years of anatomical teaching at the University of Edinburgh, this collection features 12,000 objects and specimens. From pathology and zoology to phrenology, forensics, nature and fine art, it brings together science, history and culture in vivid detail.
17. Cockburn Geological Museum
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by prior arrangement
Address: University of Edinburgh
Named after renowned geologist Lord Cockburn, this collection showcases Scotland’s remarkable geological diversity. Browse rare minerals and fossil specimens demonstrating how geological forces shape the Scottish environment.
Enjoy free entry to Auld Reekie’s past. Plus, kids under four hop on board Big Bus Tours for free!
Big Bus Tours: Connecting You to Free Edinburgh Museums
In addition to being your guide to museums in Edinburgh that’s free and fascinating, Big Bus Tours is the ultimate link between the airport and the city centre.
Hop on the Airport Express at the following stops, where regular open-top buses run every 15 minutes during peak hours.
- Waverley Station, Stop WA
- Princes Street, Stop PY
- Shandwick Place, Stop SD
- Haymarket Station
- Murrayfield Stadium, Ormidale Place
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Maybury
- Airport Hotels
- Edinburgh Airport
Explore the capital for less! Take the city’s most affordable airport transfer and experience the free museums Edinburgh boasts. Buy your ticket for just £5 one way, and return £ 7.