Best Museums in Edinburgh

If you plan to visit the Scottish capital you can visit the Edinburgh Castle, which is the custodian of the Crown Jewels, get lost in its intricate cobblestone streets or follow the route of Harry Potter, but you can also visit some of the best museums in the country, as this destination is a cultural reference in the United Kingdom.

Among the best activities you can do in Edinburgh are: visit the National Museum of Scotland, marvel at the National Gallery, visit the Chocolatarium and discover the Camera Obscura and its optical illusions performance. Here is everything you need to know to enjoy these exhibitions.

The National Museum of Scotland is a cultural haven that houses one of the most diverse collections in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1861, this museum offers a comprehensive exploration of Scottish history, culture and art, as well as a variety of international exhibitions. Among its outstanding collections are works of art and objects of everyday life from prehistory to the modern era.

The importance of the National Museum of Scotland lies in its ability to offer a deep insight into Scotland's heritage. Its collection ranges from medieval relics to contemporary pieces and plays a crucial role in the preservation and display of cultural heritage.

Apart from its vast collection, the building itself is an architectural marvel, with a Victorian design that complements the richness of its exhibits. Also, admission to the museum is free, making it an accessible option for all audiences.

In addition, Edinburgh Castle is just a few steps away, so you can easily include it in your itinerary for this destination.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Located on the perimeter of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum houses a collection of war objects, uniforms, weapons and documents spanning centuries of military history. Among its most prominent exhibits are accoutrements from World War I and World War II, as well as earlier and later conflicts, providing a comprehensive overview of the military evolution of Scottish soldiers.

However, the museum's exhibits highlight not only Scotland's military history, but also the impact of conflict on Scottish society in particular and British society in general. The setting, which contains the most famous of Edinburgh's castles, adds an additional tinge to the visit, as the museum is housed in a historic fortress that has witnessed many of the events on display.

In the National War Museum area, Edinburgh Castle is also a must-see attraction offering spectacular views of the city and an insight into Scottish history. In addition, Royal Mile, a bustling street nearby, is lined with stores, restaurants and other points of historical interest.

Details of interest

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG.
• Hours: 9.45am-5.45pm daily.

Although not strictly a museum, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, built in the 16th century, is the official residence of the British monarchy in Scotland and offers visitors a tour of the royal apartments, which have housed kings and queens from Mary, first queen of Scotland, to the current members of the British royal family. The building also houses a collection of tapestries, paintings and historic furniture, offering a journey into the daily life of royalty.

Today, the Palace of Holyroodhouse remains an active official residence used by the monarch during visits to Scotland, but it is also open to the public for much of the year. There you can explore not only the royal apartments, but also the ruins of the former Holyrood Abbey and the gardens surrounding the palace, which you will find particularly beautiful if you decide to visit Edinburgh in April or during the spring months.

In addition, the building hosts temporary exhibitions in the Queen's Gallery, where treasures from the Royal Collection are on display. Near the palace you can also tour the modern Scottish Parliament building, where you will have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour to learn more about contemporary Scottish politics.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX.
• Hours: 9.30am-6pm daily.

The Chocolatarium offers a unique experience for lovers of sweets. This site, which for many is a chocolate museum, offers an unmissable journey through the world of cocoa, from the manufacturing process to the tasting of exquisite handmade creations. At this site, you can also learn about the history of chocolate, explore the production process and participate in workshops.

Visiting the Chocolatarium is an unforgettable adventure if you are a chocolate aficionado or if you are simply looking for a fun activity. It is also one of the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh and a perfect place to hang out between tours or during rainy days.

You can combine this visit with a tour of Grassmarket, a market where you can continue to explore local flavors and interact with locals as it is one of the places that Scots go when they go to do their daily shopping.

Details of interest

• Price: admission with tastings included has an initial cost of approximately 32 euros.
• Location: 3-5 Cranston St, Edinburgh EH8 8BE.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

If you want to see the main exhibits of this destination, there is no way you can leave off the list the Museum of Edinburgh, which houses a collection of objects that narrate in detail the evolution of the Scottish capital, from its origins as a medieval settlement to its transformation into one of the most important cultural references in Europe.

Among the highlights of the exhibition are antique furniture, jewelry, cartographic maps, royal costumes and everyday utensils that illustrate how life in the city has changed over the centuries. In addition, the museum highlights key moments in the city's history, such as the Protestant Reformation, the Edinburgh Illuminati and their role during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Like all the famous buildings in the Scottish capital, this museum is located near the Royal Mile, although a little closer to Calton Hill, from where you can get some of the best views of Edinburgh Castle, which tops the list of the most prominent castles in Edinburgh.

Nearby, you can also take part in some of Edinburgh's best ghost and mystery tours, so including this museum in your itinerary will be very easy, as you can combine it with other activities.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

If you want to know one of the main art institutions of the country, you can not miss the National Gallery of Scotland. With almost 200 years of history, this museum houses an extensive heritage of paintings and sculptures ranging from the Renaissance to the Neoclassical period. Among its highlights are several works by Titian, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, as well as a remarkable collection of Scottish art.

Like most museums in Scotland, admission is free, making it an ideal place to learn about the local culture without spending too much. Also, because it has many rooms, it is also an ideal plan to take shelter on rainy or cold days, which could be beneficial if you plan to visit Edinburgh in March or during the winter months.

Nearby, you can also explore several notable attractions, such as the National Gallery Garden or the Royal Scottish Academy, located in the same complex, which houses contemporary art exhibitions.

Details of interest

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

One of the most interesting places in Edinburgh is the Camera Obscura, a combination of museum and interactive center that mixes science, visual illusions and entertainment. Its main attraction is the camera obscura itself, an optical device that projects live images of the city onto a table in a darkened room, using a system of mirrors and lenses.

Currently, the Camera Obscura functions as an edutainment center, ideal for both young children and adults. It offers an immersive experience in which visitors can not only learn about the basic principles of optics and vision, but also enjoy fun distorting mirrors, light tunnels and rooms with illusions that challenge perception.

Also, from the terrace of the Camera Obscura you get some of the best panoramic views of Edinburgh, which makes the visit even more attractive and does not lose its historical tinge.

Details of interest

• Price: from 27 euros.
• Location: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND
• Hours: daily from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.

If you are someone who enjoys scientific adventure, then the Dynamic Science Museum is for you. Located near the Scottish Parliament and at the foot of Arthur 's Seat Hill, it is an interactive center that will take you on a journey through the history of the Earth. This one-of-a-kind museum, designed to explore the evolution of the planet, covers topics such as plate tectonics, climate, biodiversity and geology.

Through interactive exhibits, you can experience everything from the Big Bang to simulations of earthquakes and glaciers, making Dynamic Earth an unforgettable experience. On the other hand, its facilities include dome projections, simulations of extreme environments such as the rainforest and the poles, and planetarium shows that allow you to explore the mysteries of the universe.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit Edinburgh in summer, which is the children's vacation season, you can find children's themed shows that will be ideal to entertain the little ones.

This multi-sensory experience, with sounds, projections and effects, offers an ideal plan to visit with a child and could prove as popular with the little ones as the Harry Potter Trail in Edinburgh.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 euros.
• Location: Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS.
• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

If you want to get out of Edinburgh's historic circle and visit the outskirts of the city, a good excuse is the National Museum of Flight, located in East Lothian. This exhibition, which is one of the most important of its kind in the United Kingdom, houses a collection of historic and contemporary aircraft, spanning from World War I to the present.

Among the museum's highlights are the Concorde supersonic jet, which in its glory years linked Paris to New York in less than three hours, Spitfire fighter jets and the Vulcan Bomber, as well as helicopters and other military and civilian aircraft that illustrate the evolution of aviation throughout the 20th century.

Through its interactive exhibits, visitors can explore not only the aircraft, but also the history of aviation, the technologies that have transformed flight, and the personal experiences of pilots and crews, both fighter and passenger carrying.

The National Museum of Flight in Edinburgh offers guided tours, family-friendly activities and flight simulations that allow you to experience the immersive experience of flying a fighter jet. Also, just a few minutes' drive away is Tantallon Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking the North Sea with panoramic views.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 euros.
• Location: East Fortune Airfield, B1347, North Berwick EH39 5LF.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

The Georgian House, located in Charlotte Square, the heart of Edinburgh's Georgian Quarter, is a historic gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the city from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The house, built in 1796, has been restored to show how the upper class of the Georgian era lived, with visitors able to tour the rooms, from the great hall to the bedrooms and kitchen.

In its current role, The Georgian House acts as a historical museum allowing you to travel back in time in an immersive experience that recreates the domestic environment of the era, including the servant areas that showcase the daily work of the servants.

In the area of The Georgian House you will also be able to explore other of Edinburgh's main attractions. Charlotte Square, where the house is located, is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. Also within walking distance is the Scottish Museum of Modern Art and Princes Street, one of the city's main shopping streets.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 euros.
• Location: 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR.
• Hours: daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.