Top 10 Edinburgh Hidden Gems You Won’t Want Miss

There are surprisingly a lot of things to do in Edinburgh Scotland despite it’s small size!

If you’re visiting for the first time, you’ll want to see Edinburgh’s top attractions, like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.

But, if you have some extra time, or looking for some Edinburgh hidden gems, then this list is for you!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Off The Beaten Path Things To Do In Edinburgh Scotland

Here’s what to do in Edinburgh that’s a bit more off the beaten path from the top tourist attractions in the city!

1. Go For Scotch Whisky Tasting At Cadenhead’s

I’d be lying if I said a trip to Scotland is complete without tasting whisky!

There aren’t any distilleries in Edinburgh to visit (or even close to the city!), but there’s no need to worry!

If you’re only visiting Edinburgh in Scotland, there’s a way to get in your whisky tasting without having to travel too far!

You can visit The Whisky Experience (the main tourist attraction in the city), or you can go for a small group whisky tasting at Cadenhead’s.

Cadenhead’s is Scotland’s oldest independent bottling company. Independent bottlers don’t even exist in North America, so let me explain…

Cadenheads is a bottling company that buys the casks directly from distilleries to bottle themselves. The benefit of independent bottlers is that that they’ll bottle the whisky at cask strength, or even age it for longer. They can also make their own blended Scotches!

A tasting at Cadenhead’s was a bit on the expensive side for us, but it was well worth the cost.

It was £25 a person for 6 half shots (all cask strength), when I visited. Contact them for updated prices and to register.

The benefit of a tasting at Cadenhead’s is that you have a guide for the tasting, and it’s a much more intimate experience (they try to not have more than 10 people).

The tasting isn’t fancy, it takes place in their small shop, where they set up a table for everyone to sit around. It’s a fun night all about discussing and tasting whisky. It’s a worthwhile experience for everyone from the biggest whisky fan to the person who’s never tasted a sip!

The tasting starts around 6:00 P.M. Ours lasted an hour and a half but I’d imagine it might go longer if you’re part of a larger group (we were only 4).

Whisky Tasting At Cadenhead’s Insider Tip – What To Do In Edinburgh

If you’re two people and don’t mind sharing, ask your tasting guide to put the second tasting in a to-go bag for you (they may charge a small fee for the extra bottles, it’s cost us an extra £2… but it’s worth it).

We originally shared the first set of shots because we thought it was going to be too much alcohol for me. In the end it wouldn’t have been, but it was nice to go home and re-do the tasting again on our own.

We got to revisit each whisky and enjoy them for a second time.

If you’re interested in bringing whisky home from Scotland, this is also a good way to try it before you buy it!

P.S. If you just want to taste a bunch of whisky on your own, The Abbey Bar is the place to go. It has a huge list of whiskies to try and they offer different flights for as low as £11 (price may vary!).

2. Afternoon Tea and/or Lunch at Clarinda’s Tearoom

Another absolute stuff to do in Edinburgh is to go for afternoon tea! And I found just the spot!

On the Royal Mile, closer to Holyrood Palace, is a small tea shop that we fell in love with during our time in Edinburgh. I swear we went back once a week and it was the first place we would bring people when they visited. 

This not-so-secret secret Edinburgh tea room is a cozy spot where you can enjoy a delicious lunch, homemade desserts, or simply warm up with a cup of tea.

With the antique-style decor I couldn’t help but feel at right home, as though I was enjoying tea at my grandmother’s house.

The lunch menu consists of daily homemade soups to pair with classic sandwiches. They also make an array of desserts to enjoy after your meal, so make sure you save room for dessert!

And of course, you have to try their scones. 

And Clarinda’s is a tea room afterall, so it’s no surprise that they have a wonderful selection of tea. Our favourite was the vanilla black tea and the Japanese cherry blossom (green tea).

3. Stuff To Do In Edinburgh: Tour The Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Nowadays, Scotland isn’t only known for whisky, but also for gin. As it turns out, gin is a gateway to whisky. Both alcohols have the same distilling process, but gin doesn’t have to be aged.

So there are a lot of new whisky distilleries in Scotland that can’t sell their whisky yet, so they make gin in the meantime. One of those is the Edinburgh Gin Distillery, and the distillery is in the city!

Edinburgh Gin Distillery isn’t hard to get to, but it might be hard to find… This is one of the Edinburgh hidden gems that’s actual almost hidden. In New Town, next to Ghillie Dhu, there’s a staircase leading underground, and that’s where you’ll find the entrance to the distillery.

You can sign up for a tour which will include a history of gin, a tour of the smallest gin distillery, and they’ll even give you a taster at the end. I’m not a big fan of gin (and I found out it’s because I dislike two of the main ingredients – coriander and cinnamon) but nonetheless, I loved the tour!

January 2024 Update: The Edinburgh Gin Distillery is temporarily closed while they open up their new Arches Distillery in a new location on East Market Street. They are planning on opening their new location in fall 2024. Follow updates on their reopening.

You can alternatively go to Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh. It’s also new, opening in 2019 making whisky and gin, and they offer guided tours and tastings.

4. Stuff To Do In Edinburgh After Dark: Go On A Ghost Tour

Walking tours during the day are great to give you an overview of the history and main sights of the city. But this is Edinburgh and Scotland we’re talking about… their history is well… a bit dark at times.

That’s why you need to sign up for a dark side, or a ghost stories tour that delves into more obscure tales of Edinburgh. And these stories aren’t mere fairy tales and legends, some are actually true. But even the stories and tales that have been passed down through the generation are still fascinating to hear.

Plus if you don’t know what to do in Edinburgh at night, this is the perfect activity… to not be able to sleep ever again! I’m just kidding! It really wasn’t that scary!

I went on the Sandeman’s Dark Side Tour, which is tip based, but you can also book the original underground ghost tour of Edinburgh on Viator.

Or check out more Edinburgh ghost tours with Viator.

5. Walk To Dean Village & Stockbridge: Good Things To Do In Edinburgh

A visit to Dean Village and Stockbridge are the ultimate things to do in Edinburgh Scotland on a nice day outside (which I know can be rare!).

Just a heads up, there’s a lot of walking involved!

Dean Village is a small town that looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale and belongs in Brugge rather than Edinburgh. It’s an easy walk from New Town, but keep in mind that there really isn’t much to do here.

Dean Village is all about appreciating the architecture and where you can begin your walk along the Water of Leith Walkway (the path starts on Miller Row).

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The Water of Leith Walkway is a nice path along a stream that takes you all the way to Leith. But I actually recommend stopping in Stockbridge, which is about 15 minutes from Dean Village.

Stockbridge is a very local Edinburgh neighbourhood that’s worth checking out. Do some souvenir shopping, go to a cafe, or even a pub!

But I would try to visit on a Sunday when the Stockbridge Market is open for the best food and shops!

6. Stroll Through The Botanical Gardens – Edinburgh Hidden Gems

If you’re up for some more nature and walking, continue along the Water of Leith Walkway for more hidden stuff to do in Edinburgh. About 10 minutes from Stockbridge, you’ll reach the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh are huge, you can really get lost here!

And the best part? It’s completely free to wander the grounds.

The grounds are so impressive, with over 100 000 plants to admire and 10 glasshouses. If you’re really interested in the gardens, they even offer daily guided walks!

The Royal Botanic Gardens also have free temporary exhibits set up throughout the year.

Make sure to check out what’s on at the John Hope Gateway and the Inverleith House. When we visited there was a macro photography exhibit on insects! It was very intense but amazing to see.

7. Attend A Comedy Show At The Stand

Did you know Edinburgh Scotland hosts one of the largest arts festivals in the world, Fringe Fest?

Edinburgh is all about arts and culture, but don’t worry if you can’t make it to Fringe Fest. They have shows all year round at The Stand Comedy Club and The Monkey Barrel (for more alternative comedy shows). 

Our favourite show was at the Stand Comedy Club on Sunday: Stu and Gary’s Free Improv Show. It was the best way to start a new week!

The show started at 1:30, but the doors would open at 12:30, no reservation was required.  We would arrive a bit early to order lunch and a drink. For the next hour and a half, I swear you won’t be able to stop laughing.

2024 Update: It’s now called Stu and Gary’s Improv Show, it’s still on Sunday’s but not every week, so check the schedule in advance. The show is no longer free and it’s now in the evening rather than the afternoon.

8. Visit Edinburgh’s Smaller (But Totally Free) Museums

One of the top things to do in Edinburgh Scotland is to visit one of their many free museums (p.s. it’s a U.K. thing, museums are also free in London)!

Most people will know about Edinburgh’s bigger museums, like the National Museum of Scotland, and the Scottish National Gallery. And those are definitely still worth visiting.

But did you know there are tons of smaller museums around Edinburgh along the Royal Mile that are worth checking out too?

My three favourite were The Writers’ Museum, Museum of Childhood, and the History of Edinburgh Museum.

You can also visit the Museum on the Mound, The People’s Story, and get a tour of Scottish Parliament for free. How’s that for some Scotland hidden gems!?

Edinburgh Hidden Gems Inside The Writers Museum

Not only is the Writer’s Museum a hidden stuff to do in Edinburgh, but they also have a few Edinburgh hidden gems inside the museum itself!

The Writer’s Museum is in a 17th century building where you can walk on a true ‘trip staircase‘.

A ‘trip staircase’ was the first alarm system ever made. It’s when the staircase was built unevenly, one step that’s either taller, or shorter, than the others.

The trip step would hopefully stop thieves in their tracks because only the owners of the home would know about the mistake. The thief would trip and fall, hopefully making enough noise to alert anyone at home.

You’ll also want to make sure not to miss the basement of the museum (we almost did). This is where you’ll find an original cabinet by William Brodie. Although William Brodie was a well regarded cabinet maker in Edinburgh during the 1700s, who was also secretly a thief at night (he would break in to his own cabinets!).

Edinburgh Hidden Gem Inside The National Museum of Scotland

You may already know this as one of the top things to do in Edinburgh Scotland, but in case you don’t it’s worth mentioning.

Of course, you should wander through the many unique exhibits at the National Museum of Scotland.

But! You also have to make a point to head up to the roof, yes, it’s completely accessible, and of course, free!

From the top you have a full 360 degree view of Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat!

9. Edinburgh Hidden Gems: Visit Swanston Farms to See Highland Coos

Are you interested in see a true highland cow in Scotland but can’t make a trip to the Highlands? No worries!

You can see a highland cow on an easy half day trip from Edinburgh, and you don’t even need a car!

Swanston Farms is about a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh, and they’re home to a few highland cows.

The farm is also attached to Pentland Hills, so you can go for a nice hike after, plus you get some of the best skyline views of Edinburgh (even better than Arthur’s Seat).

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10. Off The Beaten Path Day Trips from Edinburgh Scotland

If you have an extra day in Edinburgh, it’s always nice to see the surrounding area.

Some of the more well-known trips include going to Glasgow for the day or a weekend trip to the Highlands.

But there are so many more places that fly a bit more under the radar that are still worth exploring and aren’t too far from Edinburgh either.

The easiest day trip to go on (accessible by train) is North Berwick, the coastal town with local shops and nature to discover. There’s a golf course along the coast, a beach, and a hike up to an extinct volcano!

But if you’re able to rent a car, it’s worth driving through the Scottish Borders, or the Kingdom of Fife to visit St. Andrews.

Need A Place To Stay In Edinburgh?

I stayed at an Airbnb for a month in Edinburgh just across from The Meadows. For shorter stays, I found these accommodations to stay at for every type of traveller.

Best Location & Price: Just down the street from the Royal Mile Motel One Edinburgh – Royal is a short walk to all the main attractions. See room rates & availability.

Modern & New Apartment: Stay in Edinburgh’s New Town at Golden Thistle Apartment to live like a local. It’s offers a beautifully renovated modern apartment with cafes and bars at your fingertips! See room rates & availability on Plum Guide.

Luxury: The Balmoral Hotel is Edinburgh’s finest hotel but nothing compares to it. J.K. even stayed here to finish writing the Harry Potter Series. Maybe you’ll get lucky and stay in the same suite! See room rates & availability.

See other accommodations on Booking.com in Edinburgh, or more apartments on Plum Guide.

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Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API