Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland makes for a wonderful visit for visitors of all ages. It offers plenty of attractions, festivals, and fairs to visit, it’s a great year-round destination. Entrance fees for some of the more popular attractions soon add up though. Save yourself few quid and see some of the city for free.
Ascend Arthur’s Seat
A climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat is a must during your time here. It stands at 251m high and provides wonderful views of the four corners of the city below. Located within Holyrod Park, it’s surprising to see such a place of natural beauty located in the centre of the city! One particular tourist walk lasts around 2 hours and takes in the best sights of the park. It covers the Salisbury Crags, down through a flat valley before climbing again to show you the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel perched high above a loch below. The route then ascends dramatically allowing you to clamber to the top of Arthur’s Seat and drink in the panoramic views.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Gardens, founded back in 1670, are fabulous to visit all year round and are actually comprised of four separate gardens across 72 acres. Particular highlights include the Queen Mother Memorial Garden as well as the rock garden and the vast collection of Chinese plants and specimens. The John Hope Gateway is an eco-friendly visitor centre which will give you a nice overview of the gardens. It’s a resource to learn more about the plants within. Spend some time perusing the boutique shopping area of Stockbridge either before or after your time here.
National Museum of Scotland
A visit to the National Museum of Scotland does what it says on the tin. Free to enter, you can step back in time and learn all about the history of this interesting country as well as viewing diverse exhibits covering the natural world, arts and culture, science and technology and more. See a Tyrannosaurus Rex and get hands on with the many interactive displays. You’ll have a great day here without spending a penny.
Portobello Beach
Beach and Scotland are not too phrases which mesh well together. A visit to Portobello Beach, which is just a few miles from the city should be considered. It obviously doesn’t compete with beach resorts across the rest of Europe, but it’s clean and delivers a healthy dose of salty sea air to get your appetite going and your heart pumping. You’ll find sand and surf and a lovely view of the sea but best to avoid going for a dip as the water is likely to pretty cold – you are in Scotland remember! Take a stroll along the promenade and treat yourself to a sweet treat from one of the old fashioned sweet shops.
There are plenty other free attractions in Edinburgh including a tour of the Scottish Parliament, St Giles’ Cathedral and the Writer’s Museum amongst plenty more. Keep the costs down and have a great time during your trip here.
