19 Awesome Non-Touristy Things to Do in Edinburgh

The last place you’d expect to find a mini American Wild West is in a side street of Morningside, Edinburgh’s salubrious, leafy borough. The facades – including a jail, general store, cantina and saloon – were created for an ad campaign and are accessed from an alleyway off Springvalley Gardens. The cantina front door doubles as the local library’s fire escape.

Touching the sky never seemed so feasible. The museum, although a total jewel in its own right, hosts a little slice of paradise in the rooftop garden. Take the lift all the way to floor 7 and take in the stunning 360-degree panoramic view. Perfect for travellers, signs pick out the names of specific buildings in the landscape. A handsome array of plants and vegetation adorn this rooftop terrace garden. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

Edinburgh is a foodie’s paradise – with plenty of Michelin stars, fine dining and international eateries to choose from. But street food is the culinary trend that isn’t going away and nowhere does it better than this hipster pop-up. The Pitt is a weekly market, based in an industrial yard usually populated by artists and makers. It has both indoor and outdoor areas, along with a range of appetising food trucks, craft beer and fizz.

See the lesser-explored areas of the city from a different vantage point – the water. You can hire canoes, kayaks and SUPs from Bridge 8 Hub, then follow the peaceful Union Canal as it meanders through Edinburgh’s southern districts, and on to its buzzing basin at Fountainbridge. Walkers and cyclists frequent the towpath, which is an eco-friendly artery route for commuters.

This snug Swedish venue is one of the most intimate bars you’ll ever visit. It’s one of a small chain, on the border with up-and-coming Leith, and has a shabby chic vibe, with fairy lights and board games. Adored by Edinburghers, it’s friendly, homely and free from sightseers, yet it’s within easy walking distance of the theatres and shops of the New Town. Victoria hosts regular quizzes, events and live music – and if you’re here at Christmas, don’t miss the Swedish carol singing.

Wild swimming is fast becoming one of Edinburgh’s biggest obsessions. Incomers may find a dip in the North Sea – in a relatively inclement climate – a less-than-appealing prospect. Yet the shoreline offers lots of safe and invigorating opportunities to take the plunge, along with top cafes for a warming post-dip cuppa. Year-round swimmers are a sociable bunch, and if it’s a fine day, Porty, as it’s known, attracts plenty of sunseekers, as well as the odd dolphin or swordfish.

You’ll need to do your research to find this secret bar. And even then, you may struggle. Unmarked and tucked away down a side alley, yet seconds from the revelling masses on Rose Street, this Bullard & Worth bar masquerades as the Bryant and Mack Detective Agency. Visitors must knock to gain entry before being ushered into the dimly lit bar; it’s all very reminiscent of the Prohibition era. A typed drinks menu is presented by your bow-tie and apron-clad bartender, who will craft you a quirky cocktail from a range of wacky, often locally sourced ingredients.

S Luca has been serving ice cream to Edinburghers for a decade and a half, having started out in the Lothians in 1908. On sunny days, the queue here stretches down the road – with good reason. While tourists gather on the Grassmarket or Royal Mile for their pricey frozen treats, those in the know venture here, out of the busy centre. Take your treat to enjoy on Bruntsfield Links, just a short walk away.

Each of Edinburgh’s districts has its own individual personality, and Stockbridge is like an urban well-heeled village. Browse the high-end boutiques and walk the pretty waterways, then pop into Artisan Roast for a sit-down. Here you’ll find the biggest selection of single-origin beans in Scotland, served in a bright and convivial space. Enjoy hand-brewed coffee, freshly baked croissants and some true cafe culture.

Welcome to the house of fun that is Camera Obscura. Delight in the explosion of colours, shapes and illusions, and investigate every space in this labyrinth. Hold on to your head as you witness weird and wacky tricks of the mind. At the top of the tower is where the real action happens. Listen to the vivacious guides as they fill your brain with enthralling photography facts and spectacular images. Catch a glance of Edinburgh from a different perspective and feel what its like to be an eye in the sky. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

A hot new beer garden has arrived in town and so far, only the locals know about it. The Corn Exchange, Edinburgh’s conference and events venue, has revamped its outdoor space, creating an inviting, lively spot for some al-fresco boozing. They’ve also added giant games, ping-pong tables and food trucks – plus there are heaters to ensure the fun doesn’t have to stop if the weather cools.

Unbeknown to many and yet totally iconic, Makar’s Court is ‘an evolving national literary monument’ that pays homage to all the Scottish greats. It is right in the centre, near the Royal Mile. Considering Edinburgh’s status as a Literary Capital, it seems only fitting to explore each inscription embellishing the stones. Worth checking out during a coffee break, this fascinating culture trap is sneakily nestled down Lady Stair’s Close. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

A charming village laced with history and riddled with Scottish vernacular architecture, Cramond is less of a gem and more of a treasure chest. The elusive waterfalls of the River Almond present a spell of magic when times feel dreich. Whether craving a stroll or a day trip out of the city, make sure to investigate this flowing hidden wonder, and let the soothing sounds offer a splashing of serenity.

A scene from your most memorable dream, the Edinburgh Kyoto Japanese Friendship Garden is a sanctuary of peace within the extensive grounds of Lauriston Castle. It’s incredible to think that a place of such beauty is so close to the centre of the city. Created by Takashi Sawano, the garden, which opened in 2002, was built in honour of the twinning and friendship between Edinburgh and Kyoto. Here you will find an abundance of bamboo, picture-perfect stepping stones, gushing waters, divine reflections dancing on the ponds and an artist’s palette of colours. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

An oasis of calm in a bustling urban jungle, Dr Neil’s Garden is a gem worth treasuring. Ideal for chilled wanderings and bouts of solo serenity, this earthly Eden is located a stone’s throw away from historic Arthur’s Seat and Duddingston Loch. The brainchild of doctors Andrew and Nancy Neil, this secret garden, which is overflowing with greenery and kaleidoscope colours, is a serious source of inspiration. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

Touring the castle and the Royal Mile can be exhausting. Take a breather, let the mind and body rest, and feed the soul by sharing a cuppa with some cats at Maison De Moggy, Scotland’s very first cat cafe. Enter into a dreamland where felines and humans exist together in perfect harmony. Watch the clever cats as they slink around in their custom-made environment and choose from an array of locally produced teas, coffees and scrumptious cakes. Although not the conventional touristy thing to do, a trip to the cat cafe is wildly therapeutic and satisfying. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

The museums at Surgeon’s Hall are undoubtedly one of the finest collections of cabinets of curiosities out there. Take your pick from The Dental Collection, Wohl Pathology Museum (home to the largest and most historic collections of surgical pathology in the world), and the History Of Surgery Museum. Expect a vast collection of medical-related artifacts, bone and tissue specimens, artworks, and a range of exhibitions that will make the mind boggle. Owned by the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (an alliance which formed in 1505), this place is most definitely worth a visit. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

The closes of Edinburgh serve as a reminder of times past. Found nestled underneath the city, these hidden passageways and streets were once a bustling hub for traders and residents. The Real Mary King’s Close resurrects these prevalent historical spaces and preserves a rich history. Explore the newly renovated closes, named after prominent Edinburgh resident Mary King, and be transported back to the 1600s with riveting stories and fascinating tours of the vicinity. Expect to be shocked, informed and intrigued with this unique and accurate depiction of events. Recommended by Tori Chalmers

Delve deep into yesteryear and explore the fascinating collection of children’s toys and memorabilia at the Museum of Childhood. Not only is this museum a welcomed blast from the past, but it also happens to be the very first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood. Put the technology down for one moment and gaze at the little tin soldiers, trains, and spinning tops. Oh how times have changed. See history from the mind of a child, and appreciate the impressive collection, which dates all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Recommended by Tori Chalmers