Coming up: horror-themed buses, a bunch of retro games, and tear-inducing childhood memories.
Edinburgh is a pretty rainy place. And when it rains, you (obviously) don’t want to be tackling the city’s outdoor stuff…
… so in this list, we’ve saved you from rainy-day despair, by assembling a list of the 21 best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain.
Expect free attractions, family-friendly adventures, and stuff you’ve probably never heard of. Pack a haggis and come join the fun!
1. Take a Tour of the Underground Vaults…
The rain can’t get you underground!
During this semi-eerie experience, you’ll visit a subterranean section of the city, visiting some storied now-abandoned vaults.
During various parts of history, these iconic 18th-century vaults have hosted shops, homes, storage spaces, criminals, illegal activity, and maybe even some corpses. They’re an interesting way to learn about the history of the city… and an interesting way to learn about its occasionally-creepy underbelly.
You can combine this experience with a visit to the torture exhibition, or you can choose to ignore that part.
- Tour duration: 1 hour
- Top tips: take comfy shoes—and don’t tackle this tour if you’re not very mobile
2. … or a Specifically-Spooky Tour of the Underground Vaults
This Late-Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour is pretty similar to the above… but it omits all the tame stuff, and only focuses on the most spooky and scary stories.
And because it’s a late-night experience, it’s particularly petrifying.
The guides love their jobs, they don’t hold back on the details, and they drum up an impressive atmosphere.
You’ll be introduced to a creepy stone circle, you’ll see a bunch of pentagrams, and you’ll learn about alleged hauntings.
Expect tales on murders, poltergeists, and body-snatching chancers.
Similar to a paranormal tour, this is genuinely pretty frightening… and for adventurous adults, this is one of the best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain.
- Tour duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Appropriate age level: only 18+ are allowed
- Top tips: wear comfy shoes, and don’t get involved if you aren’t very mobile
3. Munch and Slurp
Maybe not the most innovative suggestion you’ve ever heard. But you can always use a rainy day to try some of the city’s top treats.
You have thousands of restaurants to choose from, so I’m not gonna list all the city’s top joints here—I’m instead gonna recommend a way to eat and drink a little differently:
If you want a mixed combo of high-quality food and drink (and if you don’t want to spend ten million years scrolling through TripAdvisor), get yourself on this 3-hour guided secret food tour. It’ll give you the city’s tastiest treats, and (because much of the experience is indoors), you’ll dodge some of the rain.
The variety of food is excellent. Expect locally sourced flavors, a load of different eateries, and information about the stuff you’re cramming into your face.
- Tour duration: 3 hours
- Top tips: take an appetite—there’s way more food than most tourists expect
4. Step Inside the Chocolatarium
In the famous words of Willy Wonka, “It can’t rain in a chocolate factory.”*
To put that theory to the test, get yourself on this flavor-filled chocolate factory tour. One of Edinburgh’s most unique and unusual adventures, it includes an interactive tour around the factory, facts about the tasty treat, and a chance to make your own personalized bar.
Expect lots of laughs, lots of fun, and lots of opportunities to stuff chocolate into your big fat mouth. Yum yum!
For couples and families, this is one of the best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain.
*Yes, you’re right, I did invent that quotation myself. Please don’t tell anyone.
- Tour duration: 1.5 hours
- Top tips: take non-fancy clothes: whatever you’re wearing, it might get dirty
5. Take a Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour…
No, you didn’t read that wrong.
On this genuinely bizarre tour, you’ll hop onto a so-called Necrobus, and ride around Edinburgh while hearing some of the city’s most gruesome and gory tales. You’ll learn about murders and hauntings, and the bus has a roof (ideal for dodging rain).
A perfect combo of silly and sinister, it’s genuinely interesting and genuinely funny.
You can tell the tour guides really care about their jobs. If you’re interested in spooky stuff, you’ll absolutely love it—and it’s a good choice for both locals and tourists.
- Tour duration: 1 hour
- Age suitability: your discretion really, but over 10s should be okay
- Top tips: sit on the top deck of the bus, so you can see the sights as you ride
6. … or Sip and Slurp on an Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Bus
Another barmy bus-based experience.
During this quaint adventure, you’ll ride around in a roofed bus, gawping at some of Edinburgh’s most famous attractions as you go (sights include Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Bobby, Arthur’s Seat, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse).
All pretty standard, right? Wrong! Cos while you’re riding around, you’ll be munching on a traditional afternoon tea, including scones, sandwiches, cakes, and tea.
A strange combo, but a brilliant combo.
For couples and older people, this is one of the best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain.
- Tour duration: 90 minutes
- Top tips: sit on the top deck of the bus (to see the sights better)—and know there’s no onboard commentary
7. Cuddle up With Cats and Canines
Like animals? Like eating? Like activities that inexplicably combine those two things?
Next up, I’m taking you to two of Edinburgh’s most charming and wholesome venues.
Much-loved cafe Maison de Moggy is packed with cute cats, while equally-much-loved Chihuahua Cafe (I‘m sure you can see where this is going) is packed with cute dogs.
Whichever of the two you choose, you can eat and drink while touching some animals. It’s wholesome, it’s fun, and it’s guaranteed to put a big ol’ smile on your face.
No matter which you visit, you should make an online booking. Both venues are massively popular (especially when it’s raining).
8. Go Museum-Hopping…
Like any other city, Edinburgh has loads of museums. Of them all, the city’s best options include:
- The National Museum of Scotland: the largest UK museum outside of London, this big boy is home to Scottish-specific stuff, a load of stuffed animals, and a hefty Lego brick model of the entire museum. Good for both adults and kids.
- Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy: combined, these two venues make up one of Britain’s largest collections of art. Expect paintings, sculptures, a huge range of eras, and names like Botticelli, van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Turner.
- Museum on the Mound: unique and unusual, this finance fest explores money and banking. It’s a bit more exciting than it sounds (with some kooky interactive elements), and it’s home to a million-pound banknote.
- People’s Story Museum: I reckon this is the best museum in Edinburgh… cos it’s about real people and real life. It’s centered around the everyday lives of Edinburgh’s residents, featuring stories, photos, and old-school objects.
For more, here’s our guide to the 11 best free museums in Edinburgh.
9. … or Visit Some Kid-Friendly Museums
Although all of the above museums are child-friendly, Edinburgh has better museum options for kids. Highlights include:
- Museum of Childhood: sitting on the Royal Mile, this nostalgia-fest features toys, games, figurines, and loads of retro stuff. Both adults and kids like it… and if you’re a mawkish sentimentalist, it might make you do a little cry.
- Dynamic Earth: with loads of immersive exhibits, this hands-on science center is largely based around the story of Earth’s formation. Expect a planetarium, loads of futuristic interaction, and a so-called “deep time machine.”
- The Wee Museum of Memory: sort of similar to the Museum of Childhood, but much more cute and cozy. An intimate and unusual space, you can handle all the on-site retro objects. Expect old-school phones, household gadgets, and even some stinky stuff.
10. Gawp at Some Optical Illusions
Like optical illusions? You’ll love this.
The last museum-based entry on our list, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura is another perfect-for-families-with-kids option.
But it’s also great for couples, groups of friends, and anyone who likes weird and unusual stuff.
Genuinely bizarre, the city’s Camera Obscura features 5 floors, over 100 optical illusions, loads of photo opportunities, and some genuinely mind-boggling attractions. Highly recommended, and it’s better experienced than explained.
- Official website: https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/
- Opening hours: 9am until 8pm Monday to Thursday. 9am until 9pm on Fridays and Sundays. And 9am until 10pm on Saturdays
- Address: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND
11. Head to Hip and Happening Leith
The trendiest part of the city by far, Leith is a gentrified hipster hub with a bunch of independent and unusual hangouts.
It has a different atmosphere to the rest of the city, with a load of worth-your-time cafes and bars. Yeah, the rain’ll stop you from seeing the outside areas of Leith, but it won’t stop you from seeing the inside parts of the place.
My top recommendations include Nobles (full of plants and stained-glass windows), the Lioness of Leith (somehow both arty and sparse, and offering some of the best burgers in the UK), and more-like-a-living-room Victoria Bar.
Other good picks include The Biscuit Factory (actually an event-packed art gallery), Leith Depot (a gastropub with live music), and Toast (a brunch place, where you can get poached eggs, and smashed avocados, and all those other hipster clichés).
If you’re looking for a traditionally touristy indoor option in Leith, get to the historic Royal Britannia—a super popular sight, this storied boat attracts nearly half a million visitors a year.
12. Watch a Movie…
Hardly the most inspiring or innovative idea in the world, I know.
But you don’t need to go to a standard cinema.
Instead, I recommend The Cameo, which (along with screening new and big releases) offers lesser-known stuff, independent movies, theater screenings, themed events, all-nighters, live concerts, and a load of festivals. You’ll find old classics, obscure oddities, stuff you’ve heard of, and stuff you haven’t.
If you’re interested in cinema, you’ll love The Cameo—and if you’re keen for a different-to-usual cinema experience, it’s the best venue in the city.
Other options include The Dominion (pretty standard, but more classy than most cinemas), The Scotsman (which has a grand total of only 48 seats), and all the non-independent venues (you have plenty to choose from).
- Cameo Address: 38 Home Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LZ
- Cameo Website: https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/the-cameo
- Cameo Opening Hours: typically 12pm until 12am Sunday to Thursday, and 11am until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays (though hours might change depending on any specials or events)
13. … or Some Theatre
One of the most performance-packed cities in the world, Edinburgh is also home to a load of theaters. Top picks include…
- Edinburgh Playhouse: the biggest theater in the city (and the biggest permanently-working theater in the UK), this place serves up crowd-pleasing fayre, like musicals, comedies, big concerts, and a load of famous names.
- Assembly Roxy: sitting inside a former church building, this multi-arts venue is famous for diverse programming. It offers independent oddities, some of the city’s most unusual events, and a welcoming atmosphere. Expect cabaret, circus, comedy and more.
- Traverse Theatre: the most famous new-writing venue in Scotland, Traverse Theatre showcases modern voices and innovative productions. Most offerings are contemporary drama—so if you want to see the freshest voices, this is the place for you.
- Out of the Blue Drill Hall: a bit more unique and unusual, this community arts center offers occasional performances across a massive range of genres (such as trapeze, choirs, small festivals and more). But it also offers many events, like vintage markets, dance workshops, and card-swapping meets. You’ll always find leftfield indoor fun here.
… many other small venues in Edinburgh offer open mic nights, live music, and small performances. You can check day-by-day events here.
And (…you probably already know this, but…) if you’re in Edinburgh during August, you’ll be knee-deep in the fun of Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Every summer, it serves up a program of more than 50,000 performances (no, you haven’t read that wrong). Ideal for indoor fun!
14. Bowl at Lane 7
Lane 7 isn’t just a normal bowling alley. A graffiti-fuelled hipster hub, it serves up a neon-lit combo of pool, bowling, water pong, darts, shooting pods, arcades, shuffleboard, mini golf, and more. They have an on-site bar, offering American-style food and drink.
No matter who you are and who you’re traveling with, this is one of the best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain. It’s popular with families, couples, groups of friends, and everyone else.
- Address: Floor 4, 02b St James Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3AD
- Website: https://lane7.co.uk/venues/edinburgh/
- Opening Hours: 11am until midnight from Monday to Thursday, 11am until 1am on Fridays, 10am until 1am on Saturdays, and 10am until midnight on Sundays
15. Mash Some Buttons in NQ64
I reckon this might be the most exciting entry on our entire list.
A quirky bar brimming with retro arcade games and a load of classic consoles, NQ64 features names you remember and names you don’t. You can play Point Blank, House of the Dead, Golden Axe, Street Fighter, Time Crisis, and loads more. It’s a nostalgia-fest in the best possible way.
… and you can enjoy it all while slurping on some drinks.
If you’re with kids, come here during daytime hours. If you’re not, any time is fine.
For retro thrills, this is one of the best activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain.
- Address: 25 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ
- Website: https://nq64.co.uk/edinburgh/
- Opening Hours: 4pm until 3am Monday to Friday, and 12pm until 3am on Saturdays and Sundays
16. Learn About Some Writers
Interested in Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, or Robert Louis Stevenson?
Get yourself to The Writers’ Museum! It’s free, and it features relics and exhibits related to all three big-time boys.
Expect rare books, portraits, and objects from their lives.
For something a bit more modern and casual, venture to The Elephant House Café, where JK Rowling used to sit and write sections of the Harry Potter books.
Or for hands-on literary thrills, head to Golden Hare Books and Armchair Books, two of the most unique and famous bookshops in the city. They’re both independent places, and they’re way more interesting than standard bookshops. Expect to get lost in them both.
17. Escape the City
Well, not literally. But you know those escape room puzzle-based experiences that everyone seems to love nowadays?
Edinburgh has loads of them. And they’re all indoors, so you won’t get wet when you play.
Some of the best include Escape the Past (the most popular, innovative and well-known of them all), and the imaginatively-titled Escape.
18. Get Some Giggles
Edinburgh is home to a load of great stand-up comedy venues. Some of the best are:
- The Stand: the most well-known of them all, The Stand features big names in an intimate venue. It also serves up new names, improv comedy, weird stuff, and a welcoming atmosphere. You’ll love it here, just like everybody else does.
- The Comedy Attic: Edinburgh’s only late-night comedy club, this place is best for edgy and innovative stuff. Informal and unique, the venue sits inside a pub.
- Monkey Barrel: intimate and alternative, this is a great place for seeing some up-and-coming names. Focused on local people, they offer a diverse range of voices and performances.
19. Visit Edinburgh Castle
Some sections of Edinburgh Castle are indoors, some sections are outdoors.
So if it’s raining heavily, you might want to skip this suggestion. But if it’s just a drizzly day, you’ll be alright. And even if the rain is horrendous, you can just stick to the indoor areas anyway.
Built from the 11th century onwards, there’s a load of history lurking inside the fortified confines of this place. Over various periods, the castle has housed royalty, defenses, prison cells, and loads more. Now, you get hands-on exhibitions, a load of kid-friendly stuff, and exhibits on wars and royals. It’s also home to a tearoom and a cafe.
It’s the most famous castle in Scotland.
If you can dodge the rain, head to the outside parts of the castle. Because it’s built on a dormant volcano above the city, you get great views of Edinburgh from here.
- Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
- Opening hours: 9:30am until 5pm, 7 days a week
- Entrance fees: £15.50 for adults, £9.30 for kids
- Website: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/
20. Get all Fit and Healthy
Alright, these suggestions aren’t for everyone.
But if you like exercise, you can dodge the rain by doing something indoors and active.
Top options include the Royal Commonwealth Pool (a real icon, and one of the biggest and oldest swimming pools in Scotland) or one of the city’s excellent climbing walls (Alien One and Alien Bloc are the two best options, but there are many others).
Even more unusual are the steamy yoga classes at Hot Yoga Edinburgh (who also offer aerial yoga!), and the quirky trapeze classes at Freedom of Flight.
21. Head Outside of Edinburgh
This is gonna sound pretty obvious… but although it might be raining in Edinburgh, it might not be raining everywhere.
So you can use the city’s rainy weather as an opportunity for heading elsewhere. You have loads of options: Glasgow, the Pentland Hills, the Fife Coast, Northumberland, Newcastle, the Scottish Borders, the beaches close to Edinburgh (like those at Musselburgh and North Berwick), and loads more.
I won’t bore you with all the details here… cos we’ve already written about lots of the options elsewhere. So, here are the best tours in (and from) Edinburgh, and the best day trips from Edinburgh. Check the weather forecast, see where it won’t be raining, and get yourself on an outside-of-Edinburgh adventure.
Before You Go
Okay, that’s us done here—they’re the top activities to do in Edinburgh in the rain!
My top recommendations are NQ64, any of the vaults tours, and the hands-on tastefest of the chocolatarium. Whichever you choose, book in advance if you can: Edinburgh is a super-touristy city, and its fun sells out fast.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Travelness, and hopefully we’ll see you again soon. Bye for now!
For more on the city, here’s our 2-day ultimate itinerary for Edinburgh, and the best areas and hotels in Edinburgh.
