Personal opinion: Edinburgh in winter is spellbinding. There is no other place I’d rather be, and I truly think a city trip to Edinburgh is one of the best places to visit during winter. It’s filled with cosy cafes and snug pubs, bookshops filled to the brim with books to escape into, and magical museums to stray into when the rain comes down in buckets. There is plenty to do in Edinburgh in winter- now let me show you some of my favourite activities to keep you entertained while the daylight hours are short, and the evenings are long.
There are two sayings in Scotland: ”There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing” and ”If you don’t like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes.”
Experiencing winter in Edinburgh can be cold- but it’s also magical. It’s true it can be blue skies one minute and pouring down with rain the next. As long as you pack the right clothing, you’ll have a great time in Edinburgh during winter.
Keeping the unpredictable weather in mind, I’ve compiled this list of best things to do in Edinburgh in winter.
Read more: The ultimate guide to planning a trip to Scotland
The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh in Winter
1. ‘Coorie in’ at a cosy pub
A wee whisky- perfect for warming you up on the inside!
To ‘Coorie in’ is a Scots phrase meaning “to stoop, bend, cringe, crouch for protection” and “to snuggle, nestle”.
One of my favourite things to do in Edinburgh during winter is find a cosy pub and warm myself up with a dram of whisky or festive cocktail.
Some of my personal favourite cosy pubs include Copper Still, The Malt Shovel Inn, The World’s End and the Whiski Rooms.
If you’re in your twenties, you could go on a pub crawl.
Read more: 10 tips for visiting Edinburgh
2. Edinburgh’s Christmas Market
The Edinburgh Christmas Markets- one of the best things to do in Edinburgh in winter
The Edinburgh Christmas Market is the biggest Christmas Market in Scotland. Taking place in the Princes Street Gardens, it’s the highlight of my December in Edinburgh.
Sip on mulled wine (my favourite) at one of the pop-up bars, explore the stalls selling all kinds of Scottish Christmas gifts, and go on a ride such as the Star Flyer!
This year the Edinburgh Christmas Market runs from November 15 to January 4. Entry is free.
3. Christmas Lights at Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens
One of the coolest things to do in winter is to see the Christmas lights in Edinburgh. Each year the Royal Botanic Gardens put on a magical light display.
This year the Christmas Light Show is running on selected evenings between 21 Nov – 30 Dec 2024.
The Laser Garden and the Cathedral of Light are especially impressive! This is a ticketed event, so make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Read more: The perfect 2 day Edinburgh itinerary
4. Johnny Walker Experience
Have you tried the Johnny Walker Experience yet?
The Journey of Flavour Tour is great for both whisky lovers and newbies. During this immersive tour, you’ll discover the history of Johnnie Walker and how Scotch whisky is made, and enjoy three personalised drinks.
The Haggis and I loved this tour- it’s the perfect idea for a date night!
5. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle usually tops the list of things to do in Edinburgh and it is worth a visit during any season, but I think it looks especially bonnie when it is lit up for Christmas!
I recommend booking a guided tour– the history of Edinburgh Castle is what makes it so interesting.
There is also the Castle of Light event which happens every year. See Edinburgh Castle in a whole new light through immersive displays, interactive installations, music and wonder. This is a wonderful family-friendly activity, and I look forward to visiting with Alex!
This year, it is running on selected dates in November, December and January.
Read more: My recommendations for accommodation in Edinburgh
6. Walk up Calton Hill
The view from Calton Hill
The walk up Calton Hill is an easy winter walk with beautiful views of the city.
After your walk, go and find a cosy cafe and warm up with a hot chocolate or caramel latte!
Cosy cafes in Edinburgh I love
Lovecrumbs | an adorable wee cafe with a loveseat in the window
Greenwoods | one of my favourite places for brunch
Black Medicine Coffee | an old favourite of mine
Waterstones | the cafe inside the bookshop has beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle
7. National Museum of Scotland
If the weather is dreich, my favourite thing to do in Edinburgh is visit the National Museum of Scotland. Four floors of Scottish history walk you through time from the beginning up until the modern day.
It’s free (donations are appreciated) and has some fascinating displays.
My favourite exhibits include:
- The Lewis Chessmen – one of the best archaeological discoveries in Scotland
- The Fairy Coffins – mysterious miniature coffins containing dolls that were found at Arthur’s Seat
- The Cramond Lioness – a rare Roman sculpture that was found in Edinburgh
- Ancient Pictish carvings – made by the first people of Scotland
- Dolly the Sheep – a (now deceased) stuffed sheep on display that was the first mammal to be cloned!
Read more: My guide to moving to Edinburgh
Looking for authentic Scottish clothing?
If you are in Edinburgh and looking for authentic, Scotland-made kilts, tartans and accessories, be sure to visit ScotlandShop on South Queensferry Street. They have plenty of options to choose from in-store, and they also create bespoke, tailored clothing (like my Cameron of Lochiel skirt in the photo above!). They have international delivery, so if you’re visiting Edinburgh and want something made and sent home, they can do it! You can also book an online appointment with them at home to take your measurements and pick up your tartan creation in-store.
You can save 10% using my discount code KIWI10 (this works in-store, online and at any of ScotlandShop’s events).
8. Celebrate Burns Night
Robert Burns
Burns Night is a celebration of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. It occurs in the heart of winter on January 25, his birthday, each year.
There are a variety of events held around Edinburgh to celebrate his life, usually consisting of supper, live poetry and whisky!
If you struggle to find tickets to an event (they sell out quickly) I recommend heading to a pub and toasting a wee dram to ol’ Rabbie Burns.
Read more: What is Burns Night? A Quick Guide
9. Scottish National Gallery
As well as having a variety of free museums, Edinburgh also has some free galleries you can visit.
The most famous is the Scottish National Gallery, located opposite Princes Street on the Mound.
My favourite portrait is The Monarch of the Glen by Edwin Landseer- an image you have probably already seen on tea towels and shortbread tins. You can see the original at this gallery!
10. Go for afternoon tea
Afternoon Tea at The Witchery by the Castle
Bad weather is an excellent excuse to indulge in sandwiches and sweet treats!
Book a table for Afternoon Tea and enjoy a delicious array of nibbles with a pot of tea, or if you feel like something stronger, a glass of fizz.
Edinburgh has plenty of options for afternoon tea- see below for my favourites.
My favourite places for Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
The Witchery By The Castle | You just cannot beat the atmosphere
Signet Library | One of the most expensive options but also one of the tastiest
The Dome | I love going here in December and seeing the Christmas decorations
11. Hogmanay
Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s biggest party of the year, Hogmanay, is one of the biggest New Year celebrations in the world!
There are many events that take place across between Christmas and New Year, including the annual street party and torch light procession.
You can see the list of events for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay right here– be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as events do sell out!
12. Camera Obscura And World Of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Ilusions is a fun activity for all ages! Venture through five floors jam-packed with over 100 illusions and discover the best rooftop views of Edinburgh.
The Camera Obscura is located on the top floor, and only accessible by tour (this is included in your ticket).
A Camera Obscura is a darkened box with a convex lens or aperture that projects the image of an external object onto a screen inside. Basically, the streets of Edinburgh outside are projected onto a screen in a darkened room. It’s truly fascinating!
13. Indulge In Retail Therapy
Edinburgh has some wonderful independent shops and a range of shopping malls. My personal favourite places to shop include MYSA, Eden, Pie in the Sky, House of Minalima, Edinburgh Natural Skin Care Company– all on Cockburn Street; Black Moon Botanica, Paper Tiger, Tron Kirk Market and Museum Context.
My favourite shopping mall is St James Quarter.
Read more: 50 Travel Tips for Scotland
14. Cocktails at the Dome
The Dome with its sparkly winter coat
The Dome in Edinburgh is one of the best places to go for cocktails in Edinburgh when the temperature cools down. The bar and restaurant transforms into a winter wonderland with thousands of fairy lights from late October until early January. Make sure you stop by to try their delicious festive cocktails!
If you love cocktails I also recommend The Alchemist, Copper Still, and Panda and Sons.
15. Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse (also known as Holyrood Palace) is the official Scottish residence of the King.
Queen Elizabeth II would spend a week here each June and host a garden party. When she wasn’t in residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse was open to the public. You can still tour the palace today- in fact, it’s one of my favourite attractions in the city.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse has been home to a long list of Royals, and it was once the primary residence of Mary Queen of Scots. It was also the site where her private secretary, David Rizzio, was murdered by her husband, Lord Darnley (which ultimately led to his undoing).
You can even view the room where Rizzio was stabbed to death 57 times!
The ruin of Holyrood Abbey set within the palace grounds is all that is left of Scotland’s grandest medieval abbey. David I founded the abbey in 1128 after he saw a vision of a white stag with a cross or ‘rood’ between its antlers while hunting in the park. He then built Holyrood Abbey on the site. The story of King David and the stag is one of Scotland’s most interesting tales of folklore.
👉 Buy tickets for the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Things to do in Edinburgh with kids
Many of the activities I mentioned above are great for kids, however, in case you’ve skipped to this section, I’ve compiled a list of my recommendations for things to do in Edinburgh with kids during winter:
- Sprogmanay (Hogmanay event)
- Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh (Hogmanay event)
- Torchlight Procession (Hogmanay event)
- Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club (Hogmanay event)
- Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets (Nov-January)
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Dynamic Earth
- National Museum of Scotland
- Gladstone’s Land
- Gravity Active Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle
- Palace of Holyrood House
- The Chocolatarium
- The Royal Botanic Garden
- The Edinburgh Dungeon (8+)
- Edinburgh Central Library
- Wonder World Soft Play
- Doodles Ceramics
- The Royal Yacht Britannia
What else would you add to this list?
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