Location: Old Town
Top Things to do in Old Town
The 10 Best Museums in Old Town, Scotland
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
St Cecilia's Hall brings together one of the world's most important collections of historic musical instruments into the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. As well as being Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall, St Cecilia's Hall is open as a free public museum and hosts a range of concerts and public events. St Cecilia’s Hall is proud to be part of The University of Edinburgh. In response to Covid-19 we are currently open Thursday - Saturday with a free bookable 1 hour slot. Please visit our website for more information.
Reviewed By SallyMilan
The museum has a wonderful collection of old and new instruments from around the world, such as the ‘love violin’ (violin d’amore). There are drawers to open in the room on the ground floor with videos, interaction, sounds etc. There are also volunteer guides, happy to walk around with you, who are very friendly and really bring the history of the instruments to life, even demonstrating the odd one. Amazing collection of spinets, clavichord, harpsichords and pianos. Wonderful! Sally
2. Urbane Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Contemporary Art Gallery Bringing National and International Art to Edinburgh
3. The Chocolatarium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 418 reviews
90 minutes of chocolate heaven. Find out how chocolate is made, make your own dream chocolate bar to take home and enjoy a session in the Tasting Room with over 40 kinds of chocolate! Same wonderful tour. Comfortable social distancing.
Reviewed By rah20014
I absolutely loved visiting The Chocolatarium! Erin, our tour guide was fun and very knowledgable about chocolate. Erin explained everything in a great way and made me feel engaged the whole time. Making our own chocolate bars was so fun. I loved the tasting room and it was interesting to learn about how chocolate is made. I would 100% recommend visiting The Chocolatarium to anyone who visits Edinburgh.
4. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,158 reviews
Experience and take part in over 100 illusions as well as a breath of fresh air on our magnificent Rooftop Terrace, which offers the most spectacular 360 degree views of Edinburgh. At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, experience five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Fully safe, ‘Good to Go’ certified and have all the necessary health and safety guidelines in place to make your visit the most enjoyable ever! Get involved, play, touch everything. Great fun for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. 'Best family attraction in Britain’, The Telegraph. 'Five Stars, outstanding, world class', VisitScotland. Scotland’s oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835. Free Wi-Fi. Allow about 2 hours. Please note the attraction is located in a listed 17th Century building over 5 floors without a lift. Open every day, open late on holidays.
Reviewed By Dryburgh1994
Great fun! Amazing attractions, great view of Edinburgh & Very good presentation from "Andrew" i think was his name, he was funny, knowledgeable & down to earth . We visited on 14/11.
5. Scottish Genealogy Society
6. Dynamic Earth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,647 reviews
A visit to Dynamic Earth is like nothing else on Earth. It's a chance to experience the primeval forces of nature as they shaped our planet, to journey through space and time and even go on a 4DVENTURE around the world. You'll be embarking on the interactive adventure of a lifetime - the lifetime of our planet. As if this wasn't enough, Dynamic Earth is home to Scotland's only 360 degree full dome film theatre. We have a variety of films showing throughout the year.
Reviewed By BeckyC526
We visited on 9th February and had an excellent family day out. The staff were really engaging and friendly without being overbearing and from the moment you enter the building there are things to do. The attention to detail for each section of the tour was really something and each area was its own sensory experience full of learning material. We loved it as two adults for what we could learn and our 18 month old daughter was enthralled by the lights and sounds. There was a lot on offer for the entrance fee, as well as the tour there is a 360 showdome and a soft play area. We didn’t use the showdome on this occasion as our little one was getting tired but we can’t wait to see it in action. The cafe food was actually edible and there was good choice. The gift shop had lots of the usual soft toys and trinkets but it also has a nice selection of maps, science kits, minerals and lots of interesting books. I was particularly impressed with the books on offer. Overall I highly recommend a visit and i cannot believe that this was our first visit after 12 years of living in Edinburgh. We will definitely be back soon.
7. DOM
8. Lady Stairs House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By SmileyKay - Cluj-Napoca, Romania
This building with a fairy-tale look has almost 400 years of history.Today Lady Stair’s House houses the Writers’ Museum, with displays world-famous authors such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson.
9. National War Museum of Scotland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 837 reviews
Following the latest Scottish Government guidelines, the National War Museum will reopen on Saturday 1 May. The national collections within our care will continue to be monitored and made secure during this time. You can also keep in touch by following us on our social media channels and through our website www.nms.ac.uk.
Reviewed By NicolaD914 - Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
We visited the Scottish National War Museum in March, just before lockdown. The museum is situated within Edinburgh Castle so entry is included in the Castle admission ticket price. It is an interesting and well laid out museum and chronicles Scottish military history with informative displays including flags, medals, uniforms, field guns and weapons throughout military history. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
10. Stills Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Stills is a centre for photography based in the heart of Edinburgh. We offer exhibitions and production facilities as well as a range of engagement opportunities for anyone to discover, enjoy and understand photography. Stills was established in 1977. Since that time it has become a champion for the important and powerful role that the medium of photography plays in the world today.
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