What to do in Edinburgh when it rains
Edinburgh wears the rain well — castle vaults, national galleries, whisky tastings and cosy bookshops are all a short, soggy walk apart.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- National Museum of Scotland Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK
- National Galleries of Scotland: National The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK
- The Johnnie Walker Experience 145 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4BL, UK
- Surgeons' Hall Museum Surgeons Hall Museums, Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DW, UK
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait 1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, UK
- Dynamic Earth Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, UK
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern One 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR, UK
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- National Galleries of Scotland: National The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK
- National Galleries Scotland: Portrait 1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, UK
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern One 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR, UK
- Summerhall 1, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK
- National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two 73 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DS, UK
- Dovecot Studios Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary St, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, UK
- The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK
- Fruitmarket 45 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DF, UK
Castle interiors
Explore the castle's halls, vaults and exhibitions under a solid roof.
- Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK
- Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, UK
- Dean Bridge Queensferry Rd, Edinburgh EH3 7UA, UK
- Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery Edinburgh Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK
- The Real Mary King's Close 2 Warriston's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1PG, UK
- Greyfriars Bobby Statue Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, UK
- Old College, The University of Edinburgh University of, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK
- Arthur's Seat The Dasses, Edinburgh EH8 8AZ, UK
Whisky tasting
Book a whisky tasting — warming, indoors and very local.
Tearooms
Find a snug tearoom and wait it out over a pot of tea and something baked.
- Dishoom Edinburgh 3a St Andrew Sq, Edinburgh EH2 2BD, UK
- The Milkman 7 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, UK
- Cameron Toll Shopping Centre 6 Lady Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5PB, UK
- Marks & Spencer 54 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 2DQ, UK
- The Dome 14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF, UK
- Dynamic Earth Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, UK
- The Edinburgh Larder - Blackfriars Street 15 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NB, UK
- Summerhall 1, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, UK
Bookshops
Lose an hour in the city's bookshops — the best kind of shelter.
- Cameron Toll Shopping Centre 6 Lady Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5PB, UK
- Waterstones 128 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4AD, UK
- Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh 2 Blenheim Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5JH, UK
- Armchair Books 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, UK
- Blackwell's Bookshop 53-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1YS, UK
- The Gently Mad Book Shop & Bookbinder 2 Summer Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NR, UK
- Forbidden Planet International 40-41 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LL, UK
- Black Moon Botanica 50 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QE, UK
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 40 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.