What to do in Edinburgh when it rains
Grey skies over Edinburgh are a chance to go deep on its museums and galleries, poke around an indoor market, and find the cosiest café in town.
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
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
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- 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
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Tesco Superstore 7 Broughton Rd, Edinburgh EH7 4EW, UK
- Stockbridge Market Saunders St, Edinburgh EH3 6TQ, UK
- Tesco Superstore 76 Duke St, Edinburgh EH6 8HL, UK
- Tesco Express Lothian, 59-62 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LS, UK
- Tesco Express 141 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4BL, UK
- Edinburgh Farmers' Market NCP Castle Terrace Car Park, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2EN, UK
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- 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
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- St James Quarter St James Cres, Edinburgh EH1 3AD, UK
- Ocean Terminal 98 Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, UK
- Cameron Toll Shopping Centre 6 Lady Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5PB, UK
- Craigleith Retail Park S Groathill Ave, Edinburgh EH4 2LN, UK
- Waverley Market 3/48 Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1BQ, UK
- Meadowbank Shopping Park 8 Moray Park Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5TN, UK
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.