Best Things to Do in Edinburgh in Autumn
Home · Edinburgh · Autumn
From the classic National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Playhouse, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.8 · 60,185 reviews
Start your Edinburgh day at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. Wander from industrial relics to natural history displays and world cultures, all free to enter, with a cafe for a mid-visit break.
★ 4.4 · 6,041 reviews
Take a seat at the Edinburgh Playhouse, the city's 3,000-seat 1920s theatre. Catch a touring musical, comedy or live gig in a grand auditorium built for big nights out.
★ 4.7 · 4,176 reviews
Catch a show at the Festival Theatre, home to Scotland's largest stage in central Edinburgh. Watch national ballet, opera or a touring production in a handsome, well-run venue.
★ 4.7 · 17,523 reviews
Walk into the National Galleries of Scotland: National straight off Princes Street. In about 90 minutes you can stand before European masterpieces and Scottish works without paying for entry.
★ 4.7 · 1,001 reviews
Start the morning at Artisan Roast on Broughton Street, a cosy cafe for coffee lovers. Order a flat white or one of the two batch brews, then choose a bag of roasted beans for home.
★ 4.6 · 1,832 reviews
Duck down into The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh's basement home of stand-up. Catch several comedians in one intimate night, from local up-and-comers to touring names.
★ 4.9 · 2,785 reviews
Discover Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh's grand bookshop of towering shelves and rolling ladders. Browse a broad range, enjoy tea in a warm atmosphere, and linger into the evening, as it stays open until 21:00.
★ 4.6 · 1,314 reviews
Step into Valvona & Crolla, Scotland's oldest Italian deli, open since 1934. Browse shelves of regional Italian produce, pastries and wines, then sit down in the attached cafe for something to eat.
★ 4.6 · 5,806 reviews
Attend a concert at Usher Hall, Edinburgh's celebrated auditorium on Lothian Road. Settle in for classical music or a visiting pop or jazz act, in a hall known for its acoustics.
★ 4.7 · 124 reviews
Start the day at Oh Deer Bakery & Coffee House, a cosy spot with friendly staff and a short menu of bagels and sweet bakes. Pair a cheese and avocado bagel with a latte, then linger over the latte art.
★ 4.9 · 116 reviews
Stop at Bedrock Coffee on West Port, a short walk from the Grassmarket. Enjoy a carefully made flat white, glance over the baked goods, and admire the coffee packaging on your way out.
★ 4.4 · 265 reviews
Drop into Machina Coffee, a bright and relaxed café in Marchmont where locals start their mornings. Order a well-made coffee or a cold brew, then pick up a bag of the house beans on your way out.
★ 4.4 · 86 reviews
Pop into Peregrine, a Northern Irish bakery with a stylish interior and a well-stocked pastry counter. Pick a baked treat and a hot chocolate or coffee, and enjoy a quick, photogenic break.
★ 4.8 · 315 reviews
Settle into Throat Punch Coffee Company, an easy-going café with comfortable seating and friendly shop dogs. Order a carefully made barista coffee, add a pastry, and browse the small gift shelf.
★ 4.4 · 1,574 reviews
Take a seat at Wellington Coffee, a cosy coffeehouse with a terrace and a menu of traditional bakes. Have a freshly made scone with jam and clotted cream alongside a carefully pulled cortado or flat white.
★ 4.3 · 616 reviews
Settle into Burr & Co., a quaint Edinburgh cafe with cosy corners for reading and writing. Pair a well-brewed coffee with fresh cake, a pastry or a savoury wrap.
★ 4.6 · 428 reviews
Duck into Ante, a tiny Edinburgh coffee shop known for its rotating guest roasters. Sip a flat white or pour over, then pick from the pastry case, perhaps the croissant bun.
★ 4.4 · 1,790 reviews
Drop into Cairngorm Coffee, a light, white-walled shop that doubles as a neighbourhood hangout. Order a beautifully poured cappuccino and a cinnamon bun, or settle in with a grilled cheese sandwich.
★ 4.8 · 835 reviews
Stop by The Source Coffee Roasters, a small, welcoming roaster for people who love strong coffee. Taste a well-pulled double espresso and ask about the single-origin beans behind it.
★ 4.6 · 533 reviews
Grab a coffee at Gordon St Coffee, steps from Waverley Station. Sip the lighter-roast house blend espresso and pair it with a buttery cheese scone before you head off.
★ 4.4 · 3,574 reviews
Join the line at The Milkman, a brick-walled former candy shop turned much-loved coffee house. Wait for a flat white made with carefully sourced beans, and pair it with a slice of cake or a pastry.
★ 4.5 · 728 reviews
Settle in at Lovecrumbs on West Port, where mismatched cups and a wooden dresser of handmade cakes set the tone. Order an oat chai latte and a slice of yogurt cake, then linger over conversation.
★ 4.7 · 306 reviews
Pop into BEATNIK, a sleek coffee shop beside the Meadows with exposed concrete and a relaxed crowd. Sip a flat white or matcha from its stylish cups, and linger for a chat.
★ 4.7 · 1,790 reviews
Step into LOWDOWN on George Street, a clean, modern coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. Work through the coffee flight or order a flat white with a baked treat.
★ 4.6 · 355 reviews
Head to Williams & Johnson Coffee Co. in Leith, a roastery café with a loyal following and a lively counter. Order the batch brew and a cinnamon bun with fresh strawberries and crème fraîche.
★ 4.5 · 155 reviews
Warm up at Fortitude Coffee on the route toward Holyrood Palace. Try the fresh, fruity espresso and judge for yourself whether its bold flavour suits your palate.
★ 4.4 · 3,786 reviews
Discover Cafe Royal, a grand Victorian pub just off the city centre, famed for its tiled walls and stained glass. Order real ales, a dram or fresh oysters beneath its soaring ceiling.
★ 4.4 · 1,715 reviews
Step into Origin Coffee on South College Street for a polished specialty coffee stop. Sip a single-origin brew in a rustic room with lavender on the tables, and add a pastry from the counter.
★ 4.5 · 1,504 reviews
Discover Sandy Bell's, a small, friendly pub where Scottish folk music fills the room most nights. Pull up a seat with a real ale or a single malt and enjoy the informal sessions alongside the locals.
★ 4.5 · 4,468 reviews
Step into The Guildford Arms, a lively Victorian pub where etched glass and ornate cornicing set the scene. Taste a real ale at the bar, then climb to the upstairs gallery for a Scottish meal.
Edinburgh · 🎨 Museum
National Museum of Scotland
2h30
Edinburgh · 🎭 Entertainment
Edinburgh Playhouse
Festival Theatre
National Galleries of Scotland: National
1h30
Edinburgh · ☕ Coffeebreak
Artisan Roast Broughton street
25 min
The Stand Comedy Club
2h
Edinburgh · 🛍️ Shopping
Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh
45 min
Valvona & Crolla
Usher Hall
Oh Deer Bakery & Coffee House
20 min
BEDROCK COFFEE
Machina Coffee - Marchmont Cafe
Peregrine - Northern Irish Bakery
Throat Punch Coffee Company
Wellington Coffee
30 min
Burr & Co. Edinburgh
Ante
Cairngorm Coffee
the source coffee roasters
Gordon St Coffee Edinburgh
The Milkman
Lovecrumbs West Port
BEATNIK
LOWDOWN
Williams & Johnson Coffee Co.
Fortitude Coffee
Edinburgh · 🍸 Drinks
Cafe Royal
Origin Coffee (South College Street)
Sandy Bell's
The Guildford Arms
