Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best Smart Adventurer spots for your trip

Corstorphine Hill

★ 4.8 · 41 reviews

Escape to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded local retreat on Edinburgh's western side. Follow gravel paths through trees and rocky sections, then look out over the Firth of Forth from the top.

Dr Neil's Garden

★ 4.7 · 1,041 reviews

Slip into Dr Neil's Garden, a tranquil hideaway in Duddingston beside a still pond. Follow winding paths past flower beds and take a bench to enjoy the calm.

The Anatomical Museum, The University of Edinburgh

★ 4.0 · 64 reviews

Seize a rare chance to visit the Anatomical Museum, the University of Edinburgh's original medical school collection. Study historic anatomical specimens on a booked open day, ideally with a guide explaining them.

Vivien

★ 4.6 · 14 reviews

Slip into Vivien, a cosy, classy cocktail bar tucked below Vinette. Order a dirty martini with its side of chips, then linger over a drinks list that also covers wine and inventive alcohol-free options.

St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum, The University of Edinburgh

★ 4.9 · 107 reviews

Slip into St Cecilia's Hall, an 18th-century concert room that doubles as a music museum. Browse early keyboard instruments up close and listen as knowledgeable volunteers demonstrate how they sound.

Dunbars Close

★ 4.6 · 568 reviews

Find Dunbars Close, a secret courtyard garden just off the Royal Mile. Step through the passage and wander its parterres and hedges for a quiet break from the Old Town crowds.

Blackford Hill

★ 4.9 · 141 reviews

Head up Blackford Hill, a local favourite and nature reserve with a gentle climb. Wander between grassland and trees, watch for buzzards, and settle at a viewpoint for Edinburgh's skyline at sunset.

Craigmillar Castle Park

★ 4.6 · 200 reviews

Stroll through Craigmillar Castle Park, a quiet green corner of south-east Edinburgh. Follow the woodland paths, let children loose on the playground, and wander around the castle ruins.

Marchmont

Step off the tourist trail into Marchmont, a tenement-lined district south of the Meadows. Stroll its Victorian streets and pause at an independent café to see how locals live.

Joao's Place

★ 4.4 · 78 reviews

Discover Joao's Place, an atmospheric cocktail bar with a view and a menu of inventive drinks. Order something creative, share a few snacks and take in the setting.

Dominion Cinema

★ 4.8 · 1,845 reviews

Settle into the Dominion Cinema, a 1938 Art Deco gem in Morningside. Catch a mainstream film in plush, old-fashioned comfort and take in the cafe-bar and period details before the lights go down.

The Last Word

★ 4.8 · 451 reviews

Discover The Last Word, a cosy basement bar hidden in Stockbridge behind an unassuming front. Settle into the dim, vintage-filled room and work through well-made cocktails or a single malt.

Crybaby

★ 4.6 · 46 reviews

Discover Crybaby, a buzzing Edinburgh bar with great music and a lively crowd. Dig into flavourful wings and loaded sides, then stay on for drinks late into the evening.

Spylaw Park

Seek out Spylaw Park, a hidden-gem green space that locals know well. Take a 45-minute stroll through its quiet, attractive grounds and enjoy a peaceful pause from the city.

St Bernard's Well

★ 4.6 · 1,100 reviews

Wander down to St Bernard's Well, a small temple and spring tucked beside the Water of Leith. Photograph the statue and listen to the water before continuing along the riverside path.

The Wee Red Bar

★ 4.3 · 146 reviews

Discover The Wee Red Bar, a small, inclusive bar-club tucked inside Edinburgh's university. Catch a live gig or a DJ set in a cosy room that locals and students call their own.

Starbank Park

★ 4.8 · 194 reviews

Climb Starbank Park in Newhaven for views across the Firth of Forth and, in spring, a blaze of cherry blossom. Walk both park sections and pause among the tulips with the sea in sight.

Mansfield Traquair

★ 4.7 · 313 reviews

Discover Mansfield Traquair, the converted church known as Edinburgh's Sistine Chapel. Step inside on an open day to take in the painted murals, stained glass and elegant stonework.

Nauticus

★ 4.8 · 601 reviews

Discover Nauticus, a ship-inspired pub in Leith with dark panelling and glittering chandeliers. Pick a dram or a craft cocktail and settle into the cosy, convivial atmosphere.

Duddingston Kirk

★ 4.7 · 79 reviews

Wander up to Duddingston Kirk, a tiny Romanesque church above Duddingston Loch. Look over the old gravestones, spot the octagonal gatehouse and enjoy the stillness of the village.

Vinette

★ 4.6 · 76 reviews

Book a table at Vinette, a stylish Edinburgh restaurant where the open kitchen is part of the show. Order the monkfish, venison tartare and freshly baked bread in a cosy, buzzing room.

New College, The University of Edinburgh

★ 4.8 · 102 reviews

Step into New College, the University of Edinburgh's divinity school tucked beside the Old Town. Admire the building's architecture and atmosphere, and peek at the library that reviewers find so impressive.

Edinburgh Printmakers

★ 4.7 · 221 reviews

Visit Edinburgh Printmakers for a closer look at the craft behind the print. Move through the exhibitions, browse the shop for prints to take home, and rest in the cafe afterwards.

The People's Story Museum

★ 4.4 · 695 reviews

Pop into The People's Story Museum, tucked inside the 16th-century Tolbooth on the Royal Mile. Follow the working lives of Edinburgh residents from the late 1700s through free, detailed displays.

Figgate Park

★ 4.6 · 1,311 reviews

Walk the paths of Figgate Park, a local green space around a large pond in Edinburgh's east. Look out for swans and ducks, and stop at the picnic tables.

Handsel

★ 5.0 · 24 reviews

Seek out Handsel, a small Edinburgh gift shop packed with unique finds. Browse presents, locally inspired prints and picture frames, and pick up a souvenir you won't see elsewhere.

Colinton Station & Tunnel

★ 4.7 · 1,151 reviews

Walk through Colinton Tunnel, an old railway tunnel transformed into a storybook mural. Follow the illustrated Robert Louis Stevenson poem along the walls and out onto a leafy nature path.

Dogstar

★ 4.7 · 109 reviews

Head to Dogstar in Leith for a meal built around small plates meant to be shared. Order a handful of dishes for the table and settle in with the warm, easygoing service reviewers rave about.

Hey Palu

★ 4.9 · 1,113 reviews

Discover Hey Palu, a relaxed cocktail bar built around Italian liqueurs and digestifs. Pull up to the bar, ask for a recommendation and sample classic and modern drinks.

FIN & GRAPE

★ 4.8 · 183 reviews

Sit down at Fin & Grape for fresh seafood in a relaxed, dog-friendly setting. Choose the set menu and trust the kitchen to guide you through a meal reviewers call a highlight of Edinburgh.