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Visitors inside a museum gallery in Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh

Rainy days in Edinburgh

Which you’ll get. Local guides, honest tips and the best times to go.

By Updated

Photo: Filip Pižl / Unsplash

In short

On a wet day in Edinburgh, head for the free National Museum of Scotland or the Scottish National Gallery, go underground at The Real Mary King’s Close, or visit Camera Obscura near the Castle. Then find a pub with a fire: the rain rarely lasts all day.

Visitors inside a museum gallery in EdinburghRainy day

Cover story

What to do in Edinburgh when it rains

The best things to do in Edinburgh on a rainy day, from free national museums and galleries to The Real Mary King's Close and Camera Obscura.

Read the guide

Where to go

Places worth the trip

All photo spots
The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill overlooking the Edinburgh skyline at golden hour01Calton HillEast EndBest: sunriseDean Village and the Water of Leith at sunrise02Dean VillageWest EndBest: early morningHouses and greenery on Circus Lane, Stockbridge03Circus LaneStockbridgeBest: grey daysColourful shopfronts on Victoria Street in the Old Town04Victoria StreetOld TownBest: before 8amLooking out over Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat05Arthur's SeatHolyrood ParkBest: golden hourA carved dog on a gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard06Greyfriars KirkyardOld TownBest: misty daysStone buildings beside the Water of Leith07The Shore, LeithLeithBest: blue hourPortobello Beach and the promenade at night08Portobello BeachPortobelloBest: sunrise

Good to know

Rainy days questions

What is there to do in Edinburgh when it rains?

Free museums and galleries, The Real Mary King’s Close, Camera Obscura, Surgeons’ Hall Museums, and the city’s many cafés and pubs.

Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh?

Showers are common in any season, but Edinburgh is drier than the west of Scotland. Weather changes quickly, so pack a waterproof and expect sunshine later.

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A walker on Circus Lane in Stockbridge

Only Edinburgh Photo Walks

Get photographed in Edinburgh

Small, relaxed photo walks with a local photographer, at the spots in this guide. Holiday portraits, couples and proposals, or learn to shoot the city yourself.

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