The Atlas Obscura Guide To Edinburgh

190 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Updated August 5, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Edinburgh

A street in the close.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Mary King’s Close

This 17th-century street hidden beneath Edinburgh was once a breeding ground for the black death.

The fountain.

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witches' Well

The fountain marks the area where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

(Flickr/Wojtek Gurak)

Edinburgh, Scotland

Holyrood Abbey Ruins

Ruined 11th century abbey built by King David I in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Palm house

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh

One of the oldest scientific gardens in Britain, containing more than 13,302 plant species in its core collection.

Edinburgh’s oldest purpose built visitor attraction, The Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile

Edinburgh, Scotland

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

360° views of the city plus five floors of optical illusions and hands-on science.

The Witchery

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witchery

Near the former site of numerous witch burnings, this lavish Edinburgh mainstay pays homage to Scotland's brutal history.

A collection of 8 coffins with their lids and carved figures, found in a rocky niche on the north-eastern slopes of Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, in June 1836. © National Museums Scotland (used with permission)

Edinburgh, Scotland

Burke & Hare Murder Dolls

These tiny effigies are believed to represent victims of Edinburgh’s notorious Anatomy Murders.

See All 190 Things To Do in Edinburgh

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Edinburgh

The Witchery

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witchery

Near the former site of numerous witch burnings, this lavish Edinburgh mainstay pays homage to Scotland's brutal history.

The bar, with the window to the snug.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Bennets Bar

This historic pub has maintained much of its 1906 decor, including a small sequestered room for women, where orders were slipped through a tiny window.

The stained glass over the restaurant’s bar.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Cafe Royal

Come for the oysters, stay for the priceless art honoring inventors across history and Scotland's favorite outdoor sports.

See all 6 Places to Eat in Edinburgh

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

Hidden Edinburgh

Crowds clog Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the main artery between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. The road is dotted with stores selling Nessie trinkets and lined with bagpipers and street performers pulling off dazzling tricks. But look beyond the tartan tourist traps, and you’ll discover tucked-away gardens, remnants of the city’s medieval past, and much more.

Look closely and wander widely: Parliament Square is full of charm.

Explore Edinburgh, Scotland

History & Culture 34

Art 30

Architecture 26

History 25

Museums 20

Statues 15

Sculptures 14

Monuments 12

Animals 10

Churches 10

Architectural Oddities 9

Outsider Art 9

Plaques 9

Murals 8

Literature 8

Cemeteries 8

Royalty 7

Sacred Spaces 7

Memorials 7

War History 7

Unique Restaurants & Bars 4

Places To Stay 2

Edinburgh Leaderboard

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Places Visited

Recent Edinburgh Activity

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wants to go to Huly Hill
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Stories About Edinburgh

Haggis Bonbons, Arcade Bar, Edinburgh

How Edinburgh Made Haggis Cool Again

Pakoras, fried candy balls, and a chicken stuffed with the national dish. Scotland's most misunderstood food is having a moment.

by Auriane Rezé-Duclos, Community Contributor

Thomas Weir’s House, West Bow

The Staff That Still Seeks Its Master

On Edinburgh's West Bow, locals say a carved wooden staff still wanders the alley alone, decades after its owner was executed for witchcraft.

by Auriane Rezé-Duclos, Community Contributor

Edinburgh Castle, seen from below at sunset.

The Black Dinner

The banquet that inspired Game of Thrones' Red Wedding

by Auriane Rezé-Duclos, Community Contributor

At the University of Edinburgh’s graduation ceremony, a student is tapped with the Geneva Bonnet.

Before Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat, There Was the ‘Medieval Space Bonnet’

Legends swirl around the University of Edinburgh’s mysterious graduation bonnet.

by Sarah Thomson, Atlas Obscura

Uncovering Edinburgh’s Hidden Victorian History—One Doorway at a Time

A new project delves into the stories of forgotten Edinburgh residents and the places they called home.

by Sukhada Tatke, Atlas Obscura

September 6, 2023

On closer examination, the map reveals the places of residence of accused witches, here in the Greater Edinburgh area.

Explore This Map of More Than 3,000 Scottish Witches

An Edinburgh University project uses data to track the victims of Scottish "witch-prickers" in the 16th and 17th centuries.

by Frank Jacobs, Atlas Obscura

The bonfire and procession at the Beltane Fire Society’s 2019 event.

Why 18th-Century Scots Performed Mock Human Sacrifices Over Cake

This May Day, make Beltane bannock, a simple snack with a long history of superstition and divination.

by Sam O'Brien, Atlas Obscura

Podcast: Library of Mistakes

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.

by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

Lists Featuring Edinburgh

Twinings tea shop on the Strand.

Sashimi on a stick.

Top 25 Food Places that Fed Your Curiosity in 2025

Discover the food destinations Atlas Obscura readers loved most this year—and get inspired for where to go (and eat) next.

Including Café in the Crypt, Twinings Tea Shop, and Omoide Yokocho