The Atlas Obscura Guide To Edinburgh

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

Updated September 6, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Edinburgh

A street in the close.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Mary King's Close

17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were 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.

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 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.

Gilmerton Cove

Edinburgh, Scotland

Gilmerton Cove

This series of Scottish caves has no clear purpose other than baffling historians.

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.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Burke & Hare Murder Dolls

Tiny effigies of the victims of Edinburgh's famous Anatomy Murders.

See All 166 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.

Tolbooth Tavern

Edinburgh, Scotland

Tolbooth Tavern

Now home to a drinking establishment, this building has a macabre history.

See all 5 Places to Eat in Edinburgh

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland : Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Culture, history, and scenery with a globe-trotting bagpiper.

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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 31

Art 28

History 23

Statues 13

Sculptures 13

Monuments 12

Animals 9

Churches 8

Plaques 8

Cemeteries 8

Architectural Oddities 8

Outsider Art 8

Unique Restaurants & Bars 4

Places To Stay 2

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wants to go to Dr Neil's Garden
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Stories About Edinburgh

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

September 6, 2023

There were many hotspots of alleged witch activity in Central Scotland.

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, Big Think

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.

Podcast: Library of Mistakes

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

by The Podcast Team

One of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos.

The Extraordinary Life of the Freed Slave Who Taught Darwin Taxidermy

John Edmonstone was a mentor to the budding teenage naturalist.

by Sabrina Imbler

"The Anatomist overtaken by the Watch carry'ng off Miss W in a hamper." William Austin, 1773.

A Beginner's Guide to Body Snatching

Where to go for an education in grave robbery, the grisliest chapter in medical history.

by Molly McBride Jacobson

January 26, 2017

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