Things to do
Alien Bloc
alien rock was Scotlands first dedicated indoor climbing centre and has been providing a fun, exciting and friendly venue for indoor climbers since 1994. Indoor climbing is suitable for almost all ages and abilities from the complete novice to experienced climber, whether you visit individually or as part of a group of friends.
Arthur's Seat
The 251m peak of Arthur’s Seat stands out against the skyline from almost anywhere in Edinburgh. The summit offers great panoramic views of the city, making it popular with walkers and tourists. It is home to three small lochs and St Anthony’s chapel, an medieval ruin perched on the north slope.
Black Moon Botanica
Black Moon Botanica is an independent retailer of herbal remedies, esoteric art and literature, crystals and tarot, situated just doors down from the famous Greyfriars Kirk. The shop also boasts a wide variety of all-natural, beautifully scented handmade candles, with owner Brooke 'bringing candlemaking back to its original home from the 1600s'. Established in 2019, the Botanica has quickly become a must-visit for any fan of the occult and the magical.
Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve
Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve is an area of outstanding natural beauty in Edinburgh. It is home to a variety of historical sites including Hermitage of Braid, the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, and the ruins of an old fort and settlement. Visit Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, get closer to nature, and view the gorgeous skyline of Scotland's capital.
Bonnie & Wild's Scottish Marketplace
After being warmly welcomed into Bonnie & Wild, you'll get the chance to choose between eight exciting food stalls offering delicious seasonal meals. From fresh seafood from Creel Caught, or burgers from the UK's winner of the Best Burger Award - El Perro Negro, Bonnie & Wild have curated some of Scotland's best eateries under one roof.
With pop-up kitchen's, and seasonal menus at Bonnie & Wild's varied range of cuisines, customers can discover something new every time they return to Bonnie & Wild. The marketplace caters to all guests, offering gluten-free, vegan, and halal...
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is an iconic feature of Edinburgh's skyline and the perfect place to look out over the stunning city views. Explore the hill's landmark monuments - including the unfinished National Monument, 'Edinburgh's Disgrace', inspired by the Athenian Parthenon - visit the City Observatory, or simply take in the beautiful panorama of Edinburgh.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
The eye-catching Camera Obscura building stands at the top of the Royal Mile and contains an amazing range of optical experiences across five floors. The 'camera' itself is a giant Victorian periscope offering an interesting 360° perspective on Edinburgh. The show happens every 15 minutes and your ticket tells you when to sit in to the fun, informative and interactive talk about the city. But checking out the major attractions while sitting in a completely dark room is just the start. This truly exciting visitor centre offers mind-blowing rooms and illusions such as the Mirror Maze, the Ames...
The Cauldron Edinburgh
The Cauldron Magical Cocktail Experience is a 1 hr 45 min immersive class where you wield a working magic wand and use molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs. After donning a robe and receiving a magic wand, you are led to an interactive work station where you test out your magic wand by pouring a welcome drink. You then choose two potions to brew from our range of molecular potion options, each of which have different traits and effects.
City of Edinburgh Tours
Our tour guides are dressed in full period costume and each play a real individual from this city’s history. The long-standing motto of our company is Be Enlightened & Be Frightened. While some of the stories you hear on our tours may seem too incredible to be true, they are all based on real people and actual real life events. Our founder is a published local historian and a number of our cultural tours have been developed by a PhD in Scottish history. The spine tingling stories told on our tours mean that unlike other tour providers, we do not require jump scares or cheap tricks to...
Collective
Established as an artist-run gallery in 1984, the Collective is committed to supporting new visual art through a programme of exhibitions, projects and commissions. It shows sculpture, painting, film and photography, nearly all of it self-generated, and collaborates with an average of 12 artists a year, with a particularly high profile at the Edinburgh Art Festival in August and events such as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
One commission that typifies the gallery's expansive approach was Aleksandra Mir’s How Not to Cookbook, an anthology of...
Curiouser & Curiouser
A well-loved Broughton boutique and online retailer, Curiouser & Curiouser casts its net wide, selling kitchenware from Koloni and Sagaform, ethically-sourced homewares and textiles from Nkuku and Ayla, and a range of gifts, prints, bags and jewellery, as well as a picture framing service.