The best museums in Edinburgh in October 2025

These are the top 20 best museums in Edinburgh, Scotland, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Edinburgh, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Edinburgh.

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Looking for the best museums in Edinburgh? These are the best ones:

  1. Scottish National Gallery1

    Scottish National Gallery

     Edinburgh
    The National Gallery of Scotland opened in 1859 and is housed in a neoclassical building designed by William Henry Playfair. The gallery houses a collection of both classical and modern art from various countries. The displays are organized according to countries and periods. Highlights of the perma
  2. Scottish National Portrait Gallery2

    Scottish National Portrait Gallery

     Edinburgh
    The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is an art museum in Edinburgh housed in a red sandstone Gothic revival building that was built between 1885 and 1890, designed by Robert Rowand Anderson. The museum holds the national collections of portraits and the Scottish National Photography Collection. Th
  3. Edinburgh Zoo3

    Edinburgh Zoo

     Edinburgh
    Have an unforgettable day out at Edinburgh Zoo, home of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and over 2,500 incredible animals from around the world! Set in over 82 acres of wooded hillside, the zoo is open seven days a week and is a gateway to the natural world, where you can experience
  4. Surgeons' Hall Museums4

    Surgeons' Hall Museums

     Edinburgh
    Surgeons' Hall, located in Edinburgh, Scotland, serves as the headquarters for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd). This historic building is not only an important institution for medical professionals, but also a significant landmark in the city.
  5. Craigmillar Castle5

    Craigmillar Castle

     Edinburgh
    Craigmillar Castle is a museum in Edinburgh. The museum features exhibits related to Social History and Architecture.
  6. Museum of Childhood6

    Museum of Childhood

     Edinburgh
    The Museum of Childhood, situated on the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, is home to a vast collection of children's toys. This unique museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of childhood, with exhibits spanning from the 18th to the 21st century. Visitors can explore a variety of toys and memorabilia, providing a nostalgic journey through the evolution of children's playthings.
  7. The Museum on the Mound7

    The Museum on the Mound

     Edinburgh
    The Museum on the Mound, located in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a unique institution that concentrates on the themes of money, coinage, and economics. It provides an in-depth look into the history and evolution of these subjects, offering a unique perspective on how they have shaped society and the world at large.
  8. Peoples' Story Museum8

    Peoples' Story Museum

     Edinburgh
    The Museum of Edinburgh, previously known as Huntly House and the historic Bank of Scotland Head Office, is situated at 142-146 Canongate. This location is in the heart of Edinburgh, making it easily accessible for both locals and tourists. The museum is housed in a unique yellow, three-story building that dates back to the late 16th century.
  9. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art9

    Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

     Edinburgh
    The National Galleries Scotland is a significant institution that oversees three national galleries and two partner galleries. These galleries form part of the National Collections of Scotland, a collection of significant cultural and historical artifacts. The organization's role is to manage these galleries, care for and preserve the objects in its collections, exhibit artworks to the public, and promote education and public enjoyment and understanding of the Fine Arts.
  10. Writers' Museum10

    Writers' Museum

     Edinburgh
    The Writers' Museum is a literary museum that is devoted to three Scottish writers. Once collection is dedicated to Robert Burns, a Scottish national poet and lyricist. Another collection focuses on Robert Louis Stevenson, a poet and novelist, the author of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. And
  11. Lauriston Castle11

    Lauriston Castle

     Edinburgh
    Lauriston Castle, located in the Scottish city of Edinburgh, is a historical site dating back to the 16th century. The castle, which has been extended in the 19th century, offers a stunning view over the Firth of Forth. This makes it not only a place of historical interest but also a location with a beautiful landscape.
  12. Royal Observatory Visitor Centre12

    Royal Observatory Visitor Centre

     Edinburgh
    The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is housed in a bold Italianate building located on Blackford Hill two miles south of the city. Their mission is to promote interest in astronomy and to support science education. They seek to exploit the Royal Observatory's mix of real astronomical science, technolog
  13. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum13

    The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum

     Edinburgh
    The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum is a regimental museum that showcases the collections of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and its predecessor regiments. It provides a comprehensive view of the history and heritage of these regiments, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in military history.
  14. Royal Scots Regimental Museum14

    Royal Scots Regimental Museum

     Edinburgh
    Royal Scots Regimental Museum is a museum in Edinburgh that tells the story of the Regiment in chronological order on pictorial wall panels supported by maps, display cases, tableaux and dioramas. Its medal collection is partly on display. Besides this, the museum features weapons, pictures, collect
  15. Water of Leith Visitor Centre15

    Water of Leith Visitor Centre

     Edinburgh
    Water of Leith Visitor Centre is a museum in Edinburgh. The museum features exhibits related to: inland waterways and natural sciences.
  16. Our Dynamic Earth16

    Our Dynamic Earth

     Edinburgh
    Dynamic Earth, originally known as Our Dynamic Earth, is a not-for-profit visitor attraction and science centre located in Edinburgh. It is Scotland's largest interactive visitor attraction, offering a unique and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. The centre is situated in Holyrood, beside the Scottish Parliament building and at the foot of Salisbury Crags, making it easily accessible for tourists.
  17. Inverleith House17

    Inverleith House

     Edinburgh
    Inverleith House is a historic building located within the Royal Botanic Garden in the suburb of Inverleith, Edinburgh, Scotland. This house, designed in 1773 by David Henderson and built for James Rocheid in 1774, offers a unique blend of history and nature. It was bought by the city in 1877 and has since undergone several restorations, including after a fire. Today, it serves as an exhibition space for the Royal Botanic Garden, showcasing both botanical and contemporary art.
  18. St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments18

    St Cecilia's Hall Museum of Instruments

     Edinburgh
    St Cecilia's Hall, a small concert hall and museum, is situated in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is conveniently located on the corner of Niddry Street and the Cowgate, just about 168 metres south of the famous Royal Mile. This makes it easily accessible for tourists exploring the city.
  19. Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments19

    Reid Concert Hall Museum of Instruments

     Edinburgh
    The Reid Concert Hall is a quaint music venue nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is conveniently located in Bristo Square, just a short distance south of the famous Royal Mile. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists exploring the city's historic sites.
  20. Anatomical museum20

    Anatomical museum

     Edinburgh
    Anatomical museum is a museum in Edinburgh which holds a collection of around 12,000 objects and specimens that tell the story of 300 years of anatomical teaching at the University of Edinburgh. The collection is partly related to pathology, anatomy and zoology with anatomical teaching models, human

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