Things to do in Edinburgh tonight
Ghost tours on the Royal Mile, the whisky bars of the Grassmarket, comedy at The Stand and, in summer, daylight until ten.
10 picks that fit, best first. The order follows the live forecast and the time of day.
Calton Hill
New Town
A ten-minute climb to the unfinished Parthenon and the best sunset in the city.
Timed right for sunset. Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
Holyrood
An extinct volcano in the middle of the city, an hour’s climb to a view of everything.
Timed right for sunset. Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Half a day
- Good with kids
The Royal Mile and its closes
Old Town
The spine of the Old Town from the castle to Holyrood, with hidden closes off both sides.
Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Grassmarket and Victoria Street
Old Town
The curved street of coloured shopfronts and the square of pubs beneath the castle.
Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- In and out
- Under 2 hours
- Fine in rain
Portobello Beach
Portobello
Two miles of sand and a Victorian promenade, twenty minutes from the centre by bus.
Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Half a day
- Good with kids
The Real Mary King’s Close
Royal Mile
A guided tour through the seventeenth-century streets buried under the City Chambers.
Good in the evening.
- £10 to £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Old Town
The graveyard of Greyfriars Bobby, the Covenanters and, allegedly, some Harry Potter names.
Good in the evening. Free.
- Free
- Outdoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Castlehill
Five floors of optical tricks, a mirror maze and a Victorian camera obscura at the top.
Good in the evening.
- £10 to £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
- Good with kids
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Castlehill
A barrel ride through the making of whisky, then a tasting beside the world’s biggest collection.
Good in the evening.
- Over £25
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
The Stand Comedy Club
York Place
A basement comedy club with shows most nights and a free improv session on Sundays.
Good in the evening.
- Under £10
- Indoors
- Under 2 hours
Good to know
What can I do in Edinburgh tonight?
Ghost tours on the Royal Mile, the whisky bars of the Grassmarket, comedy at The Stand and, in summer, daylight until ten. The 10 picks here all work after dark; the list is reordered for the weather, so on a wet night the indoor options come first.
What is open late in Edinburgh?
Food halls, bars, theatres and a few attractions with late openings. Opening hours change, so check the official site link on each card before you set off.