One museum, two conjoined buildings. The modern half of this complex on Chambers Street opened in 1998 and tells you everything about Scotland from its geological and prehistoric past to its social and political present. The older half of the National Museum with the soaring Victorian atrium – massively refurbished over several years then reopened in 2011 – is more of a crowd-pleaser with galleries covering the natural world, science and technology, art and design, and more.
It's all fun and games having a jam-packed social calendar, it's even better when you don't have to constantly splash the cash. Edinburgh is full of ways to empty your wallet, thanks to its Michelin-starred restaurants and world famous attractions. But it's also possible to explore some of the best parts of the Scottish capital while you're on a budget.
From museums and art galleries to gardens and exceptional views, these are our top recommendations when it comes to spending absolutely nothing in Edinburgh. Luckily, some of the best free things to do are the best things the city has to offer, full stop.
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At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.