Are you looking for unusual things to do in Edinburgh?

Beyond main attractions like the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat, you’ll find quirky shops and museums, peaceful parks, and cosy cafes for winding down.

In this guide, I share my top recommendations for getting off the beaten path in Edinburgh and exploring the city’s non-touristy side.

Unusual things to do in Edinburgh

Here’s how to escape the crowds in Edinburgh.

1. Go on a coffee and cake crawl in Bruntsfield

Bruntsfield is my favourite neighbourhood in Edinburgh, mainly because it’s teeming with coffee shops serving artisan brews. Bruntsfield is also the place where you can find some of the best cakes in the city.

If you want to get away from the crowds without straying too far from the city centre, go for a walk up Bruntsfield Place, a long street lined with gift shops, food stores, and coffee shops.

On a nice day, you can sip your coffee in Bruntsfield Links, a gorgeous park right across the Meadows.  

Some of my favourite cafes in the area include Artisan Roast, which serves freshly roasted and award-winning gourmet coffee, and Project Coffee, which also makes delicious cakes.

2. Walk along the Water of Leith

A river runs through the heart of Edinburgh, although it’s well-hidden and very easy to miss. The Water of Leith Walkway is a beautiful walk through some of the the city’s most beautiful residential areas.

Start your walk from the scenic Dean Village or Stockbridge, and keep walking until you reach The Shore in Leith (although you may turn back or leave the walkway at any point, of course).  

Once you get to The Shore, pop into The Clock on the Shore for a spot of lunch (I used to eat here frequently when I lived in Leith).

3. Go cycling or hiking along the Union Canal

The Union Canal is perfect for walkers, joggers and cyclists – although some parts of the path are a bit bumpy. The canal starts from Edinburgh city centre – more specifically, an area called Fountainbridge, where you can find a few nice restaurants – and goes all the way to Falkirk.

The route runs through some of the city’s most scenic neighbourhoods. If you don’t want to travel far from the city centre, you could stop at Harrison Park for a wee picnic or to snap photos of the colourful barges in this area.

4. Explore the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill

Want to go on a wee adventure in the city?

The Hermitage of Braid is a walk through the city’s woodland, where you can do some wildlife-spotting or just enjoy a peaceful hike along the stream.

If you’re staying in the city centre, you will need to get a bus that stops at Comiston Road. There is a cafe at the entrance of the Hermitage, although I do suggest you pack some food and water before heading there.  

Next to the Hermitage you’ll find Blackford Hill, which offers panoramic views of the city and the Firth of Forth. The steps leading up the hill are a bit exhausting – but you won’t be disappointed when you reach the top!

Want to go hiking in Edinburgh? Check out these scenic hiking trails.

5. Visit Craigmillar Castle

It may not be as popular and majestic as Edinburgh Castle, but Craigmillar Castle is still worth a visit. This medieval castle has starred in Outlander and it is one of my favourite places in Edinburgh.

There are many secret passageways and chambers in the castle, making it a joy to explore, especially if you’re visiting Edinburgh outside the peak travel season. I visited in December and November and had the whole castle to myself!

6. Lose yourself in the city’s second-hand bookshops

Edinburgh is home to several quirky second-hand bookshops, which makes the city a mecca for bookworms and collectors of old books. A great place to start your ‘bookshop crawl’ is West Port, near the Grassmarket.

Armchair Books, Peter Bell Books, Cabaret Antiques & Curios and Edinburgh Books are some of the amazing bookshops you’ll find in this area, and they are packed with literary gems and surprises.

Tip: If you want to sit in a cosy place with a cuppa after your book haul, head to Lovecrumbs; a coffee shop in West Port that serves amazing cakes.

7. Have a picnic in Inverleith Park

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Inverleith Park is a nice, quiet park where you can just unwind with a bottle of wine and absorb the beautiful views of the New Town and the castle.

Inverleith Park is situated right next to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, and boasts a large pond and a hill that serves as the perfect viewing point for the fireworks on Hogmanay and during the festival season.  

Princes Street Gardens and The Meadows tend to be a bit busy in the summer, but Inverleith Park remains fairly off the tourist radar, which makes it an ideal place for picnics or sunbathing.

8. Watch an indie film at the Cameo

The Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh is one of the oldest cinemas in Scotland. Housed in a Victorian tenement building, this cinema has remained largely unchanged since its opening in 1914.

In fact, you can still see some of its original features, including the ticket kiosk and Art Nouveau decorations, like columns and mouldings.

The Cameo only has three cinema screens and mostly showcases indie films and classic movies. The cosy Cameo Cinema Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a nice snack, like homemade soups and cakes, before or after your film.

9. Take photos of Edinburgh’s Wild West

Did you know that Edinburgh has a hidden Wild West town?

Tucked away in a wee alley in the neighbourhood of Morningside, this Wild West set was built by a furniture company in the 1990s to be used in its advertising features.

Nowadays, the film set mainly serves as garages and workshops. If you find yourself in Morningside, pop into this alley for some cool photos.

10. Visit the cute animals at Love Gorgie Farm

Looking for more unusual things to do in Edinburgh? Take a trip to Love Gorgie Farm, where you can meet a range of adorable animals, including ducks, guinea pigs and sheep. There is also a herb and vegetable garden.

The farm offers an inclusive and relaxing space for the local community and runs several educational tours and workshops.

11. Have a dazzling experience at Camera Obscura

The Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is one of the city’s most fascinating attractions. Just steps from the iconic Edinburgh Castle, it combines historic charm with optical illusions for all the family.

There are several interactive exhibits that help you explore perception and light in a fun and often surprising ways.

The highlight is the rooftop camera obscura itself: a centuries-old device that projects a live, moving image of the city onto a viewing table using only mirrors and natural light.