Edinburgh on a budget - things to see and do

Edinburgh Castle

As I mentioned in the beginning of this series, Edinburgh is a tourist town and a lot of things are quite pricey. And the tourist attractions are no exception of course. You pay around £15 for one person for the Edinburgh Castle and that doesn't even include a guided tour or refreshments, the same goes for Holyrood Palace or Mary King's Close. There are a few occasions like St. Andrew's Day or The Edinburgh Advent Calender where at least some of the main attractions are free but of course they are over crowded and it can be a pain wanting to see them.


Here are my favourite free things to do in and around Edinburgh:

The National Museum
No matter if you are all grown up, still in contact with your inner child or even traveling with children, there is interesting stuff for everyone. Of course you can learn about Scotland's history, but also Animals, Space, Geology and lot's more. And there are things do to for kids in every room. One time I went in there with a 5 year old kid I was babysitting and I had to drag her out of there at 5pm when they closed, because she had so much fun. And the best thing: IT'S FREE (unless it is special, limited exhibitions).

The National Gallery
Located right next to Princess Street the National Gallery is spread out over two Roman (or is it Greek?) looking temples with big columns. The building closer to the Old Town shows pictures from all major Masters: Rubens, van Gogh, Titian... you name it, they have it. I am by no means an art expert but I was impressed by the collection, especially since just like the Museum it's FREE!
In the lower part of the same building you find the Scottish collection which also hosts some impressive paintings, some of personal favorites are among them. 
The other building hosts modern art. I have to admit I haven't been in that one yet, as the first one already almost an entire day to explore, but from what I have heard it is just as impressive as the the one with the old masters.
There are other Galleries in Edinburgh, some of them are free as well and worth visiting in my opinion like the Portrait Gallery and the Dean Gallery. There is even a shuttle bus going between the different galleries and they also offer classes with renown artists (which are not free unfortunately).

The Free Walking Tour
Actually there is more than just one company but New Europe are the original and have been doing free tours in Edinburgh since for ever, so they are the ones I recommend. They meet twice - in summer three times - a day in front of the Tron Kirk from where they start their tour which covers some the most interesting stories from Edinburgh's history as well as the most important sights in Edinburgh's upper Old Town, the Grassmarket and area aroung Greyfriar's Kirkyard. The guys who do these tours do that for a living, so they expect a little tip at the end of their tour. Give generously if you can so they can keep doing a good job.

Carlton Hill

View from Carlton Hill towards north

If you walk around Edinburgh's city centre you will at some point see the strange temple like structure or the tower up on Carlton Hill. It is a popular view point for tourists as you get amazing views over the city, Arthur's Seat, the Pentland hills and even down to the Firth of Fourth, many festivities happen up there like Beltane and the end of the torch procession a day before New Year's Eve.
In summer people like to sit in the grass or on the benches, having a picnic. And the good thing is that it is by far not as exhausting to get up there as to it's big brother Arthur's Seat.

Arthur's Seat

Arthur's Seat is the biggest hill down in Holyrood Park. Too steep and narrow and too many cliffs make it impossible to build houses on it has become the mini Highlands in Edinburgh's city centre. People use it as free gym, view point for all kinds of occasions, to walk their dogs or just to go and see something green between all the grey and more grey of the city.
In one story we learn that Arthur's Seat was the seat of a giant named Arthur who had a party on the Isle of Skye who threw his seat all the way to Edinburgh and that's where it still is to this day. More modern interpretations are that it is an inactive volcano (which is quite exciting in my opinion as well).



Portobello

Fun times in Portobello

Portobello is a small coastal town to the north east of Edinburgh
but is so close that you can easily walk there (takes about an hour from the Royal Mile) or take he local bus. In fact many people consider it part of Edinburgh. With it's beach and little shops in the town centre it is perfect for a lazy afternoon away. Take the kids, if you have any, build a sandcastle, have some ice cream and collect some shells. It's a little holiday from your holiday.



Cramond Island
It's a little Island in the Firth of Fourth but further to the west then Portobello. Take bus no.41 to Cramond from there you can walk across a causway to the Island, if the tide is low. Make sure to check the times of the tide, as you don't want to get stuck on the Island or even worse get caught in the returning water on the causeway. I also recommend proper shoes, like trainers because the causeway for one is from World War II and slowly crumbling away and the Island itself has a few lumps and bumps. But it is a cool little Island with some medieval ruins covered in trees and a bunch of World War II buildings which are now abandoned and used by locals during parties on the Island.
Since the 80s the punk scene takes over the Island for one weekend in August where they carry instruments, generators, amps, food and drinks across the causeway for a one of a kind DIY festival.

Forest Cafe
If you are looking for evening entertainment have a look what's going on at the Forest Cafe. Quite often they have (live) music and usually it's free. You can bring your own booze but have to pay a little fee per bottle you bring in.

Banshee Labyrinth
A really cool and spooky kind of venue half way between pub and club which has often free live music and parties but also a free cinema, where they show a variety of films. From good old Ghost Busters to the Avengers...

Edinburgh on a budget - food

Last time we got accommodation sorted, this article will make sure that you won't go hungry, even if you are on a tight budget.

THE most important tip would be, don't go where there are a lot of tourists. With very few exceptions restaurants, pubs and coffee shops in the pretty and busy areas are pricey.  But usually you only have to go a few hundred meters and you'll find what you're looking for, just less expensive.

I should also mention that I know the area around the Old Town way better than the New Town. So if you have any suggestions for food in the New Town, let me know. In this article I will mainly feature places in the Old Town.

When you are out and about on the Royal Mile the cheapest way to get some grub in your belly is probably the supermarket, especially if you are two people or more. On South Bridge you'll find a Sainsbury's and a Tesco's, the latter one is usually cheaper. But if you just keep walking another five minutes up the road you'll find a Lidl which is the cheapest. All of these shops have a little bakery section, sandwiches, fruit, cakes and drinks. Just grab whatever looks good to you and sit down in a park like the Medows or Princess Street Gardens.
If you are in the New Town there is Sainbury's in the East End of Rose Street and a Co-op in Frederick Street, there is also a Marks and Spencers on Princess Street but it is more expensive than the other two.
And of course, if you are staying at a hostel or couchsurfing, you can buy ingredients for dinner there as well.

But what, if you there is just no way you can eat somewhere outside because it is cold, wet and simply miserable? Here are a few cheap options to sit in. Again, I know the Old Town better than the rest of town.

Just off the Royal Mile is Cockburn Street (they pronounce it Coburnstreet, haha) and at the very top is The Baked Potato Shop aka the hottest tattie in town. A small baked potato and 2-3 fillings are usually enough to fill your belly. I sometimes still make the mistake to take a regular one and end up with more than I can eat. Oh well, leftovers for another time. Unfortunately the Baked Potato Shop only has one small table so there isn't always space to sit in. But maybe the people already sitting there are nice enough to scoot over and share the table. Time to make new friends.

Just a few yards (or metres) down Cockburn street is a close going down to the train station, you'll find a Kurdish Doner Kebab place called YamYam's. And no matter, if you sit in or take away they are cheaper than the chip chops (or chippy as we call them here) on the Royal Mile (Clam Shell) or South Bridge (Pizza Paradise, although, they rock because they are open till 5am). And if you are around for a while and they start to recognize you, you might get a discount. I sometimes do ;-)

On South Bridge there is an Asian Noodle place called Yokoko. They are very well known for really bad service but somehow I find that entertaining and the cheap meals make up for it. It certainly isn't the best meal you will ever have in your life but £10 for a starter, a main and a drink is extremely cheap considering how close it is to all the attractions in town.

Just a 5 minute walk up the road from Yokoko is the Mosque Kitchen which is actually close the Mosque. There is the new and fancy looking one which apparently is a bit more expensive than the old one. To get to the old one you basically have to go into the new ones backyard. Again, I have never been there myself but I have been told that you get a huge plate full of good food for very little money.

Should you find yourself in Tollcross and you suddenly get hungry make your way to The Forest Cafe. It is right on the big cross road in the newish brick building. It is a lovely artsy volunteer run place which offers amazing food, interesting people and quite often free events.

Also in Tollcross is Killer Restaurant which is an Indian buffet restaurant with a small but very tasty selection of well known Indian dishes. Dinner is just £10 and you can eat as much as you like and lunch is available for only £6. The interior is rustic-hip and the staff are really nice. You can bring your own booze and the soft drinks are super affordable as well.  

On Monday nights you can go to a pub on the bottom of the Royal Mile called Kilderkin you can get pizza for only £1. The catch is that you have to buy a drink for at least £1.70 but still for only 2.70 you basically get an entire meal. The pizzas are not fancy or big, but you definitely get more value for your money that you'd might expect. And I like the pub itself. They always play great music and it's one of the few places actually in the Royal Mile that offer cheap food. Even it it's just once a week.

Hidden in a tiny street in the New Town just off North Bridge is a place called Snack Cafe. I have never been there myself but I have been told they have extremely cheap food and the quality is better than you might expect from a place that cheap. It is a well known secret here in Edinburgh.

I am sure over time I will come across more cheap and good food places and might write a second article about them. Until then, let me know, if you have any suggestions. I am happy to check them out!