Best Arts and Culture Places in Edinburgh Waverley

"Split between two buildings on either side of Belford Road, Modern One and Modern Two, the gallery houses the nation's collection of modern and contemporary art. Modern Two, previously the Dean Gallery, was built as an orphanage. An austere structure, it's home to a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and a collection of the works of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi."

"It comprises two galleries, one on either side of Belford Road, and a fantastic sculpture park. The lawn at the front of Modern One was landscaped to a design by Charles Jencks. Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was designed by William Burn in 1825."

"You can explore Leith and visit the Trinity House Maritime Museum, stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway or see the latest exhibits on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art."

"This contemporary and applied art gallery features work by a range of established and emerging artists. The space places a heavy emphasis on printmakers, and you’ll see a huge collection of colourful prints as well as work by glass makers and other applied artists. Visit the gallery’s website."

"Located in the grounds of Edinburgh College of Art, this venue has a massive selection of club nights and gigs on offer. This place is a much-loved Edinburgh venue and prides itself on fantastic sound quality. It’s longest standing club night ‘The Egg’ has been going for over twenty years, consisting of themes like ‘David Bowie special’ until 3am every third Saturday of the month!"

"This small venue can be found in the Edinburgh Art College and it offers a mixture of indie nights and live gigs. It may be small but it's also cheap, comfortable and has a great student vibe although it is not restricted to students. If you want indie or rock at knockdown prices and you don't mind a lot of students then The Wee Red Bar is worth a visit."

"A post shared by Makars Gourmet Mash Bar Co. (@makarsmashbar) on Nov 19, 2019 at 9:49am PST. Quick bit of advice: don't come here if you don't like potatoes. But if you do, then welcome to heaven."

"Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, found on Bank Street, has wonderful reviews which include several people praising the extensive menu for featuring plenty of vegetarian and vegan options."

"Princes Street Gardens is located in the middle of Edinburgh, right beneath the castle. They used to be the site of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was built in the 1760s. The gardens have a wonderful view of the castle, and it is a great place to stroll or stop for a picnic."

"These beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a..."

"Edinburgh's 18th-century City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley have survived almost unchanged amid the foundations for 250 years. Now open to the public, this spooky, subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh. Costumed characters lead tours through a 16th-century town house and the plague-stricken home of a 17th-century gravedigger. Advance booking recommended."

"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."