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Museums, art galleries and exhibitions in Edinburgh

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Looking for museums, exhibitions or art galleries in Edinburgh?

From the Scottish National Gallery to Jupiter Artland sculpture park, contemporary art at the Fruitmarket or the National Museum of Scotland, our guide will help you discover the best galleries and museums in Edinburgh.

Start planning the perfect day in Edinburgh by finding the right art gallery or museum for you.

Must-see Edinburgh museums

Places to visit in Edinburgh with your National Art Pass

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Dovecot Studios

50% off exhibitions

Newhailes

Surgeons' Hall Museums

National Library of Scotland

National Museums Collection Ce...

Fruitmarket

10% off in shop and café

National War Museum

National Galleries Scotland: P...

50% off exhibitions

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Anthony van Dyck, A Wolf and Fox Hunt.

© Devonshire Collection, Chatsworth. Reproduced by permission of Chatsworth Settlement Trustees

Popular Edinburgh exhibitions

Visit these exhibitions in Edinburgh with your National Art Pass

01

Dürer to Van Dyck: Drawings fr...

9 November 2024 - 23 February 2025

National Galleries Scotland: National

50% off exhibitions

02

Barry Le Va: In a State of flu...

16 November 2024 - 2 February 2025

10% off in shop and café

03

Everlyn Nicodemus

19 October 2024 - 25 May 2025

National Galleries Scotland: National

04

Women in Revolt! Art and Activ...

25 May 2024 - 26 January 2025

National Galleries Scotland: Modern

50% off exhibitions

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Upcoming events

Make, play and learn at events in Edinburgh

Sleeping Beauty Panto

1 December 2024

Join us for our magical pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, performed by Geez a Break Productions....

National Mining Museum Scotland

Christmas Bauble Workshop

14 December 2024

Get into the festive spirit and deck the halls in style!

National Mining Museum Scotland

Night Walk for Edinburgh

19 April - 31 December 2024

Download Night Walk for Edinburgh on your phone or tablet and immerse yourself in the surr...

Get inspired

Recommendations for your next day out

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Recommendations

Ten Georgian houses

Palladian villas, Capability Brown gardens, the Gothic Revival: the Georgian era gave rise to some of Britain's most iconic architecture.

Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth

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On the hunt for surprising objects in the nation’s museums and galleries

The UK's museums and galleries are home to a host of surprising artefacts. Travel writer Georgina Wilson-Powell explores some of the more unusual...

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Top five contemporary art galleries in Scotland

The best places to discover cutting-edge contemporary art in Scotland.

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Museums and galleries for a perfect bank holiday weekend

Experience something new and take a culture trip this bank holiday weekend. Here’s a museum of every shape and size to inspire you.

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Discover somewhere new: Art and culture off the beaten track

In search of something out of the ordinary for your next museum visit? Here’s our pick of exciting, inspiring and unusual spaces to explore across...

Jack Lowden at the National Mu...

Actor Jack Lowden takes his friend and fellow actor Andrew Rothney to the National Museum...

National Museum of Scotland

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Art and About: Exploring modern art in Edinburgh

Art Fund member and Edinburgh enthusiast Ildiko explores some of the city’s modern and contemporary art with her National Art Pass.

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Five of the best gallery bars

From cocktails to craft beers to a bite to eat. We take a look at some of the best places to refresh yourself after drinking in all that art.

Charles Jencks, Cells of Life

The story behind Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh's 100-acre sculpture park

Veronica Simpson talks to Nicky and Robert Wilson, the couple behind the 100-acre public sculpture park on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Wangechi Mutu, Histology of the Different Classes of Uterine Tumors

Wangechi Mutu and the revelation of inequities

Marcus Field discovers a work at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art that raises questions about colonialism, race and gender.

Brian Cox at the Scottish Nati...

Actor Brian Cox shares some of his favourite works of art at the Scottish National Gallery...

National Galleries Scotland: National

Recommendations

Your summer, sorted

Plan the perfect summer with our guide to some of the best museums, galleries and historic houses to visit on a sunny summer's day.

The Old Schools Quad at the Bodleian Library

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Read the room: Five great libraries to explore

From one of the largest libraries in the world to one of the most famous, we highlight five reading rooms that will keep bookworms happy for hours.

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See the world in focus: five must-see photography collections

Take a closer look at our top photography collections across the UK.

The café-bar at Chapter in Cardiff, with work by Magda Archer on the walls.

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Our favourite museum and gallery cafés

Gallery hopping can be hungry work. Fuel your day of art at these excellent museum cafés – whether you’re looking for breakfast or brunch..

National Museum of Scotland

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An insider's guide to Edinburgh

From the Scottish National Gallery to Dovecot Studios, explore the best museums to visit in Edinburgh, thanks to a city local.

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The exhibitions you must see in 2024

Discover some of the biggest exhibitions opening in 2024.

Special episode: highlights fr...

In this special episode, we delve into the Meet Me at the Museum archive to pull out highl...

Hepworth Wakefield, Museum of the Year Winner, 2017. Photo: Marc Atkins / Art Fund 2017. MOTY 2017. CP0068

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Explore the most iconic museums the UK has to offer

Whether you love cutting-edge art, classical painting or artefacts from around the world, you’ll be able to see all your favourite things at these...

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Animal art to inspire your Wild Escape creations

We've found these creatures hiding in museums across the UK. Pick your favourite to draw, send it in to The Wild Escape, and watch it come to life!

The Virgin May fits in a garden, nursing the baby Jesus. She is wearing a luxurious orange road and is draped with a red shawl. Her hair is golden.

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Where to see Renaissance art in the UK

From London to Liverpool, we've picked some of the best galleries across the UK to discover Renaissance masterpieces with a National Art Pass.

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The more you see, the more we do.

The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.

Get a national art pass