Central Belt
Cheap date ideas in Edinburgh
Updated
Edinburgh can feel like an expensive city, but most of its best dates are free. Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill give you the classic views, the National Museum and the Scottish National Gallery cost nothing to get into, and the Water of Leith Walkway runs from Dean Village, ten minutes from Princes Street, to Stockbridge. Portobello’s promenade, the Botanic Garden and the Hermitage of Braid are free too. For a little more, Sandy Bell’s has live fiddles and pipes every night for the price of a drink, and the Cameo, one of Scotland’s oldest working cinemas, lets you take your drinks into the screen. Neither needs a big night’s budget.
Our picks
Arthur's Seat
Holyrood Park, at the foot of the Royal Mile
Address: Holyrood Park, Queen's Drive, Edinburgh EH8 8AZ- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Active
Climb the old volcano in Holyrood Park for a view over the whole city, from the castle to the Firth of Forth.
Why it's a good date: It feels like a proper hill walk, and you're back in town within a couple of hours. Go early for a quieter summit, wear decent shoes, and stop for breakfast in the Old Town on the way down. Dogs are welcome in the park: keep them on a lead where signs ask, in the bird nesting season.
Photo: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Calton Hill
Regent Road, at the east end of Princes Street
Address: Calton Hill, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH7 5AA- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Walk up the short path from Princes Street to the monuments on Calton Hill and watch the sun go down over the Old Town.
Why it's a good date: The classic Edinburgh view for very little effort: the castle, the Balmoral clock and Arthur's Seat all in one frame. Bring a flask and go on a clear evening. Dogs are welcome on the hill, kept under close control.
Photo: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Old Town
Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Explore the free national museum, from Dolly the sheep to the Lewis chessmen, then head up to the rooftop terrace.
Why it's a good date: There's so much in here that you can come back and see something new each time. The rooftop terrace has a castle view, and it's the best rain plan in the city.
Photo: Elshad, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Inverleith Row and Arboretum Place, Inverleith
Address: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LRWander 70 acres of free gardens, from the rock garden and its pond to the Chinese hillside, with a view of the castle and skyline from the high ground.
Why it's a good date: Calm, green and never too busy, even at weekends. The glasshouses are closed for restoration, so save it for a dry day and walk on to Stockbridge afterwards.
Photo: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Dean Village and the Water of Leith
Dean Path, West End, to Stockbridge
Address: Dean Village, Bell's Brae, Edinburgh EH4 3BE- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Follow the Water of Leith Walkway from Dean Village, a cluster of old mill buildings in a gorge, downstream to Stockbridge.
Why it's a good date: Ten minutes from Princes Street and it feels like a village. On a Sunday, time it to finish at Stockbridge Market for lunch from the stalls. Dogs are welcome on the walkway; keep them on a lead where it's busy.
Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Scottish National Gallery
The Mound, between the Old Town and Princes Street
Address: The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
See Scottish and European old masters in the free gallery on the Mound, including Raeburn's skating minister.
Why it's a good date: Small enough to see properly in an hour, which leaves time for a walk in Princes Street Gardens right outside. Each of you picks a favourite painting and makes the case for it.
Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Portobello Beach
Portobello Promenade, east Edinburgh
Address: Portobello Promenade, Edinburgh EH15 1HH- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer
Take the bus to Edinburgh's seaside and walk the promenade along two miles of sand.
Why it's a good date: A day at the beach without leaving the city. Walk the prom one way and the sand the other, and warm up with chips or an ice cream from one of the cafés along the front. Dogs are welcome on the sand all year; from April to July, when birds are nesting, keep them close or on a short lead.
Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Sandy Bell's
Forrest Road, near the Meadows
Address: 25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QH- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Autumn, Winter
- Cosy
Squeeze into the small Old Town bar that has hosted traditional music sessions every night for decades.
Why it's a good date: Live fiddles and pipes a few feet away, and the music is free. It fills up fast, so go early for a seat, or turn up for a weekend afternoon session.
Photo: Mike Pennington, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
The Cameo
Home Street, Tollcross
Address: 38 Home Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LZ- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Catch a film at one of Scotland's oldest working cinemas, open since 1914, with a bar to take your drinks into the screen.
Why it's a good date: An old-fashioned cinema date with a good mix of new releases and classics. Get there early for a drink in the bar, then pick up dinner in Tollcross afterwards.
Photo: Mike Shaw, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
St Giles' Cathedral
High Street, Royal Mile, Old Town
Address: High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Dog friendly
Step inside the High Kirk on the Royal Mile for its stained glass, blue vaulted ceiling and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Why it's a good date: One of the few big Old Town sights you can see with your dog: dogs are allowed in the building, and staff or volunteers will bring water if yours needs some. You'll need a ticket now (free with a Resident Pass if you live in Scotland), and it's a dry half hour before a wander down the Royal Mile.
Photo: Eveline Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Edinburgh Printmakers
Castle Mill Works, Gilmore Park, Fountainbridge
Address: Castle Mills, 1 Dundee Street, Edinburgh EH3 9FP- Culture
- Free
- Dog friendly
See the free exhibitions in the old rubber mill offices at Fountainbridge, browse prints in the shop, then walk the Union Canal towpath next door.
Why it's a good date: The whole building is dog friendly apart from the main print studio, so your dog can come round the galleries, shop and café with you. A small print makes a good keepsake of the day, and the canal is right outside for a stroll afterwards.
Photo: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill
Braid Road, Morningside
Address: Hermitage of Braid, 69a Braid Road, Edinburgh EH10 6JF- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Active
Follow the Braid Burn through the wooded glen of the Hermitage, then climb Blackford Hill for a view back over the city to the castle and Arthur's Seat.
Why it's a good date: A local nature reserve that feels miles from town, with a burn alongside the path and an open hilltop at the end. Dogs are welcome under close control; from April to July, when birds are nesting, keep them on a short lead in the woods and on the grassland.
Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Cramond Shore and Causeway
Cramond Glebe Road, Cramond, north-west Edinburgh
Address: Cramond Glebe Road, Edinburgh EH4 6NU- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Walk the shore at Cramond, the old village where the River Almond meets the Forth, and out along the line of wartime concrete pylons towards Cramond Island.
Why it's a good date: Wide sands, big skies and room for a dog to stretch its legs. The island is only safe to reach around low tide: check the safe crossing times on the board at the start of the causeway, and turn back in good time, because the tide comes in fast. From April to July, when birds are nesting, keep dogs close or on a short lead on the shore.
Photo: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
Glencorse Reservoir, Pentland Hills
Flotterstone, off the A702 south of Edinburgh
Address: Flotterstone car park, off the A702, Penicuik EH26 0PP- Outdoors
- Free
- Dog friendly
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Out of town
Head out to Flotterstone, on the edge of the Pentland Hills, and walk the quiet track up the glen to Glencorse Reservoir.
Why it's a good date: Proper hills about half an hour from the city centre, on an easy track a dog will love. Most of the park is sheep farming, so the rangers ask you to keep your dog on a lead unless you're sure it won't run off, and to keep it out of the water if there's blue-green algae after warm weather.
Photo: Stevie Wallace, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
The Mosque Kitchen
Nicolson Square, Southside
Address: The Mosque Kitchen, 31-33 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Grab a tray and share a plate of curry at the long-running canteen by Edinburgh Central Mosque.
Why it's a good date: It's quick, filling and friendly, with Indian and Pakistani cooking served canteen style. Handy before a gig or a film on the Southside, and a walk across the Meadows afterwards.
Tanjore
Clerk Street, Southside
Address: Tanjore, 6-8 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9HX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share crisp dosas and South Indian curries at a small, family-run restaurant on Clerk Street.
Why it's a good date: Simple, homely and good value, with plenty for vegetarians. It's bring your own bottle, so pick something up on the way.
Civerinos Slice
Forrest Road, Old Town
Address: Civerinos Slice, 49 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QP- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Pick a couple of big New York-style pizza slices each at the Civerinos slice bar on Forrest Road.
Why it's a good date: Loud, cheerful and easy, with a changing line-up of slices so you can try a few between you. A good first stop before a night out in the Old Town.
Bonnie & Wild Scottish Marketplace
St James Quarter, New Town
Address: Bonnie & Wild, St James Quarter (Level 4), 415-417 St James Crescent, Edinburgh EH1 3AE- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Choose from a row of Scottish kitchens and eat together at the big food hall on the top floor of St James Quarter.
Why it's a good date: Each of you can order from a different counter and share. It's bright and busy, right by the east end of Princes Street, and there's often live music or a ceilidh on.
Bodega
Albert Place, Leith Walk
Address: Bodega, 14-15 Albert Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HN- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share tacos and a jug of something at a lively little taqueria at the top of Leith Walk.
Why it's a good date: Tacos come in pairs, so it's easy to order a spread and swap. It has a relaxed, neighbourhood feel and you can bring your own bottle. Book for weekend evenings.
The Pakora Bar
Holyrood Road, Old Town
Address: The Pakora Bar, 111 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share a pile of pakoras and a curry at a family-run Punjabi street-food restaurant near Holyrood.
Why it's a good date: Big, warm and welcoming, with lots for vegetarians and vegans. It's at the bottom of the Old Town, so you can walk it off in Holyrood Park.
Pomelo
Sciennes Road, Marchmont
Address: Pomelo, 27 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh EH9 1NX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Squeeze into a tiny neighbourhood spot by the Meadows for noodles and Asian comfort food.
Why it's a good date: Small, cheerful and much loved, with cooking that doesn't taste like anywhere else in town. It fills up fast, so book ahead, and note there's a step at the door.
Nanyang
Lister Square, Quartermile
Address: Nanyang, 7 Lister Square, Quartermile, Edinburgh EH3 9GL- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share Malaysian home cooking at a relaxed restaurant in Quartermile, just off the Meadows.
Why it's a good date: Generous portions and a calm room, good for a long, unhurried catch-up. The entrance is on Simpson Loan, a short walk from the Meadows.
Sabzi
Ferry Road, Leith
Address: Sabzi, 162 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH6 4NX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share Punjabi street food and curries at a bright, friendly spot on Ferry Road.
Why it's a good date: Easy-going and good value, with lots to share and plenty for vegetarians. A good excuse to explore north Leith, with the Water of Leith walkway close by.
Quick answers
Is the music at Sandy Bell's free?
Yes. The small bar on Forrest Road has hosted traditional music sessions every night for decades, and you only pay for your drinks. It fills up fast, so go early for a seat or try a weekend afternoon session.
What's a cheap date in Edinburgh when it's raining?
The National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery are free and dry, or catch a film at the Cameo in Tollcross, open since 1914, where you can take your drinks into the screen.
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