10Views 0Comments
Top 11 Things To Do in Edinburgh This Autumn That Are Good For Your Soul – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 7th of October, 2025
Anyone who has ever visited Edinburgh can easily agree that it is a beautiful city at any time of the year.
Yet there’s that extra dose of magic in the season of haar and mellow fruitfulness.
After a blissful summer lull, the city quiets down. Wildlife scavenge before hibernation. The burns babble before they freeze. Stormy skies add a dramatic flair to the already beautiful city.
And with colourful leaves framing its every corner, Edinburgh turns into an autumnal dreamland that feels like a world away from the rest of Europe.
Our return visit at the very end of September, when the crisp breeze rustled through the leaves and the memory of summer still lingered in the air, was meticulously planned and therefore allowed us to experience a burst of colours right before the trees shrugged their shoulders and cast their summer coat to the floor.
We had the fortune of arriving at dawn and thus eagerly grabbed a chance to walk around Edinburgh’s eerily silent streets just as the pre-dawn glow started to flood over the urban landscape.
It was equally beautiful, if not more, at dusk – strolling past golden glowing windows, peeking into dimly lit alleyways and seeing everything in person again gave me a rush; there is something magical about autumn in Edinburgh when the city is awash with hues of red and gold.
Read More: What To See and Do In Edinburgh: 12 Amazing Ideas For First Time Visitors
Weather in Edinburgh in Autumn: Is Autumn a Good Time to Visit Edinburgh?
Firstly, let me start by saying that there is never a bad time to visit Edinburgh. All seasons of the year have their pros and cons. And you can find beauty in the city in so many places, all year round.
While many people assume that summer is the best season to visit, autumn is actually better!
It’s when things get back to normal after a flurry of summer festivals, and it’s when the majority of tourists sort of trickle away. It’s also incredibly atmospheric as autumn brings more misty and cloudy days.
Also, autumn is for adventurous souls.
With the weather forecast being very inaccurate and unpredictable at this time of the year, you need to go with the flow. You need to embrace whatever the day brings you. And it often produces the most amazing memories!
Think cosy blankets, a burning fireplace, bookshops, a hot toddy, haggis, neeps & tatties… Autumn is cosy!
Read More: A Pocketguide To Help You Witness the Splendid Beauty Of Stirling Town In Scotland
#1. Discover Edinburgh’s Museums
You won’t be surprised to hear that it often rains during autumn, so it is best to have a few indoor ideas up your sleeve for when the rain showers come.
Don’t look down on touristy things and take advantage of one of many free museums in the city, and see Dolly the Sheep in the National Museum of Scotland, or find out what a million fake pounds look like in the Museum of the Mound.
Some of the lesser-known museums are located on the Royal Mile, and several of them are free to enter, too.
This includes the Museum of Childhood, Gladstone’s Land, the People’s Story and the Museum of Edinburgh – perfect for anyone visiting Edinburgh on a budget.
Read More: Some of The Best Things To See At The National Museum Of Scotland in Edinburgh
#2. Unwind in a Cosy Place
Autumn arrives in Edinburgh with plentiful rain and cold, delivering an easy excuse to wrap up in cosy knits and stay indoors by the roaring fire.
Although the best way to get into the spirit of autumn is to spend time outdoors, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break from exploring. Pick one of many cafés scattered throughout the city to discover the comfort of a friendly space and find a quiet moment to write down your thoughts.
- West End – Cairngorm Coffee, on the corner of Melville Place with large curved windows, is perfect for people watching over a delicious cup of freshly ground coffee.
- Stockbridge – Artisan Roast have several cafes in Edinburgh, and their Stockbridge shop is a bright and spacious spin on Artisan cosy-chic.
If a coffee shop isn’t your thing, choose one of the friendly pubs on Rose Street, dubbed the ‘Amber Mile’.
You can also pop over to the Royal Mile, where most of the pubs are overflowing with character and charm, and you might even be able to catch a live traditional folk and acoustic session.
Read More: Your Guide To Some of Edinburgh’s Best Neighbourhoods
#3. Explore Hidden Corners and Alleyways on the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile has been the main street of Edinburgh for centuries and shouldn’t be missed.
Wander around Edinburgh’s Old Town’s cobbled streets and quiet corners where houses are stacked on each other to venture down one of the moody alleyways between them.
You will be fascinated by the unique architecture and almost feel like you’re stepping back in time.
- Take Fleshmarket Close down to Cockburn Street, or use a shortcut through Advocates Close on the Royal Mile. Try the Playfair Steps instead of walking up the Mound.
- Stop by Dunbar’s Close Garden, a wonderful garden with plenty of places to sit down and escape the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile.
- White Horse Close – Nip into this 17th-century close where much of the unusual architecture has been maintained, giving visitors a glimpse into the sights once bestowed upon travellers to Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Read More: 8 Amazing Reasons Why You Should Visit Edinburgh At Least Once
#4. Be Fascinated by Autumn Colours
On the day that we arrived, the soft light slipping through the shielding canopy in Princes Street Gardens created beautiful patterns. The gentle breeze and golden yellow colours only added more magic to the early autumn morning.
Princes Street Gardens, The Meadows, and the Botanic Gardens are all great places to see the beautiful autumn leaves. Other places worth visiting to see the splashes of autumn colours are:
- Liberton Kirk | Hop on a Lothian Bus and travel to Liberton Kirk church to gauge the ivy-covered facade. Although the church is situated slightly outside of the city, it is worth a small detour.
- Rothesay Terrace | On the corner of Rothesay Terrace and Rothesay Mews in the West End of Edinburgh is a beautiful building with ivy crawling all over it.
- Carlowrie Castle | Over on the west of Edinburgh, near Edinburgh Airport, is Carlowrie Castle, a 19th-century mansion house that has since been converted into a luxury venue for weddings and other celebrations.
Read More: A Short Guide to the Best Attractions Along The Royal Mile In Edinburgh, Scotland
#5. Browse Through Its Bookstores
If you are a book lover, dodge Edinburgh’s city centre once the bustle starts to climb and find a state of peace and quiet only bookshops can provide.
In Edinburgh, you can discover some of the world’s most beautiful stores that can easily gratify even the fussiest bibliophiles’ fantasies.
If you consider yourself a book lover who is eager to refresh reading shelves, then be prepared to gasp out loud in excitement because this is your scene in Edinburgh; Cabaret Antiques, Curios & Books where you can browse more than you can dream of, Southside Books for a cheap read and an absolute bookworms dream – Old Town Bookshop with beautiful editions dating back to the 1600s.
And then there’s even more:
- Golden Hare Books | This charming bookstore located in Stockbridge features children’s books, novels, signed editions and fiction. Address: 68 St Stephen’s Street, Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Books | Stocking a wide range of second-hand books, this bookshop lets you wander through a maze of literary gems and is just perfect for the voracious reader. Address: 145-147 West Port, Edinburgh
- Tills Bookshop | An independent second-hand bookshop situated close to the Meadows is a perfect place to spend a couple of hours browsing shelves in search of unique treasures. Address: 1 Hope Park Crescent, Edinburgh
- Armchair Books | Located just off Grassmarket, this beautiful shop with densely packed bookshelves full of old books on various subjects is perfect for reading addicts. Address: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh
Read More: Your Essential Guide To Planning The Best Edinburgh Holiday in Scotland
#6. Chase the Golden Hour
Known to photographers as the ‘magic hours, the first and last hours of sunlight are the best moments to capture stunning photos.
In autumn, the soft, golden light of sunrise and sunset will really bring out the beautiful reds, oranges and browns in your photos.
With sunsets and sunrises not starting until 7 a.m./ p.m., photo enthusiasts get to take advantage of the not-so-early golden hour to capture shapeshifting light and incredible texture.
Waking up early and watching the dawn of a new day before anyone else arrives awards you a chance to feel like you are alone in the beautiful city.
Add to the already magical scene splashes of colours and the moodiness of an early autumn morning that comes with its own flurry of scents and sounds, and you’ve got yourself a moment to remember.
Read More: The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary For A Spellbinding 5 Days In Scotland
#7. Dive Into Doors Open Days
If you plan on visiting Edinburgh in September, planning your trip around when Doors Open Days take place would be a smart idea.
Celebrating Edinburgh’s heritage, culture and architecture, this event provides an opportunity to explore some of Edinburgh’s most amazing buildings that are usually closed to the public.
Yes, some of the buildings only open once in a lifetime. Not to mention the free entry.
Doors Open Day has taken place each year (pandemic excepted) since 1991 and over a whole weekend since 2009.
Coordinated in Scotland by the Scottish Civic Trust in conjunction with local area coordinators, the weekend features free tours, activities, exhibitions and/or talks that bring the history or everyday use of a building to life.
It just happened that Doors Open Days were taking place during my visit to Edinburgh, and I had a fantastic chance to deepen my knowledge and feast my eyes upon many architectural and historical wonders.
- The best way to find out more about the program is to visit the official Doors Open Days website.
Read More: A Local’s Guide: Some Of The Best Things To See and Do In Edinburgh’s New Town
#8. Celebrate the Change of Season in Farmers’ Markets
The best way to celebrate the autumn season in a city like Edinburgh, where it arrives with piles of fresh produce waiting to be picked and tasted, is through food and the outdoors.
One of the best places to do just that is to seek out local markets.
Head out to Castle Terrace, where the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from 10 am-2 pm to browse the stalls stacked with juicy jams, fresh bread and organic chocolate.
- Stockbridge Market is yet another place to satisfy your food cravings and rub shoulders with locals while shopping for handmade jewellery, aromatic soaps and artisan bread. Opened every Sunday from 10am to 5pm, Stockbridge Market can be found in Jubilee Gardens.
- Check out the handcrafted goodies and homegrown produce at the farmers’ market located in the Grassmarket, which is only a short walk away from the Royal Mile. It’s a nice place to stop and sample a bit of everything before you continue exploring Edinburgh. It is open every Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Read More: The Isle Of Skye Guide: 5 Amazing Places You Should Visit On The Trotternish Loop
#9. Take Part in the Samhuinn Fire Festival
If you love all things spooky and if Halloween gets you excited, then you are in for a treat because no one does Halloween like Edinburgh.
Forget cutely carved pumpkins and fancy Dracula outfits, although there are plenty of those, too!
Celebrating Halloween in Scotland involves participating in the Samhuinn Fire Festival and embracing it in the old pagan way with beating drums, acrobats, and fire on display.
The Celtic people regarded it as their New Year, but they also knew that the approaching darkness meant the veil between their world and the next was at its thinnest.
Expecting visits from spirits, gods, and the souls of the dead led the Celts to set extra places at their huge feasts, to disguise themselves in costume to confuse Death from taking them, and to light huge bonfires to ward off evil.
Every year, the Beltane Fire Society pays tribute to the Celtic sabbath or Samhuinn with fiery celebrations on top of Calton Hill.
Keep in mind that the celebration takes place at the end of October, in the dark, with hundreds of other spectators, so make sure you dress up warmly and act accordingly.
Read More: How To Visit Enchanting Stirling Castle & Gardens in Scotland: An Easy Guide
#10. Endure Ghost Hunting Tours
When you see the sea mist drawing over the city, it becomes alive, and your imagination instantly wanders off.
It becomes so alive that you can almost envision Cannibal of the Canongate chasing after its victims and ghosts lingering in the spooky graveyard near Princess Street Gardens.
Known for its twisted and dark past, Scotland’s capital provides the perfect setting for tales about body snatchers and murderers. There are also creepy underground vaults and plenty of ghost stories to keep you awake for a while.
Auld Reekie Tours and City of the Dead Tours offer plenty of evening and late-night tours where you can explore the South Bridge vaults and Greyfriars Graveyard.
Read More: 11 Beautiful Hidden Gems in Edinburgh, Scotland Even Locals Don’t Know
#11. Enjoy one of Many Autumn Events & Festivals
Don’t fear that by visiting in autumn, you’ll be missing out on the fun, as there are many fantastic festivals and events to look forward to.
Some of the most notable festivals in Edinburgh in autumn are:
- Halloween is widely celebrated throughout the city with various spooky events and activities for the whole family. You can check out the Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular, Halloween at Dalkeith Country Park, as well as many farms where you can pick your own pumpkins.
- Samhuinn Fire Festival is an annual festival that takes place on the night of October 31st. It features fire performances, drumming, music, dance, and acrobatics to tell the story of the seasonal transition.
- The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a celebration of live storytelling in and around Edinburgh. Every October, as the leaves begin to turn and the long autumn nights close in, friends and families gather around the hearth for tales, songs and merriment.
- Edinburgh Short Film Festival and Bonfire Night, known as Guy Fawkes Night, take place in the autumn, too.
- Edinburgh Playhouse presents a varied programme of musicals and entertainment. Bringing together Scottish and international storytellers and musicians, this year’s festival will take place from 13th to 29th October in various venues throughout Edinburgh.
Read More: 10 Unforgettable Edinburgh Day Trip Ideas From a Former Local
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Now, over to you!
Have you been to Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Edinburgh and have travel-related questions!
Subscribe
Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to stay up to date with all our outdoor adventures
Enter your email below to receive updates
You can also find Our Crossings on Facebook and on Instagram
