Rainy Day Activities in Edinburgh

Rainy days in Edinburgh can be a wonderful opportunity to explore this historic city, and we have plenty of options to keep you entertained regardless of the weather! Let’s look at which tour categories tend to hold up best when the skies are grey – and believe us, with 33 bus tours available, there's bound to be one that suits.

Firstly, consider our extensive range of bus tours. With 33 options ranging from £20 to £670, including popular routes like “Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel Tour from Edinburgh” at a top rating of 4.9/5, these are fantastic for sheltering from the rain. The panoramic views will still be impressive even if you're looking through the window! Similarly, the ‘1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh’ offers similar protection and is consistently highly rated at 4.9/5. These vehicle-based tours allow you to cover a lot of ground comfortably while staying dry.

For a truly immersive experience, our ghost tours are also excellent choices – there are 31 available ranging from £12 to £1,263, with the “Edinburgh City 4 Hour Private Guided Taxi Tour” topping out at 5.0/5. These private taxi tours offer protection and detailed commentary, allowing you to delve into Edinburgh's darker history without getting soaked! Even the ‘A Wee Pedal’s’ Award-Winning Circular Cycle Tour of Edinburgh! (5.0/5) is a great option – you can hop on and off at various points to explore, and there are plenty of covered areas around the city centre if it really lets loose.

Food tours offer some shelter too, with 13 options ranging from £35 to £1,245. The "Explore Edinburgh's Asian Quarter & Local Scottish Cuisine" tour (5.0/5) is consistently popular and offers a warm indoor element while you sample the best of Scottish and international flavours. Similarly, our ‘Seasonal Events’ tours, like “The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour” (4.6/5), are largely held indoors, offering warmth and engaging conversation. The price range for these sits between £25 to £25.

If you're looking for a more active experience, the ‘Adventure Tours’ – particularly the "Edinburgh Bridges & Countryside by Bike or E-Bike with Transport" (5.0/5) – are surprisingly resilient in light rain, with prices ranging from £16 to £8,800, and our “Hiking Tours” (8 options, £7 - £950) can still be enjoyed with appropriate waterproof gear. Our ‘Harry Potter Tours’ (23 options, £9 - £790) are often held indoors or in covered spaces, particularly the "Harry Potter's Edinburgh Tour and House of Illusions Experience".

For a truly memorable experience, consider our ‘Nightlife’ tours – the “Edinburgh Late Night Pub Crawl 10PM with Shots and VIP Club Entry” (5.0/5) is consistently highly rated and provides warmth and socialising! The price range here sits between £6 to £15.

Finally, don't underestimate the popularity of our ‘Escape Rooms’ – the “The Anatomist - Award Winning Historical Escape Room Experience” (5.0/5) offers a fantastic indoor activity with prices ranging from £22 to £36.

We recommend having a backup plan for rainy days in Edinburgh. Many museums and galleries offer free admission, providing hours of entertainment. Booking tickets in advance for attractions like the Scottish National Gallery or the National Museum of Scotland is always advisable, as they’re perfect places to spend an afternoon when the weather isn't cooperating – prices here generally range from £5 to £678. It’s also worth checking if any of our tours offer indoor elements or can be easily adapted for wet conditions.