Hello everyone. Myself and my girlfriend had planned what was meant to be a cheap trip to Edinburgh but due to circumstances outside our control this trip will be way more expensive than planned.
Does anyone have any recommendations of cheap / free things to do for three days? And any places to eat that are budget friendly. We’re staying in the city centre
We’re going to a gig in the O2 academy also, if there’s anywhere cheap to drink around there beforehand.
BRGR does very nice cheap burgers!
National Gallery is decent. National Portrait Gallery is really good. Both free.
If the weather is in any way decent, a walk up Arthur’s Seat is a must.
I think I remember getting cheap drinks in Henrys Cellar bar. “Think” doing heavy lifting there tho
Seconded on Arthur’s Seat, easily the best free thing to do. If budget permits then you could follow the climb with a pint at Scotland’s oldest pub The Sheep Heid which is on the southeastern side of Holyrood Park.
If you’re exceptionally lucky with the weather then Portobello Beach is nice for a stroll too
There’s absolutely nothing around there. It’s in a suburb surrounded by homes and a big Asda.
I dunno how you were planning to get to it - bus is probably your best bet, in which case I’d recommend the Golden Rule (trad but friendly) or The Fountain (modern but still a pub) in Fountainbridge, as they’re on the edge of the city centre and on the main bus routes.
In terms of free stuff - the National Galleries have been mentioned, Arthur’s Seat as well, second all of those.
There’s also the City Art Gallery, which sometimes has interesting stuff, and Stills, which is the local photography gallery.
The Parliament used to have exhibitions as well, I don’t know if they’ve started again but they were always free.
If the weather is decent take the bus to Portobello (beach) or up to Silverknowles (coast), there are some great walks. You can also get to the Pentland Hills relatively easily. Lothian Buses are really good, everything is a flat fare, and all their buses do contactless.
I posted on here a website that does self guided walking tours, that probably has something.
I found it!
10 miles, woof (and the map is broken)
Closed at the start of the pandemic and never reopened 
(I mean, given how sparsely attended every gig I ever went to or played at there was, I’m not hugely surprised, but still…)
Walk to leith was really nice last year fwiw
We loved the food here
Dr Neil’s garden is very chill if you wanna sit in a garden and eat/drink coffee (free entry)
if you like beer, Stockbridge Tavern is the least annoying crowd to enjoy a quiet beer, also Cloisters which is a bit further out
Mosque Kitchen does good well priced curry in big helpings, think it’s still £5-6 for a main dish
National Musuem of Scotland is big and free.
Could do a walk from Dean Village area along Leith water down to Leith (then down Portobello if want to make it longer)
Theres probably free walking tours you can do that work on tips.
Cant think of anywhere really cheap but not too expensive Taza in Town (middle eastern), The Pakora Bar, Red Box Noodles, Baked Potato Shop, Dough
Every time we drive or walk past here, Wor Lass spends about fifteen minutes talking about how good and cheap it was.
I’ve still never eaten there.
Yes! Actually maybe my fav food in town
Yes! Used to live opposite and it was my go to whenever I was indecisive about food - though was much better when it was £2 cheaper grumble grumble
Hello all 
I’m on my way to Edinburgh right now for an overnight stay. Wondering if anybody has any reccos for us?
We’ll be looking for somewhere we can pick up a small quick vegan lunch near Waverly station when we get in.
Somewhere to have a drink in the evening. Looking for somewhere where we can sit down and have a couple of cocktails, somewhere chill, preferably somewhere with gender neutral toilets but not essential, gay bars are good if there’s any about that fit the bill. We’re at a gig at the Usher Hall and staying in Haymarket so anywhere within walking distance is good.
Any decent vegan breakfast within walking distance of Haymarket?
Thanks!
Hula in Haymarket did a good brunch and had lots of veggie/vegan options iirc
Theres a bar called Cloisters nearby also that is very nice and chilled but doesn’t serve cocktails or meet any of your other criteria!
oops shame I missed this earlier
Paradise Palms and CC Blooms are both gay or gay friendly, though CCs is wrong side of town for Haymarket and Usher Hall - PP isn’t too bad though, since everything in central Edinburgh is very near by anyway, and that’s where I had this lovely thing before Wet Leg last month
For other more general cocktail bars I really like Lucky Liquor, Hoot the Redeemer, Panda and Sons - but can’t speak to how well they fit your other criteria. All pretty accessible anyway. Hey Palu is right by the venue too and very acclaimed but haven’t managed to get there myself yet
see you there! (standing or seats?)