traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2025 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
United Kingdom/Things to Do in Edinburgh, couple trip

National Museum of Scotland (couple trip)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Couple-Friendly is National Museum of Scotland?

86%Couple-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 86% Couple-Friendly: Couples can share the airy Grand Gallery, linger over exhibits, enjoy the rooftop panorama and a café date; weekend crowds slightly limit romantic quiet and may lengthen queues.

Google
Reviews4.8/ 5
(from 53,890 reviews)
My ultimate guide to the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, Edinburgh!
18 min
Start from:
0:00
My ultimate guide to the NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, Edinburgh!
17.8K views • 1 year ago

Positives:

  • Free Entry: Permanent galleries are free, so you can explore without extra cost.
  • Full Accessibility: Lifts and step-free access connect all floors for easy movement.

Challenges:

  • Peak-time Crowds: Grand Gallery fills quickly at weekends; arriving early helps avoid the rush.
  • Complex Layout: The museum spans multiple levels; grab a map at the entrance to plan your route.
National Museum of Scotland image 1
National Museum of Scotland image 2
National Museum of Scotland image 3
National Museum of Scotland image 4
National Museum of Scotland image 5
Found this helpful? Please support us by visiting 🏖️ our GetYourGuide partner link - The 10 BEST Activities around National Museum of Scotland, and we may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us pay the bills and help more travelers!

What is National Museum of Scotland?

  • A national museum in Edinburgh housing Scotland’s collections of art, archaeology, natural history and technological innovation
  • Home to millions of objects ranging from prehistoric fossils and Egyptian mummies to industrial machinery and contemporary design
  • Set within a fusion of restored Victorian sandstone wings and a soaring modern Grand Gallery under a glass roof

What is so special about National Museum of Scotland for couple trip?

  1. Free entry to permanent galleries
  2. Self-guided audio tour via Smartify app
  3. Rooftop Terrace with panoramic city views
  4. Grand Gallery under a soaring glass roof
  5. Special exhibitions like the Monkeys collection

Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours

Why 2–3 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Covers highlights, rooftop terrace and a café break without rushing.

(View National Museum of Scotland on Map)

Couple-Friendly Activities in National Museum of Scotland

Highlights Audio Tour:

Hear stories behind icons like Dolly the sheep and the Lewis chessmen.

Tip: Install the Smartify app and scan QR codes in the Entrance Hall to start.

Rooftop Terrace:

Enjoy 360° views over Old Town, Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens.

Tip: Take the Terrace Lift by the Kingdom of Scots gallery then climb two flights of steps.

Grand Gallery & Scottish Galleries:

Stroll under the seven-floor glass roof and explore sandstone-lined rooms.

Tip: Visit early to avoid crowds and capture photos by the dramatic staircase.

Monkeys: Our Primate Family:

See 50 taxidermy primates posed naturally and learn about their behavior.

Tip: Book advance adult tickets (£13 each) online to save £1 per ticket.

Café Date:

Relax over Scottish cakes and coffee overlooking the Grand Gallery.

Tip: Head to the Balcony Café for light meals and people-watching.

When is the best time to visit National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?

In summer, plan terrace visits near sunset for golden light. In winter, come midweek afternoon for quieter galleries and cozy café seating.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to Edinburgh on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Reviews of National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh)

Powered by Google
Nida Shamim

Nida Shamim

Sep 2025

The best museum you ll ever visit. Kids love it. There is so much to see there. It’s FREE to enter. Quite remarkable! Loved the interactive space for kids there. You can easily spend 3-4 hours there.

Walter Dinda (Walt)

Walter Dinda (Walt)

Sep 2025

Incredible 7 story Museum. It is free to visit! You must go to the 7th floor roof for the panoramic view! There is a large clock made by a Russian that you must observe on the hour every hour! The clock comes alive with moving parts! The building itself is beautiful.

Elizabeth Davies

Elizabeth Davies

Aug 2025

Me and my mate visited here in late August and had an enjoyable time, yet a handful of things left me with a slight bittersweet experience. The Pros ✅ - The exhibitions and displays are arranged in a very eye catching and awe inspiring way 🤩. It really gives you that feeling of wonder and wanting to learn and understand more🤓. The height of the building really gives these spaces an advantage, a...

Bram Slijpen

Bram Slijpen

Aug 2025

This year, we visited the National Museum for the second time. And once again, it was a wonderful experience. The building is beautiful and all the exhibitions are meticulously curated. This time, we also visited the roof terrace, which offers a stunning view of Edinburgh. It's hard to believe that this museum is free. It's definitely a must-see when visiting Edinburgh.

DENNY JAMES ALUKKA

DENNY JAMES ALUKKA

Jul 2025

The National Museum of Scotland is absolutely fantastic! The building itself is stunning, and inside there is so much to explore. From ancient history and dinosaurs to science, fashion, and technology, there’s something for everyone. The layout is easy to follow, and every section is full of fascinating displays. I especially enjoyed how interactive it is – perfect for both adults and children. Y...

Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)

ItemCost (Approx.)
Admission (permanent galleries)GBP 0
Monkeys exhibition (2 adults)GBP 26
WeGoTrip audio tour (2 adults)GBP 16
Café light meals & coffee (2 adults)GBP 20
Total EstimatedGBP 62

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to National Museum of Scotland

  1. Pre-download Guide: Install Smartify and download the Highlights Audio Tour before arrival.
  2. Start Early: Arrive at opening time to explore key galleries and the terrace without lines.
🚗 Planning to explore multiple Edinburgh attractions? A rental car often costs less than daily taxi trips. Check Trip.com for deals. New users save up to 8% OFF.

Map of National Museum of Scotland

Address: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh)?

← See other Things to Do in Edinburgh (couple trip)

About National Museum of Scotland

Opening Hours

Monday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Phone Number

+44 300 123 6789

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇨🇦 Canada, couple trip

Things to Do in Toronto, couple trip
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, couple trip
Montreal

🇮🇪 Ireland, couple trip

Things to Do in Dublin, couple trip
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, couple trip
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, couple trip
Galway

🇬🇷 Greece, couple trip

Things to Do in Santorini, couple trip
Santorini
Things to Do in Athens, couple trip
Athens
Things to Do in Heraklion, couple trip
Heraklion

🇯🇵 Japan, couple trip

Things to Do in Tokyo, couple trip
Tokyo
Things to Do in Osaka, couple trip
Osaka
Things to Do in Kyoto, couple trip
Kyoto
Mount Fuji AreaSapporoHakoneFukuokaNagoya

🇰🇷 South Korea, couple trip

Things to Do in Seoul, couple trip
Seoul
Things to Do in Busan, couple trip
Busan
Things to Do in Jeju, couple trip
Jeju

🇦🇺 Australia, couple trip

Things to Do in Sydney, couple trip
Sydney
Things to Do in Melbourne, couple trip
Melbourne
Things to Do in Gold Coast, couple trip
Gold Coast
BrisbaneCanberra

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

10 BEST nearby Activities

Book on GetYourGuide
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

searching for