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Quieter Places in Edinburgh to Visit This August

6th Aug 2026

Edinburgh Fringe and the festival season are nearly upon us! August in Edinburgh can be a rush of people and sounds, and sometimes you just need a quiet place to get away from it all.

Here are some of our favourite places to seek refuge, right in the centre of town and yet still a sanctuary away from the crowds.

1. Holyrood Park

When you're wandering down the Royal Mile, take a bit of an adventure and disappear into the large park that abuts Holyrood Palace.

You can climb Arthur’s Seat or wander the Salisbury Crags, or even taverse the valley between them to feel like you're surrounded by wilderness. Don’t forget to take in the view of the Firth of Forth as you climb!

A photo taken from a hill in Holyrood Park, looking out over lots of green space and towards the city centre. Edinburgh Castle is visible on a hill not too far away.

2. Tweeddale Court

Once you're back on the Royal Mile, there are a few hidden gems to pop into. Tweeddale Court is a perfect one for a few reasons: it's often very quiet, it's full of centuries of history and it was used in the filming of Outlander.

If all three of those things appeal to you, join an Edinburgh Outlander Experience tour to escape the busy parts of the Royal Mile and visit perfectly perserved historical locations. At the same time, you'll learn how Claire and Jamie's story relates to the real history of Edinburgh.

A Mercat Storyteller gestures up at the iron gated archway leading into Tweeddale Court as 2 guests look on.

3. Dunbar’s Close Garden

Tucked away just off the mile, you’ll find lots of benches and quiet walkways in this hidden-away seventeenth-century-style knot garden. You can even set up a picnic blanket on the grass at the far end, sit on one of the many benches and enjoy some time in the shade.

4. Blair Street Underground Vaults

We can’t forget our number one favourite spot in Edinburgh: the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Year-round, we offer small-group guided tours into the cool and quiet vaults. Join a Master Storyteller for an Edinburgh underground tour to get a glimpse into the past while also escaping the crowds and the heat.

A candlelit corridor of the Blair Street Underground Vaults, ending in a wall of stone storage spaces.

5. Canongate Kirkyard

Move from loud crowds to deathly silence when you slip into this historic graveyard. This is one for fans of dark history, where you can dive into Edinburgh ghost stories.

Canongate Graveyard in Edinburgh, with green grass and old headstones scattered around in different sizes and shapes.

Escape the festival and discover more quiet spots on an Edinburgh Outlander Experience tour. Join us, and relax off the beaten track while uncovering the hidden history of Edinburgh.