Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Type: museum

The 19th-century building on Queen Street was built in Spanish Gothic style and is worth admiring before you even step inside. Admission is free, the collection of portraits spans from the Renaissance to the present day, and the crowds are far smaller than at the castle or on the Royal Mile.

Tickets

Entry: Free

Entry to the gallery is free, but some special exhibitions may require a ticket. Open daily, it is recommended to check the opening hours before visiting.

⛰️ Heads up: Hilly approach — the uphill section may add about 25 percent to the walking time to the attraction.

Parking nearby

Parkplatz

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 2 min to the attraction (93m)

Address: Saint Andrew Square, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

19 Dublin St Ln S Parking

garage/underground 🚶 3 min to the attraction (169m)

Address: 19 Dublin Street Lane South, Edinburgh

St James Centre Car Park

garage/underground 🚶 4 min to the attraction (256m)

Address: Saint James Place, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 345 050 7080

John Lewis parking

garage/underground 🚶 4 min to the attraction (260m)

Address: Edinburgh

St James Quarter Car Park

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 4 min to the attraction (290m)

Address: Saint James Place, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 131 290 1113

NCP Edinburgh St James Place

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 5 min to the attraction (328m)

Address: 10 Saint James Place, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 345 050 7080

Edinburgh Waverley, Calton Road Pick-up

garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (507m)

Address: 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh

Omni Car Park

garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (521m)

Address: 26 Greenside Row, Edinburgh

Q-Park OMNI

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 7 min to the attraction (526m)

Address: Greenside Row, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 113 238 4200

New Street Car Park

garage/underground 🚶 10 min to the attraction (740m)

Address: 1 New Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 345 222 4224

New St Car Park Entrance

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 10 min to the attraction (746m)

Address: New Street, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Car Park Edinburgh Waverley Station| APCOA

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 10 min to the attraction (749m)

Address: New Street, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 345 222 4224

YourParkingSpace

Open 24 hours garage/underground 🚶 10 min to the attraction (768m)

Address: The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Phone: +44 20 8629 1057

Nearby restaurants

Price:
Amarone

Amarone

Closed (opens at 11:30)
⭐ 4.40 4324 reviews 195m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

€€

Address: Capital Building, 12-13 Saint Andrew Square, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 523 1171

Opening hours: 11:30–22:00

The Dome

The Dome

Closed (opens at 10:00)
⭐ 4.60 10123 reviews 237m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€€

Address: 14 George Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 624 8624

Opening hours: 10:00–00:00

The Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant

The Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.40 2834 reviews 259m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 3-5 Rose Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 5276

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–23:00 Tuesday: 11:00–23:00 Wednesday: 11:00–23:00 Thursday: 11:00–23:00 Friday: 11:00–00:00 Saturday: 11:00–00:00 Sunday: 11:00–23:00
Hard Rock Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.40 8001 reviews 274m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 20 George Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 260 3000

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–22:00 Tuesday: 11:00–22:00 Wednesday: 11:00–22:00 Thursday: 11:00–22:00 Friday: 11:00–22:30 Saturday: 10:00–22:30 Sunday: 11:00–22:00
The Voodoo Rooms

The Voodoo Rooms

Closed (opens at 16:00)
⭐ 4.40 1994 reviews 277m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 19a West Register Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 556 7060

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 17:00–01:00 Tuesday: 17:00–01:00 Wednesday: 17:00–01:00 Thursday: 17:00–01:00 Friday: 15:00–01:00 Saturday: 13:00–01:00 Sunday: 16:00–01:00
The Guildford Arms

The Guildford Arms

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.50 4238 reviews 305m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 1 West Register Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 556 4312

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 11:00–00:00 Tuesday: 11:00–00:00 Wednesday: 11:00–00:00 Thursday: 11:00–00:00 Friday: 11:00–01:00 Saturday: 11:00–01:00 Sunday: 11:00–00:00
The Newsroom Bar & Eatery

The Newsroom Bar & Eatery

Closed (opens at 09:00)
⭐ 4.30 2806 reviews 397m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 5-11 Leith Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 557 5830

Opening hours: 09:00–01:00

The Standing Order - JD Wetherspoon

The Standing Order - JD Wetherspoon

Closed (opens at 08:00)
⭐ 4.20 12607 reviews 468m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar

Address: 62-66 George Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 4460

Opening hours: 08:00–01:00

The Auld Hundred

The Auld Hundred

Closed (opens at 11:00)
⭐ 4.50 2662 reviews 492m

Rating and review counts are periodically refreshed. Last update: 31.05.2026

bar €€

Address: 100 Rose Street, Edinburgh

Phone: +44 131 225 1809

Opening hours: see details
Monday: 12:00–23:00 Tuesday: 12:00–11:00 Wednesday: 12:00–23:00 Thursday: 12:00–23:00 Friday: 11:00–01:00 Saturday: 11:00–01:00 Sunday: 11:00–23:00