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Dynamic Earth

ChildrenNatural HistoryScienceClosed · Opens 10amFrom £23Edinburgh Waverley (about 15 min walk)

Dynamic Earth is a not-for-profit science centre and planetarium at the foot of the Royal Mile, housed in Hopkins Architects' white tented building beside the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Park. Opened in 1999, its immersive galleries tell the story of the planet: the Big Bang, erupting volcanoes, glaciers, polar ice you can touch, the deep ocean and a rainforest. Its ShowDome houses Edinburgh's only 360° digital planetarium, with presenter-led astronomy shows and dome films.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, United Kingdom

Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley (about 15 min walk), Bus 35 stop on Holyrood Road (3 min walk), North Bridge bus stops (10 min walk)

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Hours

Open 5–6 October, 10:00–15:00

October holidays 10–19 October, 10:00–18:00

October holidays 20–26 October, 10:00–17:00

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed10:00–15:00
ThuToday10:00–15:00
Fri10:00–15:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From £23

Online prices, valid as a 12-month Annual Pass: adult £23, child (4-15) £15, concession £20, under-4s and carers free. Walk-in £1.50 more. Planetarium-only tickets £8 online.

Nearby

Museum of Edinburgh

DesignFree4 min walk

Museum of Childhood

ChildrenFree8 min walk

Dovecot Studios

DesignFree9 min walk

Collective

ArchitectureFree9 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Dynamic Earth cost?
Standard adult admission to Dynamic Earth is £23. Online prices, valid as a 12-month Annual Pass: adult £23, child (4-15) £15, concession £20, under-4s and carers free. Walk-in £1.50 more. Planetarium-only tickets £8 online.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Dynamic Earth?
Dynamic Earth is open Term time: Wed-Fri 10:00-15:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00, closed Mon-Tue; last entry 2 hours before closing. School holidays open daily with longer hours: 10:00-18:00 on 10-19 Oct 2026, 19-23 and 27-30 Dec 2026, 2-5 Jan 2027 and 13-21 Feb 2027; 10:00-17:00 on 20-26 Oct 2026 and 8-12 Feb 2027. Closed 24-26 Dec 2026, 1 Jan 2027, and 6-15 Jan 2027 (winter closure).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Dynamic Earth?
Dynamic Earth is located at Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, United Kingdom, in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. The nearest stations are Edinburgh Waverley (about 15 min walk), Bus 35 stop on Holyrood Road (3 min walk), North Bridge bus stops (10 min walk).
What can I see at Dynamic Earth?
Ride from the Big Bang to a tropical rainforest, touch a real iceberg and lie back under Edinburgh's only 360° planetarium. Current highlights include Interactive Galleries, Edinburgh's Planetarium, Gaia: Art Installation.
Do I need to book Dynamic Earth in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Dynamic Earth?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Chabe01 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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