Why visit
It turns climate, geology, and natural history into a series of immersive rooms that feel more active than a gallery-only museum stop.
Before you go
At a glance
Opening times, tickets, address, parking, and the main practical details for planning your visit.
Opening times
Opening hours vary by date. The official calendar publishes the daily opening and last-entry times, with weekday and weekend patterns changing through the year.
Tickets
Main admission is now sold as an Annual Pass: Adult (16+) £35, Child (4-15) £31.50, Student/Senior £26.50, Under 4s free. Planetarium-only tickets start at £7.50.
Address
Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS
Postcode
EH8 8AS
Parking
A 24-hour car park sits under the building, which is useful if you are combining the visit with Holyrood or a later planetarium show.
Last entry
Opening and final admission times vary by date, and the official calendar publishes the day's last entry window.
Visit length
2-3 hours
Entry type
Annual Pass admission for the main galleries, with separate Planetarium-only tickets
Official source
Official website
Planning shortcut
Plan this visit faster
The key trip-planning answers families usually want before committing to the day.
Best for
Families adding one strong indoor attraction to an Edinburgh day, especially in wet weather or with children who like hands-on science.
How long to spend
Most families should allow 2 to 3 hours for the galleries, plus extra time if they add a planetarium or fulldome show.
Use this in your plan
Start with the strongest guide for this attraction, then keep a couple of backup options handy.
Indoor family days out in Edinburgh
Useful when you want a tighter Edinburgh indoor plan built around one strong main pick.
Also worth a look
Trip overview
About this location
The main reasons families add this stop to a Scotland itinerary.
Dynamic Earth is one of the easier Edinburgh indoor picks when you want something more immersive than a standard museum. The themed galleries, planetarium add-on, and weather-proof layout make it a practical city-day choice for families who still want a visit with a clear wow-factor.
Edinburgh's interactive journey through Earth's history featuring earthquakes, volcanoes, and time travel experiences. The 4D theatre, tropical rainforest, and ice age glacier create immersive learning environments. Perfect for families interested in science and natural history with age-appropriate interactive exhibits throughout.
On-site practicals
Facilities and amenities
Useful facilities families often check before visiting.
Café
Gift shop
Parking
Toilets
Baby changing
Family planning
Parent tips
Extra context to make the visit smoother.
The main galleries now use Annual Pass admission rather than a one-off day ticket. Allow about 90 minutes for the exhibition galleries, plus 30 minutes for each Planetarium or fulldome show you want to add. The on-site 24-hour car park helps, but this also pairs easily with Holyrood and central Edinburgh on foot.
Visual preview
Photos
A quick look at the setting before you visit.
Community notes
Reviews
What families are saying.