City Art Centre image

City Art Centre

Tourist attraction Museum Art gallery Art museum

One of the Most Reviewed Art museums in Edinburgh


Address

2 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DE, United Kingdom

Website

www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

Contact

+44 131 529 3993

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (809 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: visit (11) exhibition (9) time (8) gallery (6) good (6) Edinburgh (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 L X. 2 years ago on Google • 92 reviews
    I first came in to the souvenir store and saw some lovely postcards so came back to check it out. It is a relatively small gallery but have some nice pieces. I was in a rush as I was going to catch a train but if I had more time I would definitely indulge is enjoying the art pieces. If you are around and have an hour or so, definitely worth dropping by. There's a nice souvenir shop and little cafe just on the ground floor too.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mark C. 1 year ago on Google • 384 reviews
    Nice city art centre. Free entry. A good selection of exhibitions. All available for free. Nice coffee shop selling hot and cold drinks and light food. Access for everyone is easy. I would recommend a visit if your in Edinburgh
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Grahame L. 1 year ago on Google • 243 reviews
    First time visit. Staff were friendly and gave information when you went in. Free entry for most areas except an exhibition on the upper floors. Theres an example in the foyer so you can make your mind up if its for you. Paintings are nicely spaced so the wall area isn't over busy. Spent about an hour wandering around. We are so lucky in Edinburgh to have so many free galleries and museums and this holds its own.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sue B. 4 months ago on Google • 121 reviews
    Third visit to this great Art Gallery Such an interesting venue with various exhibitions on display. The landscape exhibition currently on display was especially good, some fab work. Staff are always warm and friendly and the place extremely clean, warm and inviting. I'm sure it won't be our last visit and I would definitely recommend a visit x
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Oakwood W. 2 years ago on Google • 183 reviews
    Enjoyable visit to see the John Henry Lorimer exhibit. Gallery is well set out and feels spacious. Perhaps the only let down was the lighting in areas detracted from the artworks. Minor but noticeable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Regina Lim Swee K. 5 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    It was awesome, we love and enjoyed the time spent browsing and admiring every art display especially the short projected films, the arts were eye popping and captivating. Recommended.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 DE 1 year ago on Google
    Worth a visit to see the Edinburgh Council collection. Exhibitions are more hit than miss and the new additions in the basement as always worth seeing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steve B. 2 years ago on Google
    Saw the Mackie exhibition and was delighted at being shown the link to the Nabis. Made me see these paintings are and to appreciate their dynamism. The Ian Hamilton Findlay exhibition was a pure delight and you need to see it. Donal Smith's iconic island fishermen were a delight. The painting method monumental. His gannet picture amazed us.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wendy W. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful day. There's a wheelchair to borrow, the staff are so helpful, full of knowledge, lovely and made a trip out with my aunt the very best it could be. The art work was amazing, delighted to see 4 Joan Eardley pictures and the new acquisitions. Thank you so so much, I can't recommend enough..
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David B. 6 months ago on Google • 63 reviews
    Great visit to see the Landscape Awards. Spread over 2 floors, such a wide variety of art across several media.

  • 3/5 Amaury A. 1 year ago on Google
    Not the best museum in town. The building needs some refurbishment inside. The expositions were interesting. But the scenography is terrible. They could use a graphic designer. A good one.

  • 5/5 Haroon H. 5 months ago on Google
    Loved the experience of visiting, a must go for art lovers.

  • 4/5 John R. 8 months ago on Google
    Visited the Peter Howson Retrospective, great exhibition but not easy viewing. Gallery staff amazingly friendly. Grabbed a decent coffee and cake at Mimi's Little Bakehouse accessible through the gallery.

  • 5/5 Kenny M. 8 months ago on Google
    Went to the Peter Howson exhibition. He was the star but this was the first time I had visited all levels of the centre, and I have to say - what a delightful gallery all around. I'll have to keep an eye on whats on in the future - it's a fab wee space to have right in the centre of town.

  • 5/5 Eric B. 9 months ago on Google
    Just an amazing art show of the works of Peter Howson. A real insight into the artist showing many of his works. Well worth a visit.

  • 1/5 Me 10 months ago on Google • 3 reviews
    Photographs are banned. Not flash photography, PHOTOS. Apparently the process of allowing photons to be recorded via my phone's lens is an unspeakable violation. Art should be joyous and seen by all and appreciated for years into the future. It should not be sterile and stuffy and elitist.

  • 5/5 Lydia W. 1 year ago on Google
    We visited The Science Festival - lots of creative science Workshops - lovely and motivated staff!

  • 5/5 Craig F. 1 year ago on Google
    Here for the annual Science Festival childrens event. Second time coming with my elder child, this time with some of his friends too. There is so much to do for young children with various things aged at 3+, 5+, and 7+ ratings, plus loads of other drop-in activities and experiments. It's just an excellent day out, and I'd recommend it to anyone with children. Amazing.

  • 4/5 John M. 2 years ago on Google
    A nice gallery in central Edinburgh. Exhibitions showcase less well known Scottish artists.

  • 4/5 Chris S. 1 year ago on Google
    Not the easiest place to get to (unless you're coming by train, in which case it's incredibly easy), but it's worth the hassle. We spent nearly two hours here and only saw one floor. We'll be back for the others another time The bits we saw were photos and videos of Scotland mostly from the 1930s by female photographers. Unexpectedly fascinating stuff. Be warned, some of the photos are a bit small, so if you need glasses, bring them with you.

  • 5/5 Itzel A. 1 year ago on Google
    Great modern art museum in Edinburgh! The curators did an excellent job on the collects on display here. The staff here were a joy to interact with. This is located in the heart of the city and a wonderful spot to add on your visit in town.

  • 5/5 Paul M. 2 years ago on Google
    Free entry and very cheerful, helpful staff. Lorimer exhibition well worth seeing.

  • 5/5 Irina 2 years ago on Google
    Convenient location right beside Waverly train station. Usually features permanent and temporary exhibitions, but today (October 2021) the majority of the gallery was closed. Still, very nice place to visit.

  • 3/5 Martin C. 2 years ago on Google
    Visiting the Science Festival, which was good. The venue doesn't have enough provision for seated eating however. Be prepared to sit on the floor if you bring a packed lunch for the kids.

  • 5/5 Ran C. 1 year ago on Google
    I liked all the pictures there .. it's a very relaxing place .

  • 5/5 Neil B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great art gallery over four floors in the heart of the city. The city of Edinburgh owns lots of important art and it is often shown here as well as hosting touring exhibitions. Good wee cafe attached.

  • 5/5 Tyla P. 2 years ago on Google
    We had a great time here! Sadly only 1 exhibition was open but it was still great to see. The cafe was also really good. We had the soup of the day which was one of the best soups I have ever had. The hot chocolate was super yummy too!!!

  • 3/5 Sophia A. 2 years ago on Google
    Wasn't very keen, but some paintings were nice. Took 30 minutes to see everything. It was free and donations were optional, which based on the exhibits I think was reasonable.

  • 5/5 Sian H. 2 years ago on Google
    Four storeys of exhibition space with a different artist on each floor. Lovely and relaxed atmosphere. Totally free, which is always good!


Call +44 131 529 3993 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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