Edinburgh, Scotland is certainly one of my favorite European capital cities (it is the capital of Scotland, in case you did not know!). It has every thing that I really like in a metropolis, together with attractive structure, entry to nature, good transport hyperlinks, and naturally a number of fascinating historical past.
Edinburgh as a metropolis dates again to no less than the 1100s, although the realm was inhabited by completely different teams for hundreds of years earlier than that, and there was some kind of fortification atop Citadel Rock since earlier than the Romans arrived within the 1st century. Each the Outdated City AND New City of Edinburgh are UNESCO World Heritage Websites, which is fairly spectacular.
Whereas it isn’t a large metropolis (inhabitants simply over 550,000 within the metro space), Edinburgh nonetheless gives up a ton of distinctive issues to do. I’ve visited this metropolis many occasions over time, and nonetheless all the time discover one thing new!
This checklist is predicated off my numerous visits to Edinburgh, and contains the issues I personally suppose are value doing/seeing.
What to not miss in Edinburgh
The checklist beneath will cowl ALL the perfect issues to do in Edinburgh. However when you solely have a brief period of time and need to tick off absolutely the must-dos in Edinburgh, then you might want to:
- Stroll to Royal Mile within the Outdated City
- Go to both Edinburgh Citadel or the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Holyrood is my decide!)
- Stroll by Princes Avenue Gardens
- Attempt Scotch whisky (both on the Scotch Whisky Expertise, or simply at a pub)
- Watch a sundown from atop Calton Hill
And browse on for the total checklist, which additionally contains museums, Harry Potter websites, afternoon tea, Edinburgh’s darker historical past, and extra!
25 issues to do in Edinburgh, Scotland
I am dividing this checklist into Outdated City, New City, and a bit of additional out to make it a bit simpler. And you could find most of this stuff plotted on a map in direction of the top of this submit!
Issues to Do in Edinburgh Outdated City
Edinburgh’s Outdated City is, not surprisingly, the oldest a part of the town. It contains the Royal Mile and well-known palaces, in addition to they metropolis’s oldest structure. Most guests image the Outdated City once they consider Edinburgh, and often spend most of their time right here.
1. Stroll the Royal Mile
Edinburgh’s most well-known attraction by far is the Royal Mile. Although “attraction” is not actually the fitting phrase, for the reason that Royal Mile is a lot greater than only a singular factor to see.
The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Citadel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and truly measures 1.81 kilometers, or 1.12 miles lengthy. Right here you will discover every thing from pubs to tartan retailers, and the pedestrian-only part is often full of avenue performers and buskers (together with, all the time, no less than one bagpiper).
As you make your method up (or down) the Royal Mile, there are many historic websites and points of interest you possibly can take a look at, however I like to recommend strolling the total size no less than as soon as throughout your keep!
2. Go to Edinburgh Citadel
You may’t actually go to Edinburgh with out visiting a fort (in spite of everything, there are two of them right here!).
Edinburgh Citadel, sitting proudly on the high of the Royal Mile, is the fort that you’re going to see essentially the most typically because it’s seen from many elements of the town. It sits atop Citadel Rock, and has been there for the reason that yr 1103 AD.
Edinburgh Citadel has not been occupied for hundreds of years, so what you will discover inside consists largely of the crown jewels of Scotland and a few army reveals, together with the Nationwide Conflict Museum.
I personally suppose the doorway charge (at the moment £19.50 for adults) is a bit steep for what you really see, however go for it if it is one thing you need to do. Simply word that you’re going to have to ebook a timed ticket prematurely to be able to go to, and these tickets DO promote out, particularly through the summer season months.
(In the event you do go to and need to get extra out of your time there, decide up a skip-the-line ticket that features a guided tour.)
3. Go to St. Giles Cathedral
You may’t miss this 14th-century cathedral with its crown-shaped steeple on the Royal Mile. St. Giles Cathedral (AKA the Excessive Kirk of Edinburgh) was based in 1124 by King David I, and the oldest elements of the present constructing date again to the 14th century.
Not solely is St. Giles lovely on the skin, however the church is simply as fairly on the within, too. Pop in to see the stained glass home windows, fairly blue ceiling, and complex Thistle Chapel.
(Notice that St. Giles is often open each day, although generally is closed to guests for personal occasions like weddings. It is free to go to, although they do ask that you just pay a small charge to take images inside.)
4. Have the Scotch Whisky Expertise
Close to Edinburgh Citadel, you will encounter the Scotch Whisky Expertise, which is one half museum and one half interactive tour. Even when you do not love whisky, that is one thing value doing in Edinburgh.
You may take quite a lot of excursions that promise that will help you “turn out to be a ‘one-hour-whisky-expert,’” and likewise see a assortment of greater than 3,300 bottles of Scotch whisky. The tour comes full with a scratch-and-sniff card to stroll you thru various kinds of whisky, in addition to one tasting.
(Book the 50-minute tour here, which is nice for first-timers.)
5. Palace of Holyroodhouse
If you’d like my sincere opinion, I believe that visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse is extra value it than visiting Edinburgh Citadel. This palace on the backside of the Royal Mile has the same entrance charge (£18 prematurely, or £19.50 on the day) to tour, however gives the added bonus of nonetheless being an official royal residence.
Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The late Queen would come to remain (and throw an enormous backyard social gathering) each summer season, and the present King will keep right here, too.
On a tour of Holyrood, you get to see the State Flats (that are nonetheless used), in addition to the previous chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots. Outdoors the palace, you will discover some lovely grounds, in addition to the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey.
Reserving a timed ticket prematurely is really helpful right here! (Book your ticket here.)
6. Try Digital camera Obscura and World of Illusions
In the event you’re within the temper for a extra enjoyable strategy to spend an hour or two, take a look at the Digital camera Obscura and World of Illusions proper subsequent to the doorway to Edinburgh Citadel. This interactive museum is full of optical illusions and enjoyable puzzles, and is particularly nice when you’re touring to Scotland with children.
You may see the digicam obscura itself and study the way it works, and the tower atop the constructing additionally offers you some nice views out over the town.
7. Get ghostly or go underground
Edinburgh has a really lengthy historical past – and never all of it’s good. There are numerous excursions you possibly can take to discover the darker aspect of the town, from nighttime ghost excursions to after-dark historic excursions. Some even take you into the underground vaults beneath the present metropolis streets.
Listed here are some spooky Edinburgh excursions to take a look at:
You must also take a look at the Real Mary King’s Close, which is a posh of slender alleyways partially hidden beneath the Royal Trade within the Outdated City. The world has loads of darkish tales related to it, so be ready for some goosebumps.
8. Greyfriars Kirkyard
Talking of spooky locations, I actually get pleasure from visiting outdated cemeteries after I journey. They are often hauntingly lovely, and that is positively true of Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh’s Outdated City with graves courting again to the 1600s.
Greyfriars is known for a few issues, together with Greyfriars Bobby, a bit of canine that guarded its former grasp’s grave within the graveyard for 14 years. (There is a statue of Bobby close to the graveyard’s entrance.)
The graveyard is also *supposedly* the place creator JK Rowling received just a few concepts for names within the Harry Potter collection, and you will find graves for the likes of Thomas Riddell, William McGonagall, Elizabeth Moodie, and Daniel Scrymgeour right here.
9. Take a Harry Potter tour
Talking of Harry Potter, there are many Harry Potter websites and actions round Edinburgh, on account of the truth that the creator lived within the metropolis whereas she wrote lots of the books. You may take a Harry Potter-themed strolling tour to see a whole lot of the websites directly – I like to recommend the free strolling excursions with the Potter Trail.
(For extra Harry Potter websites in Edinburgh, take a look at this submit: A Harry Potter Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland.)
10. Stroll in Grassmarket
Situated beneath the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Citadel on the Outdated City aspect sits the Grassmarket. What as soon as was a historic market place is now full of pubs, eating places, and extra of the town’s unbelievable structure.
Whilst you’re there, make sure you head up West Bow Avenue, which ends up in certainly one of my favourite streets in Edinburgh: Victoria Avenue.
The curving Victoria Avenue is without doubt one of the most photogenic streets in all of Edinburgh, and takes no time in any respect to stroll up. (The perfect views of the road are literally from Victoria Terrace.)
11. Go to the Nationwide Museum of Scotland
The Nationwide Museum of Scotland is without doubt one of the finest museums in Edinburgh. This museum is devoted to the historical past of (you guessed it) Scotland, however has reveals protecting issues like artwork, design, world cultures, and even dinosaurs, too. (Guys, they’ve the true Dolly the Sheep right here!)
And, like with most museums within the UK, this one is free to go to. Undoubtedly plan to spend a pair hours right here, as there’s lots to see!
12. Step again in time on the Museum of Edinburgh
One other good museum to go to in Edinburgh is the Museum of Edinburgh (wager you possibly can’t guess what it is about!). This museum proper on the Royal Mile is exclusive in that it is unfold out throughout numerous sixteenth century buildings.
There are many issues to see regarding Edinburgh’s lengthy historical past, with a number of the reveals voted on by native folks as the perfect representations of the tales which have formed the town. This museum is free, too!
13. Go to the Author’s Museum
Do you know that Scotland (and Edinburgh extra particularly) has produced a large number of writers and poets? The Author’s Museum celebrates three of Scotland’s most well-known literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
The free museum has issues like portraits, uncommon books, and private objects belonging and associated to those well-known Scottish writers.
14. Go on a literary pub tour
You may also find out about Scotland’s biggest writers by occurring a singular literary pub tour, which may have you tracing the town’s literary historical past by visiting locations frequented by the likes of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
15. Have afternoon tea
Whereas afternoon tea is commonly thought to be an English pastime, you possibly can nonetheless discover loads of fancy tea choices in Edinburgh, too. Some distinctive ones to think about embrace:
- Tea at Palm Courtroom on the Balmoral Resort
- Tea on the Signet Library (it is really a library!)
- A wizard-themed tea at The Cauldron Co
- Afternoon tea on a double-decker bus (book this one here)
RELATED: 3 Days in Edinburgh: The Perfect Itinerary
Issues to do in Edinburgh New City
Edinburgh’s New City is just “new” in relation to its Outdated City; this a part of the town largely dates again to the 1700s and 1800s. The structure right here is notably completely different, however nonetheless extremely lovely.
1. Stroll by Princes Avenue Gardens
An incredible factor to do in Edinburgh New City is strolling by Princes Avenue Gardens, that are technically two adjoining gardens within the middle of Edinburgh, simply down the hill from the fort on the New City aspect.
The Gardens have been created within the 1820s, after the Nor Loch (an historical lake) was drained. Right now, they are a pretty place for a day stroll that supply up glorious views of Edinburgh Citadel.
2. Climb the Scott Monument
The Victorian Gothic monument devoted to Scottish creator Sir Walter Scott sits on the sting of Princes Avenue Gardens, and is without doubt one of the largest monuments to a author anyplace on the planet. You may’t miss it.
The Scott Monument is just not a simple climb (it is 287 steps up, and contains some extraordinarily slender passages), however climbing to the highest will get you a number of the absolute best views of Edinburgh.
3. See the Scottish Nationwide Gallery
One other among the finest museums in Edinburgh is the Scottish Nationwide Gallery, situated on The Mound beneath Edinburgh Citadel. Right here you possibly can see artwork from Scottish and worldwide artists, and this museum can be free to go to.
4. Have the Johnnie Walker Expertise
Proper on the border of the New/Outdated Cities you will discover the Johnnie Walker Expertise, a brand new facility for whisky tastings and excursions. You may go on an interactive tour that features 3 tastings suited to your private preferences, do a chocolate and whisky pairing, or style whisky straight out of the cask within the cellars.
The Johnnie Walker constructing additionally has a really good reward store you possibly can go to with out taking a tour, and a rooftop bar/restaurant that gives up glorious views of Edinburgh.
You will need to ebook each excursions and rooftop reservations prematurely! (Book the whisky tour here!)
5. Store within the New City
Whereas there are many cute retailers within the Outdated City, too, the perfect buying in Edinburgh is within the New City. George Avenue is lined with boutiques and retailers, and the newer St. James Quarter just under Calton Hill can be well-liked for buying and eating.
Within the St. James Quarter, you will discover new meals courtroom ideas like Edinburgh Avenue Meals and Bonnie & Wild which might be nice for an inexpensive(er) meal.
6. Discover Dean Village
Considered one of my favourite spots in Edinburgh is Dean Village. This little neighborhood in New City is characterised by colourful historic homes and the Water of Leith operating by it.
It is an ideal place for a stroll – however beware that you’re going to really feel such as you’ve stepped again in time right here!
To search out Dean Village, take Bell’s Brae down beneath the Dean Bridge, solely a couple of 10- or 15-minute stroll from Princes Avenue.
From Dean Village, you possibly can additionally take a peaceable stroll alongside the Water of Leith. You will not really feel such as you’re in a serious metropolis in any respect!
7. Watch the sundown from Calton Hill
Situated past the east finish of Princes Avenue is Calton Hill, the place you will discover numerous monuments (just like the Nelson Monument and Robert Burns Monument) and a few extra unbelievable views out over Edinburgh.
In the event you do not fancy climbing the Scott Monument, positively be sure to get to Calton Hill for the views. It is a well-liked spot to look at the sundown in Edinburgh, but it surely’s nice any time of day.
8. Have a drink at The Balmoral
Staying at The Balmoral (a luxurious resort that dates again to 1902) could also be out of your Edinburgh price range, however you possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from this iconic resort with a go to to its whisky bar known as merely Scotch. As an alternative of bartenders, right here “Whisky Ambassadors” carrying kilts may help you pattern from certainly one of Edinburgh’s largest collections of whisky.
Issues to do outdoors of Edinburgh middle
Open to venturing a bit of farther from the Outdated City and New City? Listed here are just a few of the preferred issues to do:
1. Go to the Royal Botanic Backyard
In the event you’re visiting through the spring or summer season and the climate is good, then a go to to the Royal Botanic Backyard is beautiful. These gardens are greater than 350 years outdated and canopy 70 acres north of the Edinburgh metropolis middle, displaying a “Residing Assortment” of vegetation from all world wide.
2. Climb Arthur’s Seat
The preferred hike you can begin proper in central Edinburgh is the stroll to the highest of Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is definitely an historical (extinct) volcano that rises 251 meters (823 ft) over Holyrood Park, which is the Royal Park subsequent to Holyrood Palace.
The views from Arthur’s Seat over Edinburgh are implausible, and the entire hike often takes about 2 hours (there and again).
3. Tour the The Royal Yacht Britannia
Previously a favourite royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Yacht Britannia is now completely anchored in Leith, the stylish port neighborhood of Edinburgh. The yacht was in service from 1954-1997 (when you watched “The Crown,” you will bear in mind it within the storyline), touring greater than one million nautical miles all world wide.
Right now, the yacht is a part of the Nationwide Historic Fleet and is a vacationer attraction. You may tour the yacht to see its elaborate state rooms as they’d have been used when the ship was a royal residence, and even have tea in its tearoom.
4. See the Forth Bridge
A little bit additional out nonetheless, the enduring Forth Bridge spanning the Firth of Forth is value seeing when you’ll be driving north from Edinburgh. The cantilever railway bridge stretches throughout the Firth of Forth, and could be very hanging. It dates again to 1890, and is even a UNESCO World Heritage Web site!
One finish of the bridge is within the city of (South) Queensferry, which performs host every New 12 months’s Day to the Loony Dook, an annual polar plunge custom the place folks in costumes leap into the Firth of Forth. (I’ve finished it as a part of Hogmanay! It is wild.)
Day excursions from Edinburgh
There’s a lot to do in Edinburgh itself, however if you wish to discover a bit additional, there are many glorious day tour and day journey choices, too!
A few of the ones I might suggest embrace:
The place to remain in Edinburgh
Listed here are just a few of my favourite locations to remain in Edinburgh:
Mid-range resort within the Outdated City: Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile – I like this resort on Cowgate as a result of it is near the Royal Mile, and but not tremendous noisy. The rooms are brilliant and clear, the free wifi is quick, and also you often get free breakfast together with your reserving. (Read reviews | Book here)
House within the Outdated City: No1 Apartments Edinburgh – George IV Bridge – On a earlier solo go to to Edinburgh, I rented a one-bedroom condominium on George IV Bridge by No1 Flats. The condominium was attractive, and I had a view of Edinburgh Citadel from my kitchen window! (Read reviews | Book here)
House-hotel within the New City: Eden Locke – For studio and one-bedroom residences on George Avenue, I like Eden Locke. It is completely located close to eating places and cafes within the New City, however nonetheless inside strolling distance to Princes’ Avenue Gardens and the Outdated City. (Read reviews | Book here)
Luxurious resort within the Outdated City: Radisson Blu Edinburgh – If you wish to keep proper ON the Royal Mile, take a look at the Radisson Blue with its up to date rooms. (Read reviews | Book here)
Luxurious near the practice station: Market Street Hotel – Proper throughout the road from Edinburgh Waverley Station, this resort is certainly one of my favorites. It is understated luxurious with a number of added particular touches, together with a welcome glass of champagne and a free mini bar in each room. (Read reviews | Book here)
Edinburgh FAQ
And now just a few extra generally requested questions on Edinburgh!
If you wish to actually soak in all the town’s historical past and allure, I believe you want no less than 3 days in Edinburgh. Are you able to do Edinburgh in 2 days? Sure, you possibly can positively see the highlights. However 3 days could be very best!
The perfect time to go to Edinburgh (in my view) is in June. The climate is beginning to get nicer, but it surely’s not but as busy as it’ll get in July and August.
August can be a enjoyable time to go to, although, because it’s Edinburgh Festival month. The Fringe Competition, Edinburgh Navy Tattoo, and a lot extra occur in August! It is a enjoyable time to go to, but in addition very busy and costly.
Edinburgh can be enjoyable across the holidays. Town has Christmas markets, and the massive Hogmanay celebration to ring within the New 12 months lasts a number of days.
Edinburgh is in Scotland, and Scotland is in the UK. They use the pound sterling (GBP) right here, although when you get money out the payments will likely be from the Financial institution of Scotland.
Edinburgh is just not what I might name an inexpensive vacation spot, but it surely’s not as costly as London! There are many free issues to do, too.
You may fly into Edinburgh Airport, take a practice to Edinburgh Waverley Station from many UK cities (together with London), or you possibly can drive from different elements of Nice Britain.
Have you ever been to Edinburgh? In that case, what’s your favourite factor to do there?
