What To Do In Edinburgh
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Here are the best things to do during your trip to Edinburgh.
What To Do In Edinburgh, Scotland
As one of the world’s most popular city break destinations, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit with a rich history and many things to see and do.
My guide highlights some of the city’s best landmarks and activities, with the aim of helping you to make the most of your trip.
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Find the best tours and activities on the Get Your Guide website here
Where Is Edinburgh Located In Scotland?
Located on the south east coast of Scotland, Edinburgh is just a few hours north of the border with England. The city is easily accessible, with its own international airport running regular flights into Europe and beyond - including direct flights to and from the US.
Crossing into Scotland from England is seamless, with trains and buses running through the boarder each day. There are no checkpoints here, so you won’t be required to stop as part of your journey.
Edinburgh itself also makes the perfect base for day trips further afield, or as a stop on the way to the Scottish highlands, which are only a train ride away.
Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?
As one of my favourite cities, Edinburgh is a place that I keep coming back to and is definitely well worth visiting. There’s just so much to see - from cultural gems and historical sites to its many independent shops, bars and eateries, you’ll find something to suit all tastes.
The city is drenched with history and is visually stunning, with tall tenement buildings, winding alleys and ancient historical sites. You’ll notice that many of the buildings have been constructed from locally sourced stone, which gives the architecture a cohesive grey/brown colouring.
Edinburgh even has its own seaside, Portobello, which is a popular destination in the summer months and the best place for a soft serve ice cream.
What Is Edinburgh Famous For?
A city that’s overlooked by a majestic 900 year old castle, Edinburgh’s streets are woven with generations of history. It’s been the capital of Scotland since 1437, and has a rich cultural heritage that includes its impressive architecture, literature and affinity for whisky.
Visitors will find themselves drawn to the historic Old Town, which was classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the New Town in 2005. These areas include the grand Royal Mile, which connects the city’s two royal residences Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, as well as the colourful Grassmarket.
Edinburgh itself was even named as the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004, with its strong links to great Scottish writers Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns. The city also hosts a famous literary festival each summer called Edinburgh International Book Festival, which has been running since 1983 and offers hundreds of events for adults, children and young people.
Whether you’re after beautiful outdoor landmarks like Arthur’s Seat, a taste of the city’s whisky culture or stunning rooftop views over the city, then Edinburgh truly has it all.
When To Visit Edinburgh
This is the sort of location that you can visit during any month of the year and still have a fantastic time. While the summer is a favourite for people who want to visit the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, you’ll find that the city is much more busy and the accommodation more expensive.
Spring and autumn here are both lovely, with more moderate weather for exploring and fewer crowds. If you don’t mind braving the cold, then winter is the best time for finding good deals and visiting the annual Christmas market.
Personally, I would recommend making several trips to the city so that you can experience what each season has to offer.
How Many Days In Edinburgh Is Enough?
Edinburgh is the ideal place to visit over a long weekend, which gives you plenty of time to see the main sights. I would say that 3 or 4 days is the ideal amount of time to spend in the city, and is the preferred length for my visits.
You may also wish to incorporate your visit to Edinburgh as part of a longer trip around Scotland, particularly if you are travelling from further afield.
What To See And Do In Edinburgh
Here is my list of the very best things to see and do in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle
Potentially Edinburgh’s most iconic landmark, Edinburgh Castle is more than 900 years old and towers over the heart of the city. The castle has played many roles, having previously served as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and more over the centuries.
Today, Edinburgh Castle is a popular tourist attraction with a variety of well preserved rooms to explore. You’ll find the Scottish National War Memorial here, as well as the National War Museum and One o’Clock Gun, which fires most days at 1pm.
The castle can be explored independently or with a guide, with tours bookable on the Get Your Guide website here.
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on the Edinburgh Castle website if you prefer to explore by yourself.
Stroll Down the Royal Mile
Another of the most well known locations in Edinburgh, the Royal Mile is a long stretch of road that connects two of the city’s royal residences: Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. There’s lots to see here, including the Houses of Parliament, St Giles Cathedral, and a variety of other tourist attractions, shops and cafes.
I would recommend booking a walking tour led by a local guide, who will make sure you discover all of its best hidden secrets and stories. This tour is just £18 per person and lasts for 2 hours, starting at St Giles Cathedral.
Shopping at the Grassmarket
Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Grassmarket is a colourful area that dates back to the 14th century when it started life as a cattle market. There’s a darker history here too, and the Grassmarket was also used for public executions throughout the 16 and 1700s.
Today it’s filled with a wide range of independent shops and cafes, and makes a great place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family.
Make sure to stop by Maggie Dickinson’s pub, which is named after a 17th century fisherman’s wife who allegedly survived her own hanging in 1724. Known as Half-Hangit Maggie, the pub overlooks the spot where she was hung, before she woke up in her coffin some time later.
Climb Arthur’s Seat
This suggestion is ideal for anyone who enjoys being active and is looking to spend time outside.
Arthur’s Seat is the site of an ancient extinct volcano that is thought to have been dormant for 350 million years. Human beings have been active here for a few thousand years, and today it has become a popular walking spot due to its panoramic views over the city.
The peak is 251 metres high and the hike itself takes about 2 hours, with different routes available depending on your preference and ability. It’s worth remembering that the ground here can be rocky and uneven with lots of mud in rainy weather, so make sure that you prepare appropriately.
Guided tours of Arthur’s Seat are also available if you prefer to explore with a group. This tour includes a number of local sights including Carlton Hill and Holyrood Palace, in addition to the Arthur’s Seat hike.
Book your spot on the tour here.
Visit the Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh is home to a stunning botanic garden which has one of the largest collections of plants in the world, currently totalling 13,500 plants from 157 countries across their 4 sites.
Visitors can explore 70 acres of garden, with collections including the Rock Garden, Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden, Arboretum, Chinese Hillside and more. This is somewhere that’s worth returning to see in each season, with a fantastic Christmas light show taking place each December.
Entry to most of the site is free, with an additional fee necessary for the specialised glasshouses.
See the Animals at Edinburgh Zoo
Nature lovers need to stop by Edinburgh Zoo, which is home to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and houses more than 2500 animals. From monkeys and giraffes to sloths and penguins, there are a wide variety of animals to see here, making it an educational experience for visitors of all ages.
This zoo has a focus on conservation, and is actively working towards preserving animal species in Scotland and around the world.
Ascend Carlton Hill
If you want to go on a pleasant walk but don’t fancy climbing Arthur’s Seat, then Carlton Hill makes a great alternative.
Located in the centre of Edinburgh, this volcanic hill is home to the National Monument and City Observatory, with fantastic views of the city. The hill itself is 103m tall and considered to be an easy walk, taking just 5 to 10 minutes to reach the top from the Waterloo Place entrance.
The Real Mary King’s Close
I visited this fantastic tourist attraction during my first ever visit to Edinburgh. Perfect for fans of social history, the Real Mary King’s Close includes a tour of an original 17th century close which is hidden beneath the Royal Mile.
The experience lasts for around 1 hour and is led by a costumed guide who will give you a flavour of life in Edinburgh several hundred years ago. Each guide is based on a real character from history, and will tell gripping stories from the haunting days of plague and poverty, as well as moments of resilience and rebellion.
Book a ticket and follow in the footsteps of the real residents who lived, worked and died in the streets of Edinburgh.
Tickets cost £29 per person and are available to buy here.
Holyrood Palace
Another of Edinburgh’s historical locations, Holyrood Palace is the King's official Scottish residence and located at the end of the Royal Mile.
Visitors can tour the State Apartments, Throne Room, Great Gallery, and rooms belonging to Mary Queen of Scots, as well as Holyrood Abbey and the extensive palace gardens.
Tickets cost £22 per person and can be converted into a year long pass while onsite.
Buy your entry ticket online here.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Known to be Edinburgh’s first purpose built tourist attraction, the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions dates back 185 years. Today the attraction has 100 interactive illusions spread across 5 floors, with fantastic views over the city from its rooftop terrace.
The Camera Obscura located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, just moments away from the Castle and the Scottish Whisky Experience.
Entry costs £24.95 for adults and £17.95 for children. Discounts are available for students and senior citizens, while children under 5 enter for free. As the attraction regularly sells out it’s recommended that you book tickets in advance to prevent disappointment.
Visit the National Museum of Scotland
There are many museums to explore in Edinburgh, but if you can only choose one, I would recommend stopping by the National Museum of Scotland.
Not only is entry to this museum free, but the collection holds thousands of objects displayed across multiple galleries. Displays include dinosaurs and the natural world, science and technology, history, world cultures and so much more.
Selected exhibitions will sometimes cost an additional fee, but these are optional and most of the museum is free to explore - including its family friendly spaces.
The Writers’ Museum
A must-visit for literature lovers, the Writers’ Museum celebrates 3 of Scotlands literary greats: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Telling the story of the writers’ works and lives, the museum houses rare books and personal objects that belonged to each of them, including Robert Burns’ writing desk and even a plaster cast of his skull. It’s located inside the 17th century Lady Stair's House, which is an iconic stone building that features a distinctive turret.
The museum is free to enter and booking in advance is not required. Just turn up!
Visit Greyfriars Bobby
This Skye Terrier is known to be Scotland’s most loyal dog, and was memorialised for guarding his owner’s grave for 14 years until he too passed away.
The dog, Bobby, belonged to local policeman John Gray who died from Tuberculosis in 1858. Despite the efforts of the groundskeeper and gardener to evict Bobby, he became a permanent picture of the churchyard until he passed away in 1872 and was buried nearby.
This bronze statue was erected in 1872 and and remains there until this day. You can find him in Edinburgh’s Old Town at the junction between Candlemaker Row and George IV Bridge, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Go on a whisky tasting tour
Known for its extensive production of scotch whisky in the 19th century, Edinburgh has a variety of well rated tours that will introduce you to one of Scotland’s best loved drinks.
The Scotch Whisky Experience in the Old Town is a popular choice, covering 35 years of scotch production. Different ticket options are available depending on how many tastings you would like to have, with prices starting at £25.
The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience on Princes Street is also highly rated, which include three scotch whisky cocktails, performances and a 90 minute guided tour.
Other whisky tours and experiences can be found on the Get Your Guide website here.
Explore the bookshops
Edinburgh has a thriving bookshop scene worthy of a UNESCO City of Literature, with dozens of independent bookshops spread out across the city.
I’m always amazed at how frequently new bookshops open here, with some of the latest additions including the National Trust owned Below Stairs Books, which is a second hand bookshop in the Georgian House, and the Book Lovers Bookshop in Southside which focuses on romantic fiction.
Read my guide to Edinburgh’s best bookshops here.
Wander around Dean Village
The final recommendation on my list, Dean Village is a beautiful former hamlet that dates back to the 12th century. There’s not much to do here in terms of shops or cafes, but it’s a great spot for a tranquil walk to enjoy the architecture and fairytale-like vibes.
The village is just a 10 - 15 minute walk from Princes Street and you should expect to spend around 45 minutes exploring the area.
Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have a wonderful time in Edinburgh!
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Bookshops in Edinburgh - A Complete Guide