Are you in search of issues to do in Edinburgh? Edinburgh is a metropolis of historic, royal, gory, and ghost tales. It is a potent mix of outdated and new at each flip. From the enduring Edinburgh Castle, perched majestically over the town, to the vigorous festivals that animate its streets, Edinburgh is a vacation spot that guarantees unforgettable adventures. Explore the mysterious great thing about the Old Town, dive into the town’s flourishing arts scene, or relish the culinary delights in its quite a few eateries. Whether you’re a historical past buff, a tradition fanatic, or an city explorer, Edinburgh has one thing to captivate each traveler.
Best Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland
Having lived in Edinburgh all my life, it’s not stunning that I believe the town is unbelievable. With a large quantity of historical past, thrilling nightlife, and epic locations to see, you may shortly grow to be overwhelmed by every thing to do in Edinburgh. It is just not solely an important place to go to however to dwell as effectively.
If you might be visiting Edinburgh for the primary time, it may be slightly intimidating. So we requested Edinburgh, an Edinburgh resident, to share one of the best insider suggestions and points of interest, however we even have up to date our Edinburgh information to give you up-to-date details about one of the best Edinburgh points of interest and suggestions for planning the proper journey to this unbelievable metropolis.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Visiting Edinburgh Castle might be the primary factor to do in Edinburgh. It has been an important fortification concerned in army and strategic endeavors because the twelfth century and has been constantly occupied in some kind since then.
Edinburgh Castle proudly sits atop one of many metropolis’s extinct volcanos, Castle Rock, and homes many treasures like The Stone of Destiny and the oldest crown jewels in the UK. If you might be into Scottish historical past you need to go to this Castle because it as soon as housed essential figures equivalent to Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
If you’re a actual Royal fan, get your self the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. It saves you cash on this and different points of interest equivalent to, Holyrood Palace, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and 48-hour entry to the HOHO Bus! Get Your Royal Edinburgh Ticket Here
Make positive to walk the grounds. You’ll be impressed by the huge cannons, The Great Hall, and, in fact, the Chapel that dates again to the twelfth Century.
The fort has been residence to royalty, the chief seat of energy, and a army base all through the years. The one o’clock gun goes off from the entrance of the fort every single day besides Sunday. It is one thing you don’t wish to miss. The gun was carried out to assist with delivery and to maintain time.
Insider Tip – Edinburgh Castle is among the hottest points of interest in the town and might get very busy, so attempt to go to in the morning should you can. I like to recommend that you just ebook your ticket in advance and get one with quick monitor entry which is able to help you skip the ticket strains, particularly in case you are visiting in the course of the busy summer time season.
Hours: Summer (April 1-Sept 30) 9.30 am-6 pm (final entry at 5pm). Winter (Oct 1-Mar 31) 9.30 am-5 pm (final entry 4 pm). Price to Enter: Right now you need to ebook a ticket in advance on-line for entry. Adult £15.50 on-line, Concessions £12.40 on-line, Children 5-15 £9.30 on-line. Under 5s are free.
2. The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the oldest a part of the town and is one in all my favourite issues to do in Edinburgh. In transient, The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle all the best way down the volcanic path that takes you to Holyrood Palace – a mile down. Hence the identify The Royal Mile.
Walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is a vital expertise for guests main you previous a sequence of notable landmarks, quirky outlets, and welcoming cafes. As you wander its cobbled streets, you’ll encounter the fascinating St. Giles’ Cathedral, quite a few museums, and hidden closes (alleyways), every telling its personal story of the town’s previous and current.
The Royal Mile can be a hub for cultural occasions, notably in the course of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the place avenue performers and artists carry the world to life.
Even although the Royal Mile stroll itself will solely take you quarter-hour straight, I’d suggest spending a couple of hours right here. Start on the fort and work your method down – it’s simpler strolling downhill! If you intend to go to in the summer time make sure that to plan across the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as you gained’t have the ability to transfer in the streets. Is this your first time in Edinburgh? If so, try our 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
3. Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace, which is positioned at one finish of the Royal Mile and proper throughout the road from the Scottish Parliament, is among the most essential palaces in Scotland. It is used as a museum for a lot of the yr and is the official residence to the Queen and the Royal household once they come to go to.
The Abbey was constructed earlier than the palace courting again to 1128, by order of King David 1st of Scotland. In the fifteenth century, the abbey’s guesthouse was made right into a royal residence and has been utilized by British royalty ever since. It is a vital a part of Scottish historical past.
Make positive to go to Mary Queen of Scots chambers. They are fairly spectacular—one fast notice. Photography is just not allowed inside however you may take pictures of the gardens, exterior, and the Abbey. If you have an interest in any respect in the Royal Family, then you’ll want to add this to your checklist.
Admission to Holyrood Palace: They are solely taking timed entries for the time being in order that they should be booked in advance. This tour gives a free audio information as effectively.
Exploring Victoria Street in Edinburgh is a pleasant expertise for vacationers looking for a mix of distinctive buying and architectural magnificence. This historic avenue, with its distinctive curve and colourful facades, is a hub for unbiased boutiques, artisan outlets, and gourmand eateries.
It’s a treasure trove for these in search of uncommon books, bespoke jewellery, and Scottish crafts. The avenue’s higher degree gives an array of cozy cafes and eating places, good for a culinary break. Victoria Street’s distinctive structure, with its Old Town character and neatly stacked outlets, gives a picturesque backdrop for a leisurely stroll. This space, typically cited as an inspiration for the well-known Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter sequence, provides a contact of magic to the buying expertise. For guests to Edinburgh, a stroll down Victoria Street isn’t just a buying journey; it’s a journey via a vibrant a part of the town’s cultural tapestry.
5. Scottish National Gallery
When visiting Edinburgh you need to make sure that to make a journey to The Scottish National Gallery. This is a incredible Greek-columned advanced that’s artwork located proper in the center of Princes Street in the very middle of Edinburgh.
It consists of two buildings; the primary National Gallery is the constructing on the again, with the one on the entrance being a part of the Royal Scottish Academy. The principal gallery holds everlasting collections and is at all times free to go to.
If you might be an artwork lover the Scottish National Gallery has you coated. With artwork from Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Gauguin to works from Scottish artists like Reverent Robert Walking and Henry Raeburn, the Scottish National Gallery has one of many premier collections in the UK. If you might be an artwork lover, like I’m, this might be probably the greatest issues in Edinburgh that you’ll do.
Currently, you need to ebook a timed entry ticket on their web site. Scottish National Gallery Hours: 10 am-5 pm every day (Thursdays prolonged till 7 pm). Cost to Enter the Scottish National Gallery: Free for everlasting exhibitions, some at RSA have a charge.
6. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Nestled in a picturesque setting with in depth grounds, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art homes a formidable assortment of recent and up to date artwork, that includes works by famend artists like Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney.
The two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, every supply a definite expertise with their thought-provoking exhibitions and interactive installations. The gallery hosts quite a lot of workshops, talks, and short-term exhibitions, making each go to distinctive. Whether you’re an artwork connoisseur or just curious, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art presents an enticing cultural expertise, including a recent twist to Edinburgh’s various points of interest.
The gallery’s tranquil sculpture park, dotted with placing artworks, gives a serene escape from the town’s hustle.
7. National Museum of Scotland
If you’re a museum lover then this might be on the prime of your checklist when in search of issues to do in Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is located on Chamber’s Street in the outdated city and is a positive Victorian constructing that opened in 1866.
The National Museum is free and the in depth vary of matters coated is incredible. Whether you’re in Scottish historical past, expertise, innovations, world cultures, music, pure historical past, royalty, gory historical past, historical civilizations, or pure disasters, it should have one thing for you.
You may positively spend plenty of time in the National Museum, which welcomes over 2 million guests a yr, so make sure that to plan accordingly.
If the climate is good, make sure that to go as much as the rooftop terrace the place you may take in some unbelievable views of the town and the encircling space.
8. Visit or Climb the Scott Monument
The Scott Monument, positioned on the jap finish of Princes Street Gardens, is just not solely one of many metropolis’s most spectacular monuments It additionally gives some distinctive views of Edinburgh Castle and different Edinburgh points of interest.
Dedicated to the well-known Scottish creator Sir Walter Scott, the Scot Monument is a Gothic spire standing tall in the center of the town. As you ascend the 287 steps to the highest, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled vistas of the Edinburgh skyline and its environment. Climbing up the slender staircase of the Scott Monument could also be one of many extra adventurous issues to do in Edinburgh however make sure that to cease on the primary degree and be taught slightly extra in regards to the revered Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
Along the climb, you may pause on the viewing platforms to admire the intricate design and the sculptural particulars depicting characters from Scott’s novels. The monument’s location in Princes Street Gardens makes it a handy cease for guests exploring the town middle.
Built-in 1832 to commemorate the loss of life of Sir Walter Scott, this gothic spire stands 200 toes excessive and is intricately embellished with beloved characters from his books. If you have an interest in literature and the writings of Sir Walter Scott in addition to Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and different Scottish writers we additionally suggest visiting the Writers Museum close to the Royal Mile.
9. Climb Calton Hill
The prime of Calton Hill is among the finest spots for a spectacular view of the Edinburgh skyline, particularly at sundown. It is a a lot simpler climb than Arthur’s Seat, taking lower than ten minutes to achieve the highest from Regent Road.
The prime of Calton hill is residence to the Nelson Monument (that appears like a kind of upside-down telescope), the National Monument, which is designed equally to the Parthenon in Athens in Greece, and the City Observatory.
Even although the nationwide monument stays unfinished 200 years later, it’s nonetheless extremely popular amongst guests. Calton Hill can be an important place to benefit from the fireworks above the fort throughout Hogmanay.
10. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden is located outdoors the town centre by the stunning village of Stockbridge and has been there because the Victorian period. It is one other good spot to get away from the crowds and revel in nature, however right here it’s cultivated nature, with many stunning flowerbeds. There are gardens and flora from many alternative nations together with China, Japan, France, Spain, and Australia.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Hours: Daily 10am-6pm. Cost: Gardens free. Glasshouse £6.
11. Mary King’s Close
The Real Mary King’s Close is among the coolest issues to do in Edinburgh, primarily as a result of it’s all beneath the streets of Old Town and the Royal Mile.
What was as soon as one of many busiest streets in the town was coated by development again in the nineteenth century. But you may get a have a look at what life was like between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries with a tour of the Real Mary King’s shut.
You can solely discover the world with a chosen information, so we advise reserving a guided tour to get essentially the most out of this nice Edinburgh attraction. FYI, there aren’t any pictures allowed on the tour.
12. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is by far some of the enjoyable issues to do in Edinburgh, particularly in case you are visiting Edinburgh with youngsters. This attraction is made up of two completely different areas. The first is the World of Illusions, which is a number of flooring of magic shows, optical illusions, interactive displays, and different enjoyable issues that everybody will take pleasure in. Make positive to strive the Vortex!
But the primary attraction is on the roof, which is the Camera Obscura. This is mainly an old school projection system, however the demonstration and the story behind are what make this the star attraction. If cameras and magic usually are not an excessive amount of of curiosity, the views from the rooftop over Edinburgh are positively value it as effectively. You can learn the opinions and ebook your tickets right here.
13. St Giles Cathedral
There isn’t any scarcity of church buildings in Edinburgh and most are fairly spectacular. But should you resolve to go to solely one in all them it is best to make it to this one. It is tough to overlook the crown-shaped steeple of St Giles Cathedral which dates again to the 14th century and is an icon of the Edinburgh skyline.
Located near Old Town and the Royal Mile, it’s spectacular from the surface however I discover the within to be actually stunning. Don’t miss the Thistle Chapel (make sure that to take a look at the ceiling) or the rooftop tour to profit from your time there. Admission is upon donation and you should buy a pictures allow for two kilos on the data desk if you wish to take pictures inside, which I like to recommend.
14. Royal Yacht Britannia
You can not go to Edinburgh and never go to The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith. It is unquestionably some of the fashionable issues to do in Edinburgh.
This floating museum was Her Majesty the Queen’s ex-Royal Yacht. Built again in 1953 it served because the Royal Yacht till it was decommissioned in 1957. Several decks are open to the general public to view the varied staterooms and public rooms of the vessel.
You can take the audio tour to get all the within royal particulars or you may have Afternoon Tea on the Royal Deck Tea Room for the complete expertise. Since it’s Scotland’s Best Attraction based on the tourism website, you’ll want to ebook your ticket in advance to keep away from the crowds.
Hours: 9.30 am-4.30 pm. Cost to go to the Royal Yacht Britannia: £17.00/15.00 concession, £8.75 for kids 5-17.
15. Georgian House Museum
The Georgian House is a museum in Charlotte Square, which showcases the approach to life of the excessive Georgian society in Edinburgh’s New Town (George Street). Built in 1796, and positioned in New city, its first proprietor was John Lamont, who was the 18th clan chief of the clan Lamont.
He moved to the town centre to search out one of the best training for his sons and one of the best husbands for his daughters. People in Georgian occasions, structure, and existence would take pleasure in visiting the Georgian House at No. 7 Charlotte Square.
Note: They are closed for the time being. Please verify their web site for up-to-date hours. Hours: Summer hours (April-October) 10 am-5 pm every day. Winter hours (November-March) 10 am-4.15 pm every day.
16. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is one in all Edinburgh’s finest artwork galleries. If you’re a fan of portraiture, then this is among the issues to do in Edinburgh that you just don’t wish to miss. It holds a whole bunch of work of distinguished Scots from royalty, lords, and women, to artists, poets and writers.
The gallery has a mixture of mediums, from oil work to watercolors, to pictures. Also, there’s a statue of Robert Burns – Scotland’s bard – welcoming in the lobby.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Edinburgh is apparently some of the haunted cities in the world. One of the elements that contribute to this contains the a whole bunch of plague victims who have been walled in, in the outdated streets beneath the Royal Mile.
Another issue is all of the hangings that occurred in the Grassmarket, the place among the sad souls, and grieved harmless folks hanged hang-out the town. This is my favourite Ghost tour in Edinburgh. Great guides and truly fairly scary.
18. Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is positioned in the center of Edinburgh, on Princes Street proper beneath Edinburgh Castle. They was once the positioning of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was constructed in the 1760s. The gardens have an exquisite view of the fort, and it’s a good spot to walk or cease for a picnic.
They are additionally residence to the Edinburgh Christmas market. If you might be visiting in the winter you wish to make sure that to take this in.
19. The Grassmarket Gallows
The Grassmarket is a bustling a part of Edinburgh, which has nice nightlife and locations to eat, in addition to an intriguing previous. Situated in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle to the south, it’s named, because it was the market the place all animals that ate grass –in addition to the grasses to feed them – have been bought.
The bustling sq. hosts a meals and craft market on Sundays and has a plethora of nice outdated character-filled pubs to go to and nice eating places to pattern Scottish or worldwide meals. Common criminals who had been sentenced to loss of life have been hanged right here on the spot, which now could be a raised platform with a cross on it.
Some notorious Edinburgh criminals equivalent to mass assassin William Burke and thief Deacon Brodie met their finish right here.
20. Harry Potter in Edinburgh
You can not say you could have accomplished one of the best issues to do in Edinburgh with out taking in among the Harry Potter points of interest. JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh when she began writing Harry Potter, and through most of her time writing the tomes, so there are many hyperlinks to the tales for these . If you’re a Harry Potter fan you’ll love Edinburgh.
To get one of the best Harry Potter expertise, take a tour. This Harry Potter Walking Tour is among the finest in the town and is admittedly inexpensive.
21. Tour the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh
You don’t have to take a guided tour to take pleasure in Harry Potter places in Edinburgh. You can go to many by your self. Here are a couple of of my favorites.
The Elephant Café – On George Fourth Bridge. This is a café the place Rowling did plenty of writing throughout her early levels of the books.
Greyfriar’s Kirk – The grave of Scottish poet McGonagall was the inspiration for the character Ms. McGonagall, as Rowling loved the irony of naming a really literate and intelligent character after somebody notorious for his horrible poems.
Hogwarts – The description of Hogwarts is alleged to be an amalgamation of inspiration from three personal faculties in Edinburgh, Stuarts Melville, Fettes College, and George Heriots. All three faculties aren’t removed from the town middle, with George Heriots located proper behind Greyfriar’s Kirkyard should you go to there, so are straightforward to go to see.
The Boy Wizard Shops– Harry Potter outlets known as The Boy Wizard are popping up round Edinburgh for all of your Potter merchandise wants. There is presently one on South Bridge, The Royal Mile, contained in the Tartan Weaving Center proper subsequent to the Castle downstairs, and one simply opened in Edinburgh airport!
22. A Scotch Whisky Experience
You can not go to Scotland and have a Scotch Whisky expertise. Scottish Whisky is legendary, and it’s Dave’s favourite spirit. Even should you aren’t a scotch drinker, a Scotch Whisky expertise is a enjoyable tour to be taught in regards to the whisky course of and to know why it’s so fashionable worldwide.
For those that are in search of only a style, I like to recommend The Silver Tour, which is their most inexpensive, and in case you are extra of a connoisseur, try the Platinum Tour or the Masterclass. This place can get fairly busy, so I counsel grabbing a Skip the Line Ticket, particularly should you go to Visit Edinburgh in the course of the summer time.
Edinburgh gives many scotch excursions all through the town, and I’ve finished a couple of. The Scotch Whisky Experience above is my favourite, however if you wish to verify some extra of the town do that History of Whiskey Tour.
This highly-rated tour takes you thru one of many world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky. Discover the artwork of mixing and the secrets and techniques of single-malt whisky throughout our 5 whisky-producing areas.
23. The Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh has a protracted and tumultuous historical past. Visiting The Edinburgh Dungeon is a should should you like exploring slightly of the macabre. This expertise is completed effectively with dwell actors, particular results, and underground rides.
Walk the plagued roads of 1645, keep away from Burke and Hare and you might even face prosecution at trial. The Edinburgh Dungeon holds late-night occasions as effectively which might be adults solely. You are assured to have a very good time.
24. Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriar’s Bobby is the story of a wee canine from the Greyfriars space of Edinburgh. His is a story of friendship and devotion. A form native policeman named Jock Grey adopted slightly Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was simply a few weeks outdated. The pair quickly turned one of the best of mates, going all over the place, together with the native pub by Greyfriar’s Kirk (church), collectively.
Sadly after solely two years collectively, Jock handed away from tuberculosis, and Bobby was left masterless. The wee canine was broken-hearted, so he spent each evening of the remainder of his life – one other 14 years – sleeping on Jock’s grave. He was taken in by the neighborhood, given a license by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and has been a folks hero since.
Many folks have taken to rubbing the statue of Bobby’s nostril for luck and taking a photograph with him, so don’t miss visiting the town’s favourite canine.
25. Climb Arthur’s Seat and stroll in Holyrood Park
If you might be in search of one of the best views of the town then you’ll want to climb as much as the highest of Arthur’s Seat for positive. Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags are the hills in Edinburgh’s metropolis middle and will be seen from virtually anyplace in the town.
It is the positioning of a 350 million-year-old extinct volcano. The final eruption was greater than 100 million years in the past. Arthur’s Seat was once a royal park (you may see from noting the crowns on the lamps on the best way in), however was gifted by the Queen to the folks, so is now a public park (Holyrood Park).
The best route as much as Arthur’s Seat is to take the grassy slope on the east aspect from Dunsapie Loch on Queen’s Drive. It takes about half-hour to achieve the highest and is a comparatively straightforward hike (however a bit steep). Make positive to decorate for the climate as it will probably fairly windy on the prime.
We counsel heading as much as Artur’s Seat for Sunset. The views of the town are magnificent and you might be solely quarter-hour from the town middle. If you might be in search of another for sundown, Calton Hill is nice.
How Much Time Should You Spend in Edinburgh?
Like most locations, the period of time you want in a metropolis is solely depending on how a lot you wish to see and do.
We suggest spending at the very least 3 Days in Edinburgh, in order to take full benefit of visiting all the primary Edinburgh points of interest like Old Town, Arthur’s Seat, and Calton Hill in addition to among the extra distinctive issues like a ghost tour.
If you might be actually into Scottish historical past and Museums you would possibly wish to give your self slightly longer.
When is one of the best time to go to Edinburgh?
The finest time to go to Edinburgh is in the summer time. There are plenty of issues occurring and you will get one of the best climate. August can be the month when plenty of festivals happen such because the Edinburgh worldwide competition, so you’ll want to issue that into your planning. The solely caveat is that it is going to be fairly busy.
If you wish to go to when it’s a little much less crowded then the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall are for you. Accommodation costs are a bit decrease and the primary points of interest are much less busy.
Don’t write off winter although, particularly if you wish to go to the Edinburgh Christmas Market.
How to Get to Edinburgh
There are direct flights to Edinburgh from any of the UK’s main cities and round Europe.
Plus many main cities are related to the Scottish capital by practice. The principal practice station is the Waverley Train Station however you too can take the practice to Haymarket.
Buses additionally function between London and Edinburgh.
Getting Around Edinburgh
The great thing about a compact metropolis like Edinburgh is you could simply entry plenty of the primary points of interest on foot. If you aren’t into doing a little strolling (and a few hill climbing) you may entry the cities environment friendly bus and tram strains in addition to the well-run taxi service.
There can be the HOHO Bust that’s supplied free for 48 hours on the Edinburgh Pass, one other nice technique to get round.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Edinburgh
And that’s my information to one of the best issues to do in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visiting these Edinburgh points of interest ought to offer you an important start line when planning your journey to Edinburgh.
Regardless of whether or not you might be visiting for per week or a weekend, I’ve tried to incorporate issues which might be free to do in addition to plenty of low-cost objects. I hope you take pleasure in visiting my metropolis as a lot as I do residing right here.