Edinburgh Travel Guide
Overview
Certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Edinburgh, Scotland has its way of charming you. With the castle towering over the city, the contrast of the New Town and the Old, it was easy to move between the two. In one breath, you can be a hip coffee shop with coffee made from a local roaster, in another, you’re in a neo-gothic building looking at historic art. The transition between the two is seamless – Edinburgh has a way of savouring the old and fuelling the new.
Facts & Figures:
Population: 537,000 (2020).
Language: English
Suggested Length of Stay: 2 full days
Why should you visit?
There are plenty of exciting things to do in Edinburgh. With stunning architecture, endless winding streets and an awe-inspiring castle perched on a dormant volcano, there’s nowhere else quite like it.
Visiting Edinburgh is a must!
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Edinburgh is June through August when the average high temperatures rise to a balmy 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 C. But this is also the city’s busiest time for tourism, especially in August when festivals fill up the calendar, including the Edinburgh Fringe festival and Royal Military Tattoo.
For a month by month look click here
Getting around Edinburgh
Although Edinburgh is known as a very walkable city, the Scottish destination also has a solid public transportation system. Run by Transport for Edinburgh, the city’s primary public transportation options include buses, trams, and rental bikes. The main bus company, Lothian Buses, operates more than 50 routes, connecting locals and travellers to the city centre as well as the surrounding suburbs and Edinburgh Airport.
Most visitors to Edinburgh will concentrate their itinerary to the city centre and the Royal Mile, making it unnecessary to rent a car or take a lot of taxis. Meanwhile, the airport is easily accessed by bus or tram, with extensive hours available for early or late travellers.
Tips for Getting Around Edinburgh
- Edinburgh is an extremely walkable city, so if you’re having trouble figuring out the best option for public transportation, grab some sturdy shoes and open Google Maps. Many of the main attractions in Edinburgh are in the city centre near the Royal Mile, which means they are well positioned for walking.
- During big events, holidays, or on warm days, you might spot pedicab drivers around the city centre. The pedicabs have been operating in Edinburgh since 1996, and visitors can hail one for a ride. The price is negotiable, although expect to pay a solid fee for the journey.
- Traveling between Edinburgh and Glasgow is quick and easy (the drive is about an hour). Trains are available from Edinburgh’s Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street regularly, or you can take a bus or taxi service between the two cities.
Things to see and do
You’re never far from attractions in Edinburgh. By day you can scale a monument dedicated to a wordsmith, admire artworks in galleries and treasured wonders in museums, or even discover the grounds of Holyrood Palace. By night you can enjoy ghost tours, musical and theatre performances, or find your favourite dram in a charming whisky pub.
If you want to experience the bustling Edinburgh Fringe – the world’s largest open access arts festival – make sure you visit in August, when the city comes alive with the best performers and shows from around the globe.
We’ve picked out some must-see attractions and things to do in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh is teeming with history, but its most iconic historical attraction is Edinburgh Castle. The towering stone building, which sits above Edinburgh on Castle Hill, saw more than 2 million visitors in 2019. It’s the most-visited of all Historic Environment Scotland‘s buildings and sites—for good reason. The castle, which dates back over 900 years to the Iron Age, has a long history as both a royal residence and military base, much of which is on display in its rooms and outdoor areas. Edinburgh Castle is a must-do for visitors of all ages, especially if it’s your first time to the Scottish city.
Edinburgh Castle is fairly expansive, with many rooms, exhibitions, and artifacts to see. Highlights include the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg, the Honours of Scotland, the Half Moon Battery, and the “Fight for the Castle” exhibit. The castle has several recommended itineraries for visitors, depending on what you’re interested in and how long you wish to spend exploring the attraction. Opt for the “Just an Hour” itinerary if your time is limited, but it’s best to give yourself an entire morning or afternoon to really understand Edinburgh Castle’s history and legacy. Audio guides are available for rent at the ticket office in a variety of languages and guided tours are also available.
Top tip: Listen out for the firing of the One O’clock Gun from the castle grounds, which can be heard daily (except on Sundays). Did you know? Ships in the Firth of Forth once set their maritime clocks according to the sound of the shot.
Location: You can’t miss it!
Book your guided tour here using our recommended partner below:
National Museum Scotland
Visit the National Museum of Scotland, one of the best indoor attractions in Edinburgh. And, best of all, entry is free. With over 20,000 unique artefacts to see, there’s something for everyone, and fun for all the family. Spend the day learning about the catacombs of Egypt, the wonders of nature and even modern-day technology.
Calton Hill to the National Monument
For outstanding views, get up early and climb to the top of Calton Hill to enjoy the sunrise over the city. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a collection of historic monuments, most notably the National Monument which was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
It’s FREE!
Top tip: Thinking of staying in Scotland this New Year’s Eve? One of the best things to do in Edinburgh at night on Hogmanay is to climb Calton Hill and enjoy the annual firework display above the castle.
The Real Mary Kings Close
Beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh’s deepest secret a warren of hidden streets where real people lived, worked and died between the 17th and the 19th centuries.
The Real Mary Kings Close is Edinburgh’s only preserved 17thcentury street, wander through a labyrinth of Old Town alleyways, avoid the cry of gardyloo, and discover the stories of the people who lived, worked, and died here.
Tour length – Approximately 1 hour
Price –
Adults – £18.95 / €22 / $26
Children – £12.45 / €14.55 / $17
Book direct here
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
One of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh also has the distinction of being one of the oldest. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is located in a prime location on The Royal Mile, not far from Edinburgh Castle and more-or-less opposite The Scotch Whisky Experience.
The attraction features interactive exhibits that are designed to push your senses to the limit with a series of optical illusions that use light and colour to brain-boggling effect.
The collection is split across six floors, with one dedicated to holograms, another featuring a mirror maze, and yet another with a swirling vortex tunnel. Each area showcases a different aspect of optical illusions from simple mirrors and light shows to high-tech thermal imaging cameras and laser-etched holograms.
Due to its location on The Royal Mile, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is one of the most recognizable attractions in Edinburgh, and its whitewashed tower can be seen on postcards in virtually every gift shop in the city.
How do I get to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions ?
How much does it cost to visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions ?
Visit the tickets page for the latest entry prices.
What are Camera Obscura and World of Illusions opening times?
Visit the opening times page for the current opening times.
Holyrood park and Arthur’s seat
Perhaps one of the most iconic places to go in Edinburgh is Arthur’s Seat, located within Holyrood Park. This ancient volcano sits 251m above sea level and offers 360-degree views of Edinburgh and the Lothians. You can see the medieval remains of St Anthony’s Chapel or feed the ducks and swans on Duddingston Loch. There’s plenty of paths and trails to follow, suitable for all, including the trail to St Margaret’s Loch which is both wheelchair and buggy accessible.
Top tip: Climbing up to the top of this dormant volcano is hungry work! Why not pack a picnic and enjoy it from the best ‘seat’ in Edinburgh?
St. Giles Cathedral
St. Giles Cathedral has been a focal point for religious activity in Edinburgh for over 900 years although the present structure that we see today can trace its roots back to the 14th century.
Due to its central location on The Royal Mile, St. Giles has become a popular tourist attraction and it’s an ideal stop-off point between excursions to Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle.
The cathedral is beautiful and a must-see.
Entry is free
Location – Google Maps
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, is Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Standing at the end of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, this fine palace is the home of Scottish royal history.
At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, explore 14 magnificent historic and State Apartments, the romantic ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey and remarkable royal gardens, all with a complimentary multimedia tour in ten languages.
Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, the Palace was the setting for many dramatic episodes in her short reign. Today, the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is open Thursdays – Mondays.
Book a tour here using our recommended partner below:
Other Things to do
Book Tours and Purchase Tickets
Eat and drink like a local
When you’re in Scotland, you don’t ask for Scotch but for whisky. Most of the restaurants have an excellent selection on hand, and you can experience a wide range of options by simply sampling their menus as after-dinner drinks. For a more immersive whisky experience, most hotels have a whisky bar and offer tastings.
Thanks to its proximity to the cold waters of the North Sea, Edinburgh always has an abundance of exceptionally fresh seafood. Meals can included crab beignets (fried dumplings of delicately fluffed crab meat) at Fishers in the City, on Thistle Street in New Town. You can also get oysters at The Mussel and Steak Bar in Grassmarket, and fish and chips at any of the city’s many shops.
Robert Burns once called haggis the ‘Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!’ This national dish of Scotland is essentially an oaty sausage, but it isn’t to everyone’s taste. If you decide to try it, go to Whiski on the Royal Mile where you’ll be able to sample a small portion served with the traditional accompaniments of turnips and potatoes.
Where to stay
When we visited Edinburgh in 2019 we stayed at “Stay City Apartments Edinburgh”. It was actually a town house on the canal, featuring 3 floors, a kitchen, dining area, 3 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms.
With the city centre within walking distance and away from all the tourists, this was a fantastic location!
Our favourite features:
- Fantastic value
- Friendly staff
- Large town house
- Access to transport link
- Balcony on the canal
Final thoughts
Edinburgh is a fantastic place and is a must if you want to visit Scotland. You can spend the morning rambling through the medieval Old Town’s streets, eat lunch in the shadow of the castle at a Grassmarket café, hike up Arthur’s Seat in the afternoon, rub elbows with the regulars of a local pub in the evening, and finish off your night with a dram of single malt in a well-stocked tasting room.
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Other Scotland Related Guides
Be sure to check out our other exciting guides related to Scotland:
We love Edinburgh! Make sure it’s on your list.
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