Capital cities don't get much prettier than Scotland's. With a skyline dominated by a brooding hilltop castle backed by winding cobblestone streets and alleyways, Edinburgh looks as if it were lifted straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. From exploring the medieval Royal Mile on foot to soaking up the atmosphere of the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and toasting your trip with a wee dram of whisky, you'll find no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh truly comes to life in the summer, when the city hosts a number of festivals, including the world’s largest performing arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This is peak season, though, so summer visitors should be prepared to contend with large crowds and higher-than-normal hotel rates. Spring is a good alternative if you’re not planning to attend the festival; the city is particularly beautiful when the flowers in parks and gardens are in full bloom.
Most of Edinburgh’s main attractions can easily be reached on foot—in fact, wandering around the history-filled streets is the best way to get a feel for city. If you need to travel longer distances, to see attractions like the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, hop on one of the city’s convenient buses: you can buy tickets on the bus, but you’ll need exact change. The city’s tram network is of little use to visitors.
The Secret Herb Garden, which is nestled in farmland on the edge of the Pentland Hills, on the outskirts of the city, is an ideal place to escape Edinburgh’s crowds. Spend a few relaxing hours wandering the grounds, shop for potted herbs, have a coffee or lunch in the vine-filled café and bistro, and pick up a bottle of gin from the on-site distillery.
Local Currency British Pound (£) | Time Zone BST (UTC +1) | Country Code +44 | Language(s) English | Attractions 56 | Tours 871 | Reviews 104,890 |
Will lived and studied near Edinburgh during his university years. He also worked for the Fringe Festival during the summertime.
download the Transport for Edinburgh app. Bus and tram are by far the easiest ways to cross the city.
includes a trip to the Camera Obscura, lunch on the Royal Mile, and a walk around Holyrood Park or the Royal Botanical Gardens. Finish up with dinner and drinks in New Town.
the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a whole month of art and theatre. You never know what you might see, especially with the Street Events along the Royal Mile.
head south of Princes Street and towards the Meadows where you can enjoy all the great Edinburgh architecture, as well as the city’s parks.
you should hike to Arthur’s Seat at the top of Holyrood Park. If you want an easier walk, take a quick trip up to Edinburgh Castle instead.
is believing that fried Mars Bars are something locals actually eat. However, if you do want to try one, you’ll find them in some Edinburgh chip shops.
Edinburgh is often said to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s famous for its historic attractions, which include its castle and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old and New Towns, and its literary heritage. Edinburgh is also famously a festival city, home to the world’s largest art festival.
...MoreAs well as visiting Edinburgh Castle and wandering around the Old Town and New Town, you should make time for the excellent National Museum of Scotland, whose collection includes everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to works by Scottish artists and designers, and a cloned sheep. Best of all, it’s free to enter.
...MoreWith up to 2.2 million visitors a year, the National Museum of Scotland is Edinburgh’s most visited attraction. Edinburgh Castle attracts a similar number of visitors each year, making it the city’s most-visited paid attraction. The Scottish National Gallery and St. Giles Cathedral are the next most visited attractions.
...MoreWith three days in Edinburgh you’ll have enough time to thoroughly explore both the Old and New Towns, as well as the city’s most famous attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. You’ll also have time for a day trip to Rosslyn Chapel or North Berwick.
...MoreYes, Edinburgh is generally a safe city. You are unlikely to have any problems wandering around the city during the day. Even at night you’re unlikely to have any problems as long as you stick to the main streets and well-lit areas—it’s best not to walk across the Meadows on your own at night.
...MoreNo. Edinburgh is not particularly cheap (and living costs for residents can be high) but neither is it expensive to visit compared to other major European cities—and it’s certainly more budget-friendly than London. Prices for hotels and eating out are quite high, but are balanced by the number of free attractions you can visit.
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