Are you on the lookout for issues to do in Edinburgh? We requested native author Karen Worral to share her insider ideas and favourite Edinburgh sights to benefit from your keep.
From the imposing Edinburgh Castle that appears over town to the well-known Royal Mile, Edinburgh is a kind of locations that can maintain you coming again. Edinburgh is a metropolis of historic tales, royal tales, gory tales, and ghost tales. It is a potent mix of previous and new at each flip.
The Top Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland
Having lived in Edinburgh all my life, it isn’t stunning that I feel town is unimaginable. With a large quantity of historical past, thrilling nightlife, and epic locations to see, you may simply grow to be overwhelmed by all of the issues to do in Edinburgh. It isn’t solely an important place to go to however to stay as properly.
Over the years I’ve been capable of discover virtually all Edinburgh sights. That has given me the experience to share with you the entire finest issues to do in Edinburgh whether or not it is a first-time go to or your fifth time you’ll find one thing that piques your curiosity.
If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the primary time it may be a bit intimidating. We needed to make issues a bit simpler for you by offering you with up-to-date details about the most effective Edinburgh sights in addition to our ideas for planning the proper journey to this unimaginable metropolis.
Surprisingly, quite a lot of Edinburgh sights are free! Below you’ll find, in no explicit order, what we contemplate the issues you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting Edinburgh for the primary time.
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 repeatedly occupied in some kind since then.
It 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 within the UK. If you’re into Scottish historical past you could go to this Castle because it as soon as housed necessary figures akin to Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Don’t overlook to walk the grounds and be impressed by the huge cannons, The Great corridor, and naturally the Chapel that dates again to the twelfth Century.
If you’re a actual Royal fan get your self the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. It saves you cash on this and different sights akin to, Holyrood Palace, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and 48-hour entry to the HOHO Bus! Get Your Royal Edinburgh Ticket Here
The fort has been house 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 daily besides Sunday. It is one thing you don’t wish to miss. The gun was carried out to assist with transport and to maintain time.
Insider Tip – This is likely one of the hottest sights within the metropolis and may get very busy, so attempt to go to within the morning should you can. I like to recommend that you just ebook your ticket upfront and get one with quick monitor entry which is able to will let you skip the ticket traces, particularly if you’re visiting through the busy summer season 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 could ebook a ticket upfront 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 town and is one among my favourite issues to do in Edinburgh. In transient, The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle all the way in which down the volcanic path that takes you to Holyrood Palace – a mile down.
This is Edinburgh’s Old Town and Old High Street. It is chock stuffed with historical past and tales worthy of its personal information. The Royal Mile space itself is definitely 5 separate streets and it’s value it to discover all of them. High Street is filled with sights and landmarks in addition to eating places and museums.
Even although the Royal Mile stroll itself will solely take you quarter-hour straight, I’d advocate spending a couple of hours right here. Start on the fort and work your means down – it’s simpler strolling downhill! If you intend to go to in the summertime be sure to plan across the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as you gained’t be capable to transfer within the streets.
Is this your first time in Edinburgh? If so, take a look at our 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
3. Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace, which is situated at one finish of the Royal Mile and proper throughout the road from the Scottish Parliament, is likely one of the most necessary palaces in Scotland. It is used as a museum for many of the yr and is the official house to the Queen and the Royal household once they come to go to.
The Abbey was constructed earlier than the palace relationship 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 not miss the Mary Queen of Scots chambers. They are fairly spectacular. One fast notice. Photography isn’t allowed inside however you may take images of the gardens, exterior, and the Abbey. If you have an interest in any respect within the Royal Family then you’ll want to add this to your record.
Admission to Holyrood Palace: They are solely taking timed entries in the meanwhile in order that they have to be booked upfront. This tour provides a free audio information as properly.
4. National Museum of Scotland
If you’re a museum lover then this might be on the prime of your record when on the lookout for issues to do in Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is located on Chamber’s Street within the previous city and is a positive Victorian constructing that opened in 1866.
The National Museum is free and the intensive vary of subjects coated is incredible. Whether you’re taken with Scottish historical past, expertise, innovations, world cultures, music, pure historical past, royalty, gory historical past, historical civilizations, or pure disasters, it’s going to have one thing for you.
You may undoubtedly spend quite a lot of time within the National Museum, which welcomes over 2 million guests a yr, so be sure to plan accordingly.
If the climate is sweet, be sure to go as much as the rooftop terrace the place you may absorb some unimaginable views of town and the encompassing space.
5. Scottish National Gallery
When visiting Edinburgh you could be sure to make a journey to The Scottish National Gallery. This is a incredible Greek-columned complicated that’s artwork located proper in the midst of Princes Street within 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 essential gallery holds everlasting collections and is at all times free to go to.
If you’re 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 within the UK. If you’re an artwork lover, like I’m, this might be probably the greatest issues in Edinburgh that you’ll do.
- Currently, you could ebook a timed entry ticket on their web site.
- Scottish National Gallery Hours: 10 am-5 pm day by day (Thursdays prolonged till 7 pm).
- Cost to Enter the Scottish National Gallery: Free for everlasting exhibitions, some at RSA have a price.
6. Climb Arthur’s Seat and stroll in Holyrood Park
If you’re on the lookout for the most effective views of 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 might be seen from virtually wherever within the metropolis.
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 a royal park (you may see from noting the crowns on the lamps on the way in which in), however was gifted by the Queen to the individuals, 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 succeed in the highest and is a comparatively straightforward hike (however a bit steep). Make positive to decorate for the climate as it may fairly windy on the prime.
We counsel heading as much as Artur’s Seat for Sunset. The views of town are magnificent and you’re solely quarter-hour from town middle. If you’re on the lookout for another for sundown Calton Hill is a superb various.
7. Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is situated in the midst of Edinburgh, on Princes Street proper beneath Edinburgh Castle. They was the positioning of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was constructed within 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 house to the Edinburgh Christmas market. If you’re visiting within the winter you wish to be sure to take this in.
8. Visit or Climb the Scott Monument
The Scott Monument, situated on the jap finish of Princes Street Gardens, isn’t solely probably the most spectacular monuments within the metropolis, nevertheless it additionally provides some distinctive views of Edinburgh Castle and different Edinburgh sights.
Climbing up the slim staircase (287 steps) of the Scott Monument could also be one of many extra adventurous issues to do in Edinburgh however be sure to cease on the primary stage and be taught a bit extra in regards to the revered Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
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 advocate visiting the Writers Museum close to the Royal Mile.
9. Climb Calton Hill
The prime of Calton Hill is likely one of the finest spots for a spectacular view of town, particularly at sundown. It is a a lot simpler climb than Arthur’s Seat, taking lower than ten minutes to succeed in the highest from Regent Road.
The prime of Calton hill is house to the Nelson Monument (that appears like a type 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 very fashionable 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 town centre by the beautiful village of Stockbridge and has been there because the Victorian period. It is one other good spot to get away from the crowds and luxuriate in nature, however right here it’s cultivated nature, with many lovely flowerbeds. There are gardens and flora from many alternative international locations 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 likely one of 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 within the metropolis was coated by building again within 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 realm with a delegated information, so we advise reserving a guided tour to get probably the most out of this nice Edinburgh attraction. FYI, there are not any images allowed on the tour.
12. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is by far probably the most enjoyable issues to do in Edinburgh, particularly if you’re visiting Edinburgh with children. This attraction is made up of two totally 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 principally an old school projection system, however the demonstration and the story behind are what make this the star attraction. If cameras and magic will not be an excessive amount of of curiosity, the views from the rooftop over Edinburgh are undoubtedly value it as properly. You can learn the critiques and ebook your tickets right here.
13. St Giles Cathedral
There is not any scarcity of church buildings in Edinburgh and most are fairly spectacular. But should you resolve to go to solely one among 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 skin however I discover the within to be actually lovely. Don’t miss the Thistle Chapel (be sure to take a look at the ceiling) or the rooftop tour to benefit from your time there. Admission is upon donation and you should buy a images allow for two kilos on the data desk if you wish to take images inside, which I like to recommend.
14. Royal Yacht Britannia
You can’t go to Edinburgh and never go to The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith. It is certainly probably the most standard 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 in line with the tourism web site, you’ll want to ebook your ticket upfront 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 situated in New city, its first proprietor was John Lamont, who was the 18th clan chief of the clan Lamont.
He moved to town centre to seek out the most effective schooling for his sons and the most effective husbands for his daughters. People taken with Georgian occasions, structure, and existence would take pleasure in visiting the Georgian House at No. 7 Charlotte Square.
- Note: They are closed in the meanwhile. Please verify their web site for up-to-date hours.
- Hours: Summer hours (April-October) 10 am-5 pm day by day. Winter hours (November-March) 10 am-4.15 pm day by day.
16. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is one among Edinburgh’s finest artwork galleries. If you’re a fan of portraiture, then this is likely one of the issues to do in Edinburgh that you just don’t wish to miss. It holds tons of of work of distinguished Scots from royalty, lords, and girls, to artists, poets and writers.
The gallery has a mixture of mediums, from oil work to watercolors, to images. Also, there’s a statue of Robert Burns – Scotland’s bard – welcoming within the lobby.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Edinburgh is apparently probably the most haunted cities on the earth. One of the components that contribute to this consists of the tons of of plague victims who have been walled in, within the previous streets beneath the Royal Mile.
Another issue is all of the hangings that occurred within the Grassmarket, the place among the sad souls, and grieved harmless individuals hanged hang-out town. This is my favourite Ghost tour in Edinburgh. Great guides and really fairly scary.
18. Greyfriar’s Bobby
Greyfriar’s Bobby is the story of a wee canine from the Greyfriar’s space of Edinburgh. His is a story of friendship and devotion. A sort native policeman named Jock Grey adopted a bit Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was simply a few weeks previous. The pair quickly turned the most effective of pals, going in all places, 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 master-less. The wee canine was broken-hearted, so 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 and given a license by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and has been a type of people hero since.
Many individuals have taken to rubbing the statue of Bobby’s nostril for luck and taking a photograph with him, so don’t miss visiting town’s favourite canine.
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 within 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 previous 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’s a raised platform with a cross on it.
Some notorious Edinburgh criminals akin to mass assassin William Burke and thief Deacon Brodie met their finish right here.
20. Harry Potter in Edinburgh
You can’t say you’ve got accomplished the most effective issues to do in Edinburgh with out taking in among the Harry Potter sights. 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.
The option to get the most effective Harry Potter expertise is to take a tour. This Harry Potter Walking Tour is likely one of the finest within the metropolis and is actually inexpensive.
21. Tour the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh
You don’t must 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 quite a lot of writing throughout her early phases 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 claimed 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 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 retailers referred to 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!
21. A Scotch Whisky Experience
You can’t go to Scotland and never expertise Scotch. Well, that is what The Scotch Whiskey Experience is all about. Located throughout the road from Camera Obscura and The World of Illusions, this is likely one of the most enjoyable grownup issues to do in Edinburgh palms down. Especially should you love whiskey.
Even should you don’t you’ll have enjoyable studying in regards to the course of and why it’s so standard on this a part of the world. For those that are on the lookout for only a style I like to recommend The Silver your which is their most inexpensive and if you’re extra of a connoisseur then take a look at the Platinum tour or the Masterclass. This place can get fairly busy so I counsel grabbing a Skip the Line Ticket particularly if you’re visiting through the summer season.
Edinburgh provides a ton of various whiskey excursions all through town and I’ve achieved a couple of. The one above is my favourite however if you wish to verify some extra of town do this History of Whiskey Tour.
22. The Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh has an extended historical past and a tumultuous one. A go to to The Edinburgh Dungeon is a should should you like exploring a bit of the macabre. This expertise is finished rather well with stay actors, particular results, and underground rides.
Walk the plagued roads of 1645, keep away from Burke and Hare and you would even face prosecution at trial. The Edinburgh Dungeon holds late-night occasions as properly which are adults solely. You are assured to have a superb time.
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 advocate spending at the least 3 Days in Edinburgh, with the intention to take full benefit of visiting all the primary Edinburgh sights like Old Town, Arthur’s Seat, and Calton Hill in addition to among the extra distinctive issues like a ghost tour.
If you’re actually into Scottish historical past and Museums you would possibly wish to give your self a bit longer.
When is the most effective time to go to Edinburgh?
The finest time to go to Edinburgh is in the summertime. There are quite a lot of issues occurring and you will get the most effective climate. August can be the month when quite a lot 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 sights 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 linked to the Scottish capital by practice. The essential practice station is the Waverley Train Station however it’s also possible to 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 can simply entry quite a lot of the primary sights on foot. If you aren’t into performing some strolling (and a few hill climbing) you may entry the cities environment friendly bus and tram traces 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 option to get round.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Edinburgh
And that’s my information to the most effective issues to do in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visiting these Edinburgh sights ought to provide you with an important start line when planning your journey to Edinburgh.
Regardless of whether or not you’re visiting for every week or a weekend, I’ve tried to incorporate issues which are free to do in addition to quite a lot of low-cost gadgets. I hope you take pleasure in visiting my metropolis as a lot as I do residing right here.