Are you in search of issues to do in Edinburgh? We requested native author Karen Worral to share her insider suggestions and favourite Edinburgh sights to take advantage of your keep.
From the imposing Edinburgh Castle that appears over the town to the well-known Royal Mile, Edinburgh is a kind of locations that may preserve 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 shocking that I believe the town is unimaginable. With an enormous quantity of historical past, thrilling nightlife, and epic locations to see, you’ll be able to simply develop into overwhelmed by all of the issues to do in Edinburgh. It will not be solely an awesome place to go to however to reside as nicely.
Over the years I’ve been in a position to discover nearly all Edinburgh sights. That has given me the experience to share with you all the finest issues to do in Edinburgh whether or not it is a first-time go to or your fifth time you can find one thing that piques your curiosity.
If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the primary time it may be somewhat intimidating. We wished to make issues somewhat simpler for you by offering you with up-to-date details about the very best Edinburgh sights in addition to our suggestions for planning the right journey to this unimaginable metropolis.
Surprisingly, numerous Edinburgh sights are free! Below you can find, in no explicit order, what we think about 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 a significant fortification concerned in army and strategic endeavors for the reason that twelfth century and has been constantly occupied in some type 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 in the UK. If you’re into Scottish historical past you could go to this Castle because it as soon as housed vital figures resembling Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Don’t neglect to stroll 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 resembling, Holyrood Palace, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and 48-hour entry to the HOHO Bus! Get Your Royal Edinburgh Ticket Here
The fortress has been dwelling 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 fortress on daily basis besides Sunday. It is one thing you don’t need to miss. The gun was carried out to assist with delivery and to preserve time.
Insider Tip – This is likely one of the hottest sights in the town and may get very busy, so strive to go to in the morning when you can. I like to recommend that you simply ebook your ticket in advance and get one with quick observe entry which is able to permit you to skip the ticket strains, particularly if you’re visiting throughout 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 could 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 among my favourite issues to do in Edinburgh. In temporary, The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle all the best way 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 filled 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 number of hours right here. Start on the fortress and work your method down – it’s simpler strolling downhill! If you intend to go to in the summer time be sure to plan across the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as you gained’t have the opportunity to transfer in 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 positioned at one finish of the Royal Mile and proper throughout the road from the Scottish Parliament, is likely one of the most vital palaces in Scotland. It is used as a museum for many of the yr and is the official dwelling 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 crucial a part of Scottish historical past.
Make certain not to miss the Mary Queen of Scots chambers. They are fairly spectacular. One fast observe. Photography will not be allowed inside however you’ll be able to take photographs of the gardens, exterior, and the Abbey. If you have an interest in any respect in the Royal Family then you 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 in advance. This tour affords a free audio information as nicely.
4. National Museum of Scotland
If you’re a museum lover then this might be on the high of your record when in search of issues to do in Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is located on Chamber’s Street in the previous city and is a superb Victorian constructing that opened in 1866.
The National Museum is free and the in depth vary of subjects lined 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 is going to have one thing for you.
You may positively spend numerous time in the National Museum, which welcomes over 2 million guests a yr, so be sure to plan accordingly.
If the climate is good, be sure to head up to the rooftop terrace the place you’ll be able to take in some unimaginable views of the 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 advanced that’s artwork located proper in the center of Princes Street in the very middle of Edinburgh.
It consists of two buildings; the principle National Gallery is the constructing on the again, with the one on the entrance being a part of the Royal Scottish Academy. The predominant gallery holds everlasting collections and is all the time free to go to.
If you’re an artwork lover the Scottish National Gallery has you lined. 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’re an artwork lover, like I’m, this might be the most effective 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 each day (Thursdays prolonged till 7 pm). Cost to Enter the Scottish National Gallery: Free for everlasting exhibitions, some at RSA have a payment.
6. Climb Arthur’s Seat and stroll in Holyrood Park
If you’re in search of the very best views of the town then you want to climb up to the highest of Arthur’s Seat for certain. Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags are the hills in Edinburgh’s metropolis middle and could be seen from nearly wherever in the town.
It is the location of a 350 million-year-old extinct volcano. The final eruption was greater than 100 million years in the past. Arthur’s Seat used to be a royal park (you’ll be able to 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 up to Arthur’s Seat is to take the grassy slope on the east facet from Dunsapie Loch on Queen’s Drive. It takes about half-hour to attain the highest and is a comparatively simple hike (however a bit steep). Make certain to costume for the climate as it could possibly fairly windy on the high.
We counsel heading up to Artur’s Seat for Sunset. The views of the town are magnificent and you’re solely quarter-hour from the town middle. If you’re in search of another for sundown Calton Hill is a superb different.
7. Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is positioned in the center of Edinburgh, on Princes Street proper beneath Edinburgh Castle. They used to be the location of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was constructed in the 1760s. The gardens have a beautiful view of the fortress, and it’s a excellent place to stroll or cease for a picnic.
They are additionally dwelling to the Edinburgh Christmas market. If you’re visiting in the winter you need to be sure to take this in.
8. Visit or Climb the Scott Monument
The Scott Monument, positioned on the japanese finish of Princes Street Gardens, will not be solely one of the spectacular monuments in the town, however it additionally affords some distinctive views of Edinburgh Castle and different Edinburgh sights.
Climbing up the slender 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 study somewhat extra in regards to the revered Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
Built in 1832 to commemorate the dying of Sir Walter Scott, this gothic spire stands 200 toes excessive and is intricately adorned 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 high of Calton Hill is likely one of the finest spots for a spectacular view of the town, particularly at sundown. It is a a lot simpler climb than Arthur’s Seat, taking lower than ten minutes to attain the highest from Regent Road.
The high of Calton hill is dwelling 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 awesome place to benefit from the fireworks above the fortress throughout Hogmanay.
10. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden is located exterior the town centre by the stunning village of Stockbridge and has been there for the reason that Victorian period. It is one other excellent place 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 in the town was lined by development again in the nineteenth century. But you will get a take 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 chosen information, so we recommend reserving a guided tour to get probably the most out of this nice Edinburgh attraction. FYI, there are not any photographs allowed on the tour.
12. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is by far one of the 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 get pleasure from. Make certain to strive the Vortex!
But the principle 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 should not an excessive amount of of curiosity, the views from the rooftop over Edinburgh are positively value it as nicely. You can learn the critiques 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 when you resolve to go to solely one among them it is best to make it to this one. It is difficult to miss the crown-shaped steeple of St Giles Cathedral which dates again to the 14th century and is an icon of the Edinburgh skyline.
Located shut to 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 take advantage of your time there. Admission is upon donation and you should buy a pictures allow for two kilos on the info desk if you need to take photographs 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 certainly one of the 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 assorted staterooms and public rooms of the vessel.
You can take the audio tour to get all the within royal particulars or you’ll be able to have Afternoon Tea on the Royal Deck Tea Room for the complete expertise. Since it’s Scotland’s Best Attraction in accordance to the tourism website, you 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 discover the very best training for his sons and the very best husbands for his daughters. People in Georgian instances, structure, and existence would get pleasure from 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 each day. Winter hours (November-March) 10 am-4.15 pm each 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 simply don’t need 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 pictures. Also, there’s a statue of Robert Burns – Scotland’s bard – welcoming in the lobby.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Edinburgh is apparently one of the haunted cities in the world. One of the components that contribute to this consists of the tons of of plague victims who had been walled in, in the previous 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 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 form native policeman named Jock Grey adopted somewhat Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was simply a few weeks previous. The pair quickly grew to become the very best of pals, going in every single 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 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 kind of people 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.
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 – had been offered.
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 dying had been hanged right here on the spot, which now’s a raised platform with a cross on it.
Some notorious Edinburgh criminals resembling 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 the very best 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 method to get the very best Harry Potter expertise is to take a tour. This Harry Potter Walking Tour is likely one of the finest in the town and is actually reasonably priced.
21. Tour the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh
You don’t want to take a guided tour to get pleasure from Harry Potter areas in Edinburgh. You can go to many by your self. Here are a number of of my favorites.
The Elephant Café – On George Fourth Bridge. This is a café the place Rowling did numerous 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 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 the town middle, with George Heriots located proper behind Greyfriar’s Kirkyard when you go to there, so are simple to go to see.
The Boy Wizard Shops– Harry Potter retailers 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!
21. A Scotch Whisky Experience
You can not 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 arms down. Especially when you love whiskey.
Even when you don’t you should have enjoyable studying in regards to the course of and why it’s so standard in this a part of the world. For those that are in search of only a style I like to recommend The Silver your which is their most reasonably priced 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 throughout the summer time.
Edinburgh affords a ton of various whiskey excursions all through the town and I’ve performed a number of. The one above is my favourite however if you need to verify some extra of the town do that History of Whiskey Tour.
22. The Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh has a protracted historical past and a tumultuous one. A go to to The Edinburgh Dungeon is a should when you like exploring somewhat of the macabre. This expertise is finished very well with reside actors, particular results, and underground rides.
Walk the plagued roads of 1645, keep away from Burke and Hare and you could possibly even face prosecution at trial. The Edinburgh Dungeon holds late-night occasions as nicely which can be 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 need to see and do.
We advocate spending a minimum of 3 Days in Edinburgh, in order to take full benefit of visiting all the principle 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 may want to give your self somewhat longer.
When is the very best time to go to Edinburgh?
The finest time to go to Edinburgh is in the summer time. There are numerous issues taking place and you’re going to get the very best climate. August can be the month when numerous festivals happen such because the Edinburgh worldwide pageant, so you want to issue that into your planning. The solely caveat is that it is going to be fairly busy.
If you need 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 principle sights are much less busy.
Don’t write off winter although, particularly if you need 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 prepare. The predominant prepare station is the Waverley Train Station however it’s also possible to take the prepare to Haymarket.
Buses additionally function between London and Edinburgh.
Getting Around Edinburgh
The great thing about a compact metropolis like Edinburgh is that you may simply entry numerous the principle sights on foot. If you aren’t into doing a little strolling (and a few hill climbing) you’ll be able to 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 provided free for 48 hours on the Edinburgh Pass, one other wonderful means to get round.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Edinburgh
And that’s my information to the very best issues to do in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visiting these Edinburgh sights ought to offer you an awesome start line when planning your journey to Edinburgh.
Regardless of whether or not you’re visiting for per week or a weekend, I’ve tried to embrace issues which can be free to do in addition to numerous low-cost objects. I hope you get pleasure from visiting my metropolis as a lot as I do residing right here.