Are you searching for issues to do in Edinburgh? We requested native author Karen Worral to share her insider suggestions and favourite Edinburgh sights to profit from your keep.
From the imposing Edinburgh Castle that appears over town to the well-known Royal Mile, Edinburgh is a type of locations that may 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’s not stunning that I feel town is unimaginable. With a large quantity of historical past, thrilling nightlife, and epic locations to see, you may simply turn into overwhelmed by all of the issues to do in Edinburgh. It is just not solely an awesome place to go to however to dwell as effectively.
Over the years I’ve been in a position to discover virtually all Edinburgh sights. That has given me the experience to share with you all the finest issues to do in Edinburgh whether or not this can be a first-time go to or your fifth time you will see that one thing that piques your curiosity.
If you might be visiting Edinburgh for the primary time it may be just a little intimidating. We wished to make issues just a little simpler for you by offering you with up-to-date details about one of the best Edinburgh sights in addition to our suggestions for planning the right journey to this unimaginable metropolis.
Surprisingly, plenty of Edinburgh sights are free! Below you will see that, in no specific order, what we take into account 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 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 in the UK. If you might be into Scottish historical past you will need to go to this Castle because it as soon as housed vital figures comparable to 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 comparable 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 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 need to miss. The gun was carried out to assist with delivery and to maintain time.
Insider Tip – This is without doubt one of the hottest sights in town and may get very busy, so attempt to go to in the morning for those who can. I like to recommend that you just guide your ticket in advance and get one with quick monitor entry which can enable you to skip the ticket strains, particularly if you’re 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 will need to guide 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 town and is one in every of 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.
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 stuffed with sights and landmarks in addition to eating places and museums.
Even although the Royal Mile stroll itself will solely take you quarter-hour instantly, I’d advocate spending just a few hours right here. Start on the fort and work your manner down – it’s simpler strolling downhill! If you propose to go to in the summer time be sure to plan across the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as you received’t give you the option 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 without doubt one of the most vital palaces in Scotland. It is used as a museum for many of the 12 months 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 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 certain not to miss the Mary Queen of Scots chambers. They are fairly spectacular. One fast notice. Photography is just not allowed inside however you may take images 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 listing.
Admission to Holyrood Palace: They are solely taking timed entries in the intervening time in order that they should be booked in advance. This tour presents a free audio information as effectively.
4. National Museum of Scotland
If you’re a museum lover then this will probably be on the prime of your listing when searching for issues to do in Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland is located on Chamber’s Street in the previous city and is a advantageous Victorian constructing that opened in 1866.
The National Museum is free and the intensive vary of subjects lined is improbable. Whether you’re in Scottish historical past, know-how, innovations, world cultures, music, pure historical past, royalty, gory historical past, historical civilizations, or pure disasters, it’ll have one thing for you.
You may undoubtedly spend plenty of time in the National Museum, which welcomes over 2 million guests a 12 months, so be sure to plan accordingly.
If the climate is good, be sure to head up to the rooftop terrace the place you may take in some unimaginable views of town and the encompassing space.
5. Scottish National Gallery
When visiting Edinburgh you will need to be sure to make a journey to The Scottish National Gallery. This is a improbable Greek-columned advanced that’s artwork located proper in the center of Princes Street in the very heart 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 major gallery holds everlasting collections and is all the time free to go to.
If you might be 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 might be an artwork lover, like I’m, this will probably be the most effective issues in Edinburgh that you’ll do.
Currently, you will need to guide 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 payment.
6. Climb Arthur’s Seat and stroll in Holyrood Park
If you might be searching for one of the best views of 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 heart and could be seen from virtually wherever in 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 used to be 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 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 straightforward hike (however a bit steep). Make certain to costume for the climate as it could actually fairly windy on the prime.
We recommend heading up to Artur’s Seat for Sunset. The views of town are magnificent and you might be solely quarter-hour from town heart. If you might be searching for an alternate 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 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 excellent spot to stroll or cease for a picnic.
They are additionally residence to the Edinburgh Christmas market. If you might be 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, is just not solely one of the vital spectacular monuments in town, but it surely additionally presents 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 degree and be taught just a little extra concerning the revered Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
Built in 1832 to commemorate the demise 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 prime of Calton Hill is without doubt 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 attain 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 very talked-about amongst guests. Calton Hill can be an awesome place to benefit from the fireworks above the fort throughout Hogmanay.
10. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden is located exterior town centre by the stunning village of Stockbridge and has been there for the reason that Victorian period. It is one other excellent 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 without doubt 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 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 advise reserving a guided tour to get essentially the most out of this nice Edinburgh attraction. FYI, there aren’t any images allowed on the tour.
12. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is by far one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Edinburgh, particularly if you’re visiting Edinburgh with children. 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 reveals, and different enjoyable issues that everybody will take pleasure in. Make certain to attempt 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 effectively. You can learn the evaluations and guide your tickets right here.
13. St Giles Cathedral
There isn’t any scarcity of church buildings in Edinburgh and most are fairly spectacular. But for those who resolve to go to solely one in every of them you need to make it to this one. It is tough 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 stunning. Don’t miss the Thistle Chapel (be sure to try the ceiling) or the rooftop tour to profit from your time there. Admission is upon donation and you should purchase a images allow for two kilos on the data desk if you would like 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 unquestionably one of the vital in style 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 accordance to the tourism web site, you want to guide 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 life-style 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 town centre to discover one of the best schooling 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 in the intervening time. 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 in every of Edinburgh’s finest artwork galleries. If you’re a fan of portraiture, then this is without doubt one of the issues to do in Edinburgh that you just don’t need to miss. It holds lots 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 in the lobby.
17. Take a Ghost Tour
Edinburgh is seemingly one of the vital haunted cities in the world. One of the elements that contribute to this contains the lots of of plague victims who have 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 a few of the sad souls, and grieved harmless folks hanged hang-out town. This is my favourite Ghost tour in Edinburgh. Great guides and truly 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 just a little Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was simply a few weeks previous. The pair quickly turned one of the best 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 group and given a license by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and has been a kind of 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 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 – 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 demise have been hanged right here on the spot, which now could be a raised platform with a cross on it.
Some notorious Edinburgh criminals comparable 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 gotten accomplished one of the best issues to do in Edinburgh with out taking in a few of 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 manner to get one of the best Harry Potter expertise is to take a tour. This Harry Potter Walking Tour is without doubt one of the finest in town and is absolutely reasonably priced.
21. Tour the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh
You don’t want to take a guided tour to take pleasure in Harry Potter places in Edinburgh. You can go to many by your self. Here are just a few of my favorites.
The Elephant Café – On George Fourth Bridge. This is a café the place Rowling did plenty 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 heart, with George Heriots located proper behind Greyfriar’s Kirkyard for those who 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 at present 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 without doubt one of the most enjoyable grownup issues to do in Edinburgh palms down. Especially for those who love whiskey.
Even for those who don’t you’ll have enjoyable studying concerning the course of and why it’s so in style in this a part of the world. For those that are searching for 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 try the Platinum tour or the Masterclass. This place can get fairly busy so I recommend grabbing a Skip the Line Ticket particularly if you’re visiting in the course of the summer time.
Edinburgh presents a ton of various whiskey excursions all through town and I’ve finished just a few. The one above is my favourite however if you would like to verify some extra of 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 for those who like exploring just a little of the macabre. This expertise is finished rather well with dwell 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 effectively which might be adults solely. You are assured to have a very good 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 primary Edinburgh sights like Old Town, Arthur’s Seat, and Calton Hill in addition to a few of the extra distinctive issues like a ghost tour.
If you might be actually into Scottish historical past and Museums you may want to give your self just a little 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 taking place and you’re going to get one of the best climate. August can be the month when plenty of 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 primary sights are much less busy.
Don’t write off winter although, particularly if you would like 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 major 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 plenty 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 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 good way 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 sights ought to provide you with an awesome place to begin 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 embody 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 dwelling right here.