25 Best Things To Do in Edinburgh, Scotland In 2024

Are you searching for issues to do in Edinburgh? Edinburgh is a metropolis of historic, royal, gory, and ghost tales. It is a potent mix of previous and new at each flip. From the long-lasting Edinburgh Castle, perched majestically over town, to the full of life festivals that animate its streets, Edinburgh is a vacation spot that guarantees unforgettable adventures. Explore the mysterious fantastic thing about the Old Town, dive into town’s flourishing arts scene, or relish the culinary delights in its quite a few eateries. Whether you’re a historical past buff, a tradition fanatic, or an city explorer, Edinburgh has one thing to captivate each traveler.

Best Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Having lived in Edinburgh all my life, it isn’t shocking that I feel town is unimaginable. With an enormous quantity of historical past, thrilling nightlife, and epic locations to see, you may shortly turn out to be overwhelmed by every part to do in Edinburgh. It just isn’t solely a terrific place to go to however to stay as properly.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the primary time, it may be just a little intimidating. So we requested Edinburgh, an Edinburgh resident, to share the most effective insider suggestions and sights, however we even have up to date our Edinburgh information to offer you up-to-date details about the most effective Edinburgh sights and suggestions for planning the right journey to this unimaginable metropolis.

1. Edinburgh Castle

Visiting Edinburgh Castle might be the primary factor to do in Edinburgh. It has been an important fortification concerned in navy and strategic endeavors because the twelfth century and has been repeatedly occupied in some kind since then.

Edinburgh Castle 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 should go to this Castle because it as soon as housed vital figures corresponding to Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

If you’re a actual Royal fan, get your self the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. It saves you cash on this and different sights corresponding to, Holyrood Palace, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and 48-hour entry to the HOHO Bus! Get Your Royal Edinburgh Ticket Here

Make certain to walk the grounds. You’ll be impressed by the large cannons, The Great Hall, and, in fact, the Chapel that dates again to the twelfth Century.

The citadel has been residence to royalty, the chief seat of energy, and a navy base all through the years. The one o’clock gun goes off from the entrance of the citadel every single day besides Sunday. It is one thing you don’t wish to miss. The gun was carried out to assist with delivery and to maintain time.

Insider Tip – Edinburgh Castle is among the hottest sights in town and may get very busy, so attempt to go to in the morning should 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 assist you to skip the ticket traces, particularly in case you are visiting throughout 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 should 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 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. Hence the identify The Royal Mile.

Walking the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is a vital expertise for guests main you previous a collection of notable landmarks, quirky retailers, and alluring cafes. As you wander its cobbled streets, you’ll encounter the fascinating St. Giles’ Cathedral, quite a few museums, and hidden closes (alleyways), every telling its personal story of town’s previous and current.

The Royal Mile can also be a hub for cultural occasions, notably throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the place avenue performers and artists carry the realm to life.

Even although the Royal Mile stroll itself will solely take you quarter-hour immediately, I’d advocate spending a couple of hours right here. Start on the citadel and work your method down – it’s simpler strolling downhill! If you intend to go to in the summer season be certain to plan across the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as you received’t be capable of 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 among 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 after 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 crucial a part of Scottish historical past.

Make certain to go to Mary Queen of Scots chambers. They are fairly spectacular—one fast observe. Photography just isn’t allowed inside however you may take photographs of the gardens, exterior, and the Abbey. If you have an interest in any respect in the Royal Family, then it would be best to add this to your record.

Admission to Holyrood Palace: They are solely taking timed entries for the time being in order that they have to be booked in advance. This tour provides a free audio information as properly.

Exploring Victoria Street in Edinburgh is a pleasant expertise for vacationers in search of a mix of distinctive buying and architectural magnificence. This historic avenue, with its distinctive curve and colourful facades, is a hub for unbiased boutiques, artisan retailers, and connoisseur eateries.

It’s a treasure trove for these searching for uncommon books, bespoke jewellery, and Scottish crafts. The avenue’s higher degree provides an array of cozy cafes and eating places, good for a culinary break. Victoria Street’s distinctive structure, with its Old Town character and neatly stacked retailers, gives a picturesque backdrop for a leisurely stroll. This space, usually cited as an inspiration for the well-known Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter collection, provides a contact of magic to the buying expertise. For guests to Edinburgh, a stroll down Victoria Street isn’t just a buying journey; it’s a journey via a vibrant a part of town’s cultural tapestry.

5. Scottish National Gallery

When visiting Edinburgh you should be certain to make a journey to The Scottish National Gallery. This is a unbelievable Greek-columned complicated 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 important 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 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 in the UK. If you’re an artwork lover, like I’m, this will likely be among the finest issues in Edinburgh that you’ll do.

Currently, you should 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 charge.

6. Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Nestled in a picturesque setting with in depth grounds, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art homes a formidable assortment of contemporary and up to date artwork, that includes works by famend artists like Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney.

The two buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, every provide a definite expertise with their thought-provoking exhibitions and interactive installations. The gallery hosts a wide range of workshops, talks, and short-term exhibitions, making each go to distinctive. Whether you’re an artwork connoisseur or just curious, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art presents an attractive cultural expertise, including a up to date twist to Edinburgh’s numerous sights.

The gallery’s tranquil sculpture park, dotted with putting artworks, gives a serene escape from town’s hustle.

7. National Museum of Scotland

If you’re a museum lover then this will likely be on the high of your record 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 tremendous Victorian constructing that opened in 1866.

The National Museum is free and the in depth vary of matters coated is unbelievable. Whether you’re in Scottish historical past, know-how, innovations, world cultures, music, pure historical past, royalty, gory historical past, historic civilizations, or pure disasters, it can have one thing for you.

You may undoubtedly spend a variety of time in the National Museum, which welcomes over 2 million guests a 12 months, so be certain to plan accordingly.

If the climate is sweet, be certain to move as much as the rooftop terrace the place you may take in some unimaginable views of town and the encircling space.

8. Visit or Climb the Scott Monument

The Scott Monument, positioned on the japanese finish of Princes Street Gardens, just isn’t solely one of many metropolis’s most spectacular monuments It additionally provides some distinctive views of Edinburgh Castle and different Edinburgh sights.

Dedicated to the well-known Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, the Scot Monument is a Gothic spire standing tall in the guts of town. As you ascend the 287 steps to the highest, you’ll be rewarded with unparalleled vistas of the Edinburgh skyline and its environment. Climbing up the slim staircase of the Scott Monument could also be one of many extra adventurous issues to do in Edinburgh however be certain to cease on the primary degree and be taught just a little extra concerning the revered Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.

Along the climb, you may pause on the viewing platforms to admire the intricate design and the sculptural particulars depicting characters from Scott’s novels. The monument’s location in Princes Street Gardens makes it a handy cease for guests exploring town middle.

Built-in 1832 to commemorate the demise of Sir Walter Scott, this gothic spire stands 200 ft 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 additionally advocate visiting the Writers Museum close to the Royal Mile.

9. Climb Calton Hill

The high of Calton Hill is among the greatest spots for a spectacular view of the Edinburgh skyline, particularly at sundown. It is a a lot simpler climb than Arthur’s Seat, taking lower than ten minutes to achieve the highest from Regent Road.

The high of Calton hill is residence 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 talked-about amongst guests. Calton Hill can also be a terrific place to benefit from the fireworks above the citadel throughout Hogmanay.

10. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden is located outdoors town centre by the stunning village of Stockbridge and has been there because the Victorian period. It is one other great 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 various 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 among 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 coated by building again in 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 chosen information, so we recommend reserving a guided tour to get essentially the most out of this nice Edinburgh attraction. FYI, there aren’t any photographs allowed on the tour.

12. Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is by far one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Edinburgh, particularly in case you are 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 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 mainly an old school projection system, however the demonstration and the story behind are what make this the star attraction. If cameras and magic are usually not an excessive amount of of curiosity, the views from the rooftop over Edinburgh are undoubtedly price it as properly. You can learn the opinions 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 should you determine to go to solely one among them you need 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 stunning. Don’t miss the Thistle Chapel (be certain 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 images allow for two kilos on the data desk if you wish 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 unquestionably one of the crucial 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 based on the tourism web site, it would be best 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 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 search out the most effective schooling for his sons and the most effective husbands for his daughters. People in Georgian instances, structure, and life would get pleasure from visiting the Georgian House at No. 7 Charlotte Square.

Note: They are closed for the time being. Please test 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 greatest artwork galleries. If you’re a fan of portraiture, then this is among the issues to do in Edinburgh that you simply don’t wish to miss. It holds a whole bunch of work of distinguished Scots from royalty, lords, and women, 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 crucial haunted cities in the world. One of the elements that contribute to this consists of the a whole bunch 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 individuals hanged hang-out town. This is my favourite Ghost tour in Edinburgh. Great guides and truly fairly scary.

18. Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens is positioned in the center of Edinburgh, on Princes Street proper beneath Edinburgh Castle. They was once the location 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 citadel, and it’s a great spot to walk or cease for a picnic.

They are additionally residence to the Edinburgh Christmas market. If you’re visiting in the winter you wish to be certain to take this in.

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 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 had been hanged right here on the spot, which now’s a raised platform with a cross on it.

Some notorious Edinburgh criminals corresponding to mass assassin William Burke and thief Deacon Brodie met their finish right here.

20. Harry Potter in Edinburgh

You can not say you will have 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.

To get the most effective Harry Potter expertise, take a tour. This Harry Potter Walking Tour is among the greatest in town and is de facto reasonably priced.

21. Tour the Harry Potter Locations in Edinburgh

You don’t must take a guided tour to get pleasure from 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 a variety of 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 town middle, with George Heriots located proper behind Greyfriar’s Kirkyard should 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 at the moment 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!

22. A Scotch Whisky Experience

You can not go to Scotland and have a Scotch Whisky expertise. Scottish Whisky is known, and it’s Dave’s favourite spirit. Even should you aren’t a scotch drinker, a Scotch Whisky expertise is a enjoyable tour to be taught concerning the whisky course of and to know why it’s so standard worldwide.

For those that are searching for only a style, I like to recommend The Silver Tour, which is their most reasonably priced, and in case you are extra of a connoisseur, try the Platinum Tour or the Masterclass. This place can get fairly busy, so I recommend grabbing a Skip the Line Ticket, particularly should you go to Visit Edinburgh throughout the summer season.

Edinburgh provides many scotch excursions all through town, and I’ve completed a couple of. The Scotch Whisky Experience above is my favourite, however if you wish to test some extra of town do this History of Whiskey Tour.

This highly-rated tour takes you thru one of many world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky. Discover the artwork of mixing and the secrets and techniques of single-malt whisky throughout our 5 whisky-producing areas.

23. The Edinburgh Dungeon

Edinburgh has an extended and tumultuous historical past. Visiting The Edinburgh Dungeon is a should should you like exploring just a little of the macabre. This expertise is completed properly with stay actors, particular results, and underground rides.

Walk the plagued roads of 1645, keep away from Burke and Hare and you may even face prosecution at trial. The Edinburgh Dungeon holds late-night occasions as properly which are adults solely. You are assured to have a very good time.

24. Greyfriars Bobby

Greyfriar’s Bobby is the story of a wee canine from the Greyfriars space of Edinburgh. His is a story of friendship and devotion. A form 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 grew to become the most effective of associates, 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 masterless. The wee canine was broken-hearted, so he spent each night time of the remainder of his life – one other 14 years – sleeping on Jock’s grave. He was taken in by the group, given a license by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and has been a 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.

25. Climb Arthur’s Seat and stroll in Holyrood Park

If you’re searching for the most effective views of town then it would be best to climb as much as the highest of Arthur’s Seat for certain. Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags are the hills in Edinburgh’s metropolis middle and might be seen from virtually wherever in 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 was once 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 achieve the highest and is a comparatively simple hike (however a bit steep). Make certain to decorate for the climate as it may possibly fairly windy on the high.

We recommend 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 searching for another for sundown, Calton Hill is nice.

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 not less than 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 wish to give your self just a little longer.

When is the most effective time to go to Edinburgh?

The greatest time to go to Edinburgh is in the summer season. There are a variety of issues taking place and you will get the most effective climate. August can also be the month when a variety of festivals happen such because the Edinburgh worldwide pageant, so it would be best to issue that into your planning. The solely caveat is that will probably 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 principle 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 important practice station is the Waverley Train Station however you can too take the practice to Haymarket.

Buses additionally function between London and Edinburgh.

Getting Around Edinburgh

The fantastic thing about a compact metropolis like Edinburgh is you could simply entry a variety of the principle 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 also be the HOHO Bust that’s provided free for 48 hours on the Edinburgh Pass, one other nice strategy 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 offer you a terrific 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 a variety of low-cost gadgets. I hope you get pleasure from visiting my metropolis as a lot as I do dwelling right here.