Things to do in Edinburgh
If you’re looking for a city-based holiday packed with things to do, Scotland’s capital city is an excellent choice.
It’s home to historic architecture, fascinating history, beautiful green spaces, vibrant eateries, and specialist shops. You can also visit some of Edinburgh’s top tourist attractions!
Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh. Why not check out our collection of luxury holiday cottages in Edinburgh to make your visit complete?
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Topping every list of places to see in Edinburgh, most visitors will tour this fascinating castle at some point. Built on an extinct volcano, Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city. Inside its impressive walls, you’ll find a series of smaller exhibitions, including the Honours of Scotland (the Crown Jewels) and the National War Museum.
Make sure your visit takes in the Great Hall and St Margaret’s Chapel – the best way to ensure you see everything is to book onto a guided tour.
Explore the Palace of Holyrood
Continue your dive into Scotland’s royal history with a visit to Holyrood Palace, at the opposite end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to the castle. You’ll unearth fascinating insight into famous Scottish figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie as you tour the elegant staterooms of the British monarch’s official residence in Scotland.
Explore the grounds and Abbey, before treating yourself to a well-earned afternoon tea.
Climb Arthur’s Seat
Ready for some walking? Edinburgh is a hilly city and even a quick trip to the shops involves steep streets and flights of steps. However, this means that you can enjoy spectacular views of the city, surrounding countryside and sunrises/sunsets. Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh and is a favourite walking spot. Allow about an hour to reach the top of the 250-metre climb.
Calton Hill, home to the National Monument, is another wonderful walk to see the cityscape. For a more relaxing stroll, walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Discover Edinburgh’s visitor attractions
Edinburgh is rich in cultural and historic visitor attractions, from the fascinating Camera Obscura to Jupiter Artland, a contemporary sculpture park.
Some of Edinburgh’s top tourist attractions include the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Galleries. Scare yourself at the Edinburgh Dungeon, take a Harry Potter tour, or visit the grave of Scotland’s most famous dog, Greyfriars Bobby. If you can, catch a production at the Festival Theatre or a concert at The Queen’s Hall.
After a walk walking around the city, why not head back to a luxury holiday cottage in Edinburgh for a bit of rest and relaxation?
Head for the beach
Not necessarily what you’d expect to see in a guide to Edinburgh! However, the Scottish capital is a coastal city and home to the fabulous Portobello Beach. It’s just a short bus ride or drive from the city centre, but feels like a different world. Treat yourself to an ice cream on the sands before exploring Portobello’s appealing independent shops.
In need of some relaxation during your city break? There’s nowhere quite like the Turkish Baths at Edinburgh Swim Centre.
Step aboard the Royal Yacht
Since her retirement in 1997, the Royal Yacht Britannia has been moored in the Port of Leith (just a short bus ride from Edinburgh).
The magnificent yacht was used by the British royal family on state visits, where she would host banquets for world leaders as well as providing luxurious transport for her illustrious passengers. Tour the state apartments, Sun Lounge and engine room, before unwinding in one of Leith’s many lovely restaurants.
Try a wee dram
As you can imagine, there’s no shortage of distilleries in Edinburgh. For a dram with a difference, head to fashionable Leith and Scotland’s first vertical distillery. Housed in an impressive new nine-storey building, Leith Distillery offers fabulous views as well as an excellent Edinburgh whiskey distillery tour and tasting. You can also find out more about Scotland’s famous export at the Scotch Whisky Experience, which is near Edinburgh Castle.
Enjoy Edinburgh’s shops
There are so many places to explore and things to do in Edinburgh city centre.
There’s no end of places to eat, drink and shop along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, which stretches through Edinburgh’s Old Town from the castle to Holyrood Palace. There’s also the Grassmarket area, once a medieval market place and now a vibrant hub in the heart of Old Town. The New Town is also a real treat – although it is far from modern, with it’s elegant Georgian streets and squares!. You’ll find a great mix of chic eateries and high-end boutiques in this part of Edinburgh, along with a wide selection of high street favourites.
Go underground in Edinburgh
Discover the now-hidden old lanes and courts beneath the city’s streets. The Real Mary King’s Close is one of the most fascinating attractions in Edinburgh.
Its network of buildings and streets under the Old Town was buried during building works and preserved as a time capsule of 17th-century Edinburgh. You can book onto a guided tour of Mary King’s Close and surrounding streets, which begins with a descent by lift into this eerie, forgotten world. Expect spooky stories of ghosts and the plague, as well as plenty of entertaining tales about old Edinburgh.
Book Your Holiday in Edinburgh
As you can see, there are so many things to do and places to visit in Edinburgh.
If this vibrant city appeals to you, take a look at the selection of luxury holiday cottages in Edinburgh from Handpicked Cottages.
