Map of the Best Things to Do in Edinburgh

Whether you’re visiting for one day or a long weekend, these are my favourite things to do in Edinburgh and the attractions every first time visitor should experience.

1. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is easily the most iconic attraction in Edinburgh, standing tall and towering over the city. 

The castle has a long history, having been used as a royal residence, military fortress, national archive and prison. Today, it is Scotland’s most visited tourist attraction, with over 2 million visitors last year.

While you can easily admire Edinburgh Castle from the many vantage points around the city, I’d recommend securing a ticket to explore what lies within the castle walls. 

Tickets often sell out and are also timed entry, so to secure your preferred date and time, I’d recommend booking well in advance. 

If you’re particularly interested in history, there isn’t a lot of information explaining the history as you make your way around the castle. I’d recommend getting the audio guide or taking a guided tour.  

If you don’t go inside the castle, some of the best exterior photo spots are from Princes Street Gardens and the rooftop of the Johnnie Walker Experience.

2. The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile famously stretches through Edinburgh’s Old Town. It starts at Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill and ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. 

It’s one of the best places to wander and admire the beautiful architecture, browse boutique stores and discover hidden closes.  One of the most iconic landmarks you shouldn’t miss is St Giles’ Cathedral. 

While walking along the Royal Mile, you’ll often come across a range of street performers, from bagpipers and musicians to magicians, especially during the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Allow yourself plenty of time to wander, as the Royal Mile is just as much about the atmosphere as the attractions.

3. Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is a short hike that’s only a 20 minute walk from the city centre and offers incredible 360-degree views over Edinburgh. 

The round-trip hike takes around 1.5–2 hours, depending on your pace and how frequently you stop to admire the views. There are grassy sections, dirt paths and a rocky section at the top, so wear sensible shoes. 

I’d also recommend dressing in layers as you’ll warm up during the hike, but it’s usually windy at the top. 

There are a few different routes you can take up Arthur’s Seat, but the most popular starts near the Holyrood Car Park on Queen’s Drive.

I was surprised when I found out Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano, formed by volcanic activity around 350 million years ago. It’s hard to imagine what the landscape of Edinburgh would have looked like all those years ago.

4. Calton Hill

Calton Hill is a public park that’s my favourite viewpoint over the city. I love it because of its close proximity to the centre, the short uphill walk and the panoramic views over Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat and the coastline. 

You can spend your time enjoying the views, admiring the historic monuments or walking the Hume Walk, which loops around the hill. There are also plenty of park benches where you can sit and relax. I like to grab a takeaway lunch and enjoy a picnic on the hill when the weather permits. 

There’s also a café, Café Calton, where you can sit indoors or out on the terrace.

5. Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official royal residence in Edinburgh and is used by the Royal Family during visits to Scotland. 

Before the palace was built, the site was home to Holyrood Abbey, the ruins of which you can still see today.

The palace began taking shape in the early 1500s, although much of the building you see today dates from a major reconstruction in the 17th century.

Explore the historic chambers, State Apartments and gardens while learning about the royal history of Scotland.

6. National Museum of Scotland

The best thing about the National Museum of Scotland is that entry is free, unless you choose to visit the special temporary exhibition. 

However, there’s so much to explore over several levels of exhibits. Although I’ve visited a few times, I still don’t think I’ve seen everything. 

My favourite exhibitions include the Explore gallery, which features fun hands-on and interactive exhibits. They’re probably intended for children, but I think they’re fun for all ages. You’ll also find Dolly the Sheep here, the world’s first cloned mammal. I also love to visit the Fashion and Style collection. 

If you find yourself exploring Edinburgh on a rainy day, this is the perfect place to go to escape the weather. It’s also one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh.

7. Victoria Street

Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, between the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, Victoria Street is best known for its bright, colourful shopfronts and is widely thought to have inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. You’ll even find a few Harry Potter-themed stores along the street. 

You’ll also find a range of boutique stores selling souvenirs and iconic Scottish products like Harris Tweed, along with cafés, restaurants and the 5-star Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.

Above the shops is Victoria Terrace. For my favourite view of the street, walk up the Upper Bow Steps for the perfect photo opportunity. If you want to capture photos without the crowds, it’s best to visit early in the morning.

8. Grassmarket

Grassmarket is another notable street in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town with an interesting and dark history. 

Originally, it was used as a gathering place for cattle and horse traders before becoming a site used for public executions where hangings occurred. There’s even a pub named The Last Drop, which is said to reference either the last drink prisoners had before their execution or to the hanging itself. 

Nowadays, it’s a lively street filled with pubs and dining options, making it the perfect place to stop for lunch or grab an afternoon pint after a day of exploring the city.

9. Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of Edinburgh’s most famous cemeteries, known for Greyfriars Bobby and for inspiring some of the names in the Harry Potter series. 

Greyfriars Bobby was a loyal dog who stayed by his owner’s graveside for 14 years. Disney even made a film about his story. There’s a cute little statue commemorating Bobby and, when I visited, there was even a pile of sticks people had left in front of it to honour him. 

You can also wander around the cemetery and look for the graves that inspired the names of Harry Potter characters. See if you can spot the headstones for Tom Riddell and Professor McGonagall.

10. Johnnie Walker Experience

Scotland is famous for its Scotch whisky, and it’s one of the country’s biggest exports. This includes the Johnnie Walker brand, which dates back to 1820. 

To learn more about the history of Scotch whisky in an interactive way, you can visit the Johnnie Walker Experience. Tours include guided tastings, personalised cocktails and even chocolate pairings. 

I’m not a whisky drinker, so I haven’t done the experience myself, but I have visited the aptly named 1820 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. While I thoroughly enjoyed the food and cocktails, it’s worth visiting for the views alone.

The rooftop balcony offers one of my favourite views of Edinburgh Castle.

11. Princes Street Gardens

At the foot of Edinburgh Castle you’ll find Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful green space in the centre of the city that feels a world away from the busy streets around it.  

Highlights of the gardens include the ornate Ross Fountain, which looks even more beautiful with the castle towering behind it. You can also admire the Scott Monument, a tall Gothic monument dedicated to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. 

Grab a coffee from one of the many coffee shops lining Princes Street, then find a bench in the gardens and enjoy the castle views.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Edinburgh at Christmas time, you’ll see the gardens come alive, filled with festive stalls, rides and food vendors for the annual Edinburgh Christmas Market.

12. Dean Village

Dean Village is a beautiful area of Edinburgh that lines the Water of Leith. You can admire the historic stone cottages, cobblestone streets and historic bridges as you walk along the riverside walkways. It almost feels like you’ve stepped back in time, and I think it looks like the kind of village you read about in fairytales. 

It’s hard to believe this is just a short walk from the city centre. It was surprisingly quiet when I last visited. 

For the best viewpoint and photo opportunity, head to Bell’s Brae Bridge. 

If you’d like to extend your walk, continue along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge.

13. Stockbridge 

Outside of the city centre, Stockbridge is my favourite neighbourhood to visit in Edinburgh. It has cobblestone streets, cute cafés, boutique stores and plenty of charity shops. I can never resist the charity shops here, and I’ve found some great bargains over the years. 

It’s only a 20 minute walk from the city centre, but it feels completely different, and you’ll quickly notice you’re surrounded by locals going about their daily lives.

One of the most photographed streets in Stockbridge is Circus Lane, a cute curved cobblestone street lined with homes covered in greenery, framed by the clock tower of St Stephen’s Church. 

If you’re visiting on a Sunday, don’t miss the Stockbridge Market, where local vendors sell crafts, homemade treats and a variety of cuisines. 

If the market isn’t on and you’re craving a sweet treat, head to my favourite bakery instead, The Pastry Section.

14. Portobello Beach 

Portobello Beach is another escape from the city centre, but it’s only 30 minutes away by bus. I love coming here when I need a break from the typical sightseeing. It feels more like a little seaside town than part of a capital city. 

Take your time walking along the promenade, taking in the sea views as you pass all the locals walking their dogs or going out for a run. 

There are also some great waterfront cafés and restaurants to enjoy. My favourite brunch spot is The Beach House, and if it’s nice weather you can even sit outside on the promenade.

Planning Your Trip to Edinburgh

How Many Days Do You Need in Edinburgh?

If it’s your first time in Edinburgh, I’d recommend planning a 3 day itinerary. This gives you enough time to explore the city centre and visit main attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat without rushing them. 

There are also plenty of things to do in Edinburgh outside of the city centre. It also gives you time to visit neighbourhoods such as Stockbridge, Dean Village and Portobello.

Getting Around Edinburgh

One of the things I love about Edinburgh is that it is a very walkable city and you can explore a lot on foot. It’s worth mentioning that Edinburgh is not flat and there are plenty of hills.

That also means that the city centre is actually built across different levels. I’d suggest first time visitors use navigation and walking directions on Google Maps, rather than just looking at the map. An attraction might look like it’s just around the corner, but as you go to walk there you’ll realise you are actually a couple of levels up and looking down at the street below. 

Public transport in Edinburgh is also easy to use and navigate with buses and trams connecting the city centre with the neighbourhoods and Edinburgh Airport. To pay for buses and trams, simply tap your card on the reader when you board.

Book Popular Attractions in Advance

I’d highly recommend booking attractions in advance, as they do sell out. For example, Edinburgh Castle has timed entry tickets that you can pre-book online. Once tickets are sold out, no additional slots are released on the day. 

Tickets sell out quickly during peak periods, especially during the month of August when the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes place.

What to Pack for Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a city where you should be prepared to experience all four seasons in a day, be ready for rain and for the temperature to drop quickly. I’d recommend packing in layers, including a waterproof jacket. 

The temperatures can be cool, even in the middle of summer where the average daytime high is around 19°C.

Pack and wear comfortable shoes as you should expect to do a lot of walking during your visit. If you plan to hike Arthur’s Seat, make sure your shoes are sturdy enough for the rocky sections near the top.

When is the Best Time to Visit Edinburgh?

I actually think Edinburgh is a city that can be enjoyed year round, and I’ve visited it during every season.

During spring and summer you can expect long daylight hours and warmer weather. In August, the city holds the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, creating a lively atmosphere across the city. 

In winter, the days become shorter and the weather can be wet, but this is where you remember “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” I actually think Edinburgh looks even prettier in the winter. The Gothic architecture takes on an even moodier atmosphere.

Edinburgh also holds its annual Christmas Market in December, taking over Princes Street Gardens with market stalls, rides and festive foods.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

No matter what time of year you’re visiting Edinburgh, I’d recommend booking your accommodation in advance. This is especially true if you’re visiting in August during the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 

For first time visitors, I’d recommend staying in either the Old Town or New Town so you’re within walking distance of most of the attractions in this guide. 

If you’re looking for a quieter neighbourhood with lots of cute cafés and great places to eat, Stockbridge is another excellent option.