There is plenty to see and do in Edinburgh to keep you entertained for a few days. I started my tour of Scotland in Edinburgh and fell in love with its unique character. The city center is nice and compact, so you can see many of the most important sights in just a weekend. Are you looking for tips for what to do in Edinburgh during your city trip? I share with you my favorite things to do and see in Edinburgh.
What to do in Edinburgh on the map
The map below shows exactly where all the sights in Edinburgh are located. Most of the sights are in the center. The few that lie outside are fine to visit on foot.
#1 Climb Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is a large rock just outside the center of Edinburgh. From here you have a beautiful view of the city. If possible, I recommend that you climb Arthur’s Sear in good weather. If you don’t want to go all the way to the top, the surrounding park is also worth it. The photos below are not taken from the top, but from the park. Visiting Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park, the surrounding nature reserve, is one of the must-do things in Edinburgh in my opinion.
#2 Visit Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official residence when she is in Scotland. The palace dates from the 16th century and as a visitor you have access to no less than 14 state rooms. If you’re interested in the British royals and want a little glimpse into their lives, you’re going to find the Palace of Holyroodhouse very interesting. Don’t miss the Royal Gardens either. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is located at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, so you can combine these well with each other.
#3 Take an underground tour of the city’s vaults
Are you crazy about history and mysterious places? Then a tour of the Mary’s Kings Close, or Edinburgh vaults, is a must. The vaults under the old town date from the 16th century and a costumed guide takes you through a labyrinth of underground passages and alleys. Along the way, he or she will tell you countless stories about this place. A little exciting and original activity to do in Edinburgh.
#4 Let yourself be enchanted during a Harry Potter tour
Did you know that JK Rowling got a lot of inspiration for magical places in her Harry Potter books from Edinburgh? She wrote the first books in a cafe in Edinburgh and the last books she wrote from a hotel room in the Balmoral Hotel. During her walks, they drew inspiration from the environment. For example, many names of important characters are based on the names she saw in Greyfriairs Kirkyard. If you are a fan of these books, I definitely recommend that you do a Harry Potter tour through Edinburgh. Anyway, I really enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to read the books again when I got home.
#5 Visit Edinburgh Castle
The most iconic landmark in Edinburgh is without a doubt Edinburgh Castle. This castle has been towering over the city from Castle Rock for about 3000 years like an impregnable fortress. This makes it one of the oldest castles in Europe. In the past it has been a royal residence, a military garrison, a prison and a fortress. This rich history makes Edinburgh Castle an interesting sight. You can also admire the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Scone in the castle. The kings of Scotland were crowned on this ‘stone’. Do you like to learn more about the castle and its stories? Then opt for a skip-the-line entrance ticket with a guided tour.
#6 Admire Dean Village
Dean Village was the big surprise of Edinburgh for me. Before leaving I read a nice article on another blog about this neighborhood and I immediately knew that I wanted to go here. Dean Village is exactly what it sounds like: a village in itself, but just within walking distance of the busy center. From Grassmarket, which is more or less the core of Edinburgh, you can walk to Dean Village in half an hour. I’m almost sorry to write about this, because so far it seems to be a pretty well-kept secret. The number of other tourists could be counted on two hands during my visit. There’s nothing special to do in Dean Village, but it’s so beautiful. Be sure to check it out if you have the time.
#7 Check out the best museums in Edinburgh
Did you know that many museums in Edinburgh are completely free? Great if you have a smaller budget or if you just want to take a quick look inside. The National Museum of Scotland, the Writers Museum, the Scottish National Gallery, Museum of Childhood and quite a few other museums are free to visit. Super cool right?
#8 Go shopping on Grassmarket and Victoria Street
A must do in Edinburgh is visit the Grassmarket and Victoria Street. This is the beating heart of the city and Victoria Street is where the idea for Harry Potter was born. The latter does not surprise me: what a fairytale street. A small market can be found on the Grassmarket every Saturday, consisting of about 15 stalls. Nice to look for souvenirs. Victoria Street is also a great place to shop for fun gadgets. There are about three Harry Potter shops, a bow tie shop and a number of clothing stores. I also wandered through a very nice shop full of original home accessories.
#9 Taste whiskey at The Scotch Whiskey Experience
The Scotch Whiskey Experience is located on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s most famous street. As a whiskey lover, you should not miss this tour through the wonderful world of whiskey. In 50 minutes you will learn everything about Scotch whiskey and of course you will also taste a sip of whiskey. Want to try more varieties? Then book the Golden tour. This includes a tasting of 4 types of whiskey. Everyone who visits The Scotch Whiskey Experience will receive a unique crystal tasting glass to take home.
#10 Pet Greyfriairs Bobby
The Greyfriairs Bobby statue is a household name in Edinburgh. Legend has it that dog Bobby watched over the grave of his deceased owner for no less than 14 years. He was buried in Greyfriairs Kirkyard. Whether the story is true, we will of course never know, but it is beautiful. Bobby’s nose has now turned shiny gold from all the people who have given him an approving pat on the snout. Be sure to take a look at Greyfriairs Kirkyard itself. This attractive cemetery dates from the 16th century and it is a nice place to walk around.
#11 Enjoy the view from Calton Hill
In addition to Arthur’s Seat, there is another good viewpoint in Edinburgh. Calton Hill gives you a perfect view of the city center. This is already beautiful during the day, but at sunset Edinburgh takes on a magical look. Make sure you climb this hill in time, because when the sun goes down, it is busy here and the best spot for the best view can therefore be occupied.
Hop on hop off bus Edinburgh
Do you want to see a lot of Edinburgh in a short time? Then the hop-on hop-off bus is the ideal means of transport. Depending on the exchange rate, you pay about €20 and for this amount you can use the buses for 24 hours. For less than €10 more you have a ticket for 48 hours. There are 3 different routes to do around Edinburgh. The buses run every 20-30 minutes.
Excursions and day trips from Edinburgh
Especially if you have a little more time in Edinburgh, I advise you to get out of the city and discover some of Scotland’s beautiful landscape. You can rent a car and go on your own, but it is also a good option to opt for an organized tour. I’ve listed the best day trips from Edinburgh for you.
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands
During this full-day tour you will see quite a few of the highlights of Scotland. You first drive to Callander, near Loch Lomond. Afterwards you will make a photo stop in beautiful Glencoe where Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is located. The highlight of the trip is the next stop where you visit Loch Ness. If you want you can take a boat trip on the lake here. Then it’s time to head back to Edinburgh. You will also make two more stops on the way back. You will be on the road for almost 12 hours in total.
Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle
Loch Lomond is Scotland’s largest lake and the nature here is beautiful. During this excursion you drive to Loch Lomond in an hour and a half. On the way you stop at the Kelpies. These are two immense metal horse heads near Glasgow. You can take a beautiful forest walk at Loch Lomond and you can also make some nature stops in Trossachs National Park, of which Loch Lomond is a part. Finally, you will also visit the impressive Stirling Castle. This varied excursion takes about 9 hours in total.
Magical Highlands with the Hogwarts Express
During this day trip you will travel to the breathtakingly beautiful highlands and make multiple stops at places where scenes from Harry Potter were filmed. The highlight of this excursion is the train ride on the ‘real’ Hogwarts Express. You board the Jacobite steam train and travel by train over the world famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. An amazing experience! After the train journey you will be met by the guide and driver to take you back to Edinburgh. A great tour that is also a unique experience for non-Harry-Potter fans.
Accommodation in Edinburgh
Most hotels and apartments in Edinburgh are located in the Royal Mile area. This is the main street of the city center and the major sights are also close by. So it is definitely a good idea to stay here.
Another nice option is the Leith district. This one is located near the coast and the atmosphere here is very different. A bit more urban and less historic. Leith is also known for the amount of good restaurants and cozy eateries so if that is important to you I definitely recommend looking at accommodation in Leith. Keep in mind that the center is about a 20-minute walk away.
Our tips for accommodation in Edinburgh
- Apartment: Museum Apartments
Wonderfully spacious and bright apartment in the historic center of Edinburgh.
- Contemporary hotel: Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket
Modern hotel with rooms for both couples and families.
- Luxury hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel
The Radisson Blu is right on the famous Royal Mile.
As you can see, there are plenty of cool things to do in Edinburgh!
