Scotland
Edinburgh
The city hotbed of literature genius
Edinburgh Travel Guide
Essentials
Even though it is the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh city center is quite small. However, there are a lot of attractions to visit here. From museums, iconic places and the famous Edinburgh Castle, you will have a lot to see. As such, we recommend at least 3 full days to check all the main spots. If you're short in time or you're looking to visit other parts of Scotland you can try to visit the most important things on the city in two days.
The best time to visit Edinburgh, as well as the rest of Scotland, is when temperatures start to increase a little and large numbers of tourists have not yet arrived. For this, we recommend, the months before and after the high season, that is, May and early June, and September and early October.
If you don’t have problems with large crowds of tourists, and of course, high prices in accommodation and tours, visit during the month of August and early September, when the Edinburgh Festival takes place. At this time the city is extremely lively, with lots of artists on the streets and many performances in art houses, theaters, operas and museums.
The historic centre of Edinburgh (more precisely the Old Town), is where almost all points of interest are, and it is possible to visit all the main attractions on foot.
However, some hotels and Airbnbs may be a little further away from the center, in which case the best option is to use the bus to go to the centre. Each trip costs around £1.70, and if you use a contactless card, you have unlimited daily travel capped at £4. The bus accepts coins too, but bring in the right amount, since they don't give change.
The trams connect Edinburgh Airport to York Place, with stops at Princes Street and Haymarket Train Station, which can be a good supplementary option to the bus or taxi to make the journey.
Edinburgh is a particularly safe city for tourists. It is relatively harmless to walk at night but be sure to collect information from the areas you are going to. Some areas of the city, especially the Old Town, are filled of winding alleys, closures and paths, making it quite easy to get lost at night.
Itinerary
Day 1:
For the first day, as in all other major European cities, we recommend you start your visit with a free walking tour around the city. It is an excellent way to learn about the city's history and legends, as well as having a presentation of the most iconic places of Scottish culture.
After a quick lunch, you can enjoy the early afternoon by visiting the famous Edinburgh's castle, Scotland's most visited attraction. Following Castlehill, this street that leads to the castle is full of shops and Scots playing the bagpipes.
Next up is one of the main stops for fans of the Harry Potter saga (you'll find a lot in this city), Victoria Street, the most photographed street in Scotland. To end the afternoon, we recommend visiting Grassmarket Square and Princes Street Gardens. On a cloudless day, it is also a good opportunity to walk to the North Bridge, above the station, to watch the beautiful sunset.
Day 2:
If you start the second day early, nothing better than watching the wonderful view of the city on Calton Hill. Near this area you will find the National Monument of Scotland, an unfinished acropolis.
If you visit the city in late April, don't miss the Beltane Fire Festival procession. With dancing and fire and lots of artists, it will be a remarkable memory.
Then continue the trek to the Scottish Parliament, in front of which is the famous Palace of Holyrood. To end the afternoon, nothing better than walking to the top of Arthur’s Seat to enjoy an amazing sunset. For dinner we recommend that you try the famous haggis, while not very attractive at first, it is an important gastronomical experience. To end this fantastic day, nothing better than having fun at a traditional pub in the city.
Day 3:
For the third day we recommend a visit to the National Museum of Scotland (free admission). Close by, you should stop at Greyfriars Cemetery and visit the statue of the famous puppy Bobby (you will probably hear about him on the walking tour, otherwise it will be a failure). Next, visit another famous J.K. Rowling site, the Elephant House. This is a place that easily fills up and if you don't want to wait in line, we recommend that you try to lunch at The Outsider, it's very close.
Following the road, you will find St Giles Cathedral, the last main spot to visit in the city.
Highlights
Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in all of Scotland. It sits on top of a hill and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. As a result, the queues for ticket lines are long, so we suggest you buy it in advance. If you just want to see the entrance with a view of the city and the bleachers in the courtyard, a ticket is not necessary, but we absolutely recommend a visit inside.
Once down Castle Hill you will find the famous Victoria Street. As mentioned above, this is the most photographed street in all of Scotland. With several colorful buildings and lots of shops with Harry Potter items, this street is famous for being Diagon Alley's supposed inspiration.
Calton Hill is one of the most charming places in the city. With some historical monuments located here, some of which are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This hill is also marked by a rich history, a place where medieval events and festivals were held, as well as public executions.
This mountain, although no longer having the characteristic shape of a cone, was an ancient volcano. Being the highest point in the city it is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset. This place also has a vast green area around it, with small lakes, called Holyrood Park, which is great for long walks or runs.
The Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world. With several tours available to learn more about the legends of this place, it is an interesting area to be when hearing some scary stories. Next to the cemetery is also the tomb of the little dog Bobby, known for his famous history of guarding his owner's tomb.
TThe famous Elephant House pub is located on the same street as the previous cemetery. This place became extremely well known because it was the place where J. K. Rowling wrote much of Harry Potter.
Although it is not a cheap activity in this city, it is an extremely well-known and fun itinerary to be carried out. However take it easy, Scottish drinks are not weak!
Food & Drinks
Certainly, one important thing to do in Edinburgh is to taste the local cuisine! If you are searching for the best dishes, we give you an idea of where to go.
MUMS Great Comfort Food |
Excellent place to taste the famous Scottish delicacy, haggis. With a local and welcoming atmosphere and close to the center, it is a good option for this.
Bertie's Restaurant & Bar |
This is another place that serves a famous local and very traditional dish across the UK, Fish and Ships. It's also not a very expensive restaurant.
Burgers and Beers Grillhouse |
This place serves very tasty hamburgers for 10 pounds and the atmosphere is really cool.
The Outsider Restaurant |
It has several different dishes starting at 7 pounds, the portions are medium and very tasty. The staff is nice too.
Elephant House |
With a long service, it deserves a visit just for being the place it is. The interior is fantastically decorated for fans.
Where to Stay
Edinburgh has a lot of accommodation options, from hostels to five star hotels. However, it is not a cheap city, so be ready to spend a little more to find a good accommodation in a nice spot in the area.
Below we give you some suggestions of places to stay for every budget.
Budget Accommodations
THE court in Edinburgh has a shared lounge and bar. This place is within walking distance of attractions like the Royal Mile, National Museum of Scotland, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Local points of interest such as Edinburgh Castle and the University of Edinburgh are within 600 meters and 800 meters, respectively. With relatively acceptable prices for a low budget it provides a good service.
Kick Ass Greyfriars (18+) is located in the center of Edinburgh and offers accommodation for adults only with a bar and a shared lounge. Some of the advantages of this place include a 24-hour reception, a shared kitchen and free Wi-Fi in all areas. The accommodation offers evening entertainment and a tour desk.
Mid-Range Accommodations
Excellently located, next to Princes Street, opposite the Scott Monument and the National Gallery, this is a great choice for a larger budget. It offers a friendly atmosphere and views of the Edinburgh Castle. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
High-End Accommodations
The Novotel Edinburgh Center is within 5-minute walk from the Grassmarket and features a hot tub and swimming pool. For high budgets it provides the luxury it promises. The property offers spacious and modern rooms with LCD TVs. Princes Street is a 10-minute walk away.