Edinburgh is a city with seemingly endless amazing things to do. We spent 4 incredible days in the city and felt like we needed another 4 days at least to make sure we hit all of the experiences on this list! Edinburgh is easily one of our favorite cities in Europe and we want to help you have the perfect visit to this Scottish gem, so we compiled this list of 26 amazing activities for you to consider!
But before you can decide what to do, you need to decide where to stay! Depending on the experience you are looking for (and your budget) there are several incredible areas to stay in the city. While Edinburgh is a very walkable city, it’s also quite large so choosing to stay in the right area makes a big difference.
Here are some of the top areas to stay in Edinburgh!
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you make a purchase/booking through a link at no extra cost to you. We hope this information helps you plan your next vacation.
West End: Great for families, close to Old Town
When we visited Edinburgh we stayed in the West End, a wonderful area that is easily walkable to all the major sites of the city. While not in the middle of the action, the West End features easy access to the airport and sits directly on the tram. Generally the hotels and apartments are a bit bigger here, so this is a great option for families needing more space.
Budget:
Midrange:
Luxury:
- RIGH Properties – Luxury West End Artisan Apartments
- The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
Royal Mile: The absolute heart of Edinburgh
If you don’t mind paying a bit more to be in the center of the action, staying along the Royal Mile has to be the best place to stay in Edinburgh. While the hotels and apartments are smaller here than anywhere else in the city, the location is unbeatable as you’ll be just steps from the all the major attractions. Be aware that this is also the loudest part of the city, but it definitely is still worth it!
Budget/Midrange:
The major downside to staying in Old Town is there really aren’t any “budget” hotels, as everything is going to feel expensive.
Luxury:
New Town: Near Old Town, great restaurants and shopping
For some of the best restaurants and shopping in the city, consider staying in New Town Edinburgh. You’ll still have very easy access to Old Town and some of the best attractions like Calton Hill, but you’ll have a much larger selection of fantastic restaurants and slightly cheaper hotels.
Budget:
Midrange:
Luxury:
Stockbridge: Quieter, wonderful cafes
If you’d rather get a more “authentic” feel and don’t mind a longer walk to Old Town, we highly recommend staying in the Stockbridge area. Stockbridge is significantly quieter than all the other areas mentioned and has more of a village feel, punctuated by independent boutique shops and lovely cafes. This is a very nice area of Edinburgh that offers a unique experience and a chance to see a different side of the city that many tourists never visit. One thing to note – there are very few hotels in the area and most of the accommodations will be apartments!
Some ideas:
Now that you have an idea of where to stay, let’s dive into the best activities to make the most of your Edinburgh adventure!
Table of Contents
Walking food tour with Skye!
While we generally recommend doing a walking food tour in any country you visit, this particular one stands out as one of the best we’ve been on. Skye is an incredible guide; he is super knowledgeable about all things Scotland and we truly felt he wanted to give us the best tour possible.
We learned so much about the city and country, and the food was absolutely phenomenal! We highly recommend doing any walking food tour in Edinburgh, but we sincerely hope you book this one as Skye is a wonderful guide and we know you’ll have the best time!
Experience high tea in Edinburgh Castle
When in the United Kingdom you absolutely must experience a tea time! What better place for this activity than a castle with as much history as Edinburgh Castle? A ticket includes access to both the castle itself and a dedicated tea time in the tea rooms in the castle. This activity combines two of the best activities of Edinburgh: afternoon tea and the Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle is the most prominent landmark in Edinburgh, perfectly perched on the top of Castle Rock. Fans of Harry Potter will likely imagine the inspiration behind Hogwarts! Castle Rock has been occupied since at least the 11th Century, with the castle gradually expanding (with parts alternately destroyed) until the final product we see today was completed. At times it has served as a royal residence, military garrison, prisoner of war camp (including Americans housed here during the American Revolution), and more. We can’t recommend a visit here enough!
Eat breakfast at Cafe Calton
For a beautiful view of Old Town Edinburgh – and delicious food – make a reservation at Cafe Calton for breakfast! A volcanic hill with sweeping views of Edinburgh, Calton Hill is a must visit on a trip to the city. In the 19th Century, Edinburgh was envisioned as the “Athens of the North” and Calton Hill was imagined as the city’s acropolis. Indeed, the National Monument of Scotland was supposed to be a replica of the Parthenon itself, but the Scots ran out of money during construction and only a single portico was completed!
There are multiple other structures on the hill including the Nelson Monument and city observatory, but for us the real draw is Cafe Calton. With unbeatable views of Old Town and a fantastic breakfast selection, Cafe Calton is a wonderful way to spend a morning in Edinburgh. Just make sure the weather is supposed to be relatively clear! On foggy days the view can be completed obstructed.
Tour Mary King’s Close
Voted the best UK attraction in 2024, Mary King’s Close is one of the most unique places to visit in Edinburgh. A “close” is Scottish for a narrow alley, and back in the 17th Century this particular close was at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. During that time Edinburgh was very crowded with limited space thanks to defensive walls, so buildings began being built on top of existing ones. Mary King’s Close was completely enclosed in 1753 when the Royal Exchange was constructed directly on top of it!
Named for Mary King, a prominent merchant who lived there, the close is incredibly well preserved. Sign up for a guided tour (in advance is recommended!) to learn all about this wonder where people really lived and worked for several hundred years! The tour will explain the impact of the plague, why it was a bad idea to be on the street at 7am and 10pm, and how this close became known as one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh!
Visit Holyrood, the seat of Scottish Royals
On the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle lies Holyrood Palace, to this day the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. King Charles has spent one week each year at the palace in early summer to conduct official business, but whenever the royals are not in residence the palace is open for tours!
Beyond being just a beautiful venue, the history of the palace is very important to Scotland. The precursor to the palace, Holyrood Abbey, was the site of various coronations for centuries until Holyrood Palace was built in the early 1500s. Mary, Queen of Scots, lived at the palace upon her return to the Scotland and gave birth to her son, James VI, inside it. However, after James VI ascended to the English throne, the palace began to lose some significance and was no longer the principal seat of the Scottish throne – especially following the union of England and Scotland in 1707.
However, the palace remains an integral part of the British monarchy and is extremely charming. We recommend a visit as a great way to experience Scottish royal history and peak behind the curtain of the monarchy!
Explore Dean’s Village, the charming side of Edinburgh
You may have heard of Dean’s Village, a quiet residential village within Edinburgh. This area has no restaurants and no bathrooms, and there aren’t really any famous landmarks to see. Depending on where you are staying in Edinburgh it can be anywhere from a 15-30 minute walk away. So the key question is – is it worth a visit?
Emphatically the answer is yes! Dean’s Village (and the next experience on this list) is wonderfully charming, centered around the Water of Leith which at one time powered 11 mills in the village. Today, wandering around the area is extremely relaxing and feels like you’ve been transported to a different reality than the bustling Old Town of Edinburgh. Just keep in mind that this is a residential area, so try to keep the noise down and be respectful of the residents!
Cross the “Stockbridge”
After admiring Dean’s Village stroll along the Water of Leith until you reach another quaint neighborhood, Stockbridge. Stockbridge is named for an old wooden bridge that once stood in the area, though it has since been replaced by a “new” stone bridge built in 1801. With the opening of St Bernard’s Well in the 1760s, rumored to have magical healing powers, Edinburgh’s nobility increasingly moved to the area.
Thanks to this popularity the suburb is dotted with beautiful streets and buildings, including Circus Lane. Take some time to wander the village, popping into the various stores and restaurants. We found a few excellent wine shops in the area that we just loved!
Admire Circus Lane
There are countless charming areas of Edinburgh, but one of the most picturesque must be Circus Lane. The quiet street has gained popularity in recent years because of its “instagramability.” Located in the beautiful Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, Circus Lane is a short, curved street that frames one of the most beautiful images in the city.
Originally built as stables and homes for the stable workers of rich New Town families, Circus Lane is now one of the most photographed spots in Edinburgh. A visit won’t take very long, but we think it’s well worth it!
Fall in love with St. Andrews
Just one hour from Edinburgh is St. Andrews, a beautiful town with some real Scottish charm. Known as the “Home of Golf” (more on that below!), there is so much more to this town than just golf. However, no trip is complete without crossing the famous Swilcan Bridge where golfers finish their rounds at the 18th hole of the Old Course and shopping for classic Scottish golf merchandise.
Tour the grounds of the University of St Andrews, a beautiful campus more than 600 years old where Prince William and Kate Middleton met. Wander through the streets to find the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral, which at one point was the largest in Europe. Or just meander and shop around this quaint town steeped in history!
Play a round at the Home of Golf!
There truly might not be a more fantastic experience for golfers than to tee off at St Andrews. Matt was fortunate enough to play a round with his dad and every part of it was magical. There are several courses at St. Andrews, and it really doesn’t matter which one you choose to play. The experience is bound to be once in a lifetime!
If you want to play the Old Course (built in the 1400s) you need 2 things: a USGA handicap and a prior planning! You can try to book a round up to a year in advance, otherwise you’ll need to join the lottery and find out 48 hours before whether you are selected to play. For all other courses you can make tee times without a handicap, but we recommend planning well in advance!
Matt tried to make a tee time 4 months in advance and they were all full for a Saturday in September. However, these courses do reserve 50% of their tee times for walk ons, so don’t fret if you aren’t able to get an advance tee time! If you do need to walk on, just try to get there around 7:30 for the best chance of getting a tee time that day.
Hike Arthur’s Seat
For an active activity in Edinburgh, hike up Arthur’s Seat, the prominent plateau perched over the city. No one is quite sure of where the name of the peak comes from, with one theory suggesting that it comes from an old Gaelic word meaning height of arrows. The most fun theory is that this was the site of Camelot, the legendary court of King Arthur!
The hike is one of the most popular activities in Edinburgh, and there are several different routes to the top that vary in steepness. The green route is very steep and can be considered challenging, while the other routes are more on the moderate side. No matter what route you choose you’ll ascend roughly 825 feet and be treated to spectacular views of this beautiful city!
Immerse yourself in Harry Potter
While Edinburgh is an incredibly beautiful city, it undoubtedly gained even more fame following the Harry Potter movies. JK Rowling famously wrote the novels in Edinburgh, and many of the iconic sites from the movies are inspired by locations Rowling herself experienced while living in the city.
For fans of the series just walking around Edinburgh is sure to conjure up feelings of being transported to the Wonderful Wizarding World. However, for a truly one of a kind experience, consider taking a walking tour focused on all things Harry Potter!
Walk Down Victoria Street
Located just off the Royal Mile is one of the prettiest streets in Edinburgh, if not the entire UK! Victoria Street is a cobblestone masterpiece designed in the early 1800s and features beautiful colorful buildings. It is easily one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh and it’s very easy to see why.
Beyond its inherent beauty, Victoria Street is a magnet for Harry Potter fans. The street is rumored to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, and JK Rowling even wrote some of the series at Elephant Cafe on the street. If you are looking for Harry Potter memorabilia from your visit, look no further than the shops here!
Meander Princes Gardens
In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle lies Princes Gardens, a pair of public parks running along Princes Street. Edinburgh actually is the “greenest” city in the UK, with roughly 50% of the city consisting of green space. While there are many parks, Princes Gardens are probably the most famous and the easiest to visit for the average tourist.
Within the parks are a series of different memorials and monuments, including the Scott Monument (built for Sir Walter Scott), the Royal Scots Grey Monument, the Ross Fountain, and Wojtek the Bear – a monument to the brown bear adopted by soldiers of the Polish Army during World War II. Spending some time exploring these parks with Edinburgh’s Old Town in the backdrop is a perfect way to enjoy an afternoon in the city.
Walk (and shop) the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh running from Edinburgh Castle on one end to Holyrood Palace on the other. The Royal Mile is surprisingly close to a mile in length, running just about 1.1 miles which was approximately the distance Old Scot’s Mile. The Royal Mile is not just one street but actually five: Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate, and Abbey Strand.
A picturesque walk along this “road” is a must in Edinburgh and many must see sites are located along the path including the aforementioned Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and St. Giles Cathedral. Lining the street are tons of cute shops, just know they all sell relatively the same goods but at different prices. If you are interested in local goods (i.e. not produced in a factory owned by a major corporation) at good prices, we recommend Maubray House.
Appreciate Edinburgh Castle at Vennel Viewpoint
While there really aren’t any “bad” views of Edinburgh Castle, the best photo spot is definitely Vennel Viewpoint. The picture is framed absolutely perfectly with traditional buildings, trees, and of course the castle prominently perched in the center of the frame. The city has also installed benches so you can sit and admire the beauty of this charming city.
Search for Tom Riddle in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard
During the writing of the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling is famously said to have drawn inspiration from several headstones in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Despite Rowling stating that she did not specifically use any names from the cemetery, several characters have similar names to graves found here. For example, graves for Thomas Riddell (Tom Riddle), Robert Potter (Harry Potter), and William McGonagall (Professor McGonagall) may have subconsciously provided inspiration.
The most famous headstone fans of the series try to find is undoubtedly Thomas Riddell. Finding it can be a little bit challenging, but if you type it in to google maps you’ll be able to get relatively close. If you, like us, are confused when you seem to reach the right spot, the headstone is likely on the other side of the wall!
Sunday Roast at Hawksmoore
If you are in the United Kingdom on a Sunday, it’s almost a requirement that you participate in a Sunday Roast. A Sunday Roast is a very traditional British meal usually consisting of a roast meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, gravy, and other vegetables. It is a wonderful meal full of comfort food!
If we’ve convinced you to do a Sunday Roast when you’re in Edinburgh (seriously, do it!), the best place to do it is absolutely Hawksmoore! Hawksmoore was recommended by Skye as the best restaurant for a Sunday Roast, and we can certainly see why. The food was phenomenal, the atmosphere in a former bank was outstanding, and the experience was one of a kind. Just make sure to make a reservation for 4pm or earlier as they only guarantee enough food for orders before that time!
Scottish Highland Day Trip
The Scottish Highlands are world famous as some of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the planet. While we highly recommend spending multiple days in the Highlands, luckily they can also be visited on a day trip from Edinburgh! There are beautiful mountains, lovely lochs (lakes), the Caledonian Forest, fantastic islands, and even some interspersed castles!
Now, obviously, you can’t see all of this in a single day. However, a day trip from Edinburgh is a fantastic way to get a small taste of this gorgeous country. There are a ton of different options to choose from, just know it will be a long but fulfilling day! Most of the tours will go to Loch Ness, so be sure to look out for Nessie!
Hadrian’s Wall Tour
For another fun day trip, consider booking a tour centered around Hadrian’s Wall. Initially constructed in 122AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, the wall is a network of defensive fortifications running the full width of the island of Britain. Hadrian ascended as Roman Emperor during a time of relative unrest and rebellion throughout the empire, so his reign was focused on consolidating control over already conquered lands. Part of this effort was to build a wall in Britain to prevent raids from the unconquered north.
For a time the Roman Empire’s control actually extended beyond Hadrian’s Wall and additional defensive lines were constructed across even narrower parts of the island, however this particular wall remains the most well known frontier of the Roman Empire. There are many tours each day to Hadrian’s Wall and booking one of them is a great way to spend a day in Edinburgh.
Experience a Ghost Tour
For an unconventional evening, consider hopping on a ghost tour of the city! Edinburgh is famous for being one of the most haunted cities in the world, thanks in part to its history of witch trials and other mysterious disappearances/murders. More than that, the architecture and lay out of the city, with dark alleys, “underground” streets, and awe inspiring stone buildings lends itself to the mystique.
If you are interested in a fright, or just to learn more about this incredible city, take a ghost tour! There are so many different ones to choose from, so there is sure to be one tailored to what you are looking for.
Eat at the only restaurant worth going to on the Royal Mile!
The Royal Mile is beautiful and there are tons of restaurants the entire length, but unfortunately there are very few worth going to. As we learned from our walking food tour guide, Skye, the vast majority of the restaurants along the Royal Mile are owned by massive companies with hundreds if not thousands of restaurants in their portfolios. While they have beautiful settings and are the perfect place to grab a drink, we don’t recommend having dinner at any of them.
Instead, head to one of the few locally owned restaurants on the Mile – Angels with Bagpipes. We absolutely loved this restaurant! Located just across from St. Giles Cathedral, Angels with Bagpipes features lovely outdoor seating or a very nice indoor setting. The food itself is absolutely delicious and is some of the only fresh food you’ll find along the Royal Mile. While it is fairly expensive, it is definitely worth it!
See luxury on the Royal Yacht Britannia
Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia was the royal yacht of the British monarchy from 1954-1997. This particular vessel was the 83rd ship used in service of the royals since 1660. The royals sailed more than 1 million miles aboard her, hailing in more than 600 ports in 135 different countries. Throughout its life the vessel hosted countless dignitaries and heads of state, including US Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, and Clinton.
The ship was intended to also be a nuclear refuge for the Queen in the event of war, allowing her to safely survive off the coast of Britain. In 1997, the yacht was decommissioned and no replacement was initially built. In the 2020s construction of a new ship began, but visitors can enjoy this piece of royal history! Head down to the Port of Leith to hop aboard this one of a kind yacht!
Shop at Tron Kirk
If you are looking for local souvenirs, head to Tron Kirk along the Royal Mile! Rather than the souvenir shops that line the street with generally the same merchandise, Tron Kirk features local artisans selling their own handmade goods. You’ll find unique items here that you won’t find anywhere else along the Mile!
The setting of this market is perhaps the most interesting part. Tron Kirk actually is a former church, founded in the early 17th Century and officially closed in 1952. After sitting vacant for several years Tron Kirk was used as a tourist information center before eventually becoming the host for this local market. We found some incredible local artwork that we bought to take home!
Eat your fill at the Edinburgh Chocolatarium
When you think of Scotland you probably don’t think of chocolate. However, the Edinburgh Chocolatarium is an experience that absolutely must be on the list of top things to do in the city! We recommend signing up for this tour which allows you to create your own chocolate bar (potentially with a uniquely Scottish twist like haggis) before trying different Scottish and international chocolate. The tour is also incredibly highly rated and is sure to be a fun experience for any chocolate enthusiast!
Watch the Royal Military Tattoo
Every August, for 3 weeks, Edinburgh Castle is the host to the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. During this period more than 220 thousand people experience the precision performances from the Royal Army, militaries around the world, and even some civilians! Make sure to book tickets in advance as this is very popular and will definitely sell out!
Make sure to give yourself plenty of time in Edinburgh, you definitely won’t regret it! Check out our trip to Edinburgh to see how we allocated our time!