Edinburgh
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Only have a day? See 4 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Historic fortress on Castle Rock, home of the Crown Jewels
- Tip: Book ahead
- Tip: Allow a few hours
1 tip
- Arrive for the One OClock Gun
📷 Photos
- 2
Historic street linking the castle to Holyrood
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Watch your bag
1 tip
- Explore the hidden closes and wynds
📷 Photos
- 3
Extinct volcano with panoramic city views
3 tips
- Allow about 1.5 hours round trip
- Wear sturdy shoes, paths are steep
- Go at sunrise for the best light
📷 Photos
- 4
Royal residence in Scotland, beside the ruined abbey
3 tips
- Audio guide is included in the ticket
- Closed when the royal family is in residence
- Combine with the Scottish Parliament visit
📷 Photos
- 5
Medieval High Kirk with a crown spire and Thistle Chapel
3 tips
- Free entry, donations welcome
- Dont miss the Thistle Chapel
- Photography permitted with a small fee
📷 Photos
- 6
Free museum covering science, nature and Scottish history
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Free general admission
- Head to the rooftop terrace for views
📷 Photos
- 7
Leafy 70-acre garden with glasshouses and city views
3 tips
- Entry to the garden is free
- Palm houses have a small charge
- Take the Inverleith bus or walk from the New Town
📷 Photos
- 8
Hilltop with monuments and classic skyline views
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Short easy climb from Princes Street
- Great at sunset
- Visit the unfinished National Monument
📷 Photos
- 9
Green valley between Old and New Town beneath the castle
3 tips
- Perfect picnic spot in good weather
- Look for the floral clock
- Christmas market is held here in winter
📷 Photos
- 10
Gothic tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- 287 narrow steps to the top
- Tickets are cheap and sold on site
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Edinburgh tips
Transportation
- Walk the centre: Old Town and New Town are compact and hilly, so comfortable shoes beat buses for most sightseeing between the Royal Mile and Princes Street.
- Tap to pay on Lothian Buses: contactless fares are capped daily, so you never pay more than a day ticket; the Lothian Buses app also sells mobile tickets.
- Take the tram from the airport: Edinburgh Trams run from the airport to the city centre and York Place, a simple alternative to taxis.
Security
- Watch bags at festival time: crowds on the Royal Mile in August attract pickpockets, so keep phones and wallets zipped away during street shows.
- Mind the cobbles and closes: steep wynds and stairs get slippery in rain and after dark, so take care and use well-lit main streets late at night.
- Use licensed taxis: black cabs and booked private hires are safe options; avoid unmarked cars offering rides outside clubs on busy nights.
Saving
- Enjoy free museums: the National Museum of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery and several other national collections are free to enter.
- Climb Arthur's Seat: the best city views cost nothing; hike up the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park or stroll Calton Hill at sunset.
- Book festival shows early: Fringe tickets and accommodation rise sharply in August, so reserve months ahead or look for free Fringe shows.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack layers year round: Edinburgh weather changes quickly, with wind and showers in any season, so bring a waterproof jacket and a warm layer.
- Expect cool summers: even in July and August days are mild rather than hot, so a light sweater is useful for evenings and long festival nights.
- Prepare for short winter days: from November to February daylight is limited and it is cold and damp, so pack a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes.
Cultural
- Try haggis properly: Scotland's national dish is served with neeps and tatties; many pubs and restaurants also offer a vegetarian version.
- Respect pub rounds: in a group it is common to take turns buying a round of drinks; join in or say upfront that you will buy your own.
- Call it Scottish: locals are proud of their identity, so avoid calling Scotland or its people English, and be curious about Scottish history.
Local Hacks
- Hear the One O'Clock Gun: a gun is fired from Edinburgh Castle every day except Sunday at 1pm; watch locals check their watches.
- Escape to Dean Village: a short walk from Princes Street, this riverside hamlet on the Water of Leith walkway feels miles from the crowds.
- Head to Leith for food: the port district has a lively waterfront with excellent restaurants and pubs, often better value than the Old Town.
1-day itineraries in Edinburgh
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 4
Scott Monument and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 4 stops
- 1Scott Monument
- 2Princes Street Gardens
- 3Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- 4Edinburgh Castle
Day 2 of 4
Royal Mile and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 4 stops
- 1Royal Mile
- 2John Knox House
- 3St Giles Cathedral
- 4National Museum of Scotland
Day 3 of 4
Arthurs Seat and around
🕘 9:30–12:30📍 3 stops
- 1Arthurs Seat
- 2Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 3Scottish Parliament
Day 4 of 4
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and around
🕘 9:30–13:45📍 4 stops
- 1Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
- 2Dean Village
- 3Circus Lane
- 4Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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