Top things to do in Edinburgh
Attractions, tours and activities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Edinburgh
-
Old Town
In the city centre
Edinburgh Old Town oozes mystery. Its cobbled “wynds” (narrow alleyways) entice and delight with unexpected nooks and crannies that urge you to explore. In the town that spawned Stevenson’s “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, let Grassmarket’s cosy pubs bring out the bard in you. To unravel the ghostly tales behind Old Town’s hidden gems, join a guided tour.
Places to stay from £23 per night
-
New Town
0.5 miles from city centre
Don’t be fooled by the name – New Town’s not that new. But its open spaces and elegant Georgian façades stand in stark contrast to the scrunched mediaeval maze of Old Town. Hidden behind neo-classical columns, New Town’s flats are among the city’s most sought after. If you fancy going the full Scottish, pick up a bespoke kilt from 21st Century Kilts.
Places to stay from £33 per night
-
West End
0.9 miles from city centre
West End’s all about performance. This district’s chock-full of theatres, cinemas and concert venues. It really comes into its own during August’s Fringe Festival, when you can barely walk for grinning street comics or touts thrusting flyers into your hand. Need a break from the theatricality? Slip into Caley Sample Rooms for an off-stage brew.
Places to stay from £32 per night
-
Haymarket
0.9 miles from city centre
Hay ho, let’s go! Commuters zoom in and out of Edinburgh’s central business district in a whirl of brogues and briefcases. On match days, you’ll see (and hear) rugby fans bustle their way to iconic Murrayfield Stadium. There’s plenty to please foodies, too – from First Coast’s Scottish fare to Lovecrumbs’ exceedingly good cakes.
Places to stay from £16 per night
-
Bruntsfield
0.9 miles from city centre
Bruntsfield’s a leafy district where students eat, drink and sleep. On sunny days, grab a corner-shop beer and join the fresh-faced crowds in The Meadows Park, where you’ll find picnics, frisbees and sun cream galore. Head to funky gastro-pub Blackbird for Sunday brunch, before stopping off at Cameo Cinema’s cosy bar for a pre-film pint.
Places to stay from £45 per night
About Edinburgh
Including tips for the best time to visit Edinburgh
Compact, hilly and filled with innumerable attractions, Edinburgh delights visitors with its medieval old town and vibrant personality. Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, where Scotland’s crown jewels are displayed and centuries of national history unravel. Take a free guided tour of this mighty citadel to hear stories of its fascinating past, and pause at the Argyle Battery for sweeping city views.
From the castle, the legendary Royal Mile leads down to Holyrood Palace in a jumble of museums and gift shops selling everything from kilts to vintage whisky. Some of the city’s best eats can be found here too – if the salty smell of fish and chips doesn’t tempt you, then perhaps a pub lunch of ‘haggis, neeps and tatties’ will.
Burn it all off with a walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that overlooks the city in nearby Holyrood Park, and admire the natural landscape that stretches for miles around.
A wonderful time is guaranteed in Edinburgh, no matter the time of year. In winter there’s Hogmanay, a three-day festival of spectacular events and street parties to celebrate the new year. Summer brings balmier weather, before rounding up with the world’s biggest arts festival: The Fringe. Lasting an entire month, this all-out celebration packs stand-up comedy, magic shows and dramatic theatre into its busy schedule, creating a buzz that draws bigger crowds to the Scottish capital year after year.
Tonight
From £162 per night
This weekend
From £384 per night
Next weekend
From £507 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | GBP |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £126 per night |
| Average weekday price | £128 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Edinburgh
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Edinburgh
-
Edinburgh Castle
0.2 miles from city centre
-
Edinburgh Playhouse
0.7 miles from city centre
-
Usher Hall
0.5 miles from city centre
-
Arthurs Seat
1.2 miles from city centre
-
Royal Botanic Garden
1.3 miles from city centre
-
Royal Yacht Britannia
2.4 miles from city centre
-
Royal Mile
0.1 miles from city centre
-
Queen's Hall
0.6 miles from city centre
-
Murrayfield Stadium
1.9 miles from city centre
-
King's Theatre
0.6 miles from city centre
Latest articles featuring Edinburgh
Inspiration and insider tips for what to do in Edinburgh
Destination inspiration: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Take a scenic walk through Edinburgh’s legend-laden history.
What to read and watch before visiting Edinburgh
Lose yourself in cult classics and historic tales inspired by the Scottish capital.
Edinburgh reviews
What other travellers say about Edinburgh
We had booking at Whisky Experience (platinum tour) with...
29 June 2022
We had booking at Whisky Experience (platinum tour) with dinner, which was a nice experience. If you want to visit Edinburgh Castle I would recommend booking the tickets up front. Nice whisky bar to visit on the Royal Mile is the Albanach bar, great whisky menu and excellent service.
I absolutely love Edinburgh, it's one of my favourite...
29 June 2022
I absolutely love Edinburgh, it's one of my favourite cities to visit. There's so much to see and do for people of all ages and interests, from historical sites to walks to culture and top quality bars and restaurants. I would say a trip to the castle and a walk up Arthur's Seat are essential for a stay in Edinburgh, but the whole city is absolutely beautiful with amazing architecture - there's so much to look at and take in when exploring on foot. I am a foodie so love that there's a huge range of choice for food and drink in Edinburgh. Some spots I recommend: Loudons for brunch (multiple locations), Oink for a quick lunch stop for hog roast baps (multiple locations), Raging Bull cocktail bar on Lothian Road and Edinburgh Gin or Pickering's for a gin tasting / tour / just a drink.
Edinburgh is just beautiful.
29 June 2022
Edinburgh is just beautiful. The buildings and history are wonderful to visit. We went to some good restaurants and walked the length and breadth of the Royal Mile and many of the side streets. We enjoyed the underground tour the most. The kids got a little antsy at the castle.
The city center near Princes Street is fantastic.
28 June 2022
The city center near Princes Street is fantastic. The Grass Market area and the Meadows were our favorite places to hang out. The Royal Mile is a bit of a giant tourist trap, but great if you want to buy gifts and get the full "Edinburgh" experience. We just liked hanging out near the parks, walking the city, and especially enjoyed our stay in Stockbridge. Great restaurants including Hector's and the Bailie Bar. Public transportation is very easy with busses everywhere as is walking through the city.
The city was beautiful and historical.
28 June 2022
The city was beautiful and historical. We were able to walk or ride a bus to just about everywhere. The restaurant and food were great lots of choices. I can see why Harry Potter was based off Edinburg.
One of the Must-seen Cities of the UK.
28 June 2022
One of the Must-seen Cities of the UK. Very rich history, fantastic architecture and nice tourist attractions. Plus very delicious food. At this period of year, namely the last week of June, the weather is very nice.
Popular places to stay in Edinburgh
Stay in some of the best accommodation Edinburgh has to offer
-
BrewDog DogHouse Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
From £175 per night
-
Cheval Old Town Chambers Old Town, Edinburgh
From £296.46 per night
-
The Balmoral Hotel Old Town, Edinburgh
From £390 per night
-
Hotel Ceilidh-Donia Newington, Edinburgh
From £180 per night
-
