Top things to do in Edinburgh
Attractions, tours, and activities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Edinburgh
-
Old Town
In downtown
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 $30 a night
-
New Town
0.5 miles from downtown
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 $43 a night
-
West End
0.9 miles from downtown
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 $41 a night
-
Haymarket
0.9 miles from downtown
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 $21 a night
-
Bruntsfield
0.9 miles from downtown
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 $58 a night
About Edinburgh
Including tips for the best time to visit Edinburgh
Compact, hilly, and packed with landmarks, Edinburgh delights visitors with its medieval old town and vibrant personality. Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, where Scotland’s rich history is on display, along with the crown jewels. Take a free guided tour of the impressive citadel to hear stories of its fascinating past, then head up to the Argyle Battery for incredible city views.
From the castle, the legendary Royal Mile leads down to Holyrood Palace through a mix of museums and gift shops, selling everything from kilts to vintage whisky. Some of the city’s best food can be found here, too. However, if the smell of fish and chips doesn’t tempt you, why not try a traditional pub lunch of "haggis, neeps, and tatties"?
Later, burn it all off with a walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat—an extinct volcano overlooking the city in nearby Holyrood Park—to admire the natural landscape that stretches for miles around.
Edinburgh promises a great time, no matter the time of year. In the winter there’s Hogmanay, a 3-day festival of street parties and events 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 theater into a full schedule, creating a buzz that draws huge crowds to the Scottish capital year after year.
Tonight
From $332 per night
Next weekend
From $822 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | £1 = $1.29 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $292 per night |
| Average weekday price | $281 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Edinburgh
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Edinburgh
-
Edinburgh Castle
0.2 miles from downtown
-
Grassmarket
0.1 miles from downtown
-
Edinburgh Playhouse
0.7 miles from downtown
-
Usher Hall
0.5 miles from downtown
-
Arthur's Seat
1.2 miles from downtown
-
Royal Botanic Garden
1.3 miles from downtown
-
Royal Yacht Britannia
2.4 miles from downtown
-
Royal Mile
0.4 miles from downtown
-
Murrayfield Stadium
1.9 miles from downtown
-
Charlotte Square
0.6 miles from downtown
Edinburgh reviews
What other travelers say about Edinburgh
We packed in the Whiskey Experience, a Harry Potter tour and...
July 26, 2024
We packed in the Whiskey Experience, a Harry Potter tour and the Castle, with the royal mile along the way, on our one full day in the city. The expensive hotel accommodations are the biggest downside to Edinburgh, which is ancient and fascinating with many restaurants of various price points and cuisines. We found the taxis to be affordable and convenient and loved walking around the area of the Royal Mile. We were there while it was gloriously sunny, but chilly rain is apparently very common, so pack accordingly.
After travelling the world, Edinburgh remains one of my...
July 26, 2024
After travelling the world, Edinburgh remains one of my favourite cities. Especially during a sunny summer's day (few and far between!) it has a vibe all of its own. The buildings are beautiful and the green inner city spaces add an extra layer of enjoyment. So many things to see and do. It boasts many great restaurants and as a vegan, I had no problems finding something suitable and delicious. And if you like unusual, exceptionally nice coffee, check out this small boutique cafe that roasts its own bean. The cafe is at 4 Spittal St, Edinburgh in the city. You can even see the castle from there if you stretch your neck. If you go there, say Nicki sent you ;) Have fun in Edinburgh !
So many people
July 26, 2024
So many people Pre book the castle, we walked up only to find it was sold out for the day! Found out later that the tram goes all the way to the royal Yacht wish we'd got on there instead of the hop on hop off bus Whiskey experience, amazing
Edinburgh is such a great city to visit.
July 25, 2024
Edinburgh is such a great city to visit. It's easy to get around via walking and many other modes of transport. It's a great home base for taking small bus tours into the highlands and island areas of Scotland. The Old Town can get very busy but there are many exciting shops and places to explore.
I fell in love with Edinburgh last year on a 10-day journey.
July 25, 2024
I fell in love with Edinburgh last year on a 10-day journey. The architecture is stunning, and nature seems to ease its way into the city. Visit the Old Town and the castle, enjoy the views from there, and make your way to the Grassmarket area. If you are lucky, you will find a little event there with amazing food. Don't forget about St. Giles' Cathedral, a true piece of local history. Walk along the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Cockburn Street, but don't forget about the charming Circus Lane, Dean Village and Water of Leith, if you have the time. Edinburgh is more than a city break destination, you can loose yourself onto its streets, parks and hills. And pubs :).
Fantastic city.
July 23, 2024
Fantastic city. Have visited many times and each time manage to do things we haven’t done before. There is so much to see and do here. The Royal mile oozes with character and history. The museums are great. Visited Holyrood Palace and have previously seen the botanical gardens, the royal yacht, the real Mary Kings Close, The Whiskey experience, the castle, and so much more. It’s such a wonderful city. We never tire of it!
Popular places to stay in Edinburgh
Stay in some of the best accommodations Edinburgh has to offer
-
BrewDog DogHouse Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
From $416 per night
-
Ocean Mist Leith Leith, Edinburgh
From $283 per night
-
The Balmoral Hotel Old Town, Edinburgh
From $766 per night
-
Hotel Ceilidh-Donia Newington, Edinburgh
From $206 per night
-
Cheval Old Town Chambers Old Town, Edinburgh
From $522 per night
-
Other accommodations in Edinburgh
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Edinburgh
-
Apartments
From $45 per night
-
Villas
From $137 per night
-
Cottages
From $90 per night
-
Glamping Sites
From per night
-
Serviced apartments
From $35 per night
-
Vacation Homes
From $93 per night
-
Guest Houses
From $31 per night
-
Hostels
From $30 per night
-
B&Bs
From $35 per night
-
Resort Villages
From per night
-
Homestays
From $39 per night
-
Campgrounds
From per night
-
Self-Catering Accommodations
From $45 per night
