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
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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 $29 a night
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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 $42 a night
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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 $39 a night
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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 $20 a night
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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 $56 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 $312 per night
Next weekend
From $711 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | £1 = $1.25 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $162 per night |
| Average weekday price | $166 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Edinburgh
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Castle
0.2 miles from downtown
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Grassmarket
0.1 miles from downtown
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Edinburgh Playhouse
0.7 miles from downtown
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Usher Hall
0.5 miles from downtown
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Arthur's Seat
1.2 miles from downtown
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Royal Botanic Garden
1.3 miles from downtown
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Royal Yacht Britannia
2.4 miles from downtown
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Royal Mile
0.4 miles from downtown
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Murrayfield Stadium
1.9 miles from downtown
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Charlotte Square
0.6 miles from downtown
Edinburgh reviews
What other travelers say about Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a fantastic City and has attractions for young...
May 10, 2024
Edinburgh is a fantastic City and has attractions for young and old, we stayed for 6 Days and my children were 7yrs and loved every day there, visits to the Castle(Guided Tour, well worth the money), Royal Yacht(Very Impressive), Walking Ghost Tours, Ghost Bus(Very funny characters), the National Museum of Scotland, Camera Obscura, the Chocolatarium and many more things to Do for all.
Edinburgh is Beautiful so much to see so much Greener than...
May 10, 2024
Edinburgh is Beautiful so much to see so much Greener than most cities I visit! I never met 1 person from Edinburgh which is a shame! Great Transport around the City and a 2 great beaches Portobello & Crammond!
Amazing city and full of stories and history.
May 9, 2024
Amazing city and full of stories and history.x Bus,rail and tram make it so easy to get from place to place. Very affordable. Edinburgh zoo only ten minutes by tram. Princess st 20mins by tram. Princess street is the heart of Edinburgh.xx
Eerything was great - a lot of locations to visit, mixture...
May 8, 2024
Eerything was great - a lot of locations to visit, mixture of hills and sea views with many monuments and castles. Different tours to choose from and day trips as well are really good option. The only not so possitive thing were the prices which were more expensive in Edinburgh compared to other cities we have been to and not to forget - haggis - you will either love it or hate it, but def. everyone should try it at least once.
The tourist trap areas can be full of luggage and busy but...
May 7, 2024
The tourist trap areas can be full of luggage and busy but there are pretty laneways and shops to be found and this adds a nice vibe, however finding cafes and pubs around newington and the meadows just off the beaten path was even nicer. Strolls along the river path to slightly lesser known Dean village and the galleries was stunning, and hikes up and around Arthur’s seat and the crags is a nice way to spend an afternoon.
This is the second year in a row that I have went for my...
May 6, 2024
This is the second year in a row that I have went for my birthday. I do not think I could ever get tired of this place. The architecture is amazing. The locals are very friendly. I have never ran out of anything to do.
Popular places to stay in Edinburgh
Stay in some of the best accommodations Edinburgh has to offer
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Ocean Mist Leith Leith, Edinburgh
From $252 per night
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BrewDog DogHouse Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
From $399 per night
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The Balmoral Hotel Old Town, Edinburgh
From $688 per night
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Hotel Ceilidh-Donia Newington, Edinburgh
From $200 per night
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Cheval Old Town Chambers Old Town, Edinburgh
From $592 per night
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Other accommodations in Edinburgh
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Edinburgh
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Apartments
From $44 per night
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Villas
From $133 per night
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Cottages
From $88 per night
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Glamping Sites
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Serviced apartments
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Vacation Homes
From $90 per night
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Guest Houses
From $30 per night
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Hostels
From $29 per night
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B&Bs
From $34 per night
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Resort Villages
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Homestays
From $38 per night
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Campgrounds
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $44 per night
