Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh

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Disclaimer: I paid for this trip myself. All recommendations and opinions are my own.

I’ve visited Edinburgh several times now and really enjoy this city. It has a lively, vibrant spirit and energy. There is so much to see and do, that I’m keen to get back there to explore it further. One of the best things about Edinburgh is that it’s a great place to visit whether its summer or winter.

1. Visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle

One of the most popular attractions is of course the magnificent Edinburgh Castle that sits proudly overlooking the city from its position on Castle Rock. There is evidence that this rock has been occupied by people since the Iron Age (2nd century AD). The historic fortress has been here since the 12th century and was a royal residence until 1633. Today it provides visitors spectacular views and the opportunity to learn more about Edinburgh’s history. It gets very busy at the castle, so I would suggest getting up early and starting your day here.

Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh Scotland — Edinburgh Castle

2. Go kilt shopping on the Royal Mile

As you leave the castle, head down the Royal Mile. This ancient street is one of the busiest in Edinburgh. Here you will find a great selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and historic attractions, so take the opportunity to stock up on your Scottish souvenirs and gifts.

The Royal Mile is the heart of Edinburgh. At one end is Edinburgh Castle and on the other is the Palace at Holyroodhouse, and in between is Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, and Abbey Strand. Along the Royal Mile are Old Town Edinburgh’s most impressive buildings.

3. Rubs shoulders with the Royals at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Royal Mile leads down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is the official residence of the British Monarch. They do still stay here occasionally, and when that happens, the castle may be closed to visitors. The palace was originally built in 1128 by King David I and then converted into a palace by James IV. The palace was eventually rebuilt by Charles II in the 1670’s, and this is how it remains to this day.

It is worth a visit, especially if you want to learn more about the British monarchy. You can pay for a guided tour, but we just went on the self-guided tour. An audio guide is included in the admission price. You get access to the state apartments and rooms like the Throne Room and the Great Gallery. Don’t miss the older apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots (1561 – 1567). Just off the bedchamber is the tiny Supper Room where Mary was dining on 9 March 1566 when she witnessed the murder of her private secretary, David Rizzio. He was stabbed 56 time by her jealous husband, Lord Darnley, and a group of powerful Scottish lords.

Behind the palace are remains of the abbey as well as the palace gardens. There is a lovely cafe and even if you don’t get time to visit the palace, you can still pop into the (expensive) gift store.

4. Climb Arthurs Seat

From the palace, head up to Arthur’s Seat for some splendid views of the city. As it’s volcanic, the path is quite steep in places, so I would only recommend this for the more energetic. It can also get a bit muddy, so wear sensible shoes. However, those that do choose to expend the energy will be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city, the coast and the countryside sprawling out around it. The hike up the hill takes about 30 to 40 minutes for the averagely fit.

5. Explore Calton Hill

Calton Hill is another great viewing spot that’s not quite as steep as Arthur’s Seat. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site where you will find several interesting monuments. It’s a great place to catch the sunrise or sunset. There’s a number of things to see and do here, including the National Monument, which honours the soldiers that died in the Napoleonic Wars, the obelisk-like Nelson Monument which commemorates the death of Admiral Lord Nelson, and the Dugald Stewart Monument.

6. Take a stroll in the Royal Botanic Gardens

If you are visiting Edinburgh in the warmer months, then escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a stroll in the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. The gardens consist of 70 acres of stunning gardens and greenhouses.

If you love visiting botanic gardens, then consider visiting the regional garden of Benmore in Argyll, which you can read about here in my self-drive holiday around Scotland.

7. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Exploring the huge amount of exhibits on offer at the National Museum of Scotland. This is one of the best museums I’ve ever been to, but be warned, it is huge and takes most of a day to get around it. Entry is free, and it’s also a great place for kids as it has lots of interactive displays.

8. Take in the artwork at the Scottish National Gallery

Located on The Mound in the central city, the Scottish National Gallery is located in a beautiful historic building and is home to an amazing collection of fine art. Including masterpieces by Botticelli, Raphael, Rembrandt, Constable, Monet, and Van Gogh just to name a few.

If you enjoy art galleries, then also check out the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. There are actually 2 buildings, Modern one is located in a stunning neoclassical building surrounded by stunning landscape. Modern 2 is located nearby and both feature a sculpture park.

9. Visit the birthplace of Harry Potter’s story

Edinburgh is where the author J.K. Rowling penned the famous Harry Potter series. She spent much of her time writing in her local café, the Elephant House. She was inspired by the city around her, for example the curving and colourful Victoria Street was the inspiration for Diagon Alley, and George Heriot’s School provided ideas for the architecture of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To get the full experience, join the Harry Potter Trail tour.

10. Go whiskey tasting

End your visit to Edinburgh with a whiskey tour. There are an endless number of whiskey bars all over the city, so just find one nearest to your hotel (makes staggering back to your hotel easier) and ask the barman to talk you through a whiskey tasting experience.

However, if you want the full whiskey experience, then visit the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. After purchasing your ticket you will be ushered onto an amusement park ride, a whisky barrel car that travels along a track through the process of making whisky. After the ride, there’s a short film about Scotch whisky followed by a short presentation by a guide, and finally a chance to taste a single malt whisky. Here’s where you will learn the difference between a blend and a single malt and about the four regions of Scotch whisky: the Lowlands, which produce whisky with citrus flavors; the Highlands, which produce whisky with floral and vanilla flavors; Speyside, which produces fruity whiskies; and Islay, the home of smoky, peaty whiskies.

A highlight of the experience is The Diageo Claive Vidiz Whisky Collection, an impressive collection of 3,384 bottles of Scotch Whisky.

Bonus: Spend Christmas in Edinburgh

If you get a chance to visit Edinburgh at Christmas time, they also hold great Christmas Markets with fabulous lights.

Edinburgh Christmas Markets. Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh Scotland — Edinburgh Christmas Markets

Practical Tips for Visiting Edinburgh

Language: English
Currency: Pound sterling. Although Scotland print their own bank notes, you can use either Scottish notes or the usual English notes. Sometimes it can be difficult getting the Scottish bank notes accepted in the rest of the UK, so try not to carry large amounts and use them up before leaving.
Tipping: Not required, but people usually round up.
Electricity: The electrical current is 230 volts AC. Wall outlets take a three pronged plug only used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, you are better off purchasing a worldwide adaptor that can be used in the United Kingdom as well other countries. At least then you can potentially get some further use out of it on future vacations. If you’re taking a number of electronics with you, then I would recommend purchasing a couple of these adaptors.
Driving: In the UK they drive on the left hand side of the road with speed signs in miles per hour (mph).
Navigating: We use Google’s free Offline Maps which allow you to access free maps for navigating that can be used offline i.e. you don’t need WIFI, data, or roaming to be able to use them. Follow my detailed guide on how to use Googles Offline Maps. Using your phone as a GPS will drain your battery quickly, so use a portable external battery charger which you can use to charge your phone and any other USB chargeable devices. If you prefer a paper map, then get yourself a map of Scotland. At least it’s reliable and won’t run out of battery or malfunction like the electronic options!

Wondering what to pack? This is a list of essential items that I packed for my trip to Scotland. I originally used this list for my holiday in Ireland, being very similar locations.