Europe · Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh
Castle rock, medieval closes and Georgian grandeur
Climb from the castle down the Royal Mile to Holyrood, hike an extinct volcano in the middle of the city, explore hidden underground streets and warm up with whisky and hearty Scottish cooking in Scotland's historic capital.
May – Sep · Aug for festivals · Dec for Hogmanay
GBP £
English
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Explore the City
Find attractions, hotels, and transport hubs across the city.
Tours & experiences
Tours & Experiences
Curated cruises, day trips, walking tours and iconic experiences worth building a day around in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour
Explore Scotland's most famous fortress with an expert guide, from the crown jewels and Stone of Destiny to the Great Hall and wartime prisons.
About 2 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Castle Esplanade
Highlights
- Honours of Scotland
- Great Hall
- Castle ramparts
Edinburgh
The Real Mary King's Close
Descend beneath the Royal Mile into preserved 17th-century streets and houses, with costumed guides telling stories of plague, poverty and daily life.
About 1 hour
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Warriston's Close, High Street
Highlights
- Hidden 17th-century streets
- Costumed character guides
- Plague-era stories
Edinburgh
South Bridge Underground Vaults Tour
Explore the dark chambers hidden inside the arches of South Bridge, once home to workshops, taverns and Edinburgh's poorest residents.
About 1–1.5 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Old Town, near South Bridge
Highlights
- South Bridge vaults
- Old Town history
- Candlelit chambers
Edinburgh
Old Town Ghost & Dark History Walk
After dark, follow a storyteller through closes and kirkyards to hear tales of body snatchers, witches and Edinburgh's grisly past.
About 1.5 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Royal Mile
Highlights
- Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Body-snatcher tales
- Hidden closes
Edinburgh
Scotch Whisky Tasting Experience
Learn how Scotland's national drink is made and taste single malts from different regions, beside one of the world's largest whisky collections.
About 1–1.5 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Castlehill, top of the Royal Mile
Highlights
- Whisky regions explained
- Guided tasting
- Vast whisky collection
Edinburgh
Scottish Food & Drink Tasting Walk
Taste haggis, smoked salmon, Scottish cheeses, tablet and local drinks with a guide, stopping at independent shops, pubs and cafés.
About 3 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Old Town or Leith
Highlights
- Haggis tasting
- Scottish cheeses & smoked salmon
- Local producers
Edinburgh
Harry Potter Old Town Walking Tour
Discover places linked to J.K. Rowling's time in Edinburgh — the cafés, streets and Greyfriars Kirkyard graves that fans connect with the books.
About 1.5–2 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Greyfriars / Grassmarket area
Highlights
- Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Victoria Street
- Rowling's writing cafés
Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat Guided Hike
Climb Edinburgh's extinct volcano with a guide who explains its geology and legends, following quieter paths to the summit.
About 2–3 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Holyrood Park
Highlights
- Salisbury Crags
- Summit views
- Volcanic geology
Edinburgh
Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Day Tour
A long, scenic coach day from Edinburgh through Glencoe and the Highlands to Loch Ness, with optional cruise time on the loch.
About 12 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Central Edinburgh
Highlights
- Glencoe
- Loch Ness
- Highland scenery
Edinburgh
Forth Bridges Boat Cruise
Sail from South Queensferry beneath the three Forth bridges, including the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge, with views of islands and seals.
About 1.5 hours
First-time visitors and travellers exploring Edinburgh at their own pace
Hawes Pier, South Queensferry
Highlights
- Forth Bridge
- Inchcolm Island views
- Seals and seabirds
Edinburgh Itineraries
Plan Your Perfect Edinburgh Trip
Professionally curated day-by-day itineraries that combine Edinburgh's iconic landmarks, local favourites, practical travel tips, realistic budgets, and efficient routes—helping you experience more while spending less time planning.
Edinburgh · Suggested itinerary
3-Day Edinburgh
The castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood and Arthur's Seat.
Your trip at a glance
3 days
Moderate
Budget traveller
Flexible
Mid-range traveller
Check current costs
Luxury traveller
Book ahead
- Day1
Theme
Castle & the Royal Mile
Start at the top of the Old Town and work your way down the Royal Mile, heading underground in the afternoon.
Day 1 · Castle & the Royal Mile- MorningMorning
Edinburgh Castle
- Timed entry for the crown jewels and Great Hall
- Watch the One O'Clock Gun (not Sundays)
- LunchMidday
Old Town lunch
- A hog roast roll near Victoria Street
TryOink - AfternoonAfternoon
Royal Mile & St Giles'
- Visit St Giles' Cathedral and the Thistle Chapel
- Tour The Real Mary King's Close
- EveningEvening
Grassmarket & ghost walk
- Dinner in the Grassmarket
- Join an evening ghost walk
HighlightsEdinburgh CastleSt Giles' CathedralMary King's CloseGrassmarket- Walking
- Around 4–6 km · Hilly streets and steps; allow extra time between sights
Comfortable shoes with grip and a waterproof layer — the weather changes quickly.
- Sightseeing
- A full but unhurried day
- Family
- Couples
Transport tipsEdinburgh Waverley
Trains, buses & tram (St Andrew Square)
A steep walk up to the Old Town.
Estimated daily budgetBudget traveller
Depends on your choices
Mid-range
Check current admission prices
Luxury
Plan for bookings
Travel tipWalk downhill where you can and use buses or the tram for longer hops.
Money saverMany major museums and galleries are free, which helps balance ticketed sights.
Best photo spotCalton Hill at sunset and Victoria Street early morning are classic shots.
Best time to visitStart early at the castle, then slow down in the afternoon.
Book aheadBook timed tickets for the castle and Mary King's Close, especially in summer.
Transport tipTap contactless on buses and trams; drivers don't give change.
Food recommendationTry haggis and Cullen skink at lunch and save a pub dinner for the evening.
Rainy day alternativeThe National Museum, the gallery and underground tours are great wet-weather choices.
Today's highlights- 4 major attractions visited
- A full but unhurried day
- Around 4–6 km on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ Check current admission prices
- Evening around Old Town & New Town
End the day around Old Town & New TownView on Google Maps - Day2
Theme
Holyrood & Arthur's Seat
Royal history at the foot of the Royal Mile, then a climb up the city's volcano and sunset on Calton Hill.
Day 2 · Holyrood & Arthur's Seat- MorningMorning
Palace of Holyroodhouse
- State Apartments and Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers
- Holyrood Abbey ruins
- LunchMidday
Picnic or café lunch
- Pick up supplies on the Canongate for a park picnic
- AfternoonAfternoon
Arthur's Seat
- Climb to the summit or walk beneath Salisbury Crags
- Allow 2–3 hours
- EveningEvening
Calton Hill at sunset
- Classic skyline views
- Dinner in the New Town
HighlightsHolyroodhouseArthur's SeatCalton Hill- Walking
- Around 8–10 km with a climb · Hilly streets and steps; allow extra time between sights
Comfortable shoes with grip and a waterproof layer — the weather changes quickly.
- Sightseeing
- A full but unhurried day
- Family
- Couples
Transport tipsEdinburgh Waverley
Lothian Buses
Buses run along the Canongate edges to Holyrood.
Estimated daily budgetBudget traveller
Depends on your choices
Mid-range
Check current admission prices
Luxury
Plan for bookings
Travel tipWalk downhill where you can and use buses or the tram for longer hops.
Money saverMany major museums and galleries are free, which helps balance ticketed sights.
Best photo spotCalton Hill at sunset and Victoria Street early morning are classic shots.
Best time to visitStart early at the castle, then slow down in the afternoon.
Book aheadBook timed tickets for the castle and Mary King's Close, especially in summer.
Transport tipTap contactless on buses and trams; drivers don't give change.
Food recommendationTry haggis and Cullen skink at lunch and save a pub dinner for the evening.
Rainy day alternativeThe National Museum, the gallery and underground tours are great wet-weather choices.
Today's highlights- 3 major attractions visited
- A full but unhurried day
- Around 8–10 km with a climb on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ Check current admission prices
- Evening around Old Town & New Town
End the day around Old Town & New TownView on Google Maps - Day3
Theme
Museums, New Town & Dean Village
Free museums in the morning, Georgian streets and a riverside village in the afternoon, whisky in the evening.
Day 3 · Museums, New Town & Dean Village- MorningMorning
National Museum of Scotland
- Grand Gallery and Scottish galleries
- Rooftop terrace views
- LunchMidday
Comfort-food lunch
- Sausage and mash near Greyfriars
TryMums Great Comfort Food - AfternoonAfternoon
New Town to Dean Village
- Scottish National Gallery and Princes Street Gardens
- Walk via Charlotte Square to Dean Village and Stockbridge
- EveningEvening
Whisky & dinner
- Whisky tasting on Castlehill
- Gastropub dinner in Stockbridge
TryThe Scran & Scallie
HighlightsNational MuseumScottish National GalleryDean VillageWhisky tasting- Walking
- Around 6–8 km · Hilly streets and steps; allow extra time between sights
Comfortable shoes with grip and a waterproof layer — the weather changes quickly.
- Sightseeing
- A full but unhurried day
- Family
- Couples
Transport tipsPrinces Street / West End
Edinburgh Trams
Handy for the New Town and West End.
Estimated daily budgetBudget traveller
Depends on your choices
Mid-range
Check current admission prices
Luxury
Plan for bookings
Travel tipWalk downhill where you can and use buses or the tram for longer hops.
Money saverMany major museums and galleries are free, which helps balance ticketed sights.
Best photo spotCalton Hill at sunset and Victoria Street early morning are classic shots.
Best time to visitStart early at the castle, then slow down in the afternoon.
Book aheadBook timed tickets for the castle and Mary King's Close, especially in summer.
Transport tipTap contactless on buses and trams; drivers don't give change.
Food recommendationTry haggis and Cullen skink at lunch and save a pub dinner for the evening.
Rainy day alternativeThe National Museum, the gallery and underground tours are great wet-weather choices.
Today's highlights- 4 major attractions visited
- A full but unhurried day
- Around 6–8 km on foot
- Mid-range budget ≈ Check current admission prices
- Evening around Old Town & New Town
End the day around Old Town & New TownView on Google Maps
Tours & experiences
Hop-on hop-off bus tours
See the city's headline sights on your own schedule — open-top buses, audio commentary, unlimited hops.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Edinburgh Bus Tours
Explore Edinburgh at your own pace with the city's official hop-on hop-off tours. Choose one route or a multi-tour ticket covering all three: CitySightseeing Edinburgh through the Old Town and New Town, the Edinburgh Tour with a live guide, and the Regal Tour out to Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Combined tickets with major attractions are also offered; check current routes and departures before travelling.
- Hop-on hop-off service
- Audio guide in multiple languages
- Stops at major attractions
- Mobile & online ticket options
- Great for first-time visitors
Best for
First-time visitors, families, couples, and travellers who want to see the city's highlights in a convenient and flexible way.
Beyond Edinburgh
More to See, Just a Journey Away
Stirling Castle & the Wallace Monument
Where Scotland's history was fought
Around 45–55 minutes by train
Explore the magnificent Renaissance palace of Stirling Castle, then climb the National Wallace Monument for views over the battlefields of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.
Highlights
- Stirling Castle
- National Wallace Monument
- Old Town & Church of the Holy Rude
Glasgow
Scotland's vibrant largest city
Around 50 minutes by train
Swap Edinburgh's medieval charm for Glasgow's Victorian grandeur, free world-class museums, Mackintosh architecture and a buzzing food and music scene.
Highlights
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
- Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
- Merchant City
St Andrews
The home of golf by the sea
Around 1 hour 30 minutes by train and bus
A historic university town on the Fife coast with cathedral ruins, a clifftop castle, sandy West Sands beach and the famous Old Course.
Highlights
- St Andrews Cathedral
- The Old Course & West Sands
- St Andrews Castle
Rosslyn Chapel
Scotland's most mysterious chapel
Around 45–60 minutes by bus
A 15th-century chapel famous for its extraordinarily detailed stone carvings, legends of the Knights Templar and its role in The Da Vinci Code.
Highlights
- Carved interior
- Apprentice Pillar
- Roslin Glen walks
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
Lochs, islands and Highland scenery
Around 1 hour 30 minutes by car
Discover Scotland's first national park: cruise on Loch Lomond, walk the shores at Luss or Balloch and take in the hills of the Trossachs.
Highlights
- Loch Lomond cruise
- Luss village
- Trossachs viewpoints
North Berwick
Seaside town and seabird island
Around 35 minutes by train
A charming seaside town with sandy beaches, the Scottish Seabird Centre and boat trips around the Bass Rock, home to a huge gannet colony.
Highlights
- Scottish Seabird Centre
- Bass Rock boat trip
- North Berwick Law
Linlithgow Palace
Birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots
Around 20 minutes by train
Wander the roofless royal palace where Mary, Queen of Scots was born, set beside a peaceful loch next to the historic St Michael's Parish Church.
Highlights
- Linlithgow Palace
- Linlithgow Loch
- St Michael's Parish Church
The Kelpies & Falkirk Wheel
Modern Scottish engineering marvels
Around 40–60 minutes by train and bus
See the Kelpies, two 30-metre steel horse heads in the Helix park, and the Falkirk Wheel, the world's only rotating boat lift.
Highlights
- The Kelpies
- Falkirk Wheel boat trip
- Helix park
Where to sleep
Hotels & stays
From palace hotels to design hostels — picks across four budgets.
Luxury
The Balmoral
Princes Street / East End
typical nightly
£450–1,000 / night
Typical range · Rates vary by date
Landmark Victorian hotel beside Waverley with its famous clock tower, a spa and castle-view rooms.
Boutique
Kimpton Charlotte Square
New Town
typical nightly
£200–450 / night
Typical range · Rates vary by date
Stylish hotel set across Georgian townhouses on elegant Charlotte Square, with a courtyard restaurant and spa.
Mid-range
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Market Street, Old Town
typical nightly
£90–200 / night
Typical range · Rates vary by date
Design-led, good-value hotel between Waverley station and the Royal Mile, some rooms with castle views.
Budget
Kick Ass Grassmarket
Grassmarket
typical nightly
Dorm beds £20–45 / night
Private rooms from ~£70
Rates vary by date
Lively hostel with dorms and private rooms right beneath the castle in the Grassmarket.
Where to eat
Best places to eat
Local classics, budget wins, cafés and vegetarian gems — plus the iconic dishes you shouldn't leave without trying.
The Kitchin
Modern Scottish fine dining
Leith
price
££££
Tom Kitchin's celebrated restaurant on the Leith waterfront, built around the 'From Nature to Plate' philosophy and seasonal Scottish produce.
A special-occasion meal showcasing the best Scottish seafood and game — book well ahead.
The Ship on the Shore
Seafood & champagne bar
The Shore, Leith
price
£££
Characterful seafood restaurant in a historic building by the Water of Leith, serving oysters, mussels and fish platters.
Classic Scottish seafood in Leith's most atmospheric waterside setting.
The Scran & Scallie
Scottish gastropub
Stockbridge
price
££
Relaxed, family-friendly gastropub from Tom Kitchin serving hearty Scottish pub classics made with local produce.
Great fish and chips, pies and Sunday roasts after a Dean Village walk.
Oink
Hog roast rolls
Victoria Street / Canongate
price
£
Tiny shops serving slow-roasted hog in a roll with stuffing, apple sauce or haggis — a whole roast pig in the window.
A quick, filling and inexpensive Old Town lunch.
Mums Great Comfort Food
British comfort food
Forrest Road, Old Town
price
£
Casual café known for sausage and mash, pies and milkshakes, using Scottish suppliers.
Hearty, good-value food near Greyfriars and the National Museum.
Loudons
All-day brunch café
Fountainbridge & New Town
price
££
Popular café and bakery serving all-day breakfasts, eggs Benedict, fresh bakes and good coffee.
A reliable brunch spot to fuel up before a day of sightseeing.
What to try
Iconic dishes of Edinburgh
Haggis, neeps & tatties
Scotland's national dish: spiced haggis served with mashed turnip (neeps) and potatoes (tatties), often with a whisky sauce. Vegetarian haggis is widely available.
Cullen skink
A thick, comforting soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and onions or leeks, originally from the Moray coast.
Full Scottish breakfast
Eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, tattie scone, beans and mushrooms — sometimes with a slice of haggis.
Cranachan
A traditional dessert of whipped cream, raspberries, toasted oats, honey and a splash of whisky.
Shortbread
Rich, crumbly butter biscuits — the classic Scottish treat with a cup of tea.
Scotch pie
A small, round double-crust pie filled with spiced minced mutton or beef, a favourite at bakeries and football matches.
Getting around
Transit & arrivals
Central Edinburgh is compact and walkable, though hilly. Lothian buses cover the whole city, and the tram links the airport, Princes Street and Leith. Contactless payment is accepted on buses and trams.
Airport → City
EDI → city centre by tram (around 30–35 minutes) or Airlink 100 express bus (around 30 minutes)
Day pass
Day tickets cover unlimited Lothian bus and city-zone tram travel; the airport tram zone costs more. Check current options before travel.
Network size
3 primary modes
Edinburgh Trams
One line from Edinburgh Airport via Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square to Leith and Newhaven.
Lothian Buses
A dense network across the city, including frequent routes along Princes Street, the Royal Mile edges and to Leith.
ScotRail & intercity trains
Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations serve Glasgow, Stirling, Linlithgow, North Berwick and London.
Buses and trams run from early morning to around midnight, with night buses on key routes. Check the Transport for Edinburgh app for live times.
Tap a contactless card or phone on buses and trams, or use the Transport for Edinburgh app for single and day tickets.
Black cabs can be hailed or found at ranks (Waverley, Haymarket, the airport); private-hire and ride-hailing apps also operate.
Trams and most buses are low-floor; the Old Town's steep streets and steps can be challenging.
- Walking is the best way to see the Old Town and New Town, but expect steep hills, steps and cobbles.
- Bring layers and a waterproof — Edinburgh weather can change several times a day.
- Book accommodation early for August (the festivals) and Hogmanay, when prices rise sharply.
- Many major museums and galleries are free.
- Bus drivers don't give change — use contactless or the app.
- The Old Town and New Town are connected by steep streets and stairs such as the Scotsman Steps and the Mound.
Getting here
Airport information
Which airport to fly into for Edinburgh and how to reach the city centre.
International airport
Edinburgh Airport
Scotland's busiest airport, west of the city, with tram, express bus and taxi links to the centre.
Distance to centre
About 13 km west of central Edinburgh
Travel time
Allow around 30–40 minutes to the centre
Best for
Most international and UK flights to Edinburgh and eastern Scotland
Getting to the city
Other
Edinburgh Trams
Trams run frequently from outside the terminal via Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square to Leith. Airport-zone tickets cost more than city tickets.
Bus
Airlink 100 express bus
Frequent express buses run to Haymarket and Waverley Bridge, with night services on the N22 route.
Taxi
Taxi / ride-hailing
Official taxi ranks are outside the terminal; ride-hailing pickups use a designated area.
Airport services
Tap a contactless card on the tram or bus, or buy tickets in the Transport for Edinburgh app; check current fares before travel.
Travel times and prices are approximate. Please check the official airport and transport websites for the latest schedules and fares before travelling.
