There is so much to see and do in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. As well as being considered one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, it is the second most visited after London.
Its main attraction lies in its beauty and impressive range of historical and cultural sites, making it a desirable destination for any traveller. Edinburgh offers an environment that blends the urban with the natural in a completely harmonious way, giving you the opportunity to get to know all the city’s secrets and not have to stray too far from the centre when you want to immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
If you want to find out more about this fascinating northern city, keep reading our post!
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Things to see in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
The castle is undoubtedly the most iconic sight to see in Edinburgh. This impressive fortress is the most visited place in all of Scotland, and although it has a slightly steep entrance fee, you’ll definitely feel it’s worth the visit.
Located on a hill in the heart of the city centre, this castle is visible from all parts of Edinburgh. Once the only function of the castle was to protect the coast from enemy troops, but it later became the residence of the monarchs of Scotland.
As well as its impressive facade, inside you can spend hours and hours exploring the different rooms, each one more impressive than the last. This tour will give you an insight into Edinburgh’s history, and once you’ve finished your visit, you can enjoy the breathtaking views from the viewing platform at the top. Get your tickets at a reasonable price!
St Giles’ Cathedral
St Giles’ Cathedral is one of the most important religious monuments to see in Edinburgh, and certainly one of the most important buildings in the city’s history. As the largest cathedral in Edinburgh, you can’t miss a visit to this impressive structure.
Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, St Giles’ Cathedral has an incredible facade full of stained glass windows. Inside you can enjoy a great tour of all the rooms. Along the way, you’ll see aisles full of paintings, engravings, sculptures and other artistic and decorative features that make this church a visual gem.
Finally, don’t miss the impressive Thistle Chapel, whose stained glass windows, columns and arches will leave you in awe. A visit to the Cathedral is a must!
Princes Street Gardens
If you’re looking for the most beautiful park to see in Edinburgh, don’t hesitate to head to the incredible Princes Street Gardens. This huge park is the perfect example of a typical English garden.
When you’ve had enough of the hustle and bustle of the city, a visit to these gardens can be the ideal break. As well as being able to enjoy a pleasant stroll through the gardens, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nature thanks to the abundant vegetation and the large expanse of the gardens. Inside you will find the famous Nor Loch, a lake that was once very polluted but has since been saved.
Apart from the lake, along your walk through the gardens you will also find some of the city’s most famous landmarks, such as the statue of David Livingstone, the Riss Fountain and even the Scott Monument. There’s no time to get bored in Princes Street!
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the best known and most visited cemetery in Edinburgh. It is located in the heart of the city centre, making it easily accessible.
This graveyard is not only limited to its main function, but is also a park where most locals come to sit and relax, read or have something to eat. It is particularly famous due to the Grave of Bobby, Edinburgh’s most beloved dog. However, the most interesting thing about this cemetery is the macabre stories it hides; among them, the legend of Bloody Mackenzie, a former lawyer buried there, is particularly well known. If you want to know this story in depth, you can’t miss a visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard!
Edinburgh Old Town
As is the case in most cities around the world, the Old Town is one of the most beautiful areas in the city, as well as being home to the majority of landmarks of historical and cultural importance. On top of that, it was declared a World Heritage Site.
Its most important street is the Royal Mile. It is made up of countless alleyways through which you can lose yourself and discover the true essence of Edinburgh. You will find some of the most characteristic places of the city, such as Holyrood Palace, parks such as Dunbar’s Close or countless museums. We recommend spending at least a whole morning or afternoon to explore the secrets of the old town – you won’t be disappointed!
Mary King’s Close
Located in the heart of the Old Town, Mary King’s Close is an area made up of alleyways that form a kind of labyrinth. It was once one of the most important shopping streets in the city.
Mary King’s Close is one of the most unique places to see in Edinburgh, especially because of the legends and myths that are told about it, each one more terrifying than the last. To learn about the history of this maze of alleyways, it’s best to get a guide who will take you on a tour while showing you important places in the area, from buildings to houses where terrible events took place.
In addition, the guide will tell you the many ghost stories that haunt these streets, so you can experience a real spooky adventure through these dark alleys of Edinburgh. An unforgettable experience!
Dean Village
Dean Village is a small but beautiful neighbourhood in Edinburgh. It dates back to the 12th century, during which time it was the most prosperous area of the city. Also known as the Water of Leith Village, you can immerse yourself in a peaceful atmosphere surrounded by nature.
Dean Village is the ideal place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can take a leisurely stroll through its narrow streets while being fascinated by its impressive stone buildings, as well as its gardens and the impressive River Leith. Being right in the heart of the city, it’s easy to get to. It is without a doubt one of the most magical places to see in Edinburgh.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is one of those must-see places in Edinburgh. This hill is one of the highest points in the city, giving you breathtaking views of Edinburgh.
To get to Calton Hill, you’ll have to make an uphill trek that can be quite an adventure. Once at the top, in addition to the breathtaking views, you’ll find its famous National Monument, an attempt at a small ‘replica’ of the Parthenon in Athens. There you’ll also find the Observatory and the Vice Admiral Nelson Monument, a gigantic tower at the top of the hill – don’t forget to bring your camera!
Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace is one of the top places to visit in Edinburgh, as well as being none other than the Queen of England’s Scottish residence. Also known as Holyroodhouse, this imposing palace is located at the east end of the Royal Mile.
This monument is located next to an Augustinian abbey, both facades are Baroque in style and of great artistic and architectural value. You can visit the different rooms and the great dining room, where the Queen of England spends the summer season. Among these sites, don’t miss the Great Gallery, where you can see the portraits of 89 kings who have been part of Scotland’s history.
Once you have finished your visit inside, don’t hesitate to go to Holyrood Abbey and admire its impressive exterior and the beautiful gardens that surround it – an amazing experience!
Roslin
Also known as Rosslyn, this small town is located in the south of Scotland, and is one of the most beautiful places to see near Edinburgh. It is of great historical value, as it was the site of the first Scottish War of Independence.
The impressive chapel should be without a doubt at the top of your list of things to see in Roslin. It is highly regarded for its appearance in the book The Da Vinci Code. Once you’ve finished visiting the chapel, don’t miss a stroll through the Roslin Glen Nature Reserve. Here you will find a large expanse of wild vegetation, as well as the splendid North Esk River. You will be able to properly enjoy the natural surroundings.
Finally, we recommend visiting Roslin Castle, which is partly in ruins and only a short distance from the chapel. You’ll be fascinated by its beautiful architecture and views of the incredible river.
Stirling
Stirling is a small city located halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Due to its small size, it is the perfect destination for a day trip from Edinburgh.
Once you’ve arrived, we recommend starting at the famous Stirling Castle, one of the most beautiful fortresses in Scotland. As well as being in a stunning location on top of a volcanic hill, the views from the castle will leave you speechless. Then, whilst you’re there, we recommend visiting the Holy Rude Church, the second oldest building in the city after the Castle. This town will definitely charm you.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do in Edinburgh in one day?
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
- Walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town
- Discover Dean Village
- Climb up Calton Hill
- Walk along Mary King’s Close
What to do in Edinburgh in three days?
- Escape to Roslin
- Visit St Giles’ Cathedral
- Wander around Princes Street Gardens
- Discover Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Visit Holyrood Palace
- Go to Stirling
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s plenty of nightlife in Edinburgh besides pub crawling. Here’s a list of some of the most original and fun things to do.
– First of all, and only if you are a fan of nightclubs, we recommend going to Espionage, one of the most popular clubs in the city. There you can enjoy different genres of music in a large 5-storey space.
– If you fancy a magical experience on the outskirts of Edinburgh, we recommend a trip to Galloway Forest Park. From there you can see the starry sky and, if you’re lucky, even the Aurora Borealis.
– Edinburgh is a beautiful city by day, but it becomes even more beautiful at night. Thanks to the city’s night-time lighting, you can enjoy the streets and buildings in a unique atmosphere.
Although British cuisine may not have a very good reputation, there are some dishes that are a must-try on your trip to Edinburgh.
– We recommend starting with their famous Scotch Broth, which is a beef or lamb stew mixed with leeks, cabbage and barley.
– Secondly, we recommend trying the legendary Fish & Chips. Even though you may have already tried it if it’s not your first trip to the UK, it’s always a good choice.
– As a meal, you might want to give haggis, one of Edinburgh’s most traditional dishes, a try. It consists of lamb offal, oatmeal and aromatic herbs, usually accompanied by mashed potatoes.
You can buy a ticket for Holyrood Palace for €19.24, or a joint ticket for the Palace and the Great Gallery for €25.18.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Edinburgh?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way, according to the number of days and places you want to see in the Edinurgh.
With the app you can:
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other point that you choose.
- Know the best travel option for each location.
- Save and post your own photos and experiences as you go, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Edinburgh?”, you can say “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.”
If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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