The best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland

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If you are visiting Edinburgh and looking for the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland, then you have come to the right place! In this blog post, I will be going through some of the top things to do in Edinburgh. This includes the best museums in Edinburgh, the best viewpoints in Edinburgh, Edinburgh top attractions, and more!

From the moment you first step into Edinburgh, you will notice how predominant the feeling of the city is. Edinburgh has the aesthetic of a movie set, and it is easy to see why so many people were inspired by this city. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will especially fall head over heels for this city. Some of the best places to visit in Edinburgh are places that J.K. Rowling was inspired by. However, it is not only the feeling and aesthetic that makes this place so worth visiting. It is also the food, the history, and the gorgeous nature surrounding the city. Edinburgh is a city that has it all. One thing is for sure, once you have been to Edinburgh, you will never want to leave again.

Book the cheapest flights to Edinburgh here.

“Who indeed that has once seen Edinburgh, but must see it again in dreams waking or sleeping”
Charlotte Brontë

How much time do you need in Edinburgh?

Even though Edinburgh is a smaller city, there are still quite a few things to see and do. Do not underestimate how long you will need in this city! A weekend is too short. Somewhere around 4-5 days is the perfect time to spend in Edinburgh. If you are a photographer maybe you will want to add an extra day. If you want to explore the city and get to its roots you will need to stay 4-5 days. In this blog post, I will be going through 15+ things to do and see in Edinburgh. All of which are incredible spots that are well worth visiting. If you want to do and see all of them, they will take you about 5 days to go through.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

The best time to visit Edinburgh will be mid-autumn. This is the time of year that makes the city come alive. The rainy, moody days and colorful autumn leaves are what make Edinburgh’s vibe come through. There will be fewer crowds than in the summer. The prices will be lower than during the high season. You will have gorgeous, foggy morning views.

How to get around Edinburgh…

There are 3 main ways to get around Edinburgh. By foot, by bus or by tram. Edinburgh is not very big, and if you are in the main part of the city, walking will be an easy way to get around. Most of all the big sights will be within walking distance of each other. If you want to explore areas such as Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Leith, and more then getting the bus will be the best option. The buses run extremely often and are very convenient in Edinburgh. Whereas the tram only goes to very specific places and helps get to and from the airport. You can find more information on the bus timetables here. As well as more information on the trams here.

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The Best Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland

1. Visit the incredible Edinburgh Castle

The first thing you will see when arriving in the center of Edinburgh is the incredible Edinburgh Castle. It is one of Edinburgh top attractions and a must see in Edinburgh Scotland! If you are arriving from the airport on the tram, it will be one of the first things you will see when arriving. The castle has some amazing views from all over the city but there are some cool spots I would like to share with you. They are:

The Vennel:
St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard:
Princes St. Gardens and the Ross Fountain:
Castle Esplanade:

Visiting the castle is also one of the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland. The entrance fee starts at £18 and you can find more information on bookings here.

2. Take a stroll down the famous Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is another incredibly famous spot in Edinburgh. It is a must see in Edinburgh Scotland. Taking a stroll down the Royal Mile is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh. It is the main street of Edinburgh and one you have most likely seen photos of online. The Royal Mile has an endless amount of choices for shopping, eating, and drinking. When you are done with your shopping, there are many beautiful spots to sit and have a drink and some food on the Royal Mile. One of the best places to visit in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile is Lucken Booths. Sit outside in the sun for a drink stop, or go inside for a meal and a drink. The restaurant is located on: 329 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1PN, United Kingdom

3. Visit the best museums in Edinburgh

One of the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland is to visit one or more of the many amazing museums. A lot of Edinburgh top attractions are museums. Whether you want to learn about the history or the architecture of the city, or you want to admire the art or writers of the city, you will find a museum that covers it. These are some of the best museums in Edinburgh and what you will find inside them:

Writer’s Museum: Literature, Poetry, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson
Holyrood Palace: History, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie
People’s Story Museum: History of working-class people from the 18th century and personal stories of the people of Edinburgh
The Real Mary King’s Close: Historic underground museum, the story of Mary King
National Museum of Scotland: Natural history, science, technology, art, and collections of Scottish archaeological finds and medieval objects
Scottish National Gallery & Portrait Gallery
Museum of Edinburgh

4. Browse through Armchair Books

Armchair Books is one of the best bookshops in Edinburgh. The bookshop sells used and older books. If you are looking for something very specific and classic, then you will probably find it here. When you step into Armchair books the first thing you will notice is the smell of the old books. You will see books from top to bottom. The atmosphere is like stepping into a different time and place. If you love books, this is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh for book lovers. You cannot miss it! The bookshop is located on: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LE, United Kingdom

5. Go up the Scott Monument

The Scott Monument is probably one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It is one of the most important sights of Edinburgh. The Scott Monument is a Victorian monument made for Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the second largest monument for a writer in the world. The monument is very impressive and the detail is just incredible. If you like architecture and history, you must visit this monument. One of the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland is to go inside and up the Scott Monument. However, it is unfortunately closed at the moment. For now, you will only be able to enjoy the views from the ground. You can find more information on if it is open now, or when it will reopen, here. Address: E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ, United Kingdom

6. Go looking for Harry Potter names at the Greyfriars Cemetery

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will adore Edinburgh. Edinburgh has so many sights that are directly linked to Harry Potter. Greyfriars Cemetery is one of them. It is one of the best Edinburgh top attractions. It is also one of the places it is said J.K. Rowling spent a lot of time and got the inspiration for the names of Harry Potter. You will find familiar names such as Potter, McGonagall, Scrimgeour, and more! You can go for a hunt through the cemetery and try to find every name. Address: 26A Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

7. Have a coffee break at The Milkman

If you love coffee, cozy atmospheres, and people-watching, The Milkman is the perfect stop for a break. There are two Milkman Cafés in Edinburgh. One is located at 7 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, United Kingdom, and the other is located at 52 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, United Kingdom

Both have amazing coffee, pastries, and beautiful big windows to sit by and people watch. You can spend hours here. Whether you’re just having a short break or you want to spend a while reading, working, or just people watching, the Milkman is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh.

8. Walk to the charming Dean Village

Walking from the center of the city to Dean Village is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland. It will take you about 30-40 minutes to reach the center. If you have the time, I recommend walking instead of taking public transportation. On your way, you will most likely stumble upon many of the tourist sights listed already. You will also be walking along the beautiful Water of Leith for a little while. When you arrive at Dean Village you will want to spend at least a good half hour just walking around exploring the village. Then you will probably want to take some of the most iconic shots of the village. You can see in the photo below just how amazing and magical this place looks. This is most definitely one of the Edinburgh top attractions for photographers. Address: Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3AY, United Kingdom

9. Have a drink by the Leith Harbor

Leith is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh. It is famous for its beautiful harbor filled with cafés, restaurants, and bars. Leith also has a lot of events during the summer such as festivals and markets. One of the markets worth visiting is the famous Leith Farmers Market. The market is mainly a food market and takes place every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. You can find more information on the stalls and the market here. After going to the market you can head to the harbor and have a beer or cider at the famous Innis and Gunn. Address: 58 The, Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA, United Kingdom

10. Admire the gorgeous Circus Lane Street

This is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh Scotland for people who love pretty, charming streets and photography. Circus Lane Street is filled with beautiful, cute houses covered in ivy and flowers. In the background, you will see the beautiful clock of St. Vicent’s Chapel. This beautiful street is also located in the famous area of Edinburgh called Stockbridge. This is one of the richest parts of the city and you will find many gorgeous corners and streets. You will also most likely stumble upon a beautiful spot with a restaurant.

11. Wander down the beautiful Victoria Street

Victoria Street is another spot in Edinburgh that is believed to be a part of the inspiration for Harry Potter, and one of the Edinburgh top attractions. The street is said to be an inspiration for Diagon Alley. With its cobbles curving upward and the pointy roofs, it is easy to see why. If you look up while walking on Victoria Street, you will see that there is a level above. Here you will find quite a few restaurants. If you want to soak in the view of this beautiful street, this is the perfect place to have lunch.

12. Soak in the views at Calton Hill

Edinburgh has a few beautiful spots for getting views over the city. Calton Hill is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh for an amazing view. If you want the most out of your experience go for sunset on a clear day with a drink. You will not regret it. Calton Hill is located right in the center of the city and it is a 5-minute walk to the start of the hill from the east end of Princes Street.

13. Explore the hidden closes

One of the things you may notice when walking down any street in Edinburgh is the closes. Exploring these closes is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh. They are hidden little alleyways that are shortcuts through the city. But they are not just shortcuts! The closes all have their own unique individual names. The names usually came from a memorable occupant of one of the apartments reached by the common entrance. It could also be a trade plied by one or more residents. Today the closes are used to hold hidden restaurants, bars, cafés, and more. The closes are one of the things you must see in Edinburgh Scotland. You will not want to skip out on exploring these closes. Just a few examples of closes are:

The Advocates Close
Mary Kings Close
Fisher’s Close
Bishop’s Close

14. Hike up Arthur’s Seat

If you are an outdoor person that loves adventuring and hiking, then Arthur’s Seat is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh for you. Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano located right in the middle of the center of the city. You can reach the beginning of the hike just east of Edinburgh Castle. The hike will take you about two hours to return. The hike is at a medium incline and should be walkable for most people. This is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh and has one of the best views of the city.

15. Visit St Giles’ Cathedral

St. Giles’ Cathedral is a historic cathedral located on the Royal Mile and is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh. You can admire the architecture of the cathedral from the outside, or you can choose to also go inside and explore the incredible details on the inside. The entrance fee is £5.50 you can find more information on bookings here.

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