Weekend Trip to Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, blends medieval charm with modern vibrancy. With rich history, cultural treasures, and scenic beauty, Edinburgh is a captivating destination year-round. It is perfect place for a weekend trip or great first stop on trip around Scotland. There are so many top things to do in Edinburgh. Explore this three day weekend itinerary for inspiration for your own trip!
Day one weekend itinerary edinburgh, scotland
Morning Day One
Arriving to Scotland
Getting to Edinburgh is easy! The international airport if you are flying in is the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and it is the busiest airport in Scotland. From the airport you can arrive to city center in about 30 minutes by Airlink Bus, tram or taxi. By train you can arrive into Edinburgh Waverley Station right in the center of the city. It is about 1 hour from Glasgow and 4.5 hours from London.
Our Arrival
We flew into the Edinburgh Airport from the United States which meant we took a red eye and arrived in the morning. After customs and grabbing bags we ordered an Uber to get to our accommodation in city center. We were travelling with our baby and lots of baggage so decided this was the best bet for us but you can take the Airlink Bus or tram. We booked the night before so we could walk straight into our AirBNB. (This is now a must with a baby) but if you choose not to do that you can drop your bags before check in and zombie through the city!
First Stop Princess Street Gardens
The guys went on a mission to the grocery store and we headed with Calvin to the Princess Street Gardens with plan for the playground. We wanted to keep Calvin awake and figured we could all catch up on sleep during his afternoon nap! We walked past Scott Monument, Ross Fountain and enjoyed the playground.
Afternoon Day one
After having lunch at the AirBNB located on the Royal Mile and taking a nap, we gathered ourselves for a nice walk around town. We decided to walk around the backside of the castle and back through the Princess Street Gardens. The route we took was down the Royal Mile, on Johnston Terrace, then King Stables Rd and then right onto Princess Street. This route brought us past St. Cuthbert’s Kirkyard and the Parish Church of St. Cutbert, St. John’s Scottish Episcopal Church, the Statue of Sir James Young Simpson and back into Princess Street Gardens with the Ross Fountain.
Day 2 Weekend itinerary Edinburgh, Scotland
Morning day two
We first had breakfast at our AirBNB and made a plan for the day. Wanted to check out the Greyfriars Bobby and check out the National Museum of Scotland.
Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby was a terrier that reportedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until his death. We checked out the statue and also went into Greyfriars Church. There was no way I could resist rubbing the dog’s nose located on Greyfriars’s Bobby’s Bar which people believe will bring good fortune!
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh showcases the nation’s rich history, culture, and innovation. It is free to visit and you could spend a ton of time here. Highlights include the roof top (though the elevator system is incredibly slow- we had to use because we had a stroller) so take the stairs if you can! Calvin also loved the interactive kid zone which is perfect if you have a young one! The map shows kid friendly areas!
Afternoon day two
During the early afternoon, our baby takes a nap and Thomas graciously agreed to stay with him while the in-laws and myself got a couple of hours to explore the National Gallery of Scotland. After Calvin’s nap we gathered ourselves to visit the Edinburgh Castle. You must pre-purchase tickets which we did in the morning and picked later time for after the nap!
National Gallery of Scotland
The National Gallery of Scotland, located on Edinburgh’s Princes Street, houses an exceptional collection of European masterpieces from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Visitors can admire works by artists like Titian, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. It is also free to visit and we loved exploring it.
Edinburgh Castle
The Edinburgh Castle is not to be missed. There is no way to miss this castle towering over the city. You can admire from afar but it is well worth visiting the interior for epic panoramic views and exhibits. Of note if travelling with young child baby carrier is recommended! Pre-purchase your tickets and do it way in advance if you are traveling during peak season. We were in shoulder season and all morning slots were already booked when we looked.
Day three weekend itinerary edinburgh, scotland
Morning day three
I woke extra early on day three trying to adjust to time difference and ate breakfast before everyone else was up. Today we were leaving Edinburgh to head north but we had the first half of the day to explore.
The Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace
No trip is complete without a stroll down the Royal Mile. This street connects the Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse. It is approximately 1.8 km long. It is the most popular area of Old Town. We had already walked to the Castle so I set out on a walk the opposite way!
Holyrood Palace
Visiting Holyrood Palace offers a glimpse into Scotland’s royal heritage. Located at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, this grand residence is the official home of the British monarch in Scotland. Visitors can tour the historic state apartments, royal gardens, and the haunting ruins of Holyrood Abbey, rich with centuries of history.
The Scottish Parliament
Visiting the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh provides insight into the nation’s modern democracy and architecture. Located opposite Holyrood Palace, the striking contemporary building blends innovation with natural design. Visitors can join guided tours, watch debates from the public gallery, and learn about Scotland’s government, history, and decision-making processes.
Arthur’s Seat
If you are up for a little hike you can consider climbing this volcano to get some sweeping views of Edinburgh. It is part of Holyrood Park. There are several routes up with the steepest being the Green Route which takes about 45 minutes or the more popular Red Route which takes between 60-90 minutes. It is great for a sunny day! The easiest route is from the Parliament Building so I could see all the people hiking up. I didn’t have enough time to do it so I headed back but next time I visit it is a must!
Afternoon Day Three
Leaving Edinburgh
After checking out of our AirBNB we headed back to the airport to pick up a rental car. We decided this was the best way to do it to avoid driving the crazy streets of the city but it ended up being a debacle. Ubers and Taxis are not allowed to drive on certain roads so we had to walk a few blocks to get picked up. Then, the car rental place wouldn’t let our Uber into the rental place so we were dropped on the corner while Thomas got the rental car. It ended up raining on us while we were waiting-no fun. Then we headed north to Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is a great day trip from Edinburgh.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is about 1 hour from Edinburgh and a popular day trip. It is one of the largest and most historically important castles in Scotland. It dates from the 12th century with most present buildings being built from 1490 to 1600. They had live actors, musicians and beautiful grounds and exhibits.
Plan your trip to Edinburgh, Scotland
If you haven’t made it to Edinburgh, Scotland yet, consider this your inspiration to go. It is beyond beautiful and you will not be disappointed. We loved our time here and only scratched the surface of what this incredible city has to offer. For more information, check out the complete guide HERE or browse the top things to do HERE! I hope this itinerary inspires you to visit!
