Visit Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, blends medieval charm with modern vibrancy. It has iconic sites including the Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile and several world-class museums. Visitors can explore cobbled streets, Georgian architecture, and lively festivals. With rich history, cultural treasures, and scenic beauty, Edinburgh is a captivating destination year-round. Here are some of the top tourist things to do around Edinburgh along with the logistics of getting here, getting around, places to stay and more!
Guide to Getting to Edinburgh
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 Glascow and 4.5 hours from London. If you have a car, travel is easy around the UK and Scotland however parking can be limited in city center.
Guide to Getting around Edinburgh
Getting around Edinburgh is easy! It is a fairly compact city and easy to navigate by walking. There are cobbled street, steep hills and stairs. You may have to walk the long way if you have a baby stroller or stairs are challenging. There are public buses that run around the city. You can purchase a day ticket that offers unlimited travel. The Edinburgh Trams connect to the airport and around the city. Hop on Hop off buses and tours are available as well.
Guide to Where to stay in Edinburgh
Old town
This is the ideal place to stay as a tourist and first time visitor to the city. We stayed on the Royal Mile and this was extremely convenient to all the tourist spots and easy for us with a baby to go back for naps and to minimize public transport
New Town
This is right next to Old Town and very walkable. It is a bit cheaper than staying in the Old Town. The Balmoral Hotel is a luxury hotel in New Town only a 2 minute walk to Old Town but there are many more affordable hotels.
Stockbridge
This area gives a bit more local charm and is about a 10-15 minute walk to Old Town.
Leith
This is the area around the water and the Royal Yacht Britannia. It is an up and coming place but will require public transportation to get to the Old Town. We didn’t consider this area since we were traveling with a baby but this may be a great place for another visit to Edinburgh
Top things to do Edinburgh during your visit
Edinburgh Castle
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! Check out my complete guide for visiting the castle HERE!
Churches
Edinburgh has some incredible churches. St. Giles Cathedral is located on the Royal Mile and should be visited. You can see the inside for free but they may ask for a donation. Greyfriars Church built in 1620 is a great little church to pop in. Others worth checking out include the Church of St. John Evangelist, St. Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral and St. Cuthbert’s Parish.
Museums
Edinburgh has some world class museums and best part they are free! It is a rainy city and they are a great escape from the rain but worth a visit on a sunny day as well. Some of the must visits include the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, the Museum of Edinburgh, Museum on the Mound and so many more.
The Royal Mile
No trip is complete without a stroll down the Royal Mile. Here you can spot street performers and musicians. There are shops, restaurants, bars and more. This street connects the Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse. It is approximately 1.8 km long. It is the most popular area of Old Town.
Eating and Drinking
dining
Edinburgh has a great culinary scene. If you are traveling at peak season it is highly recommended to make dinner reservations. Consider trying local cuisine like the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (haggis with turnips and potatoes). If haggis is too much Scotland also prides itself with its Angus Beef and Salmon. Some top restaurants include Howies Waterloo, The Haggis Box and Hot Toddy.
Drinking
Edinburgh is a great place to enjoy a drink. There are so many pubs and cocktail bars. You can find any scene you are looking for. Some of the top pubs to check out include The White Hart Inn, Jolly Judge, Last Drop, The World’s End and so many more.
Top Tips
Rain Gear
Edinburgh can be a rainy city so make sure to pack your raincoat and umbrella in case it is needed!
Rainy Day Plans
There are so many museums and things to do inside that this city will be great even in the rain. However, if you can plan for castle and outdoor weather in the sun that is ideal.
Edinburgh Castle
You must buy tickets online to get into the castle. We were not at peak season and still were restricted on days and times we could enter because we bought tickets after arriving. If you are peak season please buy in advance.
Dining
You should consider making dinner reservations especially if traveling during peak season and if you want to dine at popular locations.
Walking
You will be doing a lot of walking. There are stairs and cobblestone streets. Keep this in mind with your footwear choices.
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. Edinburgh is a great place to start or end your trip in Scotland. It was full of so many incredible things to do-check out our top things to do HERE! It was the beginning of our itinerary and we had a blast!
