Travel Guide of Edinburgh in United Kingdom by Influencers and Travelers
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian, it is located in Lothian on the Firth of Forth's southern shore.
The Best Things to Do and Visit in Edinburgh
TRAVELERS TOP 10 :
1 - Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens are two adjacent public parks in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, lying in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.
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2 - Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, from its position on the Castle Rock.
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3 - Tours & Sightseeing | Blair Street Underground Vaults
It's a side of Edinburgh few get to see, but under those bustling streets is a whole new, dark, eerie world! This guided tour sheds light on the Scottish capital's rather grizzly past. You'll start on the Royal Mile and pop on an audio headset to better your hear your guide, then it's time to wend your way past wynds and closes, learning a thing or two about the nature of the mysterious alleys that dot the city's most famous road. After learning the meaning of 'gardyloo' and hearing a tale or two about torture, your guide will pose a question... do you believe in ghosts? **Ghostly Tours** takes a supernatural twist as you head to your last destination, the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Step into the depths of the city's oldest vaults and explore cavernous rooms by candlelight. Your guide will weave tales of strange spectres that have been sighted and speculate on whether body snatchers hid their goods in the vaults before selling them on for medical research.
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4 - Princes Street
Princes Street is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, Scotland and the main shopping street in the capital. It is the southernmost street of Edinburgh's New Town, stretching around 1.2 km from Lothian Road in the west, to Leith Street in the east.
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5 - Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a hill in central Edinburgh, Scotland, situated beyond the east end of Princes Street and included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Views of, and from, the hill are often used in photographs and paintings of the city.
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6 - Canyoning in Edinburgh
The Dollar Canyon is a unique adventure offering water-slides, fun abseils and more in The Dollar Glen, near Edinburgh. The Dollar Canyon is located only 45min away from Edinburgh and is a spectacular place to visit. It's easily accessible jumps, fun...
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7 - Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh, Scotland, which form most of Holyrood Park, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design".
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8 - Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is a royal park in central Edinburgh, Scotland about 1 mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. It is open to the public.
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9 - Sightseeing | Edinburgh
Discover the medieval Old Town and the New Town from above with Clémentine, a French guide from Edinburgh. Learn about the city's History, and its best stories. Get tailored recommendations.
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10 - Scottish Parliament Building
The Scottish Parliament Building is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Edinburgh.
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11 - National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the new Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the adjacent Royal Scottish Museum, with international collections covering science and technology, natural history, and world cultures.
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12 - Coasteering in Edinburgh
Shell Bay is located only 1h10 min from Edinburgh city centre. Placed in a stunning area on the coast of Scotland so the views are breathtaking. Shell Bay has lots of wildlife to see and you'll be able to experience the inside of sea c...
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13 - Dugald Stewart Monument
The Dugald Stewart Monument is a memorial to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stewart. It is situated on Calton Hill overlooking the city of Edinburgh and was designed by Scottish architect William Henry Playfair. It was completed in September 1831.
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14 - Dean Village
Dean Village is a former village immediately northwest of the city centre of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was known as the "Water of Leith Village" and was the centre of a successful grain milling area for more than 800 years.
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15 - Tasting | Food Tours in Edinburgh
Get ready to raise a glass and say 'Slàinte Mhath' with this intoxicating whisky tasting experience at the famed Tipsy Midgie! Nestled in the pulsating heart of Edinburgh, this whisky bar serves as the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable foray into the world of Scotch whisky. The adventure begins at the doorstep of The Pear Tree, a historic pub that played midwife to the birth of the world's first blended whisky. From there, the path meanders towards the Tipsy Midgie. Here, over the next hour and a half, your senses will embark on a spirited journey, savoring a selection of three single malts and a tantalizing taste of new make spirit (that's unaged whisky for the uninitiated). Guided by a whisky connoisseur, you'll delve into the rich tales, traditions, and trade secrets behind these divine drams. Your palate will pirouette across whiskies sourced from a medley of distilleries and regions, revealing the subtle symphony of flavors that distinguish each one. So, come curious and leave enlightened, having discovered not just the unique narratives and craftsmanship associated with each whisky, but also your own whisky preferences! Book this ticket and let the spirit of Scotland truly come alive in each sip.
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16 - Forth Bridge (railway)
13 km away
The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, 9 miles west of central Edinburgh. Completed in 1890, it is considered as a symbol of Scotland, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge, although this has never been its official name.
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17 - Forth Bridge
14 km away
The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland, 9 miles west of central Edinburgh. It is considered as a symbol of Scotland, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was designed by the English engineers Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker. It is sometimes referred to as the Forth Rail Bridge, although this has never been its official name.
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18 - Queensferry
14 km away
Queensferry, also called South Queensferry or simply "The Ferry", is a town to the west of Edinburgh, Scotland. Traditionally a royal burgh of West Lothian, it is administered by the City of Edinburgh council area.
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19 - Kirkcaldy
18 km away
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It is about 11.6 miles north of Edinburgh and 27.6 miles south-southwest of Dundee.
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20 - Pentland Hills
25 km away
The Pentland Hills are a range of hills southwest of Edinburgh, Scotland. The range is around twenty miles in length, and runs southwest from Edinburgh towards Biggar and the upper Clydesdale.
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21 - Great Polish Map of Scotland
27 km away
The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a large three-dimensional, outdoor concrete scale model of Scotland, located in the grounds of the Barony Castle Hotel, outside the village of Eddleston near Peebles in the Scottish Borders.
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22 - Glentress Forest
33 km away
Glentress Forest is located near Peebles in the Scottish Borders, about 30 miles south of Edinburgh. Part of the Tweed Valley Forest Park along with Traquair Forest in Innerleithen, it is the home of a mountain biking centre which is one of the 7stanes mountain bike trails operated throughout southern Scotland by Forestry and Land Scotland.
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23 - St Andrews
49 km away
St Andrews is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, 10 miles southeast of Dundee and 30 miles northeast of Edinburgh. St Andrews had a recorded population of 16,800 as of 2011, making it Fife's fourth largest settlement and 45th most populous settlement in Scotland.
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24 - Melrose
49 km away
Melrose is a small town and civil parish in the Scottish Borders, historically in Roxburghshire. It lies within the Eildon committee area of Scottish Borders Council.
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25 - Saint Andrews
50 km away
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Pictures and Stories of Edinburgh from Influencers
20 pictures of Edinburgh from Linnea Sandbakk, Michael Lechner, Adam Wilson and other travelers
- Views of Edinburgh Castle and clear blue skies from Princes Street. Summer 2019 ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Kate Bielinski | ©Unsplash
- Early sunset over Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. Summer 2019 ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Kate Bielinski | ©Unsplash
- A family sit in the centre of Edinburgh, on a hot Summer’s day. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Ross Sneddon | ©Unsplash
- Foggy Street in Edinburgh ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Linnea Sandbakk | ©Unsplash
- A short walk after finishing work up Calton Hill. I love these early Autumn nights. ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Adam Wilson | ©Unsplash
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Why should you visit Edinburgh ?
Travel to Edinburgh if you like:
🗼 Landmark ⛰️ Hill station 🏘️ Town 🗼 Ruins 🏖️ Ocean 🚴 CyclingHow to visit Edinburgh ?
To get to Edinburgh, you have several options. If you're flying, Edinburgh Airport is just 8 miles west of the city and has several transportation options to the city center, including buses, trams, and taxis. If you're coming from other parts of the UK, you can take a train to Waverley Station, which is located in the heart of the city. Alternatively, coach services such as National Express and Megabus also serve the city.
To make the most of your trip, book some activities in advance. Popular attractions include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. You should also book tickets for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo if you're visiting in August, as this event sells out quickly.
The costs of visiting Edinburgh can vary depending on your preferences. Accommodation and dining options are available for all budgets, but expect to pay at least £50-£60 per person per day for a reasonable experience. Entrance fees for attractions such as Edinburgh Castle (£19.50 for adults) and the Royal Yacht Britannia (£17 for adults) should also be factored in.
Some of the best things to do in Edinburgh include exploring the Royal Mile, visiting the National Museum of Scotland, strolling through the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, and hiking up Arthur's Seat for stunning views of the city. If you're a fan of literature, you can also visit the Writers' Museum or take a literary tour to explore the city's connections to famous writers, such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and J.K. Rowling.
For dining options, consider The Witchery by the Castle for a luxurious experience with a Gothic touch, or head to The Scran & Scallie for delicious, locally-sourced Scottish cuisine. If you're looking for something more casual, try Oink for their famous hog roast sandwiches.
When it comes to accommodation, the Radisson Blu Hotel, located on the Royal Mile, offers a convenient location and comfortable rooms. For a more budget-friendly option, consider staying at the Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre, which is just a short walk from the main attractions. If you prefer a boutique experience, the Grassmarket Hotel is a stylish and affordable choice.
Off the beaten path:
For an unusual and memorable experience, consider taking a ghost tour in Edinburgh. The city has a rich history of ghost stories and paranormal activity, and a guided tour through the narrow streets and underground vaults will give you a glimpse of Edinburgh's darker side. A popular option is the City of the Dead Tours, which takes you through the haunted Greyfriars Kirkyard and the infamous Covenanter's Prison. So brace yourself for a spine-tingling adventure as you explore the hidden corners of this enchanting city.
Learn More about Edinburgh
Situated on a hill and densely populated, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. It includes a medieval old town and an elegant Georgian new town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Overlooking the city, Edinburgh Castle houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny, used at the coronation of Scottish monarchs. Arthur's Seat is an imposing peak in Holyrood Park with panoramic views over the city. Calton Hill is home to monuments and memorials at its summit.
It is the UK's second largest financial centre (after London) and the city's historical and cultural attractions have made it the UK's second most popular tourist destination, attracting 1.75 million overseas visitors in 2016. The city is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and the world, the University of Edinburgh, a pioneer in computer science, geology, chemistry and medicine. Edinburgh is also home to the National Library of Scotland, which is the largest library in Scotland (and one of the largest in the UK).
With an exceptional choice of events, superb shopping, excellent restaurants, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, diverse art scenes, relaxing spas and beautiful green spaces to unwind in, a vacation in Edinburgh is pure pleasure !
Add the beautiful Lothian region to this spectacular environment and you have the makings of an unforgettable stay.
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Edinburgh
The pound sterling, often abbreviated to the pound, is the official unit of currency of the United Kingdom, the British Crown Dependencies, and the British Overseas Territories. However, there is a difference in the value of the pound between the territories.
The flag of Scotland, a saltire cross, white on a blue background, is called "the cross of St. Andrew". Legend has it that an ancient Scots king, during a battle, had a vision of a white cross against the blue sky as a sign of victory.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Edinburgh
🏘️ Town spots 🗼 Landmark spots 🏘️ Cottage spots 🚴 Cycling spots ⛰️ Hill station spots 🏰 Historic site spots ⛰️ Mountain spots 🌊 Ocean spots Panorama spots 🏰 Ruins spots Adventure spots 🐾 Wildlife spots 🏰 Château spotsTravel map of Edinburgh
Explore popular touristic places around Edinburgh