Why Visit Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and a city built on hills, with a castle on a volcanic plug in the middle of it. The central skyline hasn't changed much in two centuries. It's also small - you can walk across the central area in about half an hour.
The Old Town and the Georgian New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is medieval, dense, and stacked on a ridge running down from the castle. The New Town, built from the 1760s, is laid out in straight lines and crescents. They sit side by side, separated by Princes Street Gardens.
In August the population roughly doubles for the Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival. It's worth doing once, but accommodation prices roughly triple and everywhere is busy. The rest of the year is calmer and cheaper.
Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle: sits on Castle Rock at the top of the Royal Mile. Worth going in for the Crown Jewels (the Honours of Scotland) and the views over the city. Book online to skip the ticket queue.
- The Royal Mile:the main street of the Old Town, running from the castle down to Holyrood Palace. Touristy at the top end, less so further down. The closes (narrow side alleys) are worth a detour - The Real Mary King's Close runs underground tours of buried streets.
- Arthur's Seat: the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park. About 45 minutes up by the easier route from the Holyrood side, longer round the back. The best view of the city you can get on foot.
- National Museum of Scotland: free entry, big enough for a half-day. Mix of Scottish history, natural history, and science. Roof terrace has a good view if the weather cooperates.
- Dean Village:a former milling village along the Water of Leith, now part of the city but feeling separate from it. About 15 minutes' walk from Princes Street.
- Scottish food and whisky: haggis with neeps and tatties is the obvious one and is genuinely good if you find a decent version. For whisky, the Scotch Whisky Experience near the castle is for beginners; for a real bar head to The Bow Bar or Bennets.
Neighbourhoods and Areas to Stay in Edinburgh
A quick rundown of where to base yourself:
- Old Town
- Why stay:right in the middle of everything, with most of the major sights within a few minutes' walk. The trade-off is noise, especially in August. Streets are cobbled and steep, so wheeled luggage is annoying.
- New Town
- Why stay: Georgian terraces, the main shopping streets (Princes Street and George Street), and most of the better restaurants. Quieter than the Old Town, and flatter. Still walkable to everything.
- Leith
- Why stay: the old port, about 3 km north of the centre. Cheaper than central Edinburgh, with a strong restaurant scene along The Shore. Tram or bus into town in about 15 minutes.
- Stockbridge
- Why stay:residential neighbourhood just north of the New Town, on the Water of Leith. Small independent shops, a Sunday market, and a quieter pace. About 20 minutes' walk to the centre.
- Bruntsfield & Morningside
- Why stay: south of the centre, mostly residential, with the Meadows park nearby. Good for longer stays or anyone travelling with kids. Mostly small hotels and short-term rentals rather than chains.
Pack layers and waterproof shoes regardless of season. Several of the best things to do here - Arthur's Seat, Dean Village, the closes off the Royal Mile - involve being outside for a while.
