Set on a series of extinct volcanoes and with a history dating back centuries, Edinburgh is a city like no other. Its charming blend of cobbled streets, green spaces, and one of Scotland’s best castles has inspired many creatives – from J.K. Rowling to Sir Walter Scott – and continues to draw crowds in their thousands every year.
Yet, with so much to do, it can be tricky to know where to start exploring. So, to help, we’ve pulled together some inspiration. Here are eight of the best things to see and do in Edinburgh.
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1. Wander Edinburgh's Royal Mile and Grassmarket
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is the beating heart of Scotland’s historic capital and home to some of the city’s most famous attractions.
Running through the centre of the Old Town, the Royal Mile connects Edinburgh Castle with the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse, which sits just below Arthur’s Seat. It’s also home to various law courts, churches, museums, a cathedral, and parliaments old and new.
Beneath the City Chambers (Edinburgh’s administrative centre) on the Royal Mile, there’s a secret warren of underground streets where people lived, worked, and died between the 17th and 19th centuries. Various tours are available if you’d like to explore them.
Then, just a short minute walk from the Royal Mile, you’ll find Grassmarket – an area peppered with tales from Edinburgh’s historic past. Once a medieval marketplace and site for public executions, Grassmarket is now a vibrant area with medieval architecture and an eclectic mix of shops and pubs.
While Grassmarket executions ended in 1784, some of the area’s traditional pubs maintain hints of its bloody past. The area around the popular pub, The Last Drop, was the location of one of Edinburgh’s main gallows – with crowds regularly gathering to watch public executions.
2. Climb Arthur’s Seat and explore Holyrood Park
Just a short walk from the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, in the heart of the city, sits the 640-acre Holyrood Park – a city park like no other.
Made up of a group of grass-covered hills, the focal point of this craggy landscape is its tallest peak, Arthur’s Seat, which is the remains of an extinct volcano. Climbing this wild, rocky, and rugged hill is part of the Edinburgh bucket list as it offers panoramic views of the city and the Lothians. Walkable in just 45 minutes, it’s difficult to believe that you’re less than two miles from the city centre.
Holyrood Park is also an ideal place to learn more about Scotland’s past. The park’s history and archaeology span thousands of years – with stone and flint tools found here hinting at human activity as far back as 5,000 BC. Highlights include St Anthony’s Chapel, a picturesque medieval ruin, and the various Bronze Age agricultural terraces and Iron Age forts.
There’s also plenty of wildlife to look out for – from brown hares, fulmars, and stonechats to plants like rock roses and orchids. Check out these maps and guides to Holyrood Park on the Historic Environment Scotland website to learn more.
3. Watch the sunset from Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a public park and an iconic part of Edinburgh’s skyline. Marked a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calton Hill is home to a collection of classical Greek monuments and historical landmarks – earning it the nickname ‘Athens of the North’.
Among Calton Hill’s most famous landmarks is the National Monument of Scotland, which was designed to commemorate Scottish soldiers who lost their lives in the Napoleonic Wars. There’s also the upside-down telescope-shaped Nelson Monument which honours Admiral Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Making the journey up Calton Hill is well worth it to enjoy awe-inspiring city views. It’s a particularly popular spot for watching the sunset – and seeing the sun slowly drop over the rooftops of Edinburgh is an unforgettable experience. Plus, the good news is that it’s one of Edinburgh’s easiest walks – making it a fantastic alternative for those who don’t fancy trekking up Arthur’s Seat!
Only a few metres off the east end of busy Princes Street, there are also plenty of inviting cafes, shops, and hotels to explore.
4. Soak up history at Edinburgh Castle
Perched at the top of the historic Royal Mile, proudly towering over the centre of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle is an iconic and much-loved part of the city. As the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland, there’s so much to see on a visit here.
The castle that we see today was constructed in the early 12th century. It’s one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and has served as a royal residence, prison, fortress, and military garrison throughout history. As you walk up Castle Hill, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the many kings, queens, and soldiers who lived and served here.
Mary Queen of Scots, one of the most celebrated figures in Scottish history, famously gave birth to her son, the future King James VI, at Edinburgh Castle on 19th June 1566. You can visit the tiny room, known as the birth chamber, where she gave birth.
Other highlights include the Great Hall, the Royal Apartments, the Honours of Scotland, and St Margaret’s Chapel – Edinburgh’s oldest building. Edinburgh Castle also offers some of the best views of the city.
5. Take a whisky distillery tour
Scotland has a long history of whisky production that dates to the 11th century. The country has over 150 distilleries (and counting!), so there are many places to get a taste of Scotland’s national drink – and Edinburgh is home to some of the best.
Holyrood Distillery runs walking tours focusing on Edinburgh’s brewing and distilling history (in both whisky and gin), and the Scotch Whisky Experience is home to an unrivalled collection of over 3,300 whiskies.
Port of Leith Distillery is one of Edinburgh’s newest additions. It’s Scotland’s first vertical distillery and the tallest distillery in the world. Taking a modern approach to whisky production, on a tour and tasting experience, you’ll explore the building’s incredible architecture, see behind the whisky production process, and taste your way through an extensive collection of samples.
Check out this list of the best distillery tours and whisky experiences in Edinburgh from Absolute Escapes for more ideas on where to go.
Alternatively, if whisky isn’t your thing, Edinburgh has also seen a huge rise in breweries over the past decade. Cold Town House by Cold Town Beer is a firm favourite – it has a stunning rooftop with views out to Edinburgh Castle.
6. Uncover an urban jungle in the Royal Botanic Gardens
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens date back 350 years and house one of the world’s largest and richest plant collections. This urban jungle is set in over 70 acres of beautiful landscape and sits just one mile north of the city centre.
Wonderful to visit at any time of year, it’s a great place to enjoy some tranquillity and connect with nature. Highlights include the garden’s enormous lily pond, a serene Chinese garden on the hillside, and Victorian glasshouses, which teem with ancient palm trees, orchids, and giant lily pads. It’s difficult not to leave the Royal Botanic Gardens with a deeper sense of appreciation for plants and the need to protect them.
If you’re up for more, Edinburgh has several other gardens to explore too. The Johnston Terrace Garden is the world’s smallest inner-city wildlife reserve and is home to herons, frogs, and butterflies; and Dunbar’s Close Garden is the ideal location for a peaceful picnic.
7. Escape to the seaside at Portobello Beach
Just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre is the charming seaside suburb of Portobello Beach.
The sands of this Seaside Award-winning beach stretch for two miles, making it ideal for swimming and sunbathing (when the weather allows!). There’s also a lovely promenade lined with an inviting selection of cafes and bars. Venture into Portobello’s lively high street and you’ll also find a string of quality gift shops and independent restaurants.
Portobello was an independent town until 1896, but has retained its unique character; boasting several parks and elegant Georgian and Victorian architecture.
If you’re up for travelling a bit further, plenty more towns and villages just outside of Edinburgh are worth exploring. For example, North Berwick, has recently earned its reputation as a foodie hotspot. You could also travel north to St Andrews, where you’ll find plenty of old pubs, medieval grounds, and a characterful beach.
8. Discover extensive collections at the National Museum of Scotland
Scotland is teeming with history and culture, and there are few better places to dig into its past and present than the National Museum of Scotland. Spread across six stories, the museum is popular for its diverse collections covering everything from art and design to science, archaeology, and fashion.
In the Scottish History and Archaeology galleries, you’ll be transported all the way from Paleolithic times to the present day. Discover what life was like from 8,000 BC to 1,100 AD, learn about how Scotland first became a nation, and see how war and politics have shaped it into the country we know today.
Like many galleries and museums in Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland holds regular events and exhibitions. Events range from talks to music performances, and there are opportunities to take behind-the-scenes museum tours too. Find out what’s on over on the National Museum of Scotland website.
If you’d prefer something else, Edinburgh is also home to many other great museums – including Surgeon’s Hall, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Fruitmarket Gallery.
Final thoughts…
Bursting with history, heritage, and an endless stream of activities to enjoy, Edinburgh is a joy to explore. Whether you fancy the climb up Arthur’s Seat or would prefer to taste your way around the city’s various distilleries, Edinburgh is an ideal destination for a city break.
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What would you most like to see and do in Edinburgh? Is there anything else you’d like to add to this list? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.