Visit Edinburgh CastleMust-See SightsPaidEdinburgh Castle sits on a volcanic rock above the city and houses the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Busy and ticketed; go early or pre-book to avoid queuing.0 Add to listVisit Edinburgh CastleMust-See SightsPaidEdinburgh Castle sits on a volcanic rock above the city and houses the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Busy and ticketed; go early or pre-book to avoid queuing.0 Add to list
Walk the Royal MileMust-See SightsThe Royal Mile runs downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace through the old town. The main tourist drag, but also the most direct route between the two big sights; easy to walk the whole length.0 Add to listWalk the Royal MileMust-See SightsThe Royal Mile runs downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace through the old town. The main tourist drag, but also the most direct route between the two big sights; easy to walk the whole length.0 Add to list
Climb Arthur's SeatMust-See SightsArthur's Seat is an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park with a well-worn path to the top - about an hour up and back. Modest effort for good views over the whole city and the Forth.0 Add to listClimb Arthur's SeatMust-See SightsArthur's Seat is an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park with a well-worn path to the top - about an hour up and back. Modest effort for good views over the whole city and the Forth.0 Add to list
Tour the Palace of HolyroodhouseMust-See SightsPaidThe Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the Royal Mile is the monarch's official Scottish residence. Ticketed entry; the State Apartments and the ruined Holyrood Abbey are both included.0 Add to listTour the Palace of HolyroodhouseMust-See SightsPaidThe Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the Royal Mile is the monarch's official Scottish residence. Ticketed entry; the State Apartments and the ruined Holyrood Abbey are both included.0 Add to list
Explore the National Museum of ScotlandMust-See SightsWith KidsThe National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street covers Scottish history, science, natural history and design across many floors. Free, well laid out and easy with kids - a solid rainy-day option.0 Add to listExplore the National Museum of ScotlandMust-See SightsWith KidsThe National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street covers Scottish history, science, natural history and design across many floors. Free, well laid out and easy with kids - a solid rainy-day option.0 Add to list
Climb Calton Hill for the City PanoramaMust-See SightsCalton Hill is a short, easy climb with monuments, an unfinished Parthenon replica and a good view over the city to the castle. Ten minutes up, free, and less crowded than Arthur's Seat.0 Add to listClimb Calton Hill for the City PanoramaMust-See SightsCalton Hill is a short, easy climb with monuments, an unfinished Parthenon replica and a good view over the city to the castle. Ten minutes up, free, and less crowded than Arthur's Seat.0 Add to list
See St Giles' CathedralMust-See SightsSt Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile is the historic centre of Scottish Presbyterianism. The nave is free to enter; a small donation is suggested. Worth stepping in for the stained glass and the Thistle Chapel.0 Add to listSee St Giles' CathedralMust-See SightsSt Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile is the historic centre of Scottish Presbyterianism. The nave is free to enter; a small donation is suggested. Worth stepping in for the stained glass and the Thistle Chapel.0 Add to list
Stroll Princes Street Gardens Below the CastleMust-See SightsPrinces Street Gardens sit in the old loch bed below the castle - a good green space in the centre of the city. The Scott Monument is at one end; usually relaxed and easy to reach.0 Add to listStroll Princes Street Gardens Below the CastleMust-See SightsPrinces Street Gardens sit in the old loch bed below the castle - a good green space in the centre of the city. The Scott Monument is at one end; usually relaxed and easy to reach.0 Add to list
Spit on the HeartFun Side QuestsThe Heart of Midlothian is a heart-shaped mosaic set into the pavement of the Royal Mile, marking the site of the old tollbooth jail. Local tradition is to spit on it for luck. Quick stop, easy to walk past without noticing.0 Add to listSpit on the HeartFun Side QuestsThe Heart of Midlothian is a heart-shaped mosaic set into the pavement of the Royal Mile, marking the site of the old tollbooth jail. Local tradition is to spit on it for luck. Quick stop, easy to walk past without noticing.0 Add to list
Order Salt and Sauce at the Chip ShopLocal FoodLocal RitualsAt Edinburgh chip shops the question is always 'salt and sauce?' - the sauce being a vinegary brown condiment unique to the city. The correct answer is both; anything else marks you as an outsider.0 Add to listOrder Salt and Sauce at the Chip ShopLocal FoodLocal RitualsAt Edinburgh chip shops the question is always 'salt and sauce?' - the sauce being a vinegary brown condiment unique to the city. The correct answer is both; anything else marks you as an outsider.0 Add to list
Order a Hog Roast Roll at OinkLocal FoodOink has two small Edinburgh locations and carves a whole roasted pig in the window. Order a roll with crackling and a topping; the haggis option is worth trying. Cheap, messy, and usually a queue at lunch.0 Add to listOrder a Hog Roast Roll at OinkLocal FoodOink has two small Edinburgh locations and carves a whole roasted pig in the window. Order a roll with crackling and a topping; the haggis option is worth trying. Cheap, messy, and usually a queue at lunch.0 Add to list
Slip Into Dunbar's Close Hidden GardenFun Side QuestsDunbar's Close is a small reconstructed 17th-century garden hidden down a close (alleyway) off the Canongate on the Royal Mile. Easy to miss, free to enter and usually quiet even when the street outside is busy.0 Add to listSlip Into Dunbar's Close Hidden GardenFun Side QuestsDunbar's Close is a small reconstructed 17th-century garden hidden down a close (alleyway) off the Canongate on the Royal Mile. Easy to miss, free to enter and usually quiet even when the street outside is busy.0 Add to list
Walk the Innocent TunnelActiveThe Innocent Railway Tunnel is a short Victorian railway tunnel now used as a walking and cycling path between Holyrood Park and Duddingston. Dark, quiet and easy to combine with a walk around the park.0 Add to listWalk the Innocent TunnelActiveThe Innocent Railway Tunnel is a short Victorian railway tunnel now used as a walking and cycling path between Holyrood Park and Duddingston. Dark, quiet and easy to combine with a walk around the park.0 Add to list
Browse the Second-Hand Bookshops on West PortFun Side QuestsWest Port near the Grassmarket has a cluster of second-hand bookshops with reasonably priced stock and no pressure to buy. Easy to lose an hour, especially if the weather is poor.0 Add to listBrowse the Second-Hand Bookshops on West PortFun Side QuestsWest Port near the Grassmarket has a cluster of second-hand bookshops with reasonably priced stock and no pressure to buy. Easy to lose an hour, especially if the weather is poor.0 Add to list
Find the Fake Wild West Alley in MorningsideFun Side QuestsTucked down a lane in Morningside (south Edinburgh) is a fake Wild West frontier set - a full row of timber-fronted saloon buildings built for an ad campaign in the 1990s and never taken down. Odd and very specific; worth the detour if you're in the area.0 Add to listFind the Fake Wild West Alley in MorningsideFun Side QuestsTucked down a lane in Morningside (south Edinburgh) is a fake Wild West frontier set - a full row of timber-fronted saloon buildings built for an ad campaign in the 1990s and never taken down. Odd and very specific; worth the detour if you're in the area.0 Add to list
Follow the Water of Leith into Dean VillageFun Side QuestsDean Village is a cluster of old stone mill buildings on the Water of Leith, about 15 minutes' walk from Princes Street. Quiet, photogenic and easy to miss if you don't know to look for the path down.0 Add to listFollow the Water of Leith into Dean VillageFun Side QuestsDean Village is a cluster of old stone mill buildings on the Water of Leith, about 15 minutes' walk from Princes Street. Quiet, photogenic and easy to miss if you don't know to look for the path down.0 Add to list
Paddle in the North Sea at Portobello BeachActiveLocal RitualsSummerPortobello is Edinburgh's seaside suburb about 5km east of the centre, reachable by bus. The beach is sandy and the North Sea is cold; paddling or a quick swim is the thing to do. Chip shops on the promenade after.0 Add to listPaddle in the North Sea at Portobello BeachActiveLocal RitualsSummerPortobello is Edinburgh's seaside suburb about 5km east of the centre, reachable by bus. The beach is sandy and the North Sea is cold; paddling or a quick swim is the thing to do. Chip shops on the promenade after.0 Add to list
Order Cranachan at a Scottish RestaurantLocal FoodCranachan is a Scottish dessert of cream, whisky, honey, toasted oats and raspberries - common on menus in Scottish restaurants. It's a better representation of local flavours than most tourist-menu options.0 Add to listOrder Cranachan at a Scottish RestaurantLocal FoodCranachan is a Scottish dessert of cream, whisky, honey, toasted oats and raspberries - common on menus in Scottish restaurants. It's a better representation of local flavours than most tourist-menu options.0 Add to list
Run the Arthur's Seat Loop at SunriseActiveLocal RitualsSpring · FallThe 6km Queen's Drive road circles Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park - flat, paved and used by local runners. Early morning gives you the path largely to yourself with good light over the city.0 Add to listRun the Arthur's Seat Loop at SunriseActiveLocal RitualsSpring · FallThe 6km Queen's Drive road circles Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park - flat, paved and used by local runners. Early morning gives you the path largely to yourself with good light over the city.0 Add to list
Jog the Water of Leith Through Dean VillageActiveLocal RitualsThe Water of Leith Walkway runs through Stockbridge and Dean Village on a riverside path shared with dog walkers. A quiet, flat alternative to running on the main roads; about 3-4km for the Stockbridge-to-Dean-Village section.0 Add to listJog the Water of Leith Through Dean VillageActiveLocal RitualsThe Water of Leith Walkway runs through Stockbridge and Dean Village on a riverside path shared with dog walkers. A quiet, flat alternative to running on the main roads; about 3-4km for the Stockbridge-to-Dean-Village section.0 Add to list
Play on the Castle Playground in Princes Street GardensActiveWith KidsThe playground in Princes Street Gardens has a castle theme and sits directly below Edinburgh Castle - an unusually good backdrop. Free, with climbing frames, slides and musical instruments for younger kids.0 Add to listPlay on the Castle Playground in Princes Street GardensActiveWith KidsThe playground in Princes Street Gardens has a castle theme and sits directly below Edinburgh Castle - an unusually good backdrop. Free, with climbing frames, slides and musical instruments for younger kids.0 Add to list
Build a Sandcastle on Portobello BeachActiveWith KidsSummerPortobello beach is 5km from the city centre by bus and has sandy stretches good for sandcastles and kite flying. Combine with the chip shops on the promenade after. Best on a dry day; can be windy even in summer.0 Add to listBuild a Sandcastle on Portobello BeachActiveWith KidsSummerPortobello beach is 5km from the city centre by bus and has sandy stretches good for sandcastles and kite flying. Combine with the chip shops on the promenade after. Best on a dry day; can be windy even in summer.0 Add to list
Spot Grandma's Toys at the Museum of ChildhoodFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile is the world's first museum dedicated to childhood - tin toys, dolls, old games and school memorabilia across several free floors. Good for adults who want to spot something from their own era.0 Add to listSpot Grandma's Toys at the Museum of ChildhoodFun Side QuestsWith KidsThe Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile is the world's first museum dedicated to childhood - tin toys, dolls, old games and school memorabilia across several free floors. Good for adults who want to spot something from their own era.0 Add to list
