THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

by Alex Millsupdated on January 10, 2022August 1, 2021Leave a Comment

Are you looking for some of the best things to do in Edinburgh? I absolutely loved Edinburgh. It’s such a beautiful city and there is so much to see and do. Read on to find out more!

One thing I loved about Edinburgh, is quite a lot of the main attractions are free! Due to COVID-19 most currently need to be booked in advance so check the websites before going.

Also, check out my guide “FREE THINGS TO DO IN EDINBURGH“.

Best Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

I’m going to start with the most obvious! Visiting Edinburgh Castle will be on every blog post you read about the best things to do in Edinburgh.

So it isn’t quite the fairytale castle I was hoping for. It’s more like a small village on top of a hill. However, my husband is a real castle lover and he’s put it in his top 5 Castles!

The castle is full of history and is actually pretty interesting. In my opinion, it is worth visiting, even if you just go for the amazing views over the city!

You can find out more and book tickets HERE.

Walk The Royal Mile

Starting at the Castle, running through the center of Edinburgh, and finishing at the palace. The Royal Mile (or Edinburgh High Street) is another must-see.

It’s a lovely scenic walk with a lot of atmosphere. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants along the mile as well as some stunning architecture.

It can get quite busy, if you prefer a more relaxed walk, try going early in the morning!

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace, the one place I didn’t go to, that I wished I had. Unfortunately, there just wasn’t enough time to go in, but I did get a quick look at the outside. It just looked beautiful!

I am 100% planning on returning to Edinburgh, so this will be top of my to-do list next time!

If you don’t want to miss out as I did, book your tickets HERE.

Climb Calton Hill

Calton Hill was a much easier climb than I thought. It only actually takes about 5-10 minutes from the bottom to the top.

It is absolutely worth the effort for the stunning views over the city.

Want to see some other amazing views? Check out my post “4 AMAZING VIEWS IN EDINBURGH“.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

Even if you’re not a plant lover, I think you’ll still enjoy the Botanic Gardens. Plus, it’s free to visit! Home to over 70 achers of plants, there is plenty to explore here.

We visited on a beautiful, sunny day. I’m not sure it would be so enjoyable in the rain so try and plan it well!

Find out more and book your FREE tickets HERE.

Walking Tour

There are plenty of options for walking tours in Edinburgh. Being slightly nerdy, we did a Harry Potter tour. See my full blog post on that HERE.

There are also general Edinburgh old and new town tours, as well as ghost tours. they’re a great way to explore the city and learn some interesting facts along the way.

We did our tour with City Explorers. They do daily free walking tours, although it is requested that you tip the guide at the end, which does seem fair!

National Museum of Scotland

I have never seen such a beautiful museum as this one! It’s also free so worth a quick visit. It’s a good option for a rainy afternoon, especially if you are visiting with children.

You can see the current exhibitions and book FREE tickets HERE.

Princes Street Gardens

Separating the old and new towns of Edinburgh. Princes Street Gardens is a beautiful place for a stroll or a picnic. It also has great views of the castle so be sure to have a wander here.

Eat and Drink

You’re going to be spoiled for choice of places to eat and drink in Edinburgh. I’m just going to list a few places I enjoyed! Brunch at Em’s Kitchen. Tea and cake at Mimi’s Bakehouse. Dinner at @Pizza. Cocktails at Tigerlily.

George Street and the surrounding area is a great place to start if you’re hungry!