Edinburgh Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle featuring a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden featuring heritage elements and a park

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

Visitors flock to the cultural and historic heart of Scotland to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and its many landmarks, parks and gardens.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Edinburgh's incredibly rich history and culture goes back so much further. Wander down the medieval side-streets of the Old Town or past the spectacular Georgian avenues and homes of the New Town, and enjoy the aesthetic charm of the city. Always in view and perched high on an ancient volcano, is Edinburgh Castle, which defended the city against attack for hundreds of years.

A good starting point is The Royal Mile, a series of cobblestone streets which lead you right from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as taking you past some of Edinburgh's best loved landmarks. Among them you'll see St. Giles' Cathedral and Parliament House.

Explore Princes Street Gardens that runs the length of the main shopping area of Princes Street. Around this stunning park, you’ll find memorials and monuments, including the Gothic Scott Monument built as a tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, and from which you can enjoy remarkable views of the city.

For the most rewarding views however, take a hike to the top of an extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat or to Calton Hill, with its impressive monuments.

To find more beautiful spaces to enjoy, try a little further afield. Dean Village for example lies in the countryside yet is just five minutes from the heart of town. While away a few relaxing hours in the port district in some of the great bars, cafés and restaurants. This is also where you’ll find the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which was used to take the British royal family all across the globe in over 40 years' service and is now a museum, open to the public.

Edinburgh is a fine city to visit all through the year. However some of the best times to visit are December and August. In the summer months, Edinburgh hosts some renowned arts festivals to which visitors flock from far and wide. The most famous of these are the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. At Christmas the city takes on a magical feel with plenty of attractions and markets, and at New Year, join in with the famous Hogmanay street party, a great way to round off the year and welcome in a new one.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Calton Hill which includes general coastal views, a city and skyline

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Default Image

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(164 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Castle to Royal Mile – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Old Town Edinburgh
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring interior views and boating

Leith

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Leith Links and Edinburgh Port are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Leith
Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(120 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Princes Street and Assembly Rooms.

New Town
Default Image

Haymarket

5/5(3 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Haymarket for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Princes Street and FountainPark. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Haymarket Tram Station.

Haymarket
National Library of Scotland featuring signage and interior views

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, Festival Theatre and Royal Commonwealth Pool are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$250 per night from 16 Dec to 17 Dec
AU$250
includes taxes & fees
16 Dec - 17 Dec
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,410 reviews)
"Nice hotel in the old town across the street from the Castle, attractions and lots of pubs and restaurants. Nice breakfast"

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$170 per night from 18 Dec to 19 Dec
AU$170
includes taxes & fees
18 Dec - 19 Dec
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,153 reviews)
"All great."

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

YOTEL Edinburgh
Britannia Hotel Edinburgh
Britannia Hotel Edinburgh
3 out of 5
69 Belford Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$87 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
AU$87
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms ...
5.6/10 (1,068 reviews)
Britannia Hotel
"Hotel was good, room clean and staff friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 18 Nov. 2024

Britannia Hotel Edinburgh
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
3.5 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,857 reviews)
"I was extremely pleased with this hotel. Each room has a kitchenette in it. The rooms are extremely quiet and come with blackout shades. It's located on the Royal Mile so you are surrounded by all sorts of shops, restaurants, etc. I felt very safe in this area. So many things to see -- very ..."

Reviewed on 16 Nov. 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
4 out of 5
26 King's Stables Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (738 reviews)
"Thus property was amazing! Clean, spacious and the staff was amazing! The location at Grassmarket was so convenient for dining and shopping! We enjoyed their continental breakfast and the atmosphere! We loved everything about it!"

Reviewed on 19 Nov. 2024

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Cheval Old Town Chambers
Cheval Old Town Chambers
5 out of 5
Royal Mile, 329 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,872 reviews)
"Friendly helpful staff, rooms are very nice"

Reviewed on 17 Nov. 2024

Cheval Old Town Chambers
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
218
" "5 - Excellent 74%
4 - Good
66
" "4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Forbes

Beautiful Old Town, & Royal Mile, amazing history & architecture

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beaurtiful city and i highly recommend one of the guided bust tours. I sdid leave Edinburgh with a sense of 'having seen all there was of interest to see' though, but i would return and happily be guided to places i didn't go

5/5 - Excellent

Alex

Great place to visit with amazing buildings and sights

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Best city I have visited

4/5 - Good

LKazda

A vibrant, attractive city with great food. Easy to get around and friendly Scotsmen!

5/5 - Excellent

MB

Love Edinburgh. Such a beautiful city.

Cities near Edinburgh