Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city with an abundance of history and charm. Populated long before but established as a city in the 12th century, Edinburgh is a wonderful place to explore. There’s an ancient volcano, military fortresses, castles and palaces, picturesque landscapes and gardens, whisky experiences, and the royal yacht.
While not flat, it is a great walking city and the public transportation makes it easy to get around. The Edinburgh Bus Tours, with audio or live guides, will take you directly to all the major city attractions.
There are many interesting attractions, specifically along the bus tour routes. Hop off the bus to explore these if it piques your interest. For example, there is the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, full of specimens from the early days of medicine. However, it’s not universally appealing, and as such, not included on this list of highlights. There are also a few day trips just outside of Edinburgh that I would highly recommend if you have the time.
Edinburgh Castle
For most visitors, the first site to explore is Edinburgh Castle. The imposing structure looming over most of the city is hard to miss and extremely enticing. I was excited to see the views from the top of the city as well as the interior behind the massive walls.
The Castle is a great place to start for a few reasons. It will help orient you to the city from a directional perspective, between Old Town and New Town. It will provide a historical context of the city you are visiting. And the views of the city are incomparable. The audio tour provides extensive historical details and allows you to tour the castle at your own pace.
Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, provides the other imposing backdrop for the city of Edinburgh. It rises to 822 feet above the city and is part of Holyrood Park. This is another spot for great views of the city. There is no way to drive to the top, so you will have to walk to get to those views.
This is a trek that requires a bit of preparation, including wearing sturdy shoes, as it is more of a hike than a walk, and bring water (and maybe some snacks). There are multiple trails that will take you to the top and back down. Find the most up-to-date information for visiting Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat here.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Located adjacent to Holyrood park and at the end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Edinburgh and home of Scottish royal history. You can visit and tour the palace and grounds when the royals are not in residence.
The castle, with over 500 years of history, is the home of Scotland’s monarchs, including Mary Queen of Scots. The interior tour is limited to certain rooms and does not include the private quarters for obvious reasons. And the exterior tour consists of the medieval abbey, which is a castle ruin, and the manicured palace gardens.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile runs between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. This is a great place for a stroll, shopping, or a visit to a pub or restaurant for some sustenance. I am highlighting a couple of notable attractions on the Royal Mile, but there are lots to explore in the Old Town.
St. Giles Cathedral
You cannot miss this St. Giles Cathedral on top of a hill towards the end of the Royal Mile close to Edinburgh Castle. The cathedral has been an operational church for almost 900 years and is open to all visitors.
Mary King’s Close
This is a historic ‘close’ (Scottish term for alleyway) under the Royal Mile. Mary King’s Close is a tourist attraction that you can visit to discover the hidden history of Edinburgh. Through character stories, get taken back into time to experience 400 years of history.
Scotch Whisky Experience
Near Edinburgh Castle, and not to be missed is the Scotch Whisky Experience. The ride in a whisky barrel sold me! Get whisked away (okay it doesn’t move that fast) in a whisky barrel to learn the Scottish process of making whisky.
At the end of the ride, there is a tasting and the opportunity to buy whisky. Note, due to taxes, it is often cheaper to buy the Scotch imported into the US. If you are from the US, buy it when you get home, unless it’s something really special. Also, you avoid having more to pack for the return trip.
Princes Street
The new part of town was built in the 18th century, and the main road in New Town is Princes Street. On this street, you will find more shopping, pubs and restaurants, and the Princes Street Gardens.
The Gardens are built on what was formerly Nor Loch, which was a man-made lake. The Loch was heavily polluted due to all the waste that was dumped into it from the closes, which we learned on the Mary King’s Close tour. During the building of New Town, it was drained and turned into the beautiful green gardens it is today.
Water of Leith Walkway
From New Town, you can walk all the way to Leith along the Water of Leith Walkway. The entire walkway is 12.2 miles, and there are sights to see along the picturesque walk. I’ve only walked a small section of it, and it is akin to strolling in a storybook fairytale.
There are places along the way to venture off the walkway. I stopped at the Royal Botanic Gardens and spent a few hours wandering the gardens. If you have the time, this is a relaxing way to spend a few hours away from the bustling city.
Royal Botanic Garden
With over 70 acres to explore, the Royal Botanical Gardens is a wonderful place for meandering. I’m not into horticulture but can appreciate the array of plant species, the well-tended landscape, and the peaceful scenery that the botanic gardens provided.
Royal Yacht Britannia
In Leith, sits the former Royal Yacht of Queen Elizabeth II. After 40 years of service as a royal residence and over a million nautical miles, the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned. Eventually, the yacht was brought to Leith to become a UK attraction while preserving a bit of history.
There is an audio guide, one of the best I’ve heard, that takes you through the yacht’s five decks. The tour includes the entertainment and dining areas, staterooms, crew rooms, and engine room, combining information about the yacht with stories about the royal family.
The Royal Yacht Britannia just over 2 miles from the city center is easy to get to via the Edinburgh Bus Tours or public transportation.
