Edinburgh Destination Guide

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital and a city where the past and present meet on almost every street. The medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town sit side by side, together forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Above them rises Edinburgh Castle, a fortress perched on volcanic rock that has shaped the city’s story for centuries. The centre is compact, so many major sights are within walking distance, though the steep hills and cobblestones can make it challenging for those with mobility concerns.

When to Go & Practical Notes

• Seasonality: Spring and autumn bring long daylight hours and fewer crowds. August is festival season, when the city buzzes but hotels book out quickly.
• Weather: Conditions change quickly year-round. A light shell, a warm layer, and shoes with grip make cobbles and park paths easier in any season.
• Access: Many main sights are step-free or have alternatives, but the steep gradients of the Old Town are unavoidable. Allow extra time if mobility is limited.

Getting There & Around

Edinburgh Airport lies to the west of the city. The tram runs from the terminal to the centre in about 30 minutes, and the Airlink 100 bus provides a direct alternative. Taxis and ride-hailing are available, though often slower during peak traffic.

Once in the city, walking is the best way to explore the Old and New Towns, with most neighbourhoods within easy reach. For longer journeys, Lothian Buses and the tram network connect all major areas. Contactless cards and phones are widely accepted, but visitors can also buy single tickets with cash on buses or from machines at tram stops.

For longer stays, discount passes offer good value. The Ridacard provides unlimited travel across buses and trams for periods of one week or longer. Visitors staying just a few days often rely on daily or weekly fare capping through contactless payments, but paper day tickets are also available if you prefer not to use a card.

Must-See Attractions

Edinburgh’s main sights cluster close together, making it easy to combine several in a single day. A natural route begins at the Castle and follows the Royal Mile down toward Holyroodhouse, with Arthur’s Seat rising just beyond.

• Edinburgh Castle: The city’s defining fortress, home to the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and sweeping views over the skyline. Book tickets ahead and allow at least two hours to explore.
• The Royal Mile: This mile-long street links the Castle to Holyroodhouse. Along the way are St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament House, and dozens of narrow closes—lanes that lead into hidden courtyards and stories of medieval life.
• Palace of Holyroodhouse: The King’s official residence in Scotland. Visitors can see the State Apartments, the ruined Holyrood Abbey, and gardens that open to the public except when in use by the Royal Family.
• Arthur’s Seat: A volcanic hill in Holyrood Park, reached by paths of varying steepness. On clear days the summit offers views across the city to the Firth of Forth and the hills of Fife.

Neighbourhoods & Where to Stay

Each of Edinburgh’s main districts has a distinct character. Choosing where to base yourself shapes your experience of the city.

• Old Town: The city’s medieval heart, filled with historic buildings, narrow wynds (alleyways), and the Royal Mile at its centre. Staying here puts you in the thick of the action but also among the heaviest crowds.
• New Town: Built in the 18th and 19th centuries, this area contrasts with wide avenues, elegant crescents, and a more orderly design. It is central, stylish, and slightly calmer once the festival season ends.
• Leith: Edinburgh’s old port, now transformed into a hub for restaurants, galleries, and converted warehouses. The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored here, and trams link it directly to the centre.
• Stockbridge: A quieter quarter along the Water of Leith, with cafés, independent shops, and a Sunday market that draws locals as much as visitors. It feels like a village within the city.

Where to stay: Luxury hotels cluster around Princes Street and Calton Hill. Mid-range travellers find strong choices in the New Town and West End, while budget options are common near Haymarket and Leith Walk. During August festivals and New Year’s Hogmanay celebrations, accommodation fills early—booking well in advance is essential.

Food & Drink

Scottish cooking is rooted in local produce, and Edinburgh blends tradition with innovation. Try haggis with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes), Cullen skink (smoked haddock soup), or cranachan with raspberries and cream. Fresh salmon, venison, and shellfish are staples, while whisky remains the classic companion. Craft beer and gin distilleries have also taken a strong hold in the city.

The Old Town is full of centuries-old pubs, some with literary ties, while the New Town leans toward modern cocktail bars and bistros. Leith is the place for seafood and ambitious tasting menus. For a more casual taste of local life, the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday on Castle Terrace, directly beneath the Castle’s cliffs, while Stockbridge Market brings food stalls and local produce to its square every Sunday.

Events & Festivals

Edinburgh is known as the Festival City. In August, the Festival Fringe transforms theatres, pubs, and streets into a stage for performers from around the world. At the same time, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo fills the Castle Esplanade with music and precision drill. In winter, Hogmanay—Scotland’s New Year celebration—brings concerts, fireworks, and a ceilidh (pronounced “KAY-lee”), a traditional gathering with music and dancing, to the city centre. Tickets for these events sell quickly, so book well in advance if visiting during festival periods.

Suggested Itineraries

One day: Begin at the Castle, walk the Royal Mile with stops at St Giles’ Cathedral and its closes, tour Holyroodhouse, then climb Arthur’s Seat or watch the sunset from Calton Hill. End the day with dinner in the New Town.

Three days: Spend day one in the Old Town, day two exploring New Town, Dean Village (a former milling community now known for riverside walks), and Stockbridge, and day three in Leith with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia or a stroll along the Water of Leith path.

Family-friendly: Mix historical sites with interactive experiences: the Castle’s cannons, Camera Obscura’s optical illusions, and the National Museum of Scotland. For outdoor time, Arthur’s Seat is ideal in good weather, while the Botanic Garden provides a gentler alternative.

Two days (no car): On the first day, start with the Castle Esplanade, follow the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse, loop the lower paths of Holyrood Park, and then cross North Bridge into the New Town grid. Finish with Calton Hill at dusk, adding a museum stop if time allows. On the second day, take a bus to Portobello Beach for a morning by the sea, return for an afternoon in the National Museum and Princes Street Gardens, and close with an evening in a whisky bar or live-music venue.

Four days (mix city + outskirts): Day one covers both the Old and New Towns as a World Heritage Site loop, with visits to St Giles’ Cathedral and a gallery. Day two begins with Arthur’s Seat or a shorter crags walk, followed by Rosslyn Chapel. Day three heads east to North Berwick for the coast and Tantallon Castle, reachable by rail and local connections. Day four takes you to South Queensferry for views of the Forth Bridges, with the option to extend into Fife for Culross or the harbour town of Anstruther.

Edinburgh in Context

Edinburgh distills much of Scotland into a single, walkable setting. The Old Town rises along a defensive ridge topped by its castle, while the New Town spreads below in a planned 18th-century grid of elegant Georgian streets and squares. To the north lies the Firth of Forth, a reminder of Scotland’s maritime connections, and to the south and west the city gives way quickly to hills and open country. Exploring these layers on foot makes it easier to understand the landscapes and history you’ll encounter across the Highlands and beyond.

Day Trips & Nearby Excursions

Edinburgh is well placed for day trips across central Scotland, with many rewarding destinations less than two hours away by train or car. These make for easy escapes without the need for overnight stays.

• Stirling Castle (1 hour by train or car): Once the seat of Scotland’s kings, Stirling Castle rivals Edinburgh’s in scale and history. Trains from Waverley Station take under an hour to Stirling, with a short uphill walk or local bus to the castle. By car, the drive is just over 40 miles.
• Glasgow (50 minutes by train): Scotland’s largest city offers Victorian architecture, the Kelvingrove Museum, and a lively music and dining scene. Fast trains run every 15 minutes from Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street, making this one of the simplest day trips.
• Pitlochry – Gateway to the Highlands (1 hour 45 minutes by train, 90 minutes by car): Nestled in Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry is often considered the closest true gateway to the Highlands. It combines riverside walks, distilleries, and theatre with easy access to surrounding hills. Trains from Waverley reach the town in under two hours, or you can drive north along the A9. It’s an excellent starting point if you plan to explore further into the Highlands. See more in our Highlands guide.
• East Lothian Coast (30–50 minutes by train or car): Just east of Edinburgh lie sandy beaches, golf at North Berwick, and boat trips to seabird colonies on Bass Rock. Trains from Waverley to North Berwick take about 35 minutes, while villages like Gullane are easily reached by car or bus.
• Rosslyn Chapel (40 minutes by bus or car): A 15th-century chapel famed for its elaborate stone carvings and a surge of interest from The Da Vinci Code. Buses run directly from the city centre to Roslin village, making it one of the easiest short excursions.
• St Andrews (2 hours by car; about 2 hours 15 minutes by train + bus): Known worldwide as the “home of golf,” St Andrews offers the Old Course, the British Golf Museum, and the chance to walk across the Swilcan Bridge. Beyond the fairways, the medieval university, cathedral ruins, and wide sandy beaches make it a rewarding trip. Trains from Edinburgh reach Leuchars in around 70 minutes, with a short bus or taxi ride into St Andrews, or you can drive in just under two hours.

Travel Tips & Practical Info

Weather: Expect variety; locals often joke about four seasons in a day. Layers and waterproofs are essential.
Money: Currency is Pound Sterling (GBP). Contactless is widely accepted, but cash remains usable for buses, markets, and small shops.
Etiquette: Queueing is expected. In pubs, order at the bar unless staff indicate table service.
Safety: Edinburgh is generally safe. For emergencies dial 999, or 101 for non-urgent police assistance.

Additional Resources

• Tourism: Forever Edinburgh, the city’s official guide
• Transport: Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams websites for routes, fares, and passes
• Sights: Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Royal Yacht Britannia official sites
• Festivals: Official Fringe, Tattoo, and Hogmanay websites for dates and tickets

Quick facts: Population around 523,000 • Language: English, with Scots and Gaelic in place-names • Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP) • Best time: late spring to early autumn; August brings the famous festivals but also the largest crowds.