Edinburgh Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Edinburgh, with its rich history and striking architecture, offers a captivating blend of the old and new. From the medieval charm of the Old Town to the elegant Georgian avenues of the New Town, this city is a tapestry of culture and tradition.
With 359+ hand-picked places to explore, Edinburgh rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Edinburgh
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with The Royal Mile — a historic street stretching through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, lined with significant landmarks. Just as worthwhile is Grassmarket: a historic marketplace that echoes Edinburgh's medieval past with its cobbled streets and lively atmosphere. Scott Monument completes the picture: admire the Gothic grandeur dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, a tribute towering above Princes Street Gardens.
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh • Famous Landmarks
A historic street stretching through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, lined with significant landmarks.
Grassmarket
Edinburgh • Historic Squares & Plazas
A historic marketplace that echoes Edinburgh's medieval past with its cobbled streets and lively atmosphere.
Scott Monument
Edinburgh • Monuments & Statues
Admire the Gothic grandeur dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, a tribute towering above Princes Street Gardens.
The Vennel Viewpoint
Edinburgh • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Offers a unique perspective of Edinburgh Castle from a historic staircase.
Museums & Culture in Edinburgh
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Edinburgh Castle: dominating the skyline, this fortress encapsulates Scotland's tumultuous history with captivating exhibits. Locals will also point you to Calton Hill — offers panoramic views and iconic monuments atop its historic summit. And for something different, there's Jupiter Artland: an outdoor gallery featuring contemporary sculptures set in a picturesque landscape.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh • Historical Sites
Dominating the skyline, this fortress encapsulates Scotland's tumultuous history with captivating exhibits.
Calton Hill
Edinburgh • Historical Sites
Offers panoramic views and iconic monuments atop its historic summit.
Jupiter Artland
Edinburgh • Art Galleries
An outdoor gallery featuring contemporary sculptures set in a picturesque landscape.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh • Historical Sites
The Queen's official residence in Scotland with centuries of royal history.
Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh — a green oasis offering diverse plant collections and serene walking paths. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh earns its reputation too — offers an expansive green space for family exploration and botanic education. Round out the shortlist with Edinburgh International Climbing Arena — one of Europe's largest indoor climbing centers, suitable for all skill levels.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Edinburgh • Outdoor
A green oasis offering diverse plant collections and serene walking paths.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Edinburgh • Family-Friendly
Offers an expansive green space for family exploration and botanic education.
Edinburgh International Climbing Arena
Edinburgh • Sports
One of Europe's largest indoor climbing centers, suitable for all skill levels.
Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh • Family-Friendly
A stunning natural escape offering outdoor adventure and historical intrigue.
Where to Eat in Edinburgh
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Condita — a small, intimate dining space offering an artistic and innovative tasting menu that changes frequently. Just as worthwhile is David Bann: a sophisticated vegetarian restaurant with a creative and international approach to cuisine. The Kitchin completes the picture: celebrated for its use of Scottish ingredients, The Kitchin offers a modern twist on traditional dishes.
Condita
Edinburgh • Fine Dining
A small, intimate dining space offering an artistic and innovative tasting menu that changes frequently.
David Bann
Edinburgh • Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants
A sophisticated vegetarian restaurant with a creative and international approach to cuisine.
The Kitchin
Edinburgh • Fine Dining
Celebrated for its use of Scottish ingredients, The Kitchin offers a modern twist on traditional dishes.
Aizle
Edinburgh • Local Cuisine
Innovative dining with a rotating seasonal menu, focusing on farm-to-table freshness and creativity.
Edinburgh After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Nor' Loft: contemporary rooftop champagne bar tucked inside Market Street Hotel with urban panoramic views. Locals will also point you to Panda & Sons — blends speakeasy charm with innovative cocktails in a barber shop-style setting. And for something different, there's Cloisters Bar: offering a unique setting in a converted church, this bar serves an excellent range of beers.
Nor' Loft
Edinburgh • Rooftop Bars
Contemporary rooftop champagne bar tucked inside Market Street Hotel with urban panoramic views.
Panda & Sons
Edinburgh • Cocktail Bars
Blends speakeasy charm with innovative cocktails in a barber shop-style setting.
Cloisters Bar
Edinburgh • Craft Beer Bars
Offering a unique setting in a converted church, this bar serves an excellent range of beers.
The Bow Bar
Edinburgh • Pubs & Bars
A whisky lover's paradise with an extensive selection of Scotch and a no-frills atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it The Chester Residence — luxurious townhouse accommodations providing privacy and personalized service in the West End. Cheval Old Town Chambers earns its reputation too — a blend of historic architecture and modern luxury, offering serviced apartments in the Old Town area. Round out the shortlist with Fingal — a floating hotel offering unique maritime charm with luxurious spa services on the Leith waterfront.
The Chester Residence
Edinburgh • Luxury Hotels
Luxurious townhouse accommodations providing privacy and personalized service in the West End.
Cheval Old Town Chambers
Edinburgh • Luxury Hotels
A blend of historic architecture and modern luxury, offering serviced apartments in the Old Town area.
Fingal
Edinburgh • Spa Hotels
A floating hotel offering unique maritime charm with luxurious spa services on the Leith waterfront.
Kew House
Edinburgh • Bed & Breakfast
Elegant and modern hospitality with a personal touch, conveniently located near Edinburgh's city center.
Shopping in Edinburgh
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Hamilton & Inches — renowned for handcrafted jewelry and silver pieces, this store exemplifies Scottish craftsmanship and tradition. Just as worthwhile is Armchair Books: a bibliophile's dream with shelves overflowing with well-loved books spanning various genres and eras. Edinburgh Farmers' Market completes the picture: a staple for local foodies, offering farm-fresh ingredients and gourmet delights every Saturday.
Hamilton & Inches
Edinburgh • Luxury Shopping
Renowned for handcrafted jewelry and silver pieces, this store exemplifies Scottish craftsmanship and tradition.
Armchair Books
Edinburgh • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A bibliophile's dream with shelves overflowing with well-loved books spanning various genres and eras.
Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Edinburgh • Markets
A staple for local foodies, offering farm-fresh ingredients and gourmet delights every Saturday.
Jane Davidson
Edinburgh • Luxury Shopping
Offers a curated selection of designer women's fashion, blending contemporary styles with classic elegance.
Parks & Green Spaces in Edinburgh
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Princes Street Gardens: a picturesque green space offering stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and seasonal floral displays. Locals will also point you to Dr Neil's Garden — a serene sanctuary that combines artful landscaping with stunning views of Duddingston Loch. And for something different, there's Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve: scenic walking trails and panoramic views over Edinburgh make this reserve a local favorite.
Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh • Parks
A picturesque green space offering stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and seasonal floral displays.
Dr Neil's Garden
Edinburgh • Botanical Gardens
A serene sanctuary that combines artful landscaping with stunning views of Duddingston Loch.
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve
Edinburgh • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Scenic walking trails and panoramic views over Edinburgh make this reserve a local favorite.
Saughton Park
Edinburgh • Parks
Saughton Park combines traditional horticulture with modern amenities for a family-friendly outing.
Edinburgh Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it The Table — exclusive dining with a single communal table, focusing on interaction between chefs and guests. Bramble earns its reputation too — a cocktail bar with a secretive vibe, known for its innovative drinks and cozy ambiance. Round out the shortlist with Vennel Steps — get an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle from this charming, lesser-known staircase in the Old Town.
The Table
Edinburgh • Secret Foodie Spots
Exclusive dining with a single communal table, focusing on interaction between chefs and guests.
Bramble
Edinburgh • Secret Bars & Speakeasies
A cocktail bar with a secretive vibe, known for its innovative drinks and cozy ambiance.
Vennel Steps
Edinburgh • Secret Viewpoints
Get an iconic view of Edinburgh Castle from this charming, lesser-known staircase in the Old Town.
Broughton
Edinburgh • Hidden Neighborhoods
A lively area with eclectic shops and a diverse food scene, popular among locals seeking something different.
89 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Edinburgh that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Edinburgh list:
- Arthur's Seat Hike· Self-Guided
- Bramble Bar & Lounge· Cocktail Bars
- The Royal Yacht Britannia· Famous Landmarks
- Edinburgh International Book Festival· Festivals
- Holyrood Park· Parks
Planning where to stay in Edinburgh?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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