Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh

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Are you traveling to Edinburgh? Here’s a list of our favorite attractions and the top 10 things to do in Edinburgh as a tourist!

Old Town in Edinburgh

The old quarters of Edinburgh is a cozy and lovely place for a stroll and a must among the top things to do in Edinburgh. Here lies several pubs, restaurants, cafĂ©s and excellent museums for you to enjoy. The National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood is two great museums that’s worth a visit while exploring the old town of Edinburgh.

Camera Obscura & The World of Illusion

If you’re traveling together with your kids, then this is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for you! Camera Obscura offers shows that showcase the city in a unique and fun way. Their friendly and knowledgeable guides will entertain you by telling stories about Edinburgh. Camera Obscura is certainly a place for the whole family.

Besides that, there’s a lot to learn and also many cool places with illusions where it can be fun to take some cool pictures. So don’t forget your camera!

Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is a fantastic vantage point 250 meters up above sea level. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view over Edinburgh. It takes about an hour to walk from the center of Edinburgh up to Arthur’s Seat. It’s good to know that the way up to Arthur’s Seat can be more demanding and steeper than you might think – and therefore, it’s important to bring good shoes, water and something to eat!

Arthur's_Seat_from_Edinburgh_Castle

HMY Britannia

The royal yacht Britannia was the royal family’s private boat between 1954 and 1997. This yacht has been welcoming some of the world’s most powerful people during the years. Today you can walk into the ship, and go back to the 50’s and have a look around.

If you crave to eat some sweets and to have a cup of tea during your visit, then you can enjoy afternoon tea in the yacht’s salon.

The Hairy Coo – Free Scottish Highlands Tour

Join The Hairy Coo on a free tour through the beautiful Scottish landscapes. Here you can follow with the friendly and knowledgeable guides to see the beautiful nature of Scotland. During your time with the Hairy Coo, you will not only see much, but you’ll also learn politics, history and fun facts about Scotland!

Royal Botanic Garden

If you want to spend your day in a peaceful and harmonious environment, then you should head to Edinburgh Botanic Garden. A beautiful garden with waterfalls, streams and a wide range of different kinds of plants. In the middle of the garden lies a cozy cafe with nice outdoor seating and delicious food.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

A must among the top things to do in Edinburgh is to visit the Edinburgh Castle. This castle is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and offers beautiful architecture, lovely little gardens and fantastic views of the city. There are also a lot of interesting museums to check out, such as the National War Museum, the Great Hall and the Royal Palace – where you can see the Scottish crown jewels with your own eyes.

The Royal Mile

Right in the middle of old town lies the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s main street. This street is full of restaurants, pubs, shops, and different kinds of attractions. At the top of the street, you will find Edinburgh Castle, a little further down you stumble upon Camera Obscura and The Scottish Whisky Experience, and the very bottom of the road lies Holyrood Palace.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

At the very bottom of the Royal Mile lies the Castle Palace of Holyroodhouse. The castle is very elegant and beautiful, both on the outside and on the inside. The area around the castle is lined with magnificent gardens where you can stroll around and behind the castle lies the great Holyrood Park. Holyrood Park is a beautiful park that’s perfect for cozy picnics or lovely walks. The park also has several small lakes and nature there is fantastic.

Inchcolm Abbey

A bit away from Edinburgh’s port you’ll find the beautiful island of Inchcolm Abbey. Inchcolm Abbey offers beautiful nature, two beaches, cool ruins and a lot of exciting history. The island also has a small souvenir shop, toilets, a tourist center and if you are lucky you may see gray seals and puffins. One tip is to bring some snacks since they don’t sell anything to eat on the island.

Inchcolm Abbey

Day trips from Edinburgh

  • Pitlochry
  • Loch Lomond
  • Loch Ness
  • Rosslyn Chapel
  • Stirling Castle
  • Aberfeldy

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