Edinburgh Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Calton Hill showing a city, a sunset and skyline

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

The ‘Athens of the North’ is an excellent choice for a traveller seeking variety. Edinburgh is a bustling city, full of history, with countryside tranquillity on its doorstep.

Scotland’s cultured capital has it all. It is an ancient and modern city with an array of great festivals, museums, galleries, parks, gardens, pubs, restaurants and a very famous castle.

Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most famous and most-visited landmark. Sitting high on volcanic Castle Rock, it can be seen from the Old Town and New Town. It dates back to the 12th-century and is still in use today. Walk up to the esplanade via the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile for an appreciation of old Edinburgh. If tartan tourism appeals this is also the place to indulge.

While in the neighbourhood, make a booking at the enchanting Witchery by the Castle restaurant, set in a 16th-century underground building. It takes its name from the many women burned at the stake on Castlehill. These days, the steak tartare is better known.

Downhill from the Castle you’ll find the lively Grassmarket area. Walk down colourful Victoria Street to experience city’s unique structure. Here you’ll find independent shops, bars and restaurants. One thing you’ll notice about this city is the versatile range of drinking and dining options. There is something for all tastes in Edinburgh.

Winding away from the Old Town, via the city Mound, head towards Prince’s Street for a stunning view across to the New Town. Below the Mound sits the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy, which attracts some internationally esteemed exhibitions throughout the year.

From the Mound you can see the gothic Scott Monument, which pays tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Ascend the 200 feet (61 metres) tall tower for panoramic views of the city centre.

The Monument is a good reference point. It sits on Princes Street, along from the tourist office, Balmoral Hotel, Waverley Train Station and by Princes Street Gardens. The Gardens date back to the 18th-century and were created after the draining of former Nor Loch, located here. In summer, it is a great place to relax.

On the other side of Princes Street, sits the New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the mid-17th century. Here you’ll find Edinburgh’s elegant Georgian architecture, art galleries, independent shops, bars and cafes. If you take a closer look you might spot former homes of Edinburgh’s literary heroes, JM Barrie and Robert-Louis Stevenson, who once lived here.

Edinburgh has much to offer in and around the city, which extends to the bohemian Shore area, where the Royal Yacht Britannia rests. Take a bus tour before settling on your favourite area to relax and sample a whisky.

Don’t forget to check out the festival calendar before you visit. August is Edinburgh’s biggest festival season.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Old Town showing heritage elements and street scenes

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 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
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 Edinburgh Castle or Royal Mile 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
Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(1,225 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 Assembly Rooms and George Street.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring interior views and boating

Leith

5/5(1 area review)

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
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Haymarket

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Haymarket for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like FountainPark and Princes Street. 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 The Meadows are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £96 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
£96
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,873 reviews)
"Picked this place as it looked high tech, the reclinable bed was a nice touch, the rainfall shower is nice though did get random hot and cold flashes in there and despite the door being closed the water tended to leak out and form a puddle outside the shower door, just had to keep the floor towel ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

YOTEL Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is £119 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
£119
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"I thought it was in a great area and the view was amazing. Transportation was easy to get to and walking distance from everything was easy"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £112 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
£112
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,016 reviews)
"This was a perfect location! We could walk to everything and it was a short walk to trains and busses."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
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.
Eden Locke
Eden Locke
4 out of 5
127 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (942 reviews)
"It was perfectly located, the staff was very helpful and kind. I also liked the café on site."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Eden Locke
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 and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (484 reviews)
Beautiful castle view
"This is an amazing location! You’ll feel like you live in Edinburgh!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
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 and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,593 reviews)
Great location, quiet
"Clean, quiet, friendly staff close to everything. Slept like a baby!"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
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

Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2147
" "5 - Excellent 71.95040214477211%
4 - Good
762
" "4 - Good 25.536193029490615%
3 - Okay
66
" "3 - Okay 2.2117962466487935%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 0.13404825737265416%
1 - Terrible
5
" "1 - Terrible 0.1675603217158177%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Mar 2020

Great for shopping attractions and food.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Mar 2020

Love Edinburgh!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

would recommend the hop on hop off city tour buses great value,

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

Good place to stay at Edinburgh airpoft

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Mar 2020

Had dinner at no 11 Brasserie and it was lovely food.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Mar 2020

Too many begging people on pavements

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