Falkirk Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Callendar House which includes heritage elements and château or palace
Callendar House showing a statue or sculpture and interior views
Callendar House which includes a garden
Callendar House featuring a castle and heritage elements
Falkirk

Bring the family to the world’s first rotating boat lift, walk on water and learn the rich history of a 14th-century château.

Falkirk is a small town with an ideal location beside GlasgowOpens in a new window, EdinburghOpens in a new window and the Firth of Forth. Stroll beside the canals of this old-world village and spot châteaus dotted around the picturesque countryside.

Among the town’s highlights is the Falkirk WheelOpens in a new window. Bring the kids to this fascinating site to watch the futuristic boat lift in action.

The children’s zone includes exciting activities such as walking on water inside an inflatable ball. Tour the area in style on a Segway. Rent canoes and electric boats from the visitor centre, which has information about the rotating lift. Take the kids to the playground.

Head west along a nature trail to reach nearby Rough Castle. Explore the ruins of this Roman fort dating back to A.D. 143. It is the best preserved of the 19 forts along the Antonine Wall.

Just 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) north are Bonnybridge Golf Course and Falkirk Golf Club, which have spectacular views of green hills and woods.

Make your way east to the vast Callendar Park to appreciate the wildlife and diverse vegetation. Marvel at the architecture of Callendar HouseOpens in a new window, blending French Renaissance and Georgian styles.

Learn the history of this intriguing town. With its strategic transportation position on the canals, Falkirk became an important industrial town during the 18th and 19th centuries. It specialized in the iron and steel trade.

Winters are fairly mild considering the northern latitude. Enjoy the pleasant summer temperatures with a picnic in this quaint village.

The town is between Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland’s Central Lowlands. Ride a 30-minute train east from the former and west from the nation’s capital to reach it. Other nearby attractions include the towns of StirlingOpens in a new window and DunblaneOpens in a new window and the villages alongside the picturesque Firth of Forth.

Falkirk retains the treasures of several eras, from ancient Roman ruins and medieval castles to a modern rotating boat lift.

Where to stay in Falkirk

Polmont

Spas and restaurants are notable features of Polmont. You might consider stopping by Macdonald Inchyra Hotel Spa while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Polmont
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Airth

Get to know Airth by checking out its spas, restaurants and historical sites. Consider a visit to nearby sights like The Dunmore Pineapple or Fife Coastal Path during your time in the area.

Airth
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Slamannan

Notable for its restaurants, spas and golf courses, Slamannan is a sought-after destination for many travellers visiting Falkirk. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Falkirk Wheel or Callendar House.

Slamannan
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Carron

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Carron and surrounding area, you can visit The Kelpies and Helix Park.

Carron
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is £225 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£225
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,735 reviews)
Great location
"Good location - nice bar and good amenities. We didn’t use them but we looked at the pool and gym - both were great. Nice Bar and excellent breakfast. Kind of pricey for breakfast but worth it if you like to start the day with a meal."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is £208 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£208
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,957 reviews)
"Comfortable stay and a good view from the castle facing room. The room had no AC cooling as it is rare for the city temperature to go up like it did this June. The hotel does provide a table fan and it does cool off after 8 pm Overall a good stay with a good variety in breakfast"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is £156 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£156
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,274 reviews)
"The room that was given seemed like a hospital room. The accommodation seemed more for a person with disabilities not what I expected."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

YOTEL Edinburgh
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.
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
3 out of 5
45 Dalderse Ave, Falkirk, Scotland
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Falkirk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi. Popular attractions Falkirk Wheel and Monster Mania are located nearby.
Central Falkirk 3 Bedroom Apartment
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,124 reviews)
"A v good hotel in great location. Rooms are getting tired. Gt service from staff"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Cheval Old Town Chambers
Cheval Old Town Chambers
5 out of 5
Royal Mile, 329 High Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,098 reviews)
"Perfect location"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Cheval Old Town Chambers
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

Things to do

Reviews of Falkirk

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
6
5 - Excellent 18%
4 - Good
20
4 - Good 59%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 24%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are fabulous.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Seemed a pleasant town.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Falkirk has the jellies and the wheel so interesting Access to Edinburgh

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Only passed through on our LEJOG cycle so not much to comment on.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Met many helpful and pleasant people Town unfortunately quite run down spent time in Stirling

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We have been before and loved the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel. Didnt go on this visit. We went ti Callendar House and Blackness Castle.

Cities near Falkirk