Edinburgh

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

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

Scotland’s capital is filled with attractive landmarks, parks and gardens, and hosts cultural festivals that draw millions of visitors each year.

Nestled beside long extinct volcanoes and built on seven hills, Edinburgh offers spectacular scenery in a rugged setting. The city itself is visually impressive with the medieval buildings of the Old Town and the wide Georgian roads and spacious homes of the New Town. Edinburgh was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995.

The city’s crowning glory and the reason for its existence is Edinburgh Castle. For hundreds of years, this fortress perched on an ancient volcano defended the city from attack.

Start your exploration of Scotland’s capital city at The Royal Mile. This series of cobblestone streets links the castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, an official royal residence. Along the route you’ll come across some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St. Giles’ Cathedral and Parliament House.

Just a short walk away is Princes Street Gardens, which runs the length of Princes Street, the city’s main shopping area. While you are enjoying this pretty green space, visit some of its memorials and monuments including the Scott Monument. This Gothic structure was built to honor the novelist Sir Walter Scott. Its viewing galleries offer good views of the city.

Enjoy even more beautiful views from the hills that rise over the city. Hike to the summits of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, and Calton Hill, which is home to a number of impressive monuments.

Veer off the beaten track and explore some of Edinburgh’s lesser-known sites. Dean Village is surrounded by countryside and is just five minutes from the city center. The port district has a wealth of bars, cafes and restaurants and is also the final resting place of the Royal Yacht Britannia. This magnificent vessel sailed the British royal family around the world for more than 40 years.

Two of the most popular months to visit Edinburgh are December and August. Overlapping arts festivals running through August include the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. December is packed with Yuletide attractions and markets, and is rounded off with one of the world’s most famous street parties: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Old Town which includes street scenes and heritage elements

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,280 area reviews)

Old Town Edinburgh is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile.

Old Town Edinburgh
Calton Hill which includes skyline, general coastal views and a city

Edinburgh City Centre

While you're in Edinburgh City Centre, take in top sights like Edinburgh Castle or Royal Mile, and hop on the metro to see more 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(898 area reviews)

Travelers 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 boating and interior views

Leith

3/5(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
Default Image

Haymarket

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Take time in Haymarket to visit attractions like FountainPark and Princes Street. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Haymarket Tram Station to see more of the city.

Haymarket
National Library of Scotland which includes 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 NT$3,294 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$3,294
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our 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 2024/3/26

YOTEL Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NT$4,006 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
NT$4,006
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,018 reviews)
"Nice room with a view of the castle. Location was great and made the city very walkable. Enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

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 NT$3,762 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
NT$3,762
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
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 our 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 2024/3/27

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

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

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 center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,573 reviews)
"My original room was suffering from a dish washer issue which made it impossible to stay in. Staff was kind enough to upgrade our room and provide free breakfast. Room was clean and organised, hotel location is good, right next to the old Edinburgh town."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
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 2024/3/26

Eden Locke
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

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1637
" "5 - Excellent 80.9995051954478%
4 - Good
349
" "4 - Good 17.26867887184562%
3 - Okay
32
" "3 - Okay 1.5833745670460169%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 0.09896091044037605%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.04948045522018803%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 7, 2022

Edinburgh is both charming and cosmopolitan, with a lot of history and modern amenities. The food scene is exploding and quite remarkable. We can see spending a week with some day trips to nearby sights.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 25, 2020

Edinburgh is one of our favorite places in the world. We love the people, the atmosphere of the city, and the culture.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 22, 2020

Wow such a beautiful place. Would love to go again. The entire place feels like a movie. Did not see anything run down. The Royal Mile, zoo castle and more. Would recommend 100%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

The Mary King Close was worth a visit, the tour takes you down three levels of the streets and accommodation of old Edinburgh now underneath the Exchange Square.

5/5 - Excellent

Alex
Mar 18, 2020

Loved all the castles and walk to shops

5/5 - Excellent

Lou
Mar 14, 2020

Edinburgh is beautiful!

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