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Edinburgh: The Best Things to Do 2023

Edinburgh: The Best Things to Do

Find places to visit and things to do in Edinburgh with these visitor guides.

  • The Grassmarket, Edinburgh: Things to Do

    The Grassmarket, Edinburgh: Things to Do

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    Edinburgh’s Grassmarket is a bustling square in the heart of the city’s Old Town. This historic site is surrounded by classic tenement buildings that line the roads along the iconic West Bow and Victoria Street but it’s best known for the lively pubs and restaurants that offer superb outside seating areas. The Grassmarket is one of the oldest parts of Edinburgh and it was originally used as a marketplace for horses and cattle.

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  • The History of Murders & Executions in Edinburgh

    The History of Murders & Executions in Edinburgh

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    Discover the dark and macabre history of Scotland’s most atmospheric city in this article which delves into some of the infamous murders and executions in Edinburgh that have passed into folklore, from Maggie Dickson to Burke and Hare.

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  • The Real Mary King’s Close: Things to Do

    The Real Mary King’s Close: Things to Do

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    The Real Mary King’s Close is a tourist attraction located in the middle of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. The attraction allows visitors to step beneath the streets of Edinburgh into an underground labyrinth where the stories of the city’s past residents unfold through a series of exhibits and displays.

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  • The Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh: Things to Do

    The Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh: Things to Do

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    The Royal Highland Show is Scotland’s largest farming and countryside event. The show was founded in 1822 and is held annually at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. What started as a simple gathering for farmers to trade cattle has now become one of the country’s top events, attracting up to 200,000 visitors each year. The RHS has something for everyone, whether it’s viewing the impressive collections of farm machinery, watching exciting equestrian and forestry competitions, or sampling the very best foods from across the farms of Scotland.

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  • The Royal Mile: Things to Do

    The Royal Mile: Things to Do

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    The historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh connects the Palace of Holyrood at the bottom to Edinburgh Castle at the top, on a road that is one mile in length (hence the name). The road runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and is one of the top tourist destinations in the city thanks to the number of tourist attractions, restaurants, pubs and events that can be found along its entire length.

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  • The Scott Monument: Things to Do

    The Scott Monument: Things to Do

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    The 200-foot-tall Scott Monument is the world’s largest monument to a writer. The Gothic tower was constructed in commemoration of the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott and it’s one of the most prominent features in Edinburgh’s city centre. During a visit, tourists can climb the winding staircase inside the tower which opens up onto platforms that offer unrivalled views across the city. Discover everything you need to know about the Scott Monument in this complete visitor guide.

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  • The Scottish National Gallery: Things to Do

    The Scottish National Gallery: Things to Do

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    The Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh is home to some of the world’s greatest artworks, as well as an extensive collection of Scottish masterpieces. The gallery is adjacent to the Royal Scottish Academy between East and West Princes Street Gardens where visitors can relax in a purpose-built restaurant and café with terrace seating. See all the highlights of this remarkable art gallery in this complete visitor guide.

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  • The Scottish National Portrait Gallery: Things to Do

    The Scottish National Portrait Gallery: Things to Do

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    The Scottish National Portrait Gallery offers a captivating window into the lives and legacies of illustrious Scots as well as the important events that shaped Scotland into the country it is today. This article delves into the world of portraiture to show you exactly what it’s like to visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, and will hopefully inspire you to visit this historic attraction during your next visit to Scotland’s capital city.

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  • The Scottish Parliament Building: Things to Do

    The Scottish Parliament Building: Things to Do

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    The Scottish Parliament Building is situated opposite Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. It is the seat of the Scottish Government and is open daily for guided tours. The building is a triumph of design but it has drawn a great deal of criticism over its cost which was more than ten times over the original budget. Learn this story of this fascinating building and find out how you can visit it in this complete guide.

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  • The Top 9 Religious Sites in Edinburgh

    The Top 9 Religious Sites in Edinburgh

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    Edinburgh, the enchanting capital of Scotland, is a city steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking architecture. In this article, you’ll discover the city’s most fascinating religious landmarks from the imposing St. Giles’ Cathedral, also known as the ‘High Kirk’, to the peaceful St. Mary’s Cathedral (the city’s biggest religious structure) and Greyfriars Kirk – a 17th-century church with ties to Harry Potter.

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  • The Top Outlander Filming Locations in Edinburgh

    The Top Outlander Filming Locations in Edinburgh

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    The first season of the hit TV show Outlander was filmed in Scotland, and many of those early episodes were filmed near Edinburgh at places like Doune Castle near Stirling, East Linton Mills in East Lothian, and the village of Culross in Fife. Discover all of the Outlander filming locations in and around Edinburgh in this complete guide.

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  • Things to Do in Edinburgh for Adults: Ultimate Guide

    Things to Do in Edinburgh for Adults: Ultimate Guide

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    As Scotland’s most-visited city, Edinburgh is understandably chock-full of attractions, though many activities tend to be geared towards families with children. That being said, there are lots of tourist attractions that are equally interesting for adults whether they’re lone travellers or retired couples. In this article, you’ll discover a collection of highly-rated things to do in Edinburgh for adults that will offer all visitors a great experience.

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  • Union Canal, Edinburgh: Things to Do

    Union Canal, Edinburgh: Things to Do

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    The Union Canal in Edinburgh opened in 1822 and was originally built to transport coal from Falkirk to the capital city, but it is now mainly used by leisure craft. The footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the Union Canal joins the Water of Leith. It is part of the Sustrans route 75 which ends in Gourock, 30 miles west of Glasgow.

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  • Visiting Edinburgh: Tips & Advice for Tourists

    Visiting Edinburgh: Tips & Advice for Tourists

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    Edinburgh is one of the world’s best-loved cities due to its historic attractions, interesting people, stunning scenery and the top festivals in Europe. This article aims to help you find your feet with essential Edinburgh tips & advice from a local – including how to get to the city, how to travel around it, what to expect from the weather and much more.

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  • Visiting Edinburgh: Tips & Advice for Tourists

    Visiting Edinburgh: Tips & Advice for Tourists

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    Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, is frequently voted as one of the best places to visit in the world. Readers of a range of media outlets like Condé Nast have included it in their ‘must-see’ travel guides and The Telegraph newspaper has voted Edinburgh the best city in the UK. This little city has over 1,000 years of fascinating history waiting to be discovered around every corner and it’s one of the top cultural centres in Europe. But even so, is it worth visiting? Find the answer in this complete guide.

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  • Water of Leith Visitor Centre: Things to Do

    Water of Leith Visitor Centre: Things to Do

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    The walkway from the visitor centre on Lanark Road follows the Water of Leith to the disused train station at Colinton. Along the way, visitors will pass Hailes Halt and Colinton Parish Church among many other historic landmarks. Discover this beautiful part of the Water of Leith in this comprehensive guide which includes an overview and visiting advice.

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  • Water of Leith, Edinburgh: Things to Do

    Water of Leith, Edinburgh: Things to Do

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    The 22-mile-long Water of Leith runs from the Pentland Hills through Edinburgh before reaching the North Sea at Leith. A walkway follows the river for a large part of its journey through the city and visitors can join it at a number of points including the Water of Leith visitor centre and Stockbridge. Discover this serene wildlife haven with this guide which features an overview and lots of visiting tips.

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  • Why Is Edinburgh So Popular With Tourists?

    Why Is Edinburgh So Popular With Tourists?

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    The Scottish capital has been voted the public’s favourite city in several polls in the last couple of years, with readers of a wide range of media outlets putting it at the top of their lists. Discover the answer to the question ‘Why is Edinburgh so popular with tourists?’ with this article which covers the city’s history and explores some of its top attractions.

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Even more things to do in Scotland! Find the best attractions in and around Scotland’s cities with Google Maps of Scotland