Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city that effortlessly combines ancient history with a vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Nestled on the southeast coast of Scotland, it’s a city of remarkable contrasts and stunning beauty.
The city borders the shores of the Firth of Forth to the north and the Pentland Hills to the south in a landscape that’s peppered with rugged hills and crags that are dominated by Castle Rock, a hill in the middle of the city that is the location of the world-famous Edinburgh Castle. Nearby is Arthur’s Seat, an 823-foot volcanic plug that is the focal point of Holyrood Park, and just a few minutes walk in the opposite direction is Calton Hill, home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Edinburgh boasts a long history dating back to the earliest people who settled in Scotland. It was once home to the powerful Votadini tribe before it became an outpost of Northumbria, transitioning over the years to become the powerbase of Scottish royalty and eventually the capital city of Scotland. Today, it’s best known as a tourist destination, but it’s also a centre of excellence for learning, particularly in the field of medicine, in addition to being a hub for many of the UK’s largest financial institutions.
The Old Town and New Town, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are a testament to the city’s architectural splendour, with the Old Town’s sprawling collection of medieval closes contrasting starkly with the neoclassical grace of the New Town’s wide, orderly streets.
As for tourist attractions, Edinburgh is a treasure trove. The most iconic is undoubtedly Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock and dominating the city skyline. The Royal Mile stretches away from the castle towards Holyrood Park and is lined with museums, a cathedral, and dozens of historic buildings like John Knox House and Canongate Kirk.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse (the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland) lies at the bottom of the Royal Mile and is a must-visit for history buffs, while those interested in literature and the arts can take their pick from the Scottish National Gallery, the Museum of Edinburgh, and the Writers’ Museum, all of which are just a short walk from the castle.
The city is also home to a number of festivals that are staged throughout the year including the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Book Festival, the Royal Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Festival, amongst many others
Nature and wildlife lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy the beautiful Water of Leith, cycle along miles of footpaths next to the Union Canal, have fun at the superb Edinburgh Zoo, or visit the stunning Royal Botanic Garden.
Subcategories
The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh With Young Children
Edinburgh is a great city to visit with kids since it has so many fun things for them to do, from touring ancient castles to having fun at hands-on museums. In this article, you’ll discover some of the top things to do in Edinburgh with kids including major attractions as well as a few that…
The Flodden Wall, Edinburgh
As you walk around the city of Edinburgh you may notice sections of an immense fortified wall in seemingly random locations. The Flodden Wall is the protective boundary wall that once played a pivotal role in the city of Edinburgh’s history. Although many parts of the wall have been demolished there are a few sections…
The Grassmarket, Edinburgh
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…
The Long History of Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a fascinating history dating back over a thousand years. In this article, you’ll discover the story behind how the city was founded and why it eventually became one of the world’s most-visited tourist destinations.
The Murderous History of Edinburgh
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.
The Real Mary King’s Close
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.
The Royal Highland Show
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…
The Royal Mile
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 Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of HM Queen Elizabeth II which is located in the Ocean Terminal shopping centre at Leith in Edinburgh. The yacht is one of Scotland’s premier tourist attractions and visitors can explore it on a self-guided tour that takes them through the main dining hall, the royal…
The Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh
The Scotch Whisky Experience is located a short distance from Edinburgh Castle esplanade on The Royal Mile. The attraction takes visitors on a tour of Scotland’s whisky industry with an interactive whisky barrel ride, a guided tour of the world’s largest whisky collection, and bespoke whisky tastings. Discover The Scotch Whisky Experience with this guide…
The Scott Monument
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…
The Water of Leith
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…
Tips & Advice for Visiting Edinburgh – From a Local
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…
Tips & Advice for Visiting Edinburgh – From a Local
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…
Top Facts About Edinburgh You Never Knew
As one of the most-visited cities in Europe, Edinburgh is renowned for its atmospheric medieval streets, its beautiful historic buildings and its exciting festivals. In this article, you’ll discover a collection of fascinating facts about Edinburgh’s 1,000 years of history and the events that transformed it from ‘Auld Reekie’ into ‘The Athens of The North’.
Union Canal, Edinburgh
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…
Where Are the Best Beaches Near Edinburgh?
In this article, we’ll set out to discover the hidden gems of Scotland’s southeast coastline, specifically around the nation’s capital city of Edinburgh. Nestled along the shoreline you’ll find an array of stunning beaches just waiting to be explored – some of which see very few tourists even in the height of summer. In this…
Where Are the Best Museums in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a treasure trove of art and culture. With a history that spans more than 1,000 years, it’s no surprise the city is home to a wide variety of museums that cover everything from ancient history to medical science. In this article, we’ll go on a journey through the best museums in Edinburgh where…
Where Are the Must-Visit Religious Sites in Edinburgh?
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…
Where Can I Visit Outlander Filming Locations Near Edinburgh?
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…
Search for Things to Do in Scotland
Looking for something specific? Try a search.
Find things to do in Scotland by clicking each region on this map.
