Hi, it’s your travel bestie, Kayla! Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and my favorite city I’ve visited. In this post, we’re sharing the top 20 things to do in Edinburgh. These are all things I’ve personally enjoyed doing over my 4 visits to this stunning capital city and that Amanda also got to experience in our visit together in 2024.
On my first adventure to Scotland, I arrived at Waverley Station in Edinburgh and took the elevator to the street level. The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out to beautiful weather, bagpipes playing in the distance, and an absolutely gorgeous view of Old Town.
It was literally breathtaking and the perfect welcome to the city I quickly fell in love with (and I may or may not get teary-eyed every time I think about how perfect that moment was).
Everything about Edinburgh appeals to me; I love the city’s rich history, the literature, the architecture, the food, and the people. When I’m there, I feel like I am thriving. When I’m back home, my heart aches to return. I cannot recommend visiting Edinburgh enough.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission from your purchase which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits!
We have numerous posts on Edinburgh and other areas of Scotland. You can check them all out HERE.
A (Very) Brief History Lesson
Before we share our favorite things to do in Edinburgh, you should learn a little bit about the city’s incredible history. Not only is it fascinating, it will help you understand why Edinburgh is divided up geographically the way that it is.
Edinburgh Castle sits atop a hill of volcanic rock left over from a long ago eruption of the dormant volcano known as Arthur’s Seat. The lava flowed down from the hill, creating a path now known as The Royal Mile. Because it gives the perfect vantage point to the surrounding areas, Castle Rock was the ideal place for a Medieval fortress to be built.
The Flodden Wall was built in 1513 to protect residents from English invasion. It forced the growing number of citizens to spread upward rather than outward. Thus the towering buildings along the Royal Mile were built, some reaching 12 stories high.
Running off the Royal Mile between these tall dwellings, are numerous narrow passageways called “closes” that were once gated. The gates would be locked at night to prevent criminals from entering into the city walls while people slept.
By the end of the 17th century, the overpopulated city was incredibly filthy. Thousands died from plagues and illnesses that ravaged the crowded town. The close proximity of the buildings resulted in fires spreading quickly and destroying homes.
One could hardly walk down the street without treading through sewage being dumped out the windows of the surrounding buildings. The ongoing unsanitary conditions made many want to move elsewhere. Some of the wealthier residents did leave, but the poor did not have the means to escape the treacherous conditions.
To resolve the issue, a decision was made to expand the city, and New Town was born. By the mid 18th century, Edinburgh’s reputation was much improved. Intellectuals flocked to the capital city, leading to revolutionary advancements in all areas of study.
Today, Edinburgh is a beautiful, thriving city that attracts millions of people each year. It is widely known for hosting the Fringe Festival every August (the largest festival in the world) and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (a grand spectacle featuring lots of bagpipes, dance, and entertainment with the castle serving as a backdrop).
Our post on The Best Places to Stay in Edinburgh lists several options for you to stay that are steeped in history!
Things to Do
Below is our list of the top 20 things to do in Edinburgh. We’ve grouped them together based on their location to assist you in planning out your trip.
Upper Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle
Perched at the tippity top of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is a must see. There are numerous sites to experience on the castle grounds, including the Great Room, prison cells, St. Margaret’s Chapel, the Scottish National War Memorial, and the National War Museum.
A highlight is getting to see the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI. Be sure to look up at the ceiling to see her initials painted there. The Great Hall is another room where you’ll want to look up. High up on one of the walls is a secret grate where the king would eavesdrop on the people mingling below. Ask a staff member for help if you have trouble finding it!
You can easily spend half a day exploring the castle and its grounds. Purchase tickets in advance on the castle’s website to save money. Try to schedule your visit so you can see the firing of the one o’clock gun, which takes place every day, except Sundays.
When you leave the castle grounds, keep an eye out for the The Witches Well on the castle-side wall of the tartan mill (in memory of the hundreds of people burned at the stake there for witchcraft). On the opposite side of the street is Canonball House. If you look closely at the wall facing the castle, you can see a cannonball lodged about halfway up.
St. Giles Cathedral
St. Giles Cathedral is hard to miss with its massive Gothic facade. Entry into the cathedral is free, but donations are welcome. To take photos, there is a small £1 fee (which we recommend paying so you can take pictures of the beautiful stained glass windows that line the walls).
Although set in the middle of the busiest part of Old Town, the cathedral offers a welcoming quiet peace. Check the events calendar before your visit so you can attend one of the various performances the cathedral hosts each month.
The Real Mary King’s Close
When you visit Mary King’s Close, you are guided in small groups by a very knowledgeable tour guide through the underground 17th century residences that were once inhabited by Edinburgh’s poorest. In our opinion, this is the BEST way to learn about Edinburgh’s history.
The residents of Mary King’s Close were forced to live in extremely cramped quarters, which was the sad reality for the majority of people who lived on the Royal Mile. The Black Plague and other diseases spread rampantly throughout the close, killing many of the people (and livestock) that lived there.
On your tour, you’ll hear the tales of what life was like during Edinburgh’s darkest time. While the tales are mostly grim, it is the reality that many of Edinburgh’s residences faced. This is not a ghost tour, so don’t worry if you are someone who is easily spooked. It is surprisingly spacious in the close!
Writer’s Museum
The Writer’s Museum celebrates the lives of three of Scotland’s most influential writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Nestled in a picturesque courtyard called Makar’s Court, the museum contains rare artifacts and personal belongings pertaining to the famed writers. Some of our favorite items in the museum include a wardrobe made by Deacon Brodie (the inspiration for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), a rocking horse belonging to Sir Walter Scott that had been modified to accommodate Scott as a childhood disease left him lame for life, and Burns’ writing desk.
The only downside to this museum is that because it is situated in a historic building, there is no lift. This might make the museum inaccessible for some as the museum is spread out over three levels.
The Courtyard where the Writer’s Museum is located has benches for those needing to stop for a wee rest. Be sure to look down at the stones after you enter Lady Stairs Close to see quotes from various authors.
Literary Pub Tour
If you want to learn more about Edinburgh’s literary history, go on The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour! The tour is led by two actors who have an ongoing banter of perspectives making for a fun and entertaining evening.
The literary hot spots the tour stops by are near pubs where famed writers are said to have frequented. You will have a chance to go in each of the pubs and order a drink before hearing the history of each location.
Watch A Street Performance
We’re not talking about the floating Yoda or the man cracking a whip telling everyone that he is going to perform a miraculous feat. We’re talking about the musical groups you will catch in the evenings when crowds have thinned out some.
We loved the duo pictured above and was fortunate to see them perform a few times during a recent trip. Common places to catch talented buskers are by the David Hume statue on the Royal Mile, the open space by the Scottish National Gallery, and beside Tron Kirk.
Lower Royal Mile
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is situated at the very bottom of the Royal Mile and is across from Parliament. When the Royal Family visits Scotland’s capital city, this is where they stay and carry out official business. It is also a major tourist attraction that holds centuries of history!
The ticket price includes access to the 12th century abbey ruins adjoined to the palace where Mary, Queen of Scots married her second husband, Lord Darnley. You’ll also be able to see the small room adjoined to the bedchamber of Mary Queen of Scots which was the site of a gruesome crime. In 1566, Lord Darnley had become very jealous of his wife’s friendship with her courtier David Rizzio. He and his men burst into Mary’s bedchamber and brutally assassinated Rizzio.
Held at gunpoint and well into her pregnancy with King James VI, Mary watched helplessly as her friend was stabbed over 50 times and dragged down the stairs. While the floorboards have since been replaced, visitors claim to be able to still be able to see the bloodstain from the gruesome crime.
Today, the palace is a pretty peaceful place. Audioguides are included in your ticket price, which we recommend using to learn the full history of this landmark. Be sure to save time to explore the grounds as well, where Kayla had a photoshoot with her husband before their fairytale wedding at Dalhousie Castle.
Canongate Kirkyard
While we are on the topic of David Rizzio, you should know that you can visit his grave at Canongate Kirkyard. The kirk is situated not far from Holyrood Palace, at the lower end of the Royal Mile. Rizzio’s can be found beside one of the outer walls of the kirk.
Other people you might have heard of that are buried there include Adam Smith (economist and author of The Wealth of Nations), Agnes Maclehose (fondly referred to as “Clarinda” by Robert Burns), and Robert Fergusson (a Scottish poet whom Robert Burns greatly admired and subsequently paid for Fergusson’s memorial).
The cemetery has an unassuming appearance from the street, so it is usually not crowded. Check the Canongate Kirk website to read more about the people buried there and if you are interested in a free guided tour of the kirkyard.
Explore the Closes
There are dozens of closes branching off of the Royal Mile. Some provide excellent shortcuts to New Town. Others lead to beautiful quiet courtyards. You will see the marked archways labeling each close all along the Royal Mile on both the upper and lower ends.
Take the time to go down some of them to uncover a few of Edinburgh’s hidden gems. Some of my favorite closes are Riddell’s Close and Court (which has a fascinating history explained on plaques in the close), Advocate’s Close (a shortcut to New Town with spectacular views of Scott Monument), and Dunbar’s Close (which leads to a beautiful, discreet courtyard).
To find out more about the locations of closes and their intriguing history, check out this map.
Arthur’s Seat
Remember that dormant volcano we talked about? YOU CAN CLIMB IT. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle to experience some nature, you should visit Arthur’s Seat.
Jutting out from the rest of Edinburgh’s landscape, Arthur’s Seat is hard to miss. To see it up close and personal though, head toward Holyrood Palace. Arthur’s Seat is in Holyrood Park which is a 640 acre piece of land adjoined to the palace.
Within the park, you can also visit a 15th century medieval kirk, a small loch, and see where ancient forts once stood. You can easily spend a day hiking here. However, if you just want to climb Arthur’s Seat, it will only take a few hours round trip. There is a long or a short hike to reach the summit of Arthur’s Seat. Kayla took the long hike up and the short one back down (it’s one big loop). The views are AMAZING.
There is a large grassy area across from Arthur’s seat, next to the Scottish Parliament Building. It has stone seating built into the curvature of the land, making it a good spot to stop and have a picnic before or after your hike.
In 1836, 17 miniature coffins were found in a cave at Holyrood Park by a group of boys who were out exploring. It remains a mystery who placed them there or why. Many believe they could be connected to the Burke and Hare murders. You can see some of these coffins on display at the National Museum of Scotland.
Surgeon’s Hall Museum
Fair warning: This museum can be a little gruesome at times. However, Kayla loves medical history and LOVES the Surgeon’s Hall Museum.
While it is not technically on the Royal Mile, it’s on Nicholson Street, which branches off the Royal Mile.
At the museum, you can sit in a small digitized replica of a surgeon’s amphitheater from the 17th century. You will learn about the infamous body snatchers, Burke and Hare. You will see early anatomical drawings, specimen, and curiosities from the 1500s preserved in jars, a nautical themed chest tattoo surgically removed and preserved (complete with nips!), and much, much more.
While parts may make you feel a little squeamish, you will leave with a better understanding of Scotland’s enormous contribution to medicine and science. The museum is really well done.
Grassmarket-ish Area
Grassmarket
If you are in Edinburgh on a Saturday, there is a fab market that sets up in the large square that offers food, arts, crafts, and antiques. We’ve found some of our favorite Edinburgh souvenirs at the Grassmarket Market!
Grassmarket is worth visiting any day of the week though. It is populated with several pubs and interesting shops. If you walk to the very end of the Grassmarket area, there is a great photo op of the castle. A trip to Armchair Books is also worth the visit for book lovers, and Mary’s Milk Bar is the place to go for ice cream (if you don’t mind standing in a long queue!).
Don’t miss the round monument in the center of Grassmarket that marks where the official place of execution was for over a century.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Where are our fellow Harry Potter fans? #RavenclawPride
Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the places J.K. Rowling commonly strolled when she was writing the first Harry Potter book. Several of the names in the series were inspired by names written on the tombstones in the cemetery. Here you will find the graves of Thomas Riddell, William McGonagall, and Alastor Moody.
If you aren’t a Potterhead, the cemetery is still a really cool place to stroll through. The tombstones are very Gothic looking, some with dancing skeletons and others with epitaphs etched into the stones in a scrolled font. You can also see a portion of Flodden Wall there.
You’ll likely see people outside the entrance of the cemetery stopping to touch the nose of the dog statue outside the gate or possibly even leaving sticks right inside the gate at the dog’s graveside. Here is the story behind these traditions:
In the 1800s, there was a night watchman who patrolled the streets of Edinburgh every night with his faithful companion, a terrier named Bobby. The pair were inseparable. When the watchman died of tuberculosis, the dog could be seen day and night laying at his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
Bobby continued watching over his master’s grave for 14 years, and the townspeople took care of the dog during the time. When the dog died, a grave was placed at the entrance to the cemetery in the dog’s honor. To this day, people still leave sticks at the dog’s graveside. There is also a statue of the faithful dog at the entrance to the cemetery. People say if you rub his nose, it will bring you luck.
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is really well done and it’s FREE to get in. It is located across the road from Greyfriars Bobby. The museum is massive, covering everything from Scottish History to art and fashion to dinosaurs and the natural world.
This is a good option for families as the museum is very interactive (especially in the science and technology portion). Personal favorites from the collection include the miniature coffins that were found at Arthur’s Seat, Dolly the sheep (the first successful clone of a mammal), and the exhibit on the Scottish Witch Trials.
For rooftop views, go to the back of the Kingdom of Scots room on the first floor, and take the elevator to the 7th floor. You will step out onto a spacious terrace with panoramic views of Edinburgh and a beautiful shot of the castle.
The other elevators in the museum don’t go up that high though, so make sure you get on the right one. Ask one of the many museum faculty members for help if you have trouble finding it.
New Town
Dean Village & Circus Lane
Dean Village and Circus Lane are two of the best lesser known things to do in Edinburgh. Millions of people visit Edinburgh each year, but only a fraction make it to see this beautiful part of Scotland’s capital city.
We have an entire post about how you can visit Dean Village and then do a self-guided walk around the village, along the Water of Leith walkway, and on to Circus Lane. It is a wonderful little nature walk on paved paths that are easy to navigate.
Attend a Ceilidh
Pronounced “Kay-lee”, a ceilidh is a social gathering where traditional Scottish music and dancing occur. If you want to live like a local, you should definitely go to one.
There is one held at Summerhall every Tuesday evening, hosted by The Edinburgh Ceilidh Club. Tickets are usually around £7 per person. Kayla went expecting to mostly just watch, but ended up getting out on the dance floor and having a blast.
Scots are very friendly people in general, and there will definitely be people there eager to help you learn the steps to each dance. They usually do a practice round before each song to help you get the hang of things. Dress up or dress down. Don’t be afraid to ask a stranger to be your dance partner and show you the ropes!
See A Show
The best venues to see a show in Edinburgh are Edinburgh Playhouse and King’s Theatre. The Playhouse generally puts on larger scale Broadway style productions, while the King’s Theatre puts on smaller shows. Both are easy to walk to from the city centre.
One of our tips for planning an international trip is to check in advance to see what shows are playing in the area you’ll be traveling. Early in the planning process for one of Kayla’s trips to Edinburgh, she found out “Wicked” was showing at Edinburgh Playhouse. She scored 7th row seats at a great price!
Ghost Tour
It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that at any given moment you are likely standing on someone’s grave in Edinburgh.
The Plague and other illnesses wiped out thousands that were buried in mass graves. Hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake. Hundreds more were publicly executed by hanging. Body snatchers were rampant in the city and some turned to murder, so they could make profit off the bodies when they sold them to doctors at the medical college.
With so many people meeting violent ends in Edinburgh, there are bound to be a few ghosts lurking about, right? Take a ghost tour to see some of Edinburgh’s haunted sites, and hear the chilling tales of the unfortunate souls who died there. Try to book one that takes you to Edinburgh’s underground vaults if possible!
Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens
Scott Monument, pays homage to Walter Scott, one of Edinburgh’s prolific writers. The towering Gothic structure sits between Old and New Town and is the largest monument in the world dedicated to a writer. For a small fee, you can climb to the top of the monument via a narrow spiral staircase or you can admire it for free from below.
Scott not only wrote many poems and novels centered around Scottish culture, but also played an active role in the political climate of Edinburgh. The writer was a key influence in arranging for King George IV’s visit to Scotland. He brought tartans and kilts back into fashion by encouraging their display throughout the city during the king’s visit. He is also credited with penning the first historical novel.
His monument sits in front of Princes Street Gardens, a lovely place to take stroll on a sunny afternoon. It is also directly across from Waverley Station, named after Scott’s novel, Waverley, and said to be the only rail station in the world named after a fictitious work.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a beautiful green space tucked in the heart of the bustling city. It is the best place in the city to watch the sunset. The entrance is in New Town near Howie’s, one of our favorite restaurants in Edinburgh.
Make the short hike up the paved path (with handrails) and emerge in an open space with panoramic views stretching as far as the sea. Here you will also find an incomplete replica of the Athenian Acropolis, Nelson’s Monument (which is so visible from the sea, captains use it as a reference point when navigating their ships), and a restaurant called The Lookout.
There is a trail that circles Calton Hill which is on level ground and offers unobstructed views of Edinburgh’s skyline as well as a fantastic view of Arthur’s Seat.
Have you experienced any of our top 20 things to do in Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
I love Edinburgh but it’s been some time since I have visited. Definitely need to come back. I will need to try out a ghost tour too!
Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing a great guide.
Edinburgh has been on our bucket list for a while — you’ve made me want to move it up a few notches!
What a comprehensive guide to a beautiful city! I think I’ve only made it to about half of these places, pinned it for our next visit.
My home town! I love Edinburgh and although I moved away a little while ago, I return frequently as one of my daughters still lives there as well as lots of friends and colleagues. Great post and you cover a lot of ground! I’m heading up there again soon for the festival. Have you been at festival time?
I see a couple of pictures in here taken my yours truly! 😉 Lovely writing! This brings back memories of so many of my favorite places!
Lol yes! The ceilidh pictures make me laugh so hard! So many fun memories made on that trip.
Lovely! Edinburgh is high on my list of places to visit and your post will be super helpful when I start planning! I’m definitely in for the ghost tour, the national museum and Arthur’s seat! I love cities where you can just be relaxed and enjoy wandering around without feeling hurried up or fear of missing out on things. Thank you for sharing your list! #GLTlove
It is such a beautiful city to wander around and get lost in. All of the architecture and natural features are stunning to see in person. Stay tuned for more posts about Edinburgh! #GLTlove