All citiesEdinburgh Things to do and walking itinerary
United Kingdom Edinburgh travel guide
30 things to do in Edinburgh, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle — castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holyrood Palace — official residence of the British monarch in Scotland (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Scottish National Gallery — part of National Galleries Scotland in Edinburgh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Museum of Scotland — combined museum in Edinburgh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St Giles' Cathedral — Church of Scotland cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Holyrood Abbey — monastery ruins in Holyrood, City of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh — Botanical garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Edinburgh Zoo — zoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery — art museum in Edinburgh, Scotland (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Scott Monument — Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Edinburgh Central Mosque — mosque in United Kingdom (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Craigmillar Castle — castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art — part of National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St Mary's Cathedral — cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Princes Street Gardens — park in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 45 min)
- National Monument of Scotland — monument in City of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Grassmarket — market square in Edinburgh (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Holyrood Park — park in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Greyfriars Kirk — church in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lauriston Castle — 16th-century tower house in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Modern Two — Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bruntsfield Links — parkland in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Edinburgh Festival Theatre — theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 20 min)
- The Meadows — park in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 45 min)
- The Hub — assembly hall in Edinburgh, UK (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Nor Loch — reservoir in City of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, drained in 1820 (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Writers' Museum — Museum in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Edinburgh Playhouse — theatre and music venue in Edinburgh, Scotland, a former cinema (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Royal Lyceum Theatre — theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 20 min)
- St Andrew Square — city square in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Edinburgh walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town / Royal Mile. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.8 km · 6,510 steps · 1 h 4 min on the way): St Giles' Cathedral → National Museum of Scotland → Holyrood Palace → Holyrood Abbey → Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- Day 2 (≈ 6.1 km · 8,200 steps · 1 h 22 min on the way): Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh → Edinburgh Castle → Scottish National Gallery
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Edinburgh
- Royal Mile — Old Town's main street running from the castle to Holyrood, lined with narrow closes and historic buildings. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Victoria Street — Photogenic curving street of colourful shopfronts sloping down to the Grassmarket. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- The Real Mary King's Close — 17th-century streets buried beneath the Royal Mile; guided tours only. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Circus Lane — Postcard-pretty curving cobbled lane in Stockbridge with ivy-covered mews and a church behind. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Stockbridge Market — Sunday market of local produce and street food near the Water of Leith. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- The Georgian House — Charlotte Square townhouse furnished to show late-18th-century New Town life. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Royal Yacht Britannia — Moored at Leith, the royal family's yacht for over 40 years, with cabins left as they were. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Where to stay in Edinburgh
- Old Town / Royal Mile: The castle, narrow closes and historic pubs are right there.
- New Town: An orderly Georgian district with squares, shops and restaurants.
- Leith: The old port, with seafood restaurants and waterside bars.
- Stockbridge: A calm, village-like area with boutiques and cafés.
- Haymarket / West End: Airport tram and trains; a short walk to the centre.
Getting from the airport to Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Airlink 100 bus ≈ 30 min (the tram also runs)
Getting around
The centre is walkable but hilly; Lothian buses and the tram take contactless cards.
Classic places to eat
- The Witchery by the Castle: Scottish food in candle-lit Gothic rooms by the castle.
- The Sheep Heid Inn: At the foot of Arthur’s Seat, one of Scotland’s oldest pubs.
- Café Royal: A Victorian pub and oyster bar with ornate tiled murals.
- The Oxford Bar: A small, plain local pub made famous by the Rebus novels.
- Bennets Bar: A classic pub with a Victorian interior of mirrors and stained glass.
- Valvona & Crolla: An Italian deli since 1934, with a small café at the back.
- Clarinda's Tea Room: An old-fashioned tea room with homemade cakes at the foot of the Royal Mile.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- The Kitchin — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Scottish
- Condita — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
- Heron — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern Scottish
- Timberyard — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
Romantic views
- Calton Hill (Sunset): The old town, castle and sea framed by monuments.
- Arthur's Seat (Sunrise): The whole city below you from an extinct volcano.
- Dean Village (Morning): A fairy-tale former mill village on the Water of Leith.
- Princes Street Gardens (Afternoon): A flowery park right below the castle.
Football stadiums in Edinburgh
- Tynecastle Park: Home of Heart of Midlothian F.C.
- Easter Road: Home of Hibernian F.C.
Good to know before visiting Edinburgh
- Fine: Carrying pepper spray or certain knives (locking or over 3 inches) is illegal.
- Fine: Smoking is banned in pubs, restaurants and enclosed workplaces.
- Warning: Traffic drives on the left — look right first when crossing.
- Warning: Drones over 250 g or with a camera need CAA registration; much of London is restricted.
- In London tap in and out with the same contactless card or Oyster every time.
- Stand on the right on escalators; people walk on the left.
Extra rules for Scotland / Edinburgh
- Fine: Scotland's drink-driving limit is lower than England's.
- Since 24 July 2026 Edinburgh adds a 5% visitor levy to accommodation (first 5 nights).
- Scottish banknotes are legal, though shops in England sometimes refuse them.
- Shops can sell alcohol only between 10:00 and 22:00.
- Emergency: 999
- Plugs: G, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
- Tipping: Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service; no tip is expected at a pub bar.
Sources: GOV.UK — Visit the UK, City of Edinburgh Council — Visitor levy, Wikivoyage — United Kingdom, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Edinburgh travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Edinburgh?
- Highlights: Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Scottish National Gallery, National Museum of Scotland and St Giles' Cathedral. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Edinburgh?
- Old Town / Royal Mile: The castle, narrow closes and historic pubs are right there. Other options: New Town, Leith, Stockbridge and Haymarket / West End.
- How do you get from the airport to Edinburgh city centre?
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Airlink 100 bus ≈ 30 min (the tram also runs)
- How do you get around Edinburgh?
- The centre is walkable but hilly; Lothian buses and the tram take contactless cards.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Edinburgh?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: The Kitchin (1 star), Condita (1 star), Heron (1 star), Timberyard (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Edinburgh?
- Emergency: 999.
- Do you tip in Edinburgh?
- Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service; no tip is expected at a pub bar.
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