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.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

May, June and early September are the most balanced time. Days are 14-19 °C, and in June the sun sets towards 22:00, leaving a long day for sightseeing. Rain can come in any season, so keep a waterproof jacket with you.

Is Edinburgh expensive to visit?

Unless you land in August, Edinburgh is a step cheaper than London. In festival month, though, room prices can double or triple. In an ordinary month in 2026, someone staying in a hostel and eating pub food spends £70-110 a day. A mid-range hotel and restaurants take £150-250, and a hotel with a castle view pushes the bill to £350 and up.

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.

Do you tip in Edinburgh?

Restaurants often add 10–12.5% service. No tip is expected at a pub bar.

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Edinburgh 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.

From the Edinburgh guide

A short history of Edinburgh: The castle sits on the rock of an extinct volcano, the Old Town runs along the ridge below and the orderly New Town was built in the 18th century.
Edinburgh neighbourhoods: Walk the river from Dean Village, see student life in Marchmont and Newington, and head to Portobello for the beach and sea air.
When to visit Edinburgh: May, June and early September are the most balanced, while August's festivals fill hotels and multiply prices.
Food culture in Edinburgh: Try black pudding and tattie scones at breakfast and haggis with neeps and tatties at dinner.
Edinburgh trip budget: Outside August Edinburgh is a step cheaper than London, but festival month can double or triple room prices.

Read the full Edinburgh travel guide →

Top things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle: On an extinct volcano, the castle displays the Scottish crown jewels. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Holyrood Palace: At the foot of the Royal Mile, the monarch's official residence in Scotland, where Mary Queen of Scots' rooms can be visited. (visit ≈ 90 min)
Scottish National Gallery: On the edge of Princes Street Gardens, the gallery shows Scottish and European painting, with free entry. (visit ≈ 120 min)
National Museum of Scotland: A museum of Scottish history and nature that includes Dolly the cloned sheep, with free entry. (visit ≈ 120 min)
St Giles' Cathedral: On the Royal Mile, the church has a crown-shaped spire and the carved ceiling of the Thistle Chapel. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Holyrood Abbey: Next to Holyrood Palace, the roofless ruins of the 12th-century abbey are seen with the palace ticket. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Founded in 1670, the botanic garden has lawns with a view of the city skyline, and entry is free. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Edinburgh Zoo: The zoo on Corstorphine Hill is known for its penguins and was home to Britain's giant pandas until 2023. (visit ≈ 150 min)
Scottish National Portrait Gallery: In a red sandstone neo-Gothic building, portraits of figures from Scottish history, with free entry. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Scott Monument: The Gothic monument to writer Walter Scott on Princes Street, climbed by narrow stairs. (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

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.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?: May, June and early September are the most balanced time. Days are 14-19 °C, and in June the sun sets towards 22:00, leaving a long day for sightseeing. Rain can come in any season, so keep a waterproof jacket with you.
Is Edinburgh expensive to visit?: Unless you land in August, Edinburgh is a step cheaper than London. In festival month, though, room prices can double or triple. In an ordinary month in 2026, someone staying in a hostel and eating pub food spends £70-110 a day. A mid-range hotel and restaurants take £150-250, and a hotel with a castle view pushes the bill to £350 and up.
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.

Routes that include Edinburgh

Scotland: Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow (7 days)

Nearby cities

Glasgow · Inverness · Belfast · Derry (Londonderry) · Manchester · Armagh · Liverpool · Dublin

United Kingdom travel guide: all cities · All cities