20 Favorite Places to Visit in Edinburgh Scotland
Updated: Mar 27, 2021
I decided to give you my top 20 places to visit when I'm in Edinburgh. Initially, I was going to only do a top 10 list, but there are just too many gems to discover in this small city. This tiny-town packs a major punch for things to do. And if you are a Harry Potter or Outlander fan, there are some pretty cool sights to check out here, too.
You can spend as little as 1-2 days in Edinburgh or stay as long as you want. The city has a wide variety of places to visit to satisfy all interests, budgets and itineraries. From single travelers to large groups, there are many great experiences awaiting its visitors.
Getting Around
My suggested best ways to get around for tourists...
Pros: Relatively affordable, gets you close to almost every attraction in Edinburgh, delightful staff and guides, a few variety of experiences and packages to choose from, and many times will sell you tickets to attractions at a discounted price or without having to wait in long queues at the venues.
Cons: strict timetables with reduced hours (before night fall), rate is pay-per-24hrs which can get spendy for families or groups.
Walking
Pros: it's a small town and easy to get around. Almost every major highlight of Edinburgh is reachable by foot for most abilities and activity levels. I am a heavy set woman with bad knees and still found it relatively easy! Just be careful where you step and take it slow.
Cons: there are several steep/hilly areas especially in Old Town with narrow closes (alleys) and wonky cobbled streets or sidewalks. Makes it difficult or not accessible for some with mobility issues.
Uber or cabs:
Pros: convenient for spur-of-the-moment needs, gets you door-to-door
Cons: can get costly quickly, can be a delay if you're in an area where they are not coming by as frequent.
Public bus:
Pros: Very affordable, major form of transportation for locals and residents, generally very clean and friendly drivers
Cons: takes a bit of research and asking around to make sure you understand the neighborhoods, bus stops, time tables, etc.
Check out my other related posts:
Top 20 Quick List (* = do not miss):
*National Museum of Scotland
*Edinburgh Castle
*Palace of Holyrood, Holyrood Park & Arthur's Seat
*St. Gile's Cathedral
*Greyfriar's Kirk
*Victoria Street & Grassmarket
Royal Botanical Gardens
*Calton Hill
Surgeon's Hall
The People's Story & Edinburgh Museum
John Knox House
The Georgian House
*Princes Street Gardens & Sir Walter Scott Monument
Circus Lane (Stock Bridge)
Craigmillar Castle
Leith
Dean Village
The Writer's Museum
Gladstone's Land
Hanging Out in Charlotte Square
*National Museum of Scotland
Any country you go to where there is a national museum, make it a priority to visit it. Most of the time, the national museums are free of charge and offer a perfect introduction to the country's story covering various aspects from natural history and archaeology to cultural and social history and from ancient to modern times. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
*Edinburgh Castle
My favorite place to stay in Edinburgh is in the Grassmarket as it is not only the oldest part of town, but it also sits just under the castle. Waking up to the sights of this towering fortress against the hillside is powerful and beautiful. The castle is perched at the top of a Castle Rock with phenomenal views of the entire city. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
*Palace of Holyrood
This historic and stunning palace is one to visit and not miss. Plan for at least 1.5-2 hours to get good use of your dollar. Plus, there is just so much to see and learn from this site. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
*St Gile's Cathedral
At the center of the Royal Mile is St. Gile's Cathedral. The loud hustle and buzz of the tourists and street entertainers outside are instantly hushed once inside this grand cathedral. Founded in 1124, it has gone through many transformations over its 900 years of history. Today there is a tower you can climb up (for a fee), otherwise the main area of the church is open for free or a suggested donation. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
*Greyfriar's Kirk
One of my favorite routes to walk in Edinburgh is from Grassmarket cutting through Greyfriar's and then heading past the National Museum of Scotland, hooking over to the Royal Mile. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
*Victoria Street & Grassmarket
One of the most iconic and prettiest streets in Edinburgh is Victoria Street which joins Grassmarket to Cowgate and Lawnmarket. It is packed with attractions and activities to enjoy. Victoria Street has been used as a filming location for a variety of movies and shows, and is known to have inspired J.K. Rowling in the creation of Diagon Alley. For more information about my visit here, read my 6 Edinburgh Attraction Must-Do's post.
