Edinburgh combines the alluring charm of its old town with the modern luxuries of a big city. If you dream of cobblestone streets and enchanting buildings, you will not leave disappointed. For fans of Harry Potter, this may be the ultimate pilgrimage to make your fantasies of the series take life. Regardless of your love for Harry Potter, Edinburgh is a unique and magical place to visit. There are so many ways to spend your time. From the Edinburgh Castle to the Royal Botanic Gardens, here are all of the things to do in Edinburgh to help you plan your ideal visit.
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Where to Stay
I believe there are some advantages and disadvantages to staying in different areas of Edinburgh. The train station in Edinburgh is in a very central location. It is close to old town, but it does not leave you in the middle of old town hauling suitcases up an extreme flight of stairs or on cobblestone streets. I found staying close to the train station was ideal. That is why I chose The Balmoral for our stay. It is steps from the exit of the train station. Another great option is 100 Princes Street. You have proximity to old town, but you are also right on Princes Street allowing easy access to other landmarks and great restaurants. My recommendation is to plan your accommodation as close to the train station as possible to position you in the best area to travel about town.
Transportation
In a new city, I find walking between destinations allows you to explore more than if you were to take public transportation. I do make some exceptions to that rule. There are occasions were walking just does not make sense. I found Dean Village, Circus Lane, Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Lannan Bakery to be some of the destinations that seemed to be a little far to reach on foot. When you are on a limited time frame, taking public transportation allows you to see more and make life easier. Edinburgh bus tours is the best way to get around town. They have three bus options. Taking the blue line, or the Regal Tour, allows you to see many of the destinations that I listed above.
Things to Do In Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers visitors a plethora of things to see and do from museums and gardens to shopping and dining. The medieval old town Edinburgh is separated from the new town by the Princes Street Gardens. This is one reason why a stay near the train station leaves you well aligned to visit both areas of the city. Here is all of the information that I wish was at my fingertips prior to visiting Edinburgh. This is your comprehensive guide to Edinburgh.
- Edinburgh Castle. A visit to Ediburgh really cannot be complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. This is a must see in the city. Tickets to the castle can sell out during popular times, but if you purchase a bus tour there is a go around mentioned below in my tips and tricks. Otherwise, purchase a guided tour with entry ticket in advance of your visit. Plan to spend at least two hours at the castle. Dependent upon time of day, there are areas that develop a queue that may impact the time frame needed at this stop.
- St. Giles Cathedral. The St. Giles Cathedral is a Protestant church founded in 1124! Situated in the heart of old town Edinburgh, what visit overseas would be complete without gazing at a lovely cathedral.
- Surgeons’ Hall Museum. Being in the medical field, I found the Surgeons’ Hall Museum to be particularly interesting. I have to think, regardless of background, this is a curious place to visit. This is one of Scotland’s oldest museums, founded in 1832. They have a variety of things to explore including historical surgical and dental instruments, the history of surgery and the operating theatre, and a rather large pathology collection grouped by organ. There is a special area dedicated to women in surgery. This is a fascinating and educational stop. Of note, no photography is allowed inside.
- The Writer’s Museum. This museum is in a great location and celebrates three of Scotland’s famous authors. It is located in a 17th century townhouse and the free admission alone makes it worthy of a walk through.
- Victoria Street. Victoria Street is one that you may easily recognize from photos. This upward winding cobblestone lane houses a number of storefronts. More importantly, it looks rather lovely in a photograph and was very much an inspiration for the Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. There are some nice stores to explore, and I have some of my favorites listed below.
- Camera Obscura. If your time in Edinburgh is limited, this might be a stop you may not want to include in your itinerary. My plan was to visit Camera Obscura; however, I felt other sights pulled my interest more. Also, I did find that strollers must be parked at the door leaving parents with the decision to allow young children to walk versus carry them the entire visit.
- The Milkman. This rather popular coffee shop in Edinburgh left me quite confused as it actually has two locations … on the same street. The first day I went to a location by google maps and found later in the day a second “Milkman” making me question whether there was a second imposter. The Milkman has two locations. They are known for their coffee and you may find their pastries and baked goods are every bit as good as the coffee.
- Dean Village. The beauty of Dean Village is undeniable. That being said, I read countless places about visiting Dean Village not fully understanding what I was going to be visiting. Dean Village is quite picturesque positioned along the Water of Leith. It is a little illusive in that this is really just a place to admire. There are not shops, bathrooms, or restaurants.
- Circus Lane. Circus Lane is yet another beautiful street in Edinburgh. It is in proximity to Dean Village and known to be a high traffic area for photographers and those seeking Instagrammable material. I did not visit on my trip and regretted my decision due to the photos being so gorgeous. The best time of day to visit is likely early morning when the crowds are light.
- Mary’s Milk Bar. Thanks to the Netflix’s series Somebody Feed Phil, I was privy to Mary’s Milk Bar. Mary trained in Bologna, Italy to make gelato. She makes all of the gelato with a revolving list of flavors that can vary by the day. Make sure you pay attention to days and opening hours along with queues as this is a popular place.
- Calton Hill. Calton Hill is one of the quintessential Edinburgh sights that should absolutely be included in your trip. My recommendation is to reserve Calton HIll for evening closer to sunset. We went to dinner rather early one evening and visited Calton Hill as the end to the evening. It offers breathtaking views over the city if the weather is right.
- Lannan Bakery. Lannan Bakery is a bit of a walk from Princes Street and old town, yet it frequently sees long queues due to its popularity. With menu items such as a Croissant with malt and cultured butter and their Pain au Chocolat containing single origin 63% nicaragua chocolate, is there truly a need for any further questions about the validity of their product?
- Royal Botanic Gardens. Botanical Gardens will always tempt me as a place to visit in other cities. This is a stop along the blue line or Regal tour with Edinburgh Bus Tours. Entry is free, and these gardens cover quite the expanse. This is a lovely place but, if you are limited on time, this is not a must see while in Edinburgh.
- The Vennel. The Vennel is a gradual staircase located in Edinburgh’s Old Town allowing a different vantage to admire the castle. If you come from the Grassmarket, prepare for the 72 stairs taking you to the top in order to get your incredible photos.
- Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Whether you are a fan of whisky or not, Johnnie Walker may be worth including in your time as you explore Edinburgh. There are a number of experiences for tastings. Book your whisky experience here. If you prefer not to schedule a tasting, consider a drink or meal at their rooftop bar with views over Edinburgh castle.
- The Tron Kirk Market. This market at the corner of old town is worthy of your time for a local and authentic souvenir. I found a Scottish jewelry designer with unique pieces along with many other local artists. This is a great stop for gifts and that perfect momento from your trip. Also, for other shopping stops, look along Cockburn Street. One that I highly recommend checking out is The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Co. I love natural, handmade products. Their hand cream bars are luxurious.
- Ross Fountain. This cast iron fountain is part of the Princes Street Gardens and on a clear day allows for a striking photo with the castle looming in the background.
- Harry Potter Tours. For those fanatics of Harry Potter, explore Edinburgh with a guided Harry Potter walking tour. This tour explores Harry Potter while taking you on an Edinburgh city walking tour covering many of the major sights including the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. Here is a similar top rated option that includes a walking tour and castle entry.
- Take a day trip. If you want to extend your time in Edinburgh exploring outside the city, consider a number of day trips covering the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish highlands perhaps including a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel. Here is a choice for exploring the highlands with a travel guide.
- Scott Monument. This monument is in close proximity to the train station right on Princes Street. It is the world’s largest monument to a writer dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. You will find it on the edge of the Princes Street Gardens where you can continue to saunter taking in views of Edinburgh Castle.
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery. At the very least, admire the beauty of The Great Hall inside the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. This is another museum located in the new town that has free admission highlighting famous Scots.
- Edinburgh Gin. A five minute walk from Waverley train station you will find Edinburgh gin. If you are not a fan of whisky, Edinburgh is also known for gin. While classic gin is on the menu, so is an elderflower and gooseberry gin. Get your tickets for a gin tour and tasting to gain the full experience or just visit their bar for a cocktail.
- National Museum of Scotland. This free museum is an esthetically beautiful place to explore countless exhibits. Some of my favorite areas were Animal World, Earth in Space, and Fashion & Style.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse. As I started with Edinburgh Castle, it seems fitting to last mention the Palace of Holyroodhouse making up the end of what is called the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. This is the King’s official residence.
Dinner & Other Food Recommendations
At the end of a long day exploring, here are some options for meals in Edinburgh.
If you want a no frills dinner, go to Pizza Pilgrims. Pizza Pilgrims is a child friendly option perfect for families serving Neapolitan style pizza. This is a popular British chain. For an upscale dinner, go to Tipo for Italian food. If you google Tipo, you will find the words “we serve delicious food.” They do, and you should absolutely try it. Reservations are required. This was my favorite meal in Edinburgh. Finally, if you enjoy mediterranean cuisine, try Baba. This restaurant is part of the Kimpton Hotel. Food and drink were very good.
For an elaborate meal or afternoon tea, The Witchery is the perfect destination. This dining experience pays homage to traditional dishes in the most beautiful setting. Guests under 10 years of age are not allowed and from the ornate decor and glassware one can understand why. The Witchery also has a store and hotel associated all within historic buildings of old town. If you want atmosphere, look no further.
To avoid the hype of The Milkman for your morning coffee, consider starting your day with a coffee from Blank. This is located on Princes Street. Another option is Knoops, offering you the perfect hot chocolate. This is also a chain much like Blank. Both have locations throughout London.
When the rain gets the best of you or perhaps you want to rest your feet in the afternoon, step into the COO Bakehouse for a break. Relax with a hot chocolate, coffee, or pastry. Another positive, they have bathrooms available for customers.
Tips and Tricks
- An umbrella is a good idea. Before your trip, check the weather. We experienced a fair amount of rainfall during our trip at the end of June/beginning of July. Although Edinburgh is one of the drier places in Scotland, I feel it is reasonable to expect some rain or at the very least overcast skies. Our hotel provided umbrellas for all guests, which was extremely convenient. Check with your hotel prior to your stay to see whether they have umbrellas available for guests.
- Wear sturdy footwear. The cobblestone streets of old town Edinburgh add to the mood and appeal. They also create challenges when not wearing appropriate footwear. Heels and sandals would not be useful for Edinburgh in my experience. A comfortable flat, sneaker, or all terrain shoe would be best for getting around town.
- The bus tour is a great way to see certain parts of the city. When I am visiting a new city, I like to spend as much time exploring on foot as possible. If you stick to old town and areas close to Princes Street, there isn’t necessarily a need for additional transportation. I found there were areas of the city that I was interested in visiting that would just be too far to reach on foot. The Edinburgh Bus Tour with three different routes turned out to be the best solution to this problem taking me to stops that served Dean’s Village, Circus Lane, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You can explore bus tickets here.
- Edinburgh castle tickets can “sell out” but don’t fret. I traveled to Edinburgh and did not buy tickets to the castle, which has to be the top Edinburgh sight. There was a reason for this seemingly foolish decision. I wanted to avoid rain while touring the castle and make more of a last minute decision about when to visit. When I heard from someone in the hotel elevator the castle tickets were sold out for the day, I began to panic. Our hotel concierge helped to save the day letting us know that in purchasing a ticket for the Edinburgh Bus Tour, you were able to add a timed entry ticket to the castle. When we arrived to the castle entry, it did say that tickets were sold out. The bus tour is your secret weapon if this happens.
- Considerations for families with strollers. Young children with strollers are not exactly an easy feat in Edinburgh. To get into old town, you can walk over the bridge or walk up a rather steep flight of stairs. Once you arrive to old town, the streets are somewhat difficult terrain to traverse with a stroller. I recommend being as portable as possible with a travel stroller that folds up easily. Camera obscura does not allow strollers inside and the Writer’s museum has a rather tiny winding staircase to get inside. Keep these things in mind prior to your arrival.
Final Thoughts
Edinburgh Scotland is dark, moody, and really magical. Whether you are flying into Edinburgh or traveling via train, staying close to the train station leaves you in an ideal location. Most of the iconic sights can easily be accessed on foot. If you want to explore more of the city, add a bus tour to take you to some of the further sights. The major highlights of the city will fit into a two to three day itinerary. I hope the information above allows you to explore the mainstream sights along with some hidden gems in pursuit of all the best things to do in Edinburgh.
