10 Great Things to do in Edinburgh

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Edinburgh: A Friendly, Old City

Oh Scotland! Many of us dream of visiting this incredible land, and finally, my dream came true. The people were so nice, Edinburgh was beautiful, and the food was great (even though it was bound to give me a heart attack). There is so much to do in the city, from hiking, to history, to art, to fun activities like escape rooms. There is something for everyone!

The Streets of Edinburgh

10. Mary King's Close: for those of you looking for a spooky tour of Edinburgh's past, this is the museum for you. Tour guides in 17th Century costume tell the tale of the Plague in the streets and explain what life was like for people in the city. Part of the close is meant to look like it did back during the plague, with small streets crowded with artifacts. This is a must for those that enjoy an interactive, and a little spooky, tour of the ancient city.

View from the Castle

9. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: although the Tattoo performance does not happen every day, if you happen to be in Edinburgh in time for the yearly performance, it is worth the visit. This annual performance is full of the pomp and circumstance that we love about the U.K. and it showcases the music and performance of the Scottish and international armies. It is quite the show!

Holyrood House

8. Palace of Holyrood House: this palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, meaning that this is where the Queen stays when she is in Edinburgh. The halls and reception rooms are open to the public and you can visit a tiny bit of the palace and get a taste of how the Queen lives. Don't miss the Abbey behind the palace and the large park surrounding it.

Scott Monument

7. Scott Monument: this beautiful monument in the city center is dedicated to the author Sir Walter Scott. With its beautiful spire, this gothic monument is the largest monument dedicated to a writer in the world. And you can climb to the top, offering you an amazing view of downtown Edinburgh.

The Climb of Athur's Seat

6. Princes Street Gardens: these botanical gardens in the city center give a great view of the castle as well as provide a nice place to enjoy the city on a warm day. Home to a few different national monuments, the gardens offer natural and man-made beauty in a city full of old marvels.

The Royal Mile

5. St. Giles Cathedral: this cathedral is the main place of worship in Edinburgh. Built in the Gothic style, this Presbyterian cathedral is a medieval beauty. Its famous spire can be seen from many places on the Royal Mile, making it a unique beauty.

The Royal Mile

4. Royal Mile: this is the main street connecting the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. Beautiful old buildings and houses line the street, and there is plenty to see and do along the way. With cobblestone streets and gothic architecture, this is a great walk through the city center.

Arthur's Seat

3. Arthur's Seat: if you want to climb this, wear good shoes and be prepared for a steep climb. But I highly suggest it because it is the highest point in the city and gives on of the best views. And if you do have a fear of heights, don't worry, because along the journey the super nice Scottish people will give you words of encouragement or a hand up the steeps steps.

Edinburgh Castle

2. Edinburgh Castle: the castle upon a hill can be seen from many vantage points within the city. Today, this fortresses houses a variety of museums, including some royal jewels, military museums, and war memorials. It also is a great lookout point as the castle sits upon a hill, giving a great view of the train station, the Scott Monument, and the Royal Mile.

View from Calton Hill

1. Calton Hill: this hill full of monuments is a great walk. From the National Scottish Monument to the Nelson Monument, there is a lot to be admired. But what makes this hill so great is that it offers one of the best views of the city center, Old Town, and the Castle, all in one glance.

View from Calton Hill