Edinburgh, the enchanting capital of Scotland, is a city that seamlessly blends it rich history with modern vibrancy. Nestled between rolling hills and the North Sea coast, Edinburgh is a destination that captivates the hearts of travelers with its cobblestone streets, majestic castle, and a unique blend of cultural experiences. Edinburgh’s iconic skyline, dominated by the imposing Edinburgh Castle, and its charming cobblestone streets offers a plethora of activities that cater to every traveler’s interests. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or an art lover, this captivating city has something special in store for you. I put together a list of must-do activities that will make your visit to Edinburgh an unforgettable experience.
Edinburgh Castle
No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a trip to its most iconic landmark – Edinburgh Castle. Perched high atop Castle Rock, the castle offers panoramic views of the city and is steeped in history. Edinburgh Castle is a living embodiment of Scotland’s history, spanning over a thousand years. From its origins as a fortress in the early Middle Ages to its transformation into a royal residence and military stronghold, the castle has borne witness to the rise and fall of monarchs, the forging of alliances, and the significant events that shaped the nation. Exploring its historic rooms and chambers is like stepping back in time.
If you’re not a history buff, Edinburgh Castle offers stunning panoramic views that everyone visiting Edinburgh needs to experience. The city of Edinburgh unwinds before you, revealing its charming architecture, historic streets, and the vibrant tapestry of urban life. The sight is particularly magical during sunset when the city is covered in warm hues, creating a truly unforgettable experience. The castle also hosts a variety of events, exhibitions, and educational programs throughout the year. I highly recommend visiting during August and experiencing the Military Tattoo Festival. This show puts on an unforgettable event that combines military precision, live music, breath-taking lighting and special effects.
Edinburgh Castle is impossible to miss as it sits upon a huge rock. There is a self-guided tour option as well as a guided tour option. The castle opens every day at 9:30 in the morning and closes at either 5 or 6 in the afternoon depending on the time of the year. I highly recommend visiting the castle early in the morning with a pre-purchased ticket. You can purchase your tickets online before you arrive in Scotland. They are purchased by date and time slots, so make sure you grab some before they sell out! Purchasing ahead of time also allows you to skip the lines and save some time. You can purchase your tickets in advance here: Click here to get tickets!
Edinburgh Castle is not merely a collection of stones and walls; it’s a gateway to the heart and soul of Scotland. During your visit to Edinburgh, put exploring Edinburgh castle at the top of your must-do list! You do not want to miss out on the beautiful architecture and stunning views!
Stroll Along the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the city’s most famous street that runs from Edinburgh Castle all the way down to the Palace of Holyrood house. This street is lined with charming shops, traditional pubs, and historic landmarks. There are so many shops, boutiques, and artisanal stores that offer everything from Scottish kilts and tartans to contemporary fashion, jewelry, and unique souvenirs. Not only are you supporting local businesses, but you can also find a piece of Edinburgh home with you.
As you walk along the Royal mile you notice that it is filled with narrow alleyways and passageways known as “closes” and “wynds”. These narrow passageways reveal insights into daily life during different historical periods. Some are now home to cafes, shops, and museums. I highly encourage that you step off the main path and discover the hidden corners of the Royal Mile. If you do stick to the main street, you’ll notice that in the afternoon street performers, musicians, and artists make themselves known. My personal favorite are the bagpipers that play traditional Scottish tunes.
The Royal Mile is also home to one of my favorite places in Edinburgh, Clarinda’s Tea Room.
Walking the Royal Mile isn’t just a typical stroll down a street. It is a memorable experience filled with unique places to eat, historical landmarks, and beautiful architecture.
P.S. You’ll find yourself walking all over Edinburgh, primarily over its cobblestone streets. A pair of good sneakers will save you! These are my favorite comfy sneakers for traveling: My favorite travel sneakers!
Visit Calton Hill
I personally think the best way to end your adventure in Edinburgh is by visiting Calton Hill at sunset. Calton Hill is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is another must-see when visiting Edinburgh. The rocks and hills that formed here are due to both the volcanic eruptions and the Ice Age. This short few minute hike up Calton Hill will reward you with several monuments and observatories, including Nelson Monument, the National Monument, and the City Observatories. Each building will provide different viewpoints of both Old Town and New Town as well as amazing views of Arthur’s Seat (an extinct volcano that overlooks Edinburgh.
Calton Hill has a plethora of space to spread out and explore along its grassy lawns. This provides the perfect to spot to enjoy a picnic during sunset. Although Edinburgh isn’t always the sunniest place in the world, if you’re lucky you’ll be able to experience a beautiful sunset. If not, the views you get from Calton Hill are still worth it! The entrance for the path to walk up Calton Hill is on Regent Road, to the east of Princes Street. Calton Hill provides some of the best viewpoints of Edinburgh, in my opinion and it should definitely be added to your must-do list when visiting!
Hike Arthur’s Seat
As previously mentioned, Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano, located within Holyrood Park. For nature lovers and hikers, a trek up Arthur’s Seat is an absolute must. This ancient volcano offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the coastline, and all its surroundings. This park is popular for hiking, jogging, exploring, picnicking, and just enjoying the views. Don’t worry Arthur’s Seat last erupted around 350 million years ago.
Hundreds of people climb Arthur’s seat every day, for some locals it’s a part of their daily workout routine. The hike has many gravel and dirt hiking paths that snake their way up to the top. You can find helpful graphics on GeoWalks about the different routes you can take depending on your personal preference. The starting point gives you two options, to go left or to go right. If you go towards the left, you will get to the top a lot quicker. If you go towards the right, it will take longer, but it will provide better scenery. For first timers, I recommend taking the longer path that walks you all around the volcano, this provides the best views along the edge. The hike itself doesn’t take too long, about 45 minutes give or take to the top (depending on your fitness level, the route you take, and how much exploring you do). However, I recommend sparing 2 to 3 hours of your time for this because you’ll want to explore, take breaks, and enjoy the view.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as there are loose rocks and it can be slippery considering how often Scotland rains. Also make sure to wear/pack a jacket or sweatshirt as it just gets windier as you make it to the top. This is a pretty straightforward hike that you can do on your own (I’ve done it 3 times by myself and had no issues) however you can get a guide to show you the way. Keep in mind that sometimes the view can be quite foggy depending on the weather. Of the 3 times I’ve hiked Arthur’s Seat it has only been foggy once. Keep this in mind and check the weather when planning your hike! Arthur’s Seat provides stunning views as well as unforgettable memories that every traveler visiting Edinburgh should experience.
P.S. The entrance to Arthur’s Seat is conveniently located near the Palace of Holyrood House. If you set your directions there, you cannot miss the large mountain nearby as well as all the bustling community of hikers starting and finishing their hikes.
Marvel at Scott Monument
This Victorian Gothic monument is hard to miss when entering New Town. Dedicated to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, this monument is the second largest monument dedicated to a writer in the world. I distinctly remember seeing this monument during my first trip to Scotland and feeling utterly amazed by it. It is such a unique and hauntingly beautiful structure. Although just staring at the monument alone is breathtaking, you can also climb up 287 steps to the top to get beautiful views. The entrance fee is roughly 8 pounds for adults and 6 pounds for children. You can use the website to get updated prices and times: Click here for information!
You don’t need to set aside of ton of time when visiting Scott Monument, but please make it a priority on your to do list as it is worth seeing up-close.
Head to the Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are a region of breathtaking landscapes, untamed beauty, and rich cultural heritage. Not to mention a popular filming location for many tv shows and movies including Highlander, Harry Potter, The Crown, James Bond, Game of Thrones, Braveheart, and many many more. Edinburgh is the perfect place to base yourself if you’re looking to take a trip to the highlands. If there is one thing you do on this list, it should be taking at least a day trip to the highlands if not longer.
The Highlands will surround you with towering mountains, serene lochs (lakes), cascading waterfalls, and so much wildlife. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photographer, or simply a traveler looking to have an unforgettable and magical experience, the Highlands are for you. They offer a diverse range of landscapes that are guaranteed to leave you speechless. Keep in mind that the highlands are enormous, I have taken 3 different trips to the highlands (linked below) and on every single one I saw a completely different part of the highlands.
I personally believe the best way to see the highlands are by taking a tour. This way you can sit back, relax, and soak up the scenery. Although renting a car is probably a good option too, I recommend for your first time you should let someone else worry about the driving. If you do decide to rent a car, you have endless activities to choose from. These activities include hiking the many mountains the Highlands offer, kayaking on shimmering lochs, mountain biking, fishing, wildlife spotting, skiing during the winter months, and more!
Tours are the perfect opportunity to get off your feet, but still see so much. Rabbies is a Guided Group Tour Company offered in the UK and Europe. We have toured with them on every trip to the Highlands and every single one was nothing short of amazing. They have the perfect balance of being able relax and enjoy the scenery while also providing plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. If you don’t have much time in Edinburgh, you need to set at least one day aside to go on an all-day trip to the highlands. It will be a long day, but it will be full of amazing memories and sights. The day tour we took was packed full of sightseeing and I couldn’t recommend it enough. I will warn you though Loch Ness is pretty underwhelming especially if you don’t visit in the summertime. We visited in December and the town was almost completely empty and nothing was open. However, it was still cool to see the lake where the infamous Loch Ness Monster. The rest of the day trip was worth it though.
1 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, & the Highlands – Click here for the tour I went on!
The next trip we took was a 4 Day 3 night trip to the Isle of Skye & West Highlands. The Isle of Skye stands as a destination of its own. With its dramatic cliffs, fairy-tale landscapes, and iconic landmarks like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, Skye is a realm of unparalleled beauty. All you need to do is Google “Isle of Skye Fairy Pools” and you’ll see what I mean by fairy-tale landscapes. Exploring its rugged terrain and marveling at its breathtaking vistas is an experience everyone should have. The whole journey there and back was beautiful fortunately because the day we finally arrived in the Isle of Skye, we couldn’t see anything. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side that day, but nevertheless what we were able to see was breathtaking. I would go on this trip again in a heartbeat and if you decide to take this trip, I pray the weather is clear for you!
4 Day 3 Nights Isle of Skye & West Highlands – Click here for the tour I went on!
My favorite trip by far to the Highlands was my 5 Day 4 Night Iona & Mull trip. Iona and Mull are both islands nestled off the western coast of Scotland. They offer a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and spiritual significance that make them a must-visit destination. Iona holds a spiritual aura that has drawn pilgrims and seekers for centuries. The tiny island is known for the historic Iona Abbey, a place of quiet reflection and contemplation. The abbey’s ancient ruins and restored buildings provide a glimpse into the island’s monastic past, creating a serene ambiance that brings both inner peace and connection with the surroundings. Keep in mind we didn’t stay in Iona or Mull; we stayed in a quaint little town called Tobbermory we would take trips from there.
Mull boasts a diverse range of landscapes that will leave nature enthusiasts in awe. From dramatic coastlines and rugged mountains to lush forests and serene lochs, the island is a playground for outdoor adventurers. Take a hike along the picturesque trails, spot wildlife in their natural habitat, or simply revel in the untouched beauty of the landscapes that change with the seasons. However, my favorite part of the island of Mull was its easy access to the mystical Isle of Staffa. This was 100% my favorite part of the trip. The unique island of Staff is home to the famous Fingal’s Cave, a natural wonder known for its hexagonal basalt columns. As you explore the island’s geological marvels and the ethereal echo of the cave, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a magical realm.
A short boat ride from the Island of Mull will get you to the Isle of Staffa. From there you will exit the boat and you can either make your way towards Fingal’s Cave or go to the top of the island. The walk out to Fingal’s Cave is a little treacherous and slippery so be careful! However, it is worth every step. Going to the top feels like something out of a movie. You are on this tiny little island with nothing in sight besides the ocean and never-ending greenery and flowers. There is not a single building or other island in sight. You truly feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. I could have explored the top of the Isle of Staffa for hours. If you’re lucky you can come across whales, dolphins, and even puffins depending on the season you visit. Iona and Mull are the perfect serene escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life. If you have plenty of time to explore Scotland, I can’t recommend this tour enough.
5 Day 4 Nights Iona & Mull – Click here for the tour I went on!
If I still haven’t convinced you I promise the Highlands will draw you in to their majestic mountains, rich history, and vibrant Gaelic culture. A journey to the Scottish Highlands is an extraordinary adventure that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. As someone who has visited the Highlands three times, you leave them wanting to come back for more.
Head to Rabbies’ website for even more tours – Click here for more tours!
Other popular tours in Edinburgh (I haven’t been on any of these, but they all sound great!):
-Mary King’s Close (for the history buffs) Mary Kings Close Tour
-Harry Potter Tour (many parts of Edinburgh inspired Harry Potter) Harry Potter Tour
-The Edinburgh Dungeon (a spooky and interactive experience) Dungeon Experience
-Edinburgh Secret Food Tour (for the foodies) Food Tour
-Explore more tours with Get Your Guide More Tours with Get Your Guide
-Explore more tours with Viator More Tours with Viator
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