Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best spots for your trip

Arthur's Seat

★ 4.8 · 5,171 reviews

Climb Arthur's Seat, the volcanic summit that towers over Edinburgh's Old Town. Choose a path through Holyrood Park, reach the top, and take in the city and Firth of Forth spread out below.

Edinburgh Old Town

Explore Edinburgh's Old Town, the medieval heart of the city beneath the castle. Walk the Royal Mile, slip down narrow closes, and take in centuries of stacked stone architecture.

Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.6 · 110,311 reviews

Climb to Edinburgh Castle, the fortress that dominates the city skyline. Explore the Crown Jewels, the National War Museum and the ramparts with sweeping views over the Old and New Towns.

National Galleries of Scotland: National

★ 4.7 · 17,523 reviews

Walk into the National Galleries of Scotland: National straight off Princes Street. In about 90 minutes you can stand before European masterpieces and Scottish works without paying for entry.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

★ 4.6 · 23,633 reviews

Walk through the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Stuart dynasty's historic seat at the end of the Royal Mile. Follow the multimedia guide through royal reception rooms, then explore the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey.

St Giles' Cathedral

★ 4.6 · 13,535 reviews

Walk into St Giles' Cathedral, the crowned Gothic landmark at the heart of the Royal Mile. Inside, take in the carved details and calm atmosphere that contrast with the busy street outside.

Calton Hill

★ 4.8 · 6,983 reviews

Walk up Calton Hill for a classic Edinburgh viewpoint just minutes from the centre. Explore the neoclassical monuments at the top and look out over the castle, the Old Town and the rooftops.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

★ 4.7 · 25,207 reviews

Spend a slow morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a 70-acre collection of plants from around the world. Walk the manicured paths, pause on a bench, and finish with a cafe stop.

Princes Street Gardens

★ 4.7 · 27,304 reviews

Step into Princes Street Gardens, the green valley beneath Edinburgh Castle. Follow the paths past floral displays, memorials and a historic fountain, then settle on a bench with the castle in view.

National Museum of Scotland

★ 4.8 · 60,185 reviews

Start your Edinburgh day at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. Wander from industrial relics to natural history displays and world cultures, all free to enter, with a cafe for a mid-visit break.

Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

★ 4.7 · 3,162 reviews

Cover Edinburgh's royal highlights with the Royal Attractions and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus pass. Tour the castle, Holyroodhouse and Britannia, using the three bus routes to move between the centre and Leith.

Scott Monument

★ 4.7 · 8,042 reviews

Look up at the Scott Monument, Edinburgh's soaring Gothic tribute to its most celebrated author. Climb the 287 steps to the top for views across Princes Street and the Old Town skyline.

Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour

★ 4.7 · 4,514 reviews

Go below the Royal Mile on the Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour. Walk the preserved streets with a costumed guide who tells the stories of the traders and residents who lived and worked here.

Hendersons

★ 4.9 · 2,139 reviews

Discover Hendersons, Edinburgh's celebrated vegetarian restaurant with a stylish, upmarket feel. Order from its inventive plant-based menu and finish with a Hugo spritz that reviewers call the city's best.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

★ 4.6 · 16,184 reviews

Climb into Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a five-storey tower on the Royal Mile packed with playful optical tricks. Work your way up through interactive exhibits, step through the spinning tunnel and mirror room, and see Edinburgh projected live in the camera obscura.

Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour

★ 4.6 · 20,737 reviews

Cover the best-known corners of the Highlands on the Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour. Ride through Glencoe, stop by Fort William, and explore Loch Ness before heading home via Inverness.

Restaurant Martin Wishart

★ 4.7 · 599 reviews

Treat yourself to Restaurant Martin Wishart, Leith's flagship address for refined French cooking. Settle in for a long, polished lunch or dinner of seasonal Scottish ingredients, with attentive service and optional wine pairings.

Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh

★ 4.9 · 2,785 reviews

Discover Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh's grand bookshop of towering shelves and rolling ladders. Browse a broad range, enjoy tea in a warm atmosphere, and linger into the evening, as it stays open until 21:00.

Cafe Royal

★ 4.4 · 3,786 reviews

Discover Cafe Royal, a grand Victorian pub just off the city centre, famed for its tiled walls and stained glass. Order real ales, a dram or fresh oysters beneath its soaring ceiling.

The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting

★ 4.7 · 6,815 reviews

Discover the Scotch Whisky Experience, an audiovisual introduction to Scotland's national spirit. Follow the journey from cask to glass, view the huge bottle collection, and taste whisky guided by regional aromas.

The Bow Bar

★ 4.6 · 2,783 reviews

Discover The Bow Bar, a compact, no-frills pub devoted to cask beer and single malt whisky. Let the bartenders guide you through a dram or a pint, with a hot pie on the side.

The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience

★ 4.8 · 3,205 reviews

Discover the Johnnie Walker Signature Experience, a polished whisky journey built around your own tastes. Take the flavour quiz, watch the story unfold through projections and live performance, and sample three drinks matched to your profile.

The Meadows

★ 4.7 · 7,589 reviews

Cross The Meadows, Edinburgh's big, tree-lined park just south of the Old Town. Follow the shaded paths, spot the Processions memorial, and join the locals picnicking or running across the grass.

Baba

★ 4.4 · 2,504 reviews

Settle into Baba, a warm, rustic-chic spot where Mediterranean plates meet the charcoal grill. Share roasted garlic and grilled dishes with a cocktail in a handsome historic building.

The Outsider Restaurant

★ 4.4 · 2,880 reviews

Dine at The Outsider, where split-level rooms frame views of Edinburgh Castle. Settle in with candlelight, hearty seasonal plates like steak frites or fish, and a relaxed pace.

National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

★ 4.7 · 5,932 reviews

Step into the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait on Queen Street and meet the faces of Scottish history. Walk the grand Victorian halls reading the stories behind each portrait.

Portobello Beach

★ 4.6 · 6,967 reviews

Escape the city for Portobello Beach, Edinburgh's classic seaside stretch on the Firth of Forth. Walk the sand, follow the promenade, and warm up with a drink at one of the front-facing tea shops.

10 to 10 in Delhi

★ 4.5 · 1,246 reviews

Step into 10 to 10 in Delhi, a tiny Edinburgh tea house that diners call a little gem. Share classic Indian dishes with a twist, such as mattar paneer, in a cosy, beautifully decorated room.

Civerinos

★ 4.5 · 2,266 reviews

Pull up to Civerinos on Forrest Road for pizza that locals say lives up to the hype. Order a thin New York-style slice or a whole pie with creative toppings in a small, buzzing room.

The Edinburgh Larder - Blackfriars Street

★ 4.6 · 4,480 reviews

Queue or book for a table at The Edinburgh Larder, a Blackfriars Street favourite for seasonal Scottish produce. Order the Eggs Royale or brisket benedict and enjoy a proper cup of artisan coffee alongside.