Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best Spring spots for your trip

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 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.

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.

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.

Festival Theatre

★ 4.7 · 4,176 reviews

Catch a show at the Festival Theatre, home to Scotland's largest stage in central Edinburgh. Watch national ballet, opera or a touring production in a handsome, well-run venue.

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.

Edinburgh Playhouse

★ 4.4 · 6,041 reviews

Take a seat at the Edinburgh Playhouse, the city's 3,000-seat 1920s theatre. Catch a touring musical, comedy or live gig in a grand auditorium built for big nights out.

Edinburgh New Town

Wander Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian counterpart to the medieval Old Town. Follow its ordered streets and garden squares, admiring honey-coloured townhouses and long views across the city.

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 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.

Hula

★ 4.7 · 4,590 reviews

Start early at Hula, an Edinburgh favourite with fresh, healthy plates and friendly staff. Order apple crisp pancakes or avocado and poached eggs on sourdough, ideally at an outdoor table.

Usher Hall

★ 4.6 · 5,806 reviews

Attend a concert at Usher Hall, Edinburgh's celebrated auditorium on Lothian Road. Settle in for classical music or a visiting pop or jazz act, in a hall known for its acoustics.

Avery Restaurant

★ 4.7 · 167 reviews

Reserve a table at Avery for an unhurried fine-dining evening in Edinburgh. Work through a menu where each course is matched with champagne, wine or a surprise whisky pairing.

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.

Bodega

★ 4.6 · 865 reviews

Grab a table at Bodega, Edinburgh's lively taqueria for street-style tacos and tequila. Share a spread of tacos, flavourful wings and margaritas with friends or on a relaxed date night.

Urban Angel cafe

★ 4.5 · 1,933 reviews

Treat yourself to brunch at Urban Angel, a bright, blonde-wood bistro built around organic and local ingredients. Order the BLT or hummus toast and enjoy the friendly, buzzing room.

The Pantry

★ 4.7 · 3,478 reviews

Join the brunch crowd at The Pantry, where a virtual queue keeps the wait manageable. Share truffle potatoes, then dig into avocado toast with streaky bacon or a stacked waffle.

Toast

★ 4.5 · 1,458 reviews

Grab a table at Toast, a snug brick-lined café-bar in Leith with pavement seats. Start with shakshuka or a steak sandwich at brunch, or come back later for a cocktail.

Loudons Fountainbridge

★ 4.4 · 1,357 reviews

Settle in at Loudons Fountainbridge for a calm, home-made breakfast in Edinburgh. Order mushrooms on sourdough or avocado toast, and save room for one of the scones.

Montpeliers Bruntsfield

★ 4.3 · 1,718 reviews

Step into Montpeliers Bruntsfield, a decorated corner brasserie that runs from breakfast to late-night drinks. Try a morning plate with vegan haggis or settle in with a craft beer in the warm, bustling dining room.

Heron

★ 4.8 · 488 reviews

Celebrate at Heron, a Leith restaurant overlooking the Shore. Work through a tasting menu with a sommelier-led wine or non-alcoholic pairing, in a room that suits anniversaries and birthdays.

Moss

★ 4.6 · 159 reviews

Discover Moss, a small Edinburgh dining room with a tasteful interior and a Scottish tasting menu. Work through seasonal courses, from fish to fermented rhubarb ice cream, with Spanish wines alongside.

Chez Jules

★ 4.4 · 3,579 reviews

Squeeze into Chez Jules, Edinburgh's cheerful red-and-yellow French bistro. Order the steak frites or the good-value set lunch and soak up the lively, noisy atmosphere.

Pomelo

★ 4.6 · 453 reviews

Try Pomelo, the trendy Edinburgh restaurant locals keep walking past and finally stopping into. Order the chilli and garlic hash browns and share plates at a relaxed lunch.

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.

Cardinal

★ 4.8 · 128 reviews

Reserve a table at Cardinal for a tasting-menu evening in Edinburgh. Begin with an acclaimed amuse-bouche, follow the sommelier's wine suggestions and finish with inventive desserts.

Razzo Pizza Napoletana

★ 4.6 · 982 reviews

Squeeze into Razzo Pizza Napoletana, a tiled, family-run pizzeria that Edinburgh pizza fans rate highly. Order a Neapolitan-style pizza with antipasti or dessert in a cosy, relaxed room.

Vinette

★ 4.6 · 76 reviews

Book a table at Vinette, a stylish Edinburgh restaurant where the open kitchen is part of the show. Order the monkfish, venison tartare and freshly baked bread in a cosy, buzzing room.

Greenwoods Edinburgh

★ 4.7 · 1,485 reviews

Join the queue at Greenwoods, where Edinburgh brunch comes in a bright, stylish room. Tackle the generous full Scottish or order the bacon pancakes that regulars keep coming back for.

Cafe Marlayne

★ 4.8 · 842 reviews

Step into Cafe Marlayne, a bustling Edinburgh bistro dressed in artsy decor. Work through classic French dishes such as mussels, duck breast or boeuf, all built around local produce.