Travel guide · United Kingdom
Edinburgh travel guide
A castle on a volcano, medieval closes, free museums and August festivals
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Colin, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Edinburgh is built across volcanic hills between the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills, and its two UNESCO-listed halves sit side by side: the medieval Old Town strung along the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood, and the Georgian grid of the New Town across Princes Street Gardens. Almost everything is walkable, if steep, and the national museum and galleries are free. In August the Fringe, the International Festival and the Military Tattoo transform the city, while Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill and the old port of Leith are within easy reach all year. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September.
Key facts
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- EDI, GLA
- Mid-range daily budget
- $180–$320 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Hogmanay
Why visit Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse form a single downhill walk through Scottish history.
- The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art are all free.
- Arthur's Seat, a 251-metre extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, is about a 15-minute walk from the Royal Mile.
- In August the Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo fill the city with thousands of shows.
- Stirling Castle, North Berwick and Glasgow are each under an hour away by train.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 20 things to do.
Castle · Old Town
Edinburgh Castle
Perched on an extinct volcanic plug above the city, the castle holds the Honours of Scotland — the Scottish crown jewels — the Great Hall, the National War Museum and St Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh's oldest building, from the 12th century.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Kids
Street · Old Town
The Royal Mile
The spine of the Old Town runs for roughly a mile downhill from the Castle Esplanade through the Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate to Holyrood.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
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Palace · Holyrood
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The monarch's official residence in Scotland stands at the foot of the Royal Mile, with state apartments still used for official events and the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots, where her secretary David Rizzio was murdered in 1566.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Viewpoint · New Town
Calton Hill
A short climb from the east end of Princes Street, Calton Hill is crowned by the unfinished National Monument, modelled on the Parthenon, the telescope-shaped Nelson Monument and the round Dugald Stewart Monument, which frames the classic view along Princes Street to the Castle.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Iconic
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Garden · New Town
Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument
Laid out in the drained valley of the Nor Loch, Princes Street Gardens separate the Old and New Towns, with the floral clock, the Ross Fountain and views up to the castle.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
Museum · Leith
Royal Yacht Britannia
The royal family's floating residence for 44 years is moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Where to stay
Old Town is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Old Town
Medieval closes and wynds along the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, luxury and families
New Town
Georgian crescents, Princes Street shopping and elegant squares
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, quiet stays and families
Stockbridge
A village of independent shops, cafés and a Sunday market by the Water of Leith
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, budget and solo travellers
Leith
Edinburgh's old port of waterfront restaurants, bars and the Royal Yacht Britannia
What to eat
- Haggis, neeps and tatties — Sheep's heart, liver and lungs minced with oatmeal, onion, suet and spices, traditionally cooked in a sheep's stomach and served with mashed turnip (neeps) and potato (tatties).
- Cullen skink — A thick soup of smoked haddock, potato, onion and milk, named after the fishing village of Cullen on the north-east coast.
- Full Scottish breakfast — Eggs, bacon, sausage, square Lorne sausage, black pudding, haggis, tattie scones, mushrooms and beans; heavier than its English cousin.
- Scotch whisky — Malt and blended whiskies from Scotland's regions, from peaty Islay malts to lighter Lowland and Speyside styles; drink it neat or with a drop of water.
- Smoked salmon — Scottish salmon, cold-smoked over oak, served with brown bread, lemon and capers or folded into scrambled eggs at breakfast.
- Cranachan — Layers of whipped cream, raspberries, honey and toasted oatmeal laced with whisky, once a celebration of the summer harvest.
When to go
The best months for Edinburgh are May, June and September, when days are long and mild and the city is busy but not overwhelmed. August is festival month — exciting but crowded and at peak prices — while December's Christmas markets and Hogmanay make winter worth considering if you dress for cold, dark days.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Daffodils and cherry blossom, lengthening evenings and the Beltane Fire Festival; showers and cold snaps remain common. |
| Summer | June–August | Long, mild days with up to 17 hours of light and August's festivals; the busiest and most expensive season. |
| Autumn | September–November | Quieter after the festivals, with autumn colour in the parks and atmospheric misty days; increasingly wet by November. |
| Winter | December–February | Short, cold days, Christmas markets and Hogmanay, then Burns Night and the lowest prices of the year. |
Getting there and around
Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the centre. Trams reach Princes Street and St Andrew Square in about 30–35 minutes, the Airlink 100 express bus runs to Waverley Bridge in about 30 minutes, and taxis take 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Glasgow Airport, about 75 km west, is an alternative for some routes.
Edinburgh's centre is compact and best explored on foot, though hills, stairs and cobbles make it tiring. Lothian Buses cover the whole city, and a single tram line links the airport with Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square, Leith and Newhaven.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, the National Museum and a climb up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat. A third day adds Leith, Dean Village and Stockbridge or a day trip to Stirling; allow four or five days to add the Highlands.
Practical information
- Currency
- GBP
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and notably soft.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Tipping
- Tip about 10–12.5% in restaurants if a service charge is not already added.
Edinburgh is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets work the festival crowds and the Royal Mile in summer, and the steep closes, stairs and cobbles are slippery in rain. On Arthur's Seat, stay on the paths and avoid the crags in wind or poor visibility.
Flights to Edinburgh
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
Two days covers the Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, the National Museum and a climb up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat. A third day adds Leith, Dean Village and Stockbridge or a day trip to Stirling; allow four or five days to add the Highlands. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
The best months for Edinburgh are May, June and September, when days are long and mild and the city is busy but not overwhelmed. August is festival month — exciting but crowded and at peak prices — while December's Christmas markets and Hogmanay make winter worth considering if you dress for cold, dark days.
+What is Edinburgh known for?
Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Hogmanay, Scotch whisky, Arthur's Seat and Georgian New Town. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse form a single downhill walk through Scottish history.
+Is Edinburgh expensive?
Edinburgh is expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $180–$320 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Edinburgh?
No. Parking in central Edinburgh is limited and expensive, and buses, trams and walking cover the city. Hire a car only for the Highlands, the Borders or a coastal road trip.