How many days · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Saffron Blaze, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Edinburgh, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 8
- Daylight
- 7 h (Dec) to 17.6 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Calton Hill |
| 2 days | Good | Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument and Royal Yacht Britannia |
| 3 days | Ideal | St Giles' Cathedral, Arthur's Seat and National Museum of Scotland |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Stirling |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Stirling and Glasgow |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Edinburgh add up to roughly 18–24 hours of visiting time — about 3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Edinburgh Castle (2–3 hours), The Royal Mile (2–3 hours) and National Museum of Scotland (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Castle | 2–3 hours | Old Town |
| The Royal Mile | 2–3 hours | Old Town |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | 1.5–2 hours | Holyrood |
| Calton Hill | 45 minutes | New Town |
| Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument | 1 hour | New Town |
| Royal Yacht Britannia | 2 hours | Leith |
| St Giles' Cathedral | 45 minutes | Old Town |
| Arthur's Seat | 2 hours | Holyrood Park |
| National Museum of Scotland | 2–3 hours | Old Town |
| Scottish National Gallery | 1.5–2 hours | New Town |
| Dean Village | 1–2 hours | Stockbridge |
| Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | 1.5–2 hours | Inverleith |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Mile |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Edinburgh Castle |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Stirling and Glasgow |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 7 hours of daylight) than in June (about 17.6 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Edinburgh with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Edinburgh?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Edinburgh?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Stirling and Glasgow.