Top 12 Things to See & Do in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Steph Hagan
- Jun 2, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 19, 2025
If you know us, you know how much we love Edinburgh, Scotland. We'd stay in this city and never leave if we could! It's a perfect blend of moody, medieval architecture and vibrant, inspiring culture.
We're here to show you the top 12 things to see & do in Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴
We spent one beautiful month in Edinburgh, Scotland, and don’t even know where to begin. We fell in love with this city like no other. We visited in March, and it rained EVERY SINGLE DAY we were there, but it didn’t dampen our time. If you love a cozy, rich, cultural, and wonderfully mysterious place, Edinburgh is for you. Our next destination was the south of France, and we almost decided to stay in Edinburgh instead!!
Where to stay in Edinburgh
It can be difficult to choose the perfect place to stay when you’re visiting a new city, especially when the city has so many amazing neighborhoods! Do you want to be close to the city center and tourist sites? Or would you rather experience life as a local? We usually make this decision based on the amount of time we’re staying and if we’ve been to the place before. Our three favorite neighborhoods are perfect for both these scenarios, and when we one day own a flat in Edinburgh, you bet it will be in one of these places! All the neighborhoods and places we mention are extremely safe! We felt safe everywhere we went in Edinburgh, at all times of the day!
For first-time and short-stay visitors:
Grassmarket - Located in the heart of the Old Town, Grassmarket is a lively and historic marketplace. It offers proximity to major attractions such as the castle, the Royal Mile, and Victoria Street.
For returning and long-stay visitors:
Stockbridge - This might be one of the pricier places to stay in Edinburgh, but it's packed with local restaurants, shops, and one of the best farmers markets we've ever been to! It's about a 20-minute walk from the Royal Mile and most of the tourist attractions. In Stockbridge, you can feel like a local!
Cannonmills - When we lived in Edinburgh for a month, we stayed in Cannonmills and felt like we'd found a hidden gem in the city. It's a bit farther away from the city center (about a 30 - 35 minute walk), but it's absolutely worth it if you want to feel like a local! Cannonmills is situated between the city center and Leith, which is the bustling port district of Edinburgh!
Whether you're in Edinburgh for a few weeks or just passing through for a day, here are 10 experiences you MUST consider having during your visit!
1) Edinburgh Old Town & Tales Walking Tour
We love to start our time in a new city by joining a walking tour! This is the best way to get your bearings, gain immense appreciation for the architecture and learn the basic history, layout and activities a place has to offer. The medieval streets of Edinburgh are filled with stories and tales you wouldn't hear otherwise. You might even find out where the phrase "s%!t-faced" comes from.
We booked an out-of-this-world walking tour through GetYourGuide that took us through the UNESCO-recognized winding alleyways and streets of the Old Town.
This walking tour will also give you the opportunity to talk and get recommendations from locals! We got some of the BEST restaurant, shopping and museum recommendations from our tour guide!
2) Calton Hill
Calton Hill is undoubtedly one of our favorite landmarks in Edinburgh. From its summit, you can enjoy one of the most stunning panoramic views of the city without much effort!
Calton Hill is a volcanic mound located at the end of Princes Street. It houses some of Edinburgh's most important monuments like the National Monument, which is a replica of the Parthenon in Athens and an observatory. You'll also get the most iconic view of Arthur's Seat and maybe even get the inspiration to climb it later in your visit!
Calton Hill is the best place in the city to experience the sunset, because you don't have much of a climb down once it's over. Also, it's super accessible from Edinburgh's city center.
To reach Calton Hill, walk eastward on Princes Street until you see the entrance with stairs. You'll take the ramps and a few flights of stairs up to the top!
3) Edinburgh Castle
As soon as you arrive in the city, you'll notice the imposing silhouette of Edinburgh Castle. Its dark and enigmatic aura casts an eerie yet inspiring shadow over the city. It's one of the most beautiful and well-preserved castles we've ever had the chance to see and experience.
Some castles are more interesting from the outside, but this is NOT one of those castles. Once you pass through the Castle gates, you'll have access to different museums, tea rooms, restaurants, and viewpoints. You'll want to gather around the cannon at 1 o'clock to see and hear the 1 o'clock gun go off. The firing of this gun dates back to 1861 - Ships on the Firth of Forth once relied on the sound to calibrate their maritime clocks.
4) Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Highlands Day-Trip
This was a highlight of our trip to Edinburgh and something everyone should experience! The Highlands are the largest geographical region in Scotland, characterized by mountainous landscapes, serene lochs, and a wet climate. There's so much history in this part of the country that you might not get a chance to learn about without a knowledgeable guide!
We traveled up to Glenfinnan, which is home to the Glenfinnan Viaduct - The viaduct that the Hogwarts Express crosses on it's way to Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies! If you're lucky, you might see a steam train pass!
It's almost impossible to visit the Highlands from Edinburgh without a car. This is why a guided day trip is the best option! You don't have to worry about the logistics and can truly enjoy the exquisite landscapes as they pass you by.
The day trip we experienced was 12 hours of the most mind-blowing views. We left from a meeting point on the Royal Mile and drove North along the winding roads as our tour guide entertained us with tales of Scotland's past and present.
Some of the highlights include:
Coffee stop in Callander
Glencoe
Fort William
The Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train
Petting highland cows
Pitlochry
Many more!
5) Victoria Street & Cockburn Street
Victoria Street and Cockburn Street are two of the most captivating streets in Edinburgh's Old Town. They're both picturesque cobblestone streets, located just off the Royal Mile and well worth a visit (or two)! DID YOU KNOW - Victoria Street was an inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series!
J.K. Rowling used to sit in The Elephant House Cafe and look up at the castle as she wrote her iconic masterpiece - Harry Potter (Edinburgh Castle was an inspiration for Hogwarts)!
Both streets are filled with local souvenir shops, unique boutiques, curiosities, coffee shops and gastronomic delights!
Here are some of our favorite shops and cafes on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street:
The Red Door Gallery - 42 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom
Museum Context - 40 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom
The Elephant House - 30 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom (The Original Elephant House is temporarily closed due to fire damage and is set to reopen soon. In the meantime, the replica on Victoria Street is worth a visit!).
The Milkman - 7 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP, United Kingdom
House of MinaLima Edinburgh - 42-44 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1PB, United Kingdom
6) The Royal Mile
You'll undoubtedly find yourself on the Royal Mile several times during your visit to Edinburgh. This culturally important street in the Old Town is ideal for shopping, strolling, and sightseeing, and it links two royal palaces: Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle. It has been a cultural hub for festivals and events since the 12th century.
Although this is one of the busiest streets in Edinburgh, you'll find yourself drawn back to it throughout your visit due to its charm and energy. You'll see bagpipe musicians, find yourself wandering in and out of the different alleyways & closes, and happen upon some of the most interesting places to stop for a bite to eat.
7) Stockbridge Farmers Market
If you happen to be in Edinburgh on a Sunday, you can't miss the Stockbridge Farmers Market. This market is open every Sunday from 10-4 and has the BEST local produce, homemade pastries, crafts and breakfast/lunch options.
The Stockbridge Market is situated on Saunders Street in Stockbridge, a neighborhood in Edinburgh known for its youthful, local charm.
8) Dean Village & The Water of Leith
Dating back to the 12th century, Dean Village was a significant milling site because of its proximity to the Water of Leith, which flowed through the village and powered the mills. It was known as a rural village because it was located outside the city walls.
Today, Dean Village is a residential area, located about 20 minutes (on foot) from Edinburgh Castle. The village is relatively small, but a great place to stroll if you're looking for an enchanting, peaceful oasis. You'll see quaint houses, historic buildings, fairytale bridges and monuments/ruins.
If you're in the mood for a long walk, we recommend the path along the Water of Leith. You'll feel like you exited the city and landed in a storybook. You'll pass monuments like St. Bernard's Well, benches to relax on and have the option to walk all the way northeast towards the Port of Leith!
9) The Port of Leith & Distillery
The Port of Leith is located about an hours walk from Edinburgh Castle, but you can reach it quicker by tram (about 35 minutes). Historically, this was an important port that served Edinburgh, and has taken part in major historical events in Scotland!
The two main things to do at the Port of Leith:
Port of Leith Distillery - The Port of Leith Distillery was the United Kingdom's first vertical distillery! This experience is more unique than the whisky experiences in the center of the Old Town AND, you get an amazing view of the Firth of Forth.
Royal Yacht Britannia - The Royal Yacht Britannia was part of the Royal residence for over 40 years. It was a place where they entertained guests at sea. You can learn the history of the Royal Family and the yachtsmen who were on board. You will even see Queen Elizabeth II's favorite room on board!!
We also recommend walking throughout the area and visiting our favorite coffee shop - Williams & Johnson Coffee Co!
10) Arthur's Seat & Holyrood Park
Arthur's Seat is an ancient, extinct volcano that erupted over 350 million years ago! It looms over Edinburgh and is the main peak of the mountains and hills that make up Holyrood Park.
For the Arthur's Seat hike, you can enter from the Holyrood Park Road Entrance near the Commonwealth Pool. There are several well-marked paths with varying lengths that will guide you to the top of Arthur's Seat. While we loved the view from Arthur's Seat, we also recommend walking the path along the Salisbury Crags, which is a prominent rock formation in Holyrood Park.
WARNING: Be sure to check the weather before hiking Arthur's Seat. The trails are unpaved, which means they can become very muddy, icy, or wet. Bring snacks and water with you, as there are no places to buy anything along these routes.
If you're not feeling a hike, it's beautiful to take a scenic walk through Holyrood Park. You might walk to one of the many lakes or Dr. Neil's Garden, a beautiful botanical garden located on the southeast side of the park..
11) The Meadows
The Meadows is a vast public park where you can feel like a local. It's a great place to have a morning run before a long day exploring or to watch the sunset. The buildings surrounding the park have some of the most gorgeous architecture in the city!
Depending on the weather, The Meadows is a great place for a picnic or to grab a bite from one of the food or coffee trucks nearby!
12) Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is one of our favorite places to sit, relax, and picnic right in the center of the Old Town. The first time we visited Edinburgh, we almost missed the gardens completely because they're hidden in plain sight!
Princes Street Gardens are located alongside Princes Street, just North of the Castle. This garden used to be a loch, which acted as a defense to Edinburgh Castle, so you'll have to descend some stairs to find it! Once you find yourself in the gardens, look up, and you'll see the most beautiful skyline of Edinburgh and the Castle!
Inside the gardens, you'll find some iconic monuments like the Scott Monument, The National Gallery of Scotland (which is FREE), and the Ross Fountain!
Although these are our top 12 activities in Edinburgh, there are many more things to do and places to explore in the city! This city is truly brimming with inspiration and beauty at every corner, and we hope you come to love it as much as we do!
We'll be posting about our favorite cafes and restaurants in the city soon. If you want to be one of the first to be notified, subscribe to our blog!
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