If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, you’ll need a list of all the best things to see and do in Edinburgh and you’ve come to the right place! I’m in Edinburgh several times a year so I know all the things that are worth your time while you’re in Edinburgh. Let’s get started!
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Visiting Edinburgh’s Best Attractions:
My first time in Edinburgh I got the Royal Edinburgh Pass which includes a Hop on/off bus and tickets to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood House Palace.
Now I know the hop on/off situation is touristy BUT hear me out. They intentionally hit all of the spots you’re probably going to want to go to anyway, there is usually some kind of commentary and just riding one of the routes will usually give you an overview of maybe a part of town you know you won’t have time to hit. So in my book, it’s a win.
The Royal Yacht Britannia:
I find the whole royal family situation very interesting…oh the drama…so the Royal Yacht Britannia was pretty cool to see but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for the casual visitor. If you’re into OVER THE TOP boats and the royal family then by all means…ENJOY!
Some of the highlights from the tour:
- The then Prince now King Charles and Princess Diana honeymooned on the yacht
- The Queen casually keeps a Rolls Royce on board…ya know just in case
- The Yacht was in service for over 40 years
- It housed the Royal Family AND 220 crew members
- As a non-combat Royal Navy ship, it could enter situations without making them worse helping to evacuate people in harm’s way. In 1986, it was used to evacuate Aden, South Yemen.
- You can get more info here: https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
The Royal Deck Tea Room (only accessible by those who have ticket for the tour) was where I had lunch while I was there. It has wonderful views of the harbor and the food was very good.
I loved being out in the harbor at Leith, it was a beautiful day to walk around. I also found an incredible seafood restaurant there called Ship on the Shore. 100% recommend and I can’t wait to go back.
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Edinburgh Castle:
Absolutely mind-blowingly awesome. The views of Edinburgh are incredible and the whole place is just amazing. I’ve been a couple of times now and I’m still not over it. This is a definite hands-down “must do”.
The Honours of Scotland (crown jewels) are kept here in addition to the Stone of Destiny. The Stone of Destiny has been used for centuries in the inauguration of the Scottish Kings. The Stone was taken from Scotland in 1296. In a very daring move by four students in 1950, it was taken back from Westminster Abbey to Scotland where it now resides permanently! Very exciting! There’s actually a movie about it that’s worth a watch, The Stone of Destiny.
Just to give you an idea of how old the castle is, you can visit the chapel built in honor of Queen Margaret who died there in 1093. TEN…NINETY-THREE. It is hard to wrap your head around something that old here in the United States. It’s just crazy.
If you find yourself there around lunch, you can have a wonderful afternoon tea and then experience the 1 pm gun exhibition. They fire off a field gun every day at 1 pm except for Sundays of course. The tradition goes back to when they would fire it to signal the time to the ships out in the harbor.
Holyrood House Palace:
Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile is the official residence of the Queen when she’s in Scotland. With that in mind, you can only tour the “public side” of it and the Queen’s Gallery next door. It’s a very short tour through beautiful rooms and the history is very interesting but it wasn’t like a knock-your-socks-off experience.
One of the highlights for me was being able to see Mary Queen of Scots Chambers. She has always been one of my favorite historical icons. To catch you up, she lived at Holyrood House Palace from 1561-1567. It was during that time that her CRAZY husband decided to stab her private secretary 56 times in a jealous rage. You will pass through the rooms where this happened and some people say the Outer Chamber floor is stained with his blood. Creepy.
Make sure to check out the ceiling in her bed chamber as you walk through. It’s very well known for how beautiful it is.
My favorite part, however, was the ruins of the Abbey which sits behind the Palace. GORGEOUS. The whole thing was worth it just to wander through there. The wardens give tours throughout the day so make sure to ask when the next one is, definitely worth your time.
Arthur’s Seat:
Looming above Holyrood House Palace are the Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat. Legend has it that Arthur’s Seat may be the location of King Arthur’s Camelot. From the top, you can see the advantage of having a stronghold up there but I guess you’ll have to decide for yourself if you think you’re standing where King Arthur did.
I haven’t climbed Arthur’s seat but half of a group I took in 2019 did and they had a great hike. They said it was muddy in spots but pretty doable overall. It took about an hour to get to the top, to be able to get to the very tippy top though you do have to scale some rocks for the privilege of saying you got to the marker at the peak. They went for sunrise and the pictures do not disappoint.
Scotch Whisky Experience:
After you tour Edinburgh Castle (which you absolutely have to), you’ll be walking down the Royal Mile, and almost immediately on your right is the Scotch Whisky Experience. So you ARE in Scotland after all, you should probably at least try whisky…just saying. Newbies and Scotch lovers alike will really enjoy themselves here.
You start your experience off with a barrel ride through the whisky-making process, then you get a scratch and sniff card for an immersive film before being taken to the tasting room where you get to pick your sample.
They focus on the five regions in Scotland where Scotch Whisky comes from; Campbelltown, Highland, Lowland, Islay, and Speyside. The scratch and sniff card is coordinated to the different regions and what goes into the whisky that makes it different from the other areas. The whole thing is brilliant and I’m not exaggerating when I say that even people who think they don’t like whisky come away liking whisky.
They have a couple of different levels depending on how many samples you want or if you would like to try a food pairing. You also get to have a gander at the world’s largest whisky collection and you’re given a crystal whisky-tasting glass as a souvenir. I have taken everyone who goes with me through the Scotch Whisky Experience, it’s just such a good time.
The Real Mary King’s Close:
Further down the Royal Mile, is The Real Mary King’s Close. A close is an alleyway and sometimes private property so be careful when you’re wandering just in case.
The Real Mary King’s Close is an extremely interesting attraction. You’ll head below Edinburgh with a costumed guide into the only preserved 17th-century street. There are houses, shops, and passageways down there all beneath the city.
Mary King was quite the modern woman back in the 1600s. She married but chose to not take her husband’s last name and when he passed he left her the title of “Burgess” making her a merchant. She had a seat on the Edinburgh AND voting rights…in 1629! She was kind of awesome!
Closes usually get their names from the activities or businesses that were featured on them. Mary King’s Close was named after her because she was a very well-established business woman in the area. Unfortunately, after her death, the plague struck Edinburgh and eventually this area of the city was built over by The Royal Exchange.
It’s pretty unreal to think about and a very educational tour. I would not recommend to anyone who’s not comfy with tight spaces but otherwise, it’s a really great experience.
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard:
I’m sure all my Harry Potter fans out there have heard of Greyfriar’s Kirkyard but if you are unfamiliar then here’s a quick summary. The kirkyard or cemetery is associated with the Greyfriar’s Kirk (church) from the 1620s. It is an incredibly beautiful church and cemetery. Allegedly it is also very haunted…ooooooohhhhh. Bordered by the Flodden Wall, it would be an intriguing stop for anyone visiting Edinburgh but it is said that J.K. Rowling would walk the kirkyard for character name inspiration for the now famous Harry Potter series.
If you take ANYTHING from this post, please please please be respectful of the graves if you decide to visit. When we were there, “Thomas Riddle’s” grave was an absolute mess from people walking thru it to get a picture of his headstone. The church had to put up yellow caution tape around it to try to keep people back. It was very sad. So just a reminder, it is a real cemetery with real graves with real people buried in them.
Greyfriar’s Bobby:
So here’s a story that will tear at your heart. Bobby was a Skye Terrier who apparently spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he passed in 1872. After leaving the kirkyard, you’ll more than likely stumble upon his adorable statue outside the pub bearing his name. There have been books and movies about Bobby and he’s quite famous in his hometown, so make sure to stop by and snap a pic of this loyal little dog.
Grassmarket:
At the bottom of Victoria St is Grassmarket, a historic marketplace that is now home to many shops and Edinburgh’s oldest pub, The White Hart Inn. The Grassmarket was also the spot for public executions…yikes. There is a marker there now so you can see where the gallows had been at one time.
At the far end of the Grassmarket is The Vennel. Put it into Google Maps if you want EPIC pics of Edinburgh Castle. Totally worth the walk.
Camera Obscura:
Enjoy a visit filled with surprises as you explore over 100 interactive, hands-on illusions. Head up to the rooftop terrace for the best views in Edinburgh over the city, and discover the Victorian Camera Obscura.
Writer’s Museum
The Writers’ Museum, housed in Lady Stair’s House at the Lawnmarket, on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, presents the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Run by the City of Edinburgh Council, the collection includes portraits, works, and personal objects.
Gladstone’s Land
Gladstone’s Land was the house of a wealthy merchant from the seventeenth century. Completely restored in the late 1930s, it is now a house museum that explores in detail how the city’s residents lived in the Old Town over 400 years ago.
BONUS! Heading outside Edinburgh for the day:
- Rabbie’s: No question, hands down, my favorite tour company. Their guides are super passionate about their subject matter and they make the trip very fun. Highly recommend touring with Rabbie’s.
- Highland Xperience: Also a great company but you don’t get as much information as you do with the Rabbie’s guides at least in my experience.
Some places to consider going:
- Stirling Castle: Envision gory battles thrashing against the grand walls of Stirling Castle. Follow in the footsteps of the outlaws that hid amongst the hills of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. And relive the journeys taken by Rob Roy and William Wallace. This tour is perfect for anyone who wants to admire beautiful scenery and learn about the heroes, tragedies, and landscapes that defined Scottish history
- Forth Railway Bridge: Amazing Victorian engineering
- Dunfermline Abbey: The resting place of Robert the Bruce
- Stirling: Explore the magnificent castle
- Bannockburn: The site of Scotland’s greatest victory
- Outlander: There are moments that make your heart pound, scenes that leave you on the edge of your seat, and kisses that cause you to blush. But no matter how thrilling Outlander is, we think the real-life sites are even more emotive. This is because visiting the locations lets you step back in time and wander through unchanged ancient villages. It gives you the chance to gaze up in awe at the mighty walls of a 600-year-old castle. And it allows you to venture through the real battlefields of the Jacobite uprising. On this tour, your guide takes you through a fantastic array of Outlander sights while telling you all about the history that inspired the famous show. So, take this time-traveling adventure and discover that the real locations and history are as exciting as the show itself.
- Roslyn Chapel: Nowhere in Scotland is more riddled with mystery than Rosslyn Chapel. There’s the apprentice who was murdered by his master after carving the ornate Apprentice Pillar. There’s the connection to the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. And there are even some who believe the chapel was built on a UFO landing site. On this tour, you get a chance to explore the enigmatic Rosslyn Chapel, admire the gorgeous Tweed Valley, and visit Melrose Abbey, the alleged burial site of Robert the Bruce’s heart. So, join this day tour and indulge in the mystery, beauty, and history of Scotland.
- Loch Ness and the Highlands: Journey deep into the Highlands of Scotland on our monster-sized day tour. You hear the legendary stories of the Jacobites, gaze into gorgeous Glencoe, and get a chance to spot the mythical Loch Ness Monster. It’s a tour packed with bewildering beauty and perfect if you’re short on time and want to see as much of Scotland as you can.
Concluding Visiting Edinburgh’s Best
Well, there you have it! In my humble opinion…the best of the best with more to come! Did you add anything to your list? If you’re looking for more info on Edinburgh, check out my post about how to spend a long weekend in Edinburgh. It covers everything from places to stay and where to eat to my favorite shopping stops.
