Edinburgh

Travel Guide
Calton Hill which includes heritage architecture, a city and a castle

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

Visitors flock to the cultural and historic heart of Scotland to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and its many landmarks, parks and gardens.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Edinburgh's incredibly rich history and culture goes back so much further. Wander down the medieval side-streets of the Old Town or past the spectacular Georgian avenues and homes of the New Town, and enjoy the aesthetic charm of the city. Always in view and perched high on an ancient volcano, is Edinburgh Castle, which defended the city against attack for hundreds of years.

A good starting point is The Royal Mile, a series of cobblestone streets which lead you right from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as taking you past some of Edinburgh's best loved landmarks. Among them you'll see St. Giles' Cathedral and Parliament House.

Explore Princes Street Gardens that runs the length of the main shopping area of Princes Street. Around this stunning park, you’ll find memorials and monuments, including the Gothic Scott Monument built as a tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, and from which you can enjoy remarkable views of the city.

For the most rewarding views however, take a hike to the top of an extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat or to Calton Hill, with its impressive monuments.

To find more beautiful spaces to enjoy, try a little further afield. Dean Village for example lies in the countryside yet is just five minutes from the heart of town. While away a few relaxing hours in the port district in some of the great bars, cafés and restaurants. This is also where you’ll find the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which was used to take the British royal family all across the globe in over 40 years' service and is now a museum, open to the public.

Edinburgh is a fine city to visit all through the year. However some of the best times to visit are December and August. In the summer months, Edinburgh hosts some renowned arts festivals to which visitors flock from far and wide. The most famous of these are the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. At Christmas the city takes on a magical feel with plenty of attractions and markets, and at New Year, join in with the famous Hogmanay street party, a great way to round off the year and welcome in a new one.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Old Town showing heritage elements and street scenes

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Castle to Royal Mile – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Old Town Edinburgh
Calton Hill which includes general coastal views, a city and skyline

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Edinburgh Castle or Royal Mile and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(1,225 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Assembly Rooms and George Street.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring interior views and boating

Leith

5/5(1 area review)

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Leith Links and Edinburgh Port are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Leith
Default Image

Haymarket

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Haymarket for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like FountainPark and Princes Street. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Haymarket Tram Station.

Haymarket
National Library of Scotland featuring signage and interior views

Southside

If you're spending some time in Southside, Festival Theatre and The Meadows are top sights worth seeing.

Southside
YOTEL Edinburgh
YOTEL Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Erskine House, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM487 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
RM487
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,872 reviews)
"Picked this place as it looked high tech, the reclinable bed was a nice touch, the rainfall shower is nice though did get random hot and cold flashes in there and despite the door being closed the water tended to leak out and form a puddle outside the shower door, just had to keep the floor towel ..."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

YOTEL Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM592 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
RM592
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,017 reviews)
"Nice room with a view of the castle. Location was great and made the city very walkable. Enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM556 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
RM556
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"Staff very helpful and attentive"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
4 out of 5
26 King's Stables Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (483 reviews)
Beautiful castle view
"This is an amazing location! You’ll feel like you live in Edinburgh!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
3.5 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,573 reviews)
"My original room was suffering from a dish washer issue which made it impossible to stay in. Staff was kind enough to upgrade our room and provide free breakfast. Room was clean and organised, hotel location is good, right next to the old Edinburgh town."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Eden Locke
Eden Locke
4 out of 5
127 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (952 reviews)
"It was perfectly located, the staff was very helpful and kind. I also liked the café on site."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Eden Locke
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2147
" "5 - Excellent 71.95040214477211%
4 - Good
762
" "4 - Good 25.536193029490615%
3 - Okay
66
" "3 - Okay 2.2117962466487935%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 0.13404825737265416%
1 - Terrible
5
" "1 - Terrible 0.1675603217158177%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Mar 2020

Great for shopping attractions and food.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Mar 2020

Love Edinburgh!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

would recommend the hop on hop off city tour buses great value,

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

Good place to stay at Edinburgh airpoft

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
13 Mar 2020

Had dinner at no 11 Brasserie and it was lovely food.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Mar 2020

Too many begging people on pavements