Edinburgh

Travel Guide

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle which includes a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden featuring a garden and heritage elements

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

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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

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

Old Town Edinburgh
Calton Hill showing 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 Scott Monument 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 showing heritage architecture and night scenes

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 boating and interior views

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 Edinburgh Port and Royal Yacht Britannia 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
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Tollcross

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross
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West End

4/5(668 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dean Village to Johnnie Walker Princes Street – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

West End
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM1,173 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
RM1,173
RM1,408 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,018 reviews)
"Location is perfect. Room was a bit warm and there is no a/c. They did however provide some small fans on request. The streets at night can get loud and since you need the windows open to cool the room it can be hard to ignore."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM637 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
RM637
RM764 total
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,018 reviews)
"good to stay."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is RM1,382 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
RM1,382
RM1,658 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,778 reviews)
"Good hotel overall in an excellent location but the room was not serviced once and due to the rain some leakage from the ceiling occurred. Would recommend staying in it though."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

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.
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile

4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,184 reviews)
"Overall a good stay. A great central location, with good shops and restaurants around."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
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 (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (946 reviews)
"Check in and out smooth, friendly atmosphere, clean room. Excellent position, quiet but within easy reach of the Royal Mile."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels

Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels

4 out of 5
6 Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Royal Mile and Princes Street ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
Amazing
"Place is new. All utensils and furnitures in the room are new and clean. Has a cooker, dishwasher, oven and washing machine. All tourist spots are walking distance and a lot of food choices available. We were upgraded to a larger room as a courtesy of our complaint of the aircon making very loud ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels
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.

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