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The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh

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Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle ©
Castle
Edinburgh Castle , Edinburgh
4.4
A major monument of Scottish heritage and one of the world's most striking fortresses, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city's skyline. Sitting
Tours from £14
Arthur's Seat ©
Geologic Formation
Arthur's Seat , Edinburgh
4.8
For the easiest possible access to rugged Scottish landscapes from Edinburgh, head to Arthur's Seat. This 250.5 m (822 ft) promontory sits ju
Tours from £16
The Royal Mile ©
Landmark
The Royal Mile , Edinburgh
4.5
The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in Edinburgh's Old Town. Actually a bit longer than 1 mi (1.6 km), this succession of multiple street
Tours from £14
  • ©
Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
See Edinburgh’s shady side. The gruesome and the glorious. The ghostly and the ghastly. This 2-hour tour is a wickedly entertaining walk on the wild and dark side of the Scottish capital. Explore the spots where murders, monsters and mayhem have become things of legend, and visit Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard, two of Edinburgh’s most chilling cemeteries. Throughout the tour, hear real-life tales of witches, body-snatchers, vampires, cannibals and more from your entertaining guide.
Book on Viator from £16
Royal Yacht Britannia ©
Specialty Museum
Royal Yacht Britannia , Edinburgh
4.7
Aboard Royal Yacht Britannia, see how the royals lived while on the water. Originally launched in 1953 and decommissioned in 1997, this luxur
Tours from £5
National Museum of Scotland ©
Natural History Museum
National Museum of Scotland , Edinburgh
4.7
National Museum of Scotland combines one museum on Scottish antiquities, culture, and history and another on technology, natural history, and
Tours from £9

Recommended Edinburgh tours

FROM £16 BOOK WITH VIATOR Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Tours from £16 ›
FROM £14 BOOK WITH VIATOR Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from £14 ›
FROM £20 BOOK WITH VIATOR Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh
4.3
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from £20 ›
FROM £16 BOOK WITH VIATOR City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
4.3
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from £16 ›
FROM £16 BOOK WITH VIATOR City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
Tours from £16 ›
FROM £56 BOOK WITH VIATOR Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh
4.6
Duration: 12 hours
Tours from £56 ›
FROM £22 BOOK WITH VIATOR Small Group Royal Mile Walking Tour with Optional Entry to Edinburgh Castle Small Group Royal Mile Walking Tour with Optional Entry to Edinburgh Castle
4.8
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tours from £22 ›
FROM £25 BOOK WITH VIATOR Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
4.9
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from £25 ›
FROM £31 BOOK WITH VIATOR The Potter Trail Private Tour The Potter Trail Private Tour
5.0
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Tours from £31 ›
Trip Planner :  Europe  /  UK  /  Scotland  /  Edinburgh  /  Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh

4.4
Castles · Geologic Formations · Specialty Museums
While you'll find many fun things to do in Edinburgh, few cultural activities come close to tours of the city's famed castle, where you can see the legendary Stone of Destiny. Those looking to enjoy a sip of Scotland's famous whisky can tour The Scotch Whisky Experience, a replica distillery. Just outside the city, you can join a range of guided tours designed for casual sightseers, as well as activities catering to adrenaline-seeking tourists exploring Scotland.

Museums in Edinburgh

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National Museum of Scotland ©
Natural History Museum
National Museum of Scotland
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Scottish National Gallery ©
Art Museum
Scottish National Gallery
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ©
Art Gallery
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min
The Chocolatarium ©
Specialty Museum
The Chocolatarium
4.9
Duration: 2 hours

Historic Sites in Edinburgh

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The Real Mary King's Close ©
Historic Site
The Real Mary King's Close
4.1
Duration: 1h 30 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse ©
Castle
Palace of Holyroodhouse
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
St Giles' Cathedral ©
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
4.6
Duration: 1 hour
Greyfriars Kirk ©
Cemetery
Greyfriars Kirk
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Hidden gems in Edinburgh

BobCat Alpacas ©
Nature / Park
BobCat Alpacas
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Stewart Brewing Experience ©
Brewery
Stewart Brewing Experience
4.9
Duration: 2 hours
Scott Monument ©
Monument
Scott Monument
4.5
Duration: 1 hour
Pentland Hills ©
Geologic Formation
Pentland Hills
4.9
Duration: 2 hours

Side trips from Edinburgh

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum ©
Art Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Glasgow
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
Glasgow Tigers Speedway ©
Auto Race Track
Glasgow Tigers Speedway
Glasgow
4.7
Duration: 3 hours
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel ©
Specialty Museum
The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel
Glasgow
4.5
Duration: 3 hours
Glentress Forest
Biking Trail
Glentress Forest
Peebles
4.9
Duration: 2 hours

Shopping in Edinburgh

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Castlehill Whisky ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Castlehill Whisky
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Mackenzie Leather Edinburgh ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Mackenzie Leather Edinburgh
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Celtic Craft Centre ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Celtic Craft Centre
5.0
Duration: 2 hours
Allium ©
Gift & Specialty Shop
Allium
South Queensferry
5.0
Duration: 2 hours

Featured attractions

ScotBeer Tours ©
Nightlife
ScotBeer Tours
4.9
Duration: 2h 30 min
©
Walking tour
Walking tours
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Edinburgh Old Town ©
World heritage site
Edinburgh Old Town
4.8
Duration: 2 hours
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions ©
Observation Deck
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min

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Places to visit with Edinburgh

GlasgowTrip planner Best for: Art Museum, Nightlife, Specialty Museum InvernessTrip planner Best for: Distillery Tour, Water Body, Historic Site AviemoreTrip planner Best for: Ski Area, Nature / Wildlife Tour, Theme Park GlencoeTrip planner Best for: Valley, Hiking Trail, Nature / Park Fort WilliamTrip planner Best for: Mountain, Specialty Museum, Landmark

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Where to stay in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle ©
Edinburgh hides a maze of cobbled streets dotted with boutique hotels offering inexpensive rooms and outstanding restaurants. Many of the city's Gothic buildings house chic hotels with easy access to most of the city’s main tourist sites. For a uniquely Scottish experience, consider staying in the famous old town. Despite being in this historical district, many hotels here feature contemporary decor with lots of glass walls and muted color schemes. They’re also known for offering spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and restaurants serving classic European cuisine, with a modern Scottish twist.
20 million rooms are at your fingertips!
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