26+ Top Things To Do In Edinburgh For A Magical Visit – Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on 26th March 2023

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Edinburgh is one of the best places in the UK for a romantic weekend break or even just an overnight stay.

Home to some truly breathtaking sights such as Edinburgh Castle, Victoria Street and Dean Village, an incredible food scene with so many delicious places to eat and so much history, Edinburgh is a fantastic city break in the UK.

There are also plenty of free walking tours in Edinburgh that will show you more of the city and its rich, abundant history and you’ll also experience many of the top things to do in Edinburgh to ensure that you have the best time in the city.

If you’re looking for an extensive list of the top things to see and do in Edinburgh, check out my ultimate guide below about the best Edinburgh tourist attractions and best places to eat!

Read more: 20 Best UK City Breaks For Couples In 2022

How to get to Edinburgh

Located in the west of Scotland, Edinburgh is easily accessible by many modes of transport. I’ve taken the train from York numerous times as it’s just one swift journey, but last week we decided to drive for the first time from my parent’s house in the Lake District which was just as easy and a beautiful drive.

Edinburgh is just over two hours’ drive from Carlisle, one hour from Glasgow and nearly two and a half hours from Newcastle.

By train, it’s two and a half hours from York, four and a half hours from London and roughly an hour and a half from Glasgow.

There’s also an airport just outside of the city centre which you can easily fly into and then catch the train into the city.

Read more: One Day In Glasgow Itinerary – Best Things To Do In Glasgow In 1 Day

Where to park

If you’re driving to Edinburgh, you’ll need somewhere to leave your car for the day and unless your accommodation has free on-site parking, you’re looking to pay quite a hefty parking price.

We parked at the St Leonard’s Car Park which cost £32 for 48 hours which I suppose isn’t too bad when you break it down into hourly costs. We also pre-booked the car park on Just Park as we knew that we’d definitely need it for a long time and we didn’t want to spend hours driving around the city trying to find a space!

Read more: Scotland Road Trip NC500 Itinerary – The Ultimate 5-Day Route

Where to stay in Edinburgh

I’m actually going to be writing a full post about where to stay in Edinburgh as I’ve been enough times now to warrant a whole post of the best places to stay!

For now, though, you can find some of my top recommendations below and I’ve also included a search box so you can easily find a great place to stay in Edinburgh.

• The Scotsman Hotel
• Safestay Edinburgh
• Radisson Blu Hotel

Find a place to stay in Edinburgh!

Booking.com

Read more: The Best Places To Stay In Edinburgh For Every Budget

1. Marvel at Edinburgh Castle – top things to do in Edinburgh

I’m gonna start off with arguably the most obvious thing to do in the city and that’s to visit Edinburgh Castle.

Despite having visited Edinburgh numerous times, I’ve still never actually properly been inside the Castle and I think that’s largely due to the fact that it’s pretty expensive and as I travel on a budget most of the time, it’s just not something I’m absolutely desperate to do.

However, having a slow mooch around the exterior of the Castle and marvelling at its ancient impressiveness is totally free of charge and definitely one of the best things to do in the city.

If you do want to see inside, tickets are £15.50 for adults aged 16 and over, £9.30 for children aged 5-15 and £12.40 for over 60s. Remember to book your tickets online in advance at the moment as they’re running at a limited capacity due to Covid.

2. Stuff your face with mashed potato at Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar

Whenever we travel somewhere, regardless of whether we’ve been before or not, one of our absolute favourite things to do is to try out new places to eat.

Having done some research on the best places to eat in Edinburgh before our trip, we came across Makar’s Gourmet Mash Bar on TripAdvisor and saw that it was rated #2 out of 1,708 restaurants in the whole of Edinburgh!

We’re not usually overly fussy about where or what we eat, but we both definitely appreciate good food so we were so excited to give Makar’s a whirl!

The premise of the restaurant is that they pride themselves on their vast variety of mashed potato dishes, which you then choose an accompanying meat or veggie dish to go with it.

I opted for the chargrilled chicken in a whisky, peppercorn and mustard sauce, served with Makar’s famous crispy smoked bacon and spring onion mash (pictured above). My dish was absolutely delightful, and beautifully presented and that sauce combined with the mashed potato; my goodness, it was incredible!

Matt went for the traditional Scottish option and ordered the beef haggis with honey and turnip puree, again with the crispy bacon and spring onion mash. It was our first time trying haggis and while I really wasn’t a fan at all, Matt seemed to really enjoy it and we both completely polished off our dishes!

We’re not often ones to order dessert but the warm chocolate brownie served with vanilla ice cream sounded too good to pass up on, so we ordered one to share. The brownie turned out to be a little too gooey in consistency for my liking, but it tasted delicious nonetheless.

We visited Makar’s on a day when they were taking part in the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ government scheme throughout August so we each got £10 off the total of our bill. Makar’s is a pretty expensive place to eat normally, with dishes starting from £14 to £17 each, so we were glad for the discount.

However, the price of the food is definitely reflected in its quality so while I’m quite a cheapskate and wouldn’t usually pay £17 for a meal each, I do think that Makar’s is a fabulous treat place to go when dining in Edinburgh.

It’s also a good idea to book ahead at Makar’s; we tried to book online but it said there were no online bookings available. Luckily, we decided to try our luck anyway and do a walk-in and sure enough, they managed to squeeze us in, but just bear in mind that might not always happen so book ahead to avoid disappointment!

Opening times: Mon-Thu: 12:00-20:30, Fri-Sat: 12:00-21:30, Sun: 12:00-15:30

3. Visit beautiful Dean Village – top things to do in Edinburgh

I’d never even heard of Dean Village until I started to properly research the best things to do in Edinburgh and I’m so glad that I came across it as it turned out to be one of my favourite things to do there!

Situated just a 25-minute walk out of the city centre, Dean Village is a tranquil and utterly picturesque little place teeming with stunning old buildings, churches and bridges.

It was also surprisingly remarkably quiet when we visited so I actually think it’s a bit of a hidden gem when visiting Edinburgh as not many people want to venture that far out of the city centre!

We walked right along the river to get to the village and I’m so glad we did because it offered up spectacular views of the gushing water and towering bridges. You can easily find your way with a quick Google Maps search.

The adorable stone houses and buildings are a definite highlight of Dean Village and while there’s not exactly an awful lot to do there per se, just seeing these quaint little houses is more than enough enjoyment for me.

Make sure you’re equipped with your camera (or at least your phone) when visiting Dean Village as you’ll undoubtedly want to snap a pic or two!

4. Get tipsy at the Scotch Whisky Experience

Every time we’ve been to Edinburgh, we’ve toyed with the idea of visiting The Scotch Whisky Experience but as neither of us are particularly huge fans of whisky, it didn’t seem to make sense to do so.

However, I’ve heard great things about the Scotch Whisky Experience tour and I’m sure if you’re partial to a glass of scotch or two, this will be right up your street!

5. Take in the views from Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens are without a doubt one of my absolute favourite places in the city. They usually play host to the Edinburgh Christmas Market, but they’re still beautiful regardless of the time of year you visit.

As you can see from the picture above, Princes Street Gardens also lend themselves to spectacular views of the Castle and from this angle, it reminds me so much of Hogwarts and it’s easy to see why J.K. Rowling spent so much time writing Harry Potter in Edinburgh!

6. Wander down picturesque Victoria Street

A wander down Victoria Street will have you witnessing a whole manner of different characters and it can often be quite an entertaining experience, especially when there’s drunk people around!

Aside from that however, Victoria Street is definitely one of the most picturesque and photogenic streets in the city and if you can get the angle right, you can capture almost all of the brightly coloured buildings in one picture.

Victoria Street is also home to plenty of bars and restaurants so it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for a lunchtime snack or a pint to warm you up in the colder months!

7. Stroll down the Royal Mile – top things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is arguably the most famous street in the city and it forms the thoroughfare of the Old Town.

Home to numerous shops, bars, restaurants and attractions (including the Scotch Whisky Experience and Mary King’s Close), the Royal Mile is a sight to see within itself.

You’ll also find Edinburgh Castle located at the top of the Mile (to the west) and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom (to the east), as well as other famous attractions and buildings such as St Giles’ Cathedral and Camera Obscura.

8. Be bewildered at Camera Obscura

Speaking of Camera Obscura, this is an attraction that’s situated on the Royal Mile that Matt used to love to visit as a kid. We planned to go on our visit to Edinburgh last week but due to Covid, they’re currently running at a reduced capacity and we completely forgot to pre-book tickets!

At Camera Obscura you’ll find a whole wealth of weird and wonderful illusions, as well as an awesome rooftop terrace that offers incredible views over the city.

Remember to pre-book your tickets before you go, especially if you’re visiting during Covid-19.

Tickets: Adults: £14.95, Children (5-15): £11.25, Over 65s: £13.05

9. See the incredible Scott Monument

Located within Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument is yet another one of my favourite things to see in Edinburgh.

It’s even more awesome when the huge wheel is in town and you can take in the views of the top of it from the top of the wheel.

The Monument is dedicated to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott and is truly a sight to behold as you’re walking through the gardens.

10. Indulge in the most heavenly pizza at @Pizza

Both Matt and I are such huge pizza fiends and whenever we get the chance to try out the ‘best pizza in town’, it’s an opportunity we just can’t miss!

After doing some research on places to eat in Edinburgh, we came across @Pizza which is ranked #32 out of 1,708 restaurants in the city and #1 pizza place in the city!

The premise of the restaurant is that you can either design your own pizza, or choose from one of the limited options on their menu; I’d 100% recommend creating your own!

It sort of works like Subway but wayyy fancier and infinitely nicer; you can just see it being prepared in front of you, depending on where you’re sat in the restaurant.

The ‘design your own pizza’ is such good value for money and for just £10.95, you can choose from 2 bases, 5 sauces, 4 kinds of cheese, 11 veggies, 10 proteins and 18 finishes. This also includes unlimited toppings which I was truly blown away by!

Of course, we both went all out and absolutely loaded our pizzas with the best toppings we could think of. I went for a sourdough base with BBQ sauce, chicken, chorizo, pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ham and garlic oil (there might have been more but I can’t quite remember!). Matt went for something similar as well.

The pizzas were absolutely exquisite and if you’ve followed me for a while now, you’ll know that both Matt and I are utterly obsessed with Domino’s Pizza and Matt even went as far as to say that he thought @Pizza was just slightly better; that’s how you know just how good these pizzas are!

There’s also an @Pizza branch in Birmingham so if you’re over that way too, make sure to check it out!

*Update March 2023, @Pizza has sadly gone into liquidation 🙁

11. Head up to the top of Calton Hill for amazing views

Calton Hill is located not too far from Princes Street Gardens and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding city below. You can see for miles across the city, as well as all the way out to sea.

It’s a fairly quick, albeit quite a steep hike to the top, but it’s much easier than trekking all the way up Arthur’s Pass (see below). On top of Calton Hill, you’ll also find the acropolis which is now known as the unfinished “National Monument”, as well as the Old Observatory House, Nelson’s Monument and the City Observatory.

Head up here if you want breathtaking views of the city.

12. Go on a hop on hop off bus tour – top things to do in Edinburgh

Bus tours are often a very popular way to get to know a new city; I’ve been on them in New York , Singapore and London just to name a few and they’re such a fab way to get your bearings as a first-time visitor.

As it wasn’t our first time in Edinburgh, we didn’t actually make use of a bus tour as we usually prefer walking around a city and getting to know it for ourselves first.

However, there are plenty of hop-on hop-off buses available in Edinburgh and if you’re looking to learn a bit of the history of the city as part of your visit, then I’d definitely recommend booking one of these!

13. Admire the impressive St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles’ Cathedral was founded all the way back in 1124 and is a pinnacle of remarkable Scottish history. Of course, it’s first and foremost a church, but that doesn’t mean to say that it doesn’t welcome visitors from all walks of life to experience its impressiveness.

The exterior of the church is just as breathtaking as the interior, and you can even book a rooftop tour to check out the views from the top.

14. Enjoy a pint or two in Grassmarket – top things to do in Edinburgh

Now known to be one of the most vibrant and bustling areas of the city, Grassmarket was once known for its public executions and marketplace for horse and cattle.

Nowadays, you’ll find the area teeming with new and old restaurants, bars and pubs, as well as beatific views of Edinburgh Castle.

15. Hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat

As I mentioned above, Arthur’s Seat is renowned for offering unbelievable views of the city, but to get to the top, you’ll have to trek a tiring and steep incline.

I’ve never been to the top of Arthur’s Seat as the views from Calton Hill sate my needs for an awesome lookout point, but if you’re particularly fond of hiking and want to catch a glimpse of the city from one of the best seats in the house, then by all means head to the top of Arthur’s Seat!

Go back in time underground at Mary King’s Close

The Real Mary King’s Close is one of the most famous attractions in the city and is an incredibly cool underground walkway that takes you underneath the Royal Mile.

As part of the tour, you’ll step back in time over 400 years ago, where you’ll learn all about the history of the street, as well as tales of the deadly plague epidemic and anecdotes of famous royals.

If you’ve got a particular penchant for history, then you’ll definitely love a visit to Mary King’s Close! Ticket prices are pretty steep so we didn’t visit it this time, but it’s got over 17,000 4.5* reviews on TripAdvisor so clearly many people think it’s worth the money!

Tickets: Adults: £17.95, Children (5-15): £11.25, Senior (60+): £15.95

Opening times: 7 days a week, 9.30am-6pm

Address: 2 Warriston’s Close, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1PG

16. Enjoy the relaxing Royal Botanic Gardens

During our travels, we visited many Botanical Gardens so when we realised that Edinburgh had its own version, we decided to check it out.

The gardens are home to many collections of wild and exotic plants and trees, but unfortunately I don’t think it’s quite as impressive as some botanical gardens we’ve visited before.

I was impressed, however, by the huge Monkey Puzzle trees and the giant leaves on a plant that I can’t quite remember the name of!

It’s free to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens so if you’re around that area, I’d recommend popping in, but I wouldn’t necessarily go out of your way to get there.

17. Learn at Dynamic Earth – top things to do in Edinburgh

If you’re in the mood to indulge in a bit of education while in Edinburgh and particularly if you’re travelling with kids, then a visit to Dynamic Earth should definitely be on your itinerary.

Here you’ll find the story of planet Earth and how it came to be in the modern day. You’ll learn all about our planet, right from back in the Big Bang days, to the present day and how the Earth has changed and developed during that time.

Unfortunately Dynamic Earth was still closed when we visited due to the Covid pandemic, so just keep an eye out for it reopening hopefully sometime soon!

Address: Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS

18. Visit the wonderful Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residency of the Queen when she visits Scotland. Standing proudly at one end of the Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse is also open to visitors who want to learn more about the royals’ involvement in Scotland and it’s full of history and stories about some of the most iconic royal figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots.

Tickets to this attraction aren’t cheap either, but if you have a vested interest in the royal family, then it’s definitely worth considering adding to your agenda while in Edinburgh.

Tickets: Adults: £16.50, Children (6-16): £9.50, Over 60s: £14.90

Opening times: 1 November-31 March: Thursday-Monday: 9.30am-4.30pm, 1 April-31 October: Thursday-Monday: 9.30am-6pm

19. Gorge on a mighty sandwich from Oink

Oink is another incredibly highly rated place to eat in Edinburgh, with three branches across the city.

They specialise in pulled pork sandwiches which are absolutely divine and it’s a great place to enjoy a lunchtime meal. You can design your sandwich to suit your preferences, including choosing the size, type of bread, stuffing and sauce.

We shared the ‘Oink’ which is the middle-sized sandwich as we weren’t particularly hungry, but I definitely think I could have eaten one all to myself if I was hungry enough!

20. Learn more at the National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh is also actually the largest library in Scotland and is home to thousands of books, resources, journals, newspapers and more.

The building itself is also an impressive feat to behold and if you’re looking for a place where people flock to one of the biggest research libraries in Europe, the National Library is definitely the place to be.

21. Take a peak at the Scottish Parliament Building

The Scottish Parliament Building resides pretty much opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse so it’s something to add to your itinerary if you’re going to be in this area anyway.

The building was unfortunately closed due to Covid still when we visited so we didn’t manage to get inside to look around, but in “usual” circumstances, you can embark on a tour to learn more about the Scottish Parliament and to see their headquarters.

Bonus top things to do in Edinburgh

• Go on the Royal Yacht Britannia
• Go on a river cruise
• Go on a ghost bus tour
• Go on a magical Harry Potter walking tour
• Go on a trip to Edinburgh Zoo

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• 24 Hours In Edinburgh
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• 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England
• AtoZ UK Road Trip Challenge

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Have you got any more recommendations for the best things to do in Edinburgh? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.