👑 Whirlwind Tour of Edinburgh's Top Attractions: A Guide to Castles, Royal Mile, and Whisky
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city with an abundance of history and charm. Populated long before and established as a city in the 12th century, Edinburgh is a wonderful place to explore. It uniquely features an ancient volcano, military fortresses, castles, and palaces, picturesque gardens, and attractions such as a royal yacht.
While not completely flat, Edinburgh is a great walking city, and public transportation makes it easy to navigate. Consider the Edinburgh Bus Tours—with audio or live guides—as they take you directly to all the major city attractions. You can hop off to explore specific sites if it piques your interest. For example, the Surgeons' Hall Museums, full of specimens from the early days of medicine, may be of interest to those interested in the history of medicine. However, the highlights below are more universally appealing. There are also a few day trips just outside of Edinburgh that I would highly recommend if you have the time!
Edinburgh Castle: The Perfect Starting Point
For most visitors, the first site to explore is Edinburgh Castle. The imposing structure looming over the city is hard to miss and extremely enticing, offering magnificent views from the top.
The Castle is a great place to start your tour for a few reasons:
Orientation: It will help orient you to the city, clearly dividing Old Town and New Town.
History: It provides the essential historical context for the entire city.
Views: The views of Edinburgh are incomparable.
The audio tour provides extensive historical details and allows you to tour the castle at your own pace.
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Arthur’s Seat: The Ancient Volcano Hike
Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, provides the other imposing backdrop for the city of Edinburgh. Rising to 822 feet above the city, it is part of Holyrood Park and offers phenomenal views.
Since there is no way to drive to the top, reaching those views requires a bit of effort. This is more of a hike than a walk, so preparation is key: wear sturdy shoes, and bring water and maybe some snacks. Multiple trails take you to the summit and back down. Find the most up-to-date information for visiting Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat here.
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Located adjacent to Holyrood Park and at the end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King's official residence in Edinburgh and home of Scottish royal history. You can visit and tour the palace and grounds when the royals are not in residence.
The palace, with over 500 years of history, is the home of Scotland’s monarchs, including Mary Queen of Scots. The interior tour is limited to certain rooms and does not include the private quarters for obvious reasons. The exterior tour consists of the medieval abbey, which is a castle ruin, and the manicured palace gardens.
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Abbey, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Abbey, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Royal Mile: Old Town Highlights
The Royal Mile runs directly between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. This is a great place for a stroll, shopping, or a visit to a pub or restaurant for some sustenance. For recommendations on the best Scottish seafood, meat, and pies, check out our Edinburgh Food Guide. While you can spend hours exploring the shops and pubs, here are a couple of notable Old Town attractions along the route:
St. Giles’ Cathedral
You cannot miss the St. Giles’ Cathedral perched on a hill close to Edinburgh Castle.
The impressive building is characterized by its Gothic-style architecture, constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries with significant 19th and 20th-century restorations. Its most distinguishing feature on the Edinburgh skyline is the magnificent crown steeple.
This historic church has been an institution for almost 900 years. While it continues to provide church services, the Cathedral also hosts an extensive program of musical events and is open to visitors.
St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Mary King’s Close
Mary King's Close is a historic 'close' (Scottish term for alleyway) underneath the Royal Mile. This unique tourist attraction allows you to discover the hidden history of Edinburgh. Through character stories, visitors are taken back in time to experience 400 years of the city's past, revealing the fascinating secrets hidden below the modern streets.
Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Scotch Whisky Experience
Near Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience is not to be missed. The attraction, which was once a fun ride in a whisky barrel, is now an informative, interactive experience detailing the Scottish process of making whisky.
At the end of the interactive experience, there is a tasting and the opportunity to buy whisky. Note for US Travelers: Due to Scottish taxes, it is often cheaper to buy Scotch Whisky imported into the US. If you are from the US, check if it’s available at your local liquor store and buy it when you get home, unless it’s something truly special. Also, you avoid having more to pack for the return trip.
Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh, Scotland
Princes Street (New Town)
The new part of town was built in the 18th century, with Princes Street serving as the main road. Here you will find more shopping, pubs, restaurants, and the Princes Street Gardens.
The Princes Street Gardens are built on what was formerly Nor Loch, a heavily polluted man-made lake (as you learn on the Mary King’s Close tour). During the building of New Town, it was drained and turned into the beautiful green gardens it is today.
Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Water of Leith Walkway
From New Town, you can walk all the way to Leith along the Water of Leith Walkway. The entire path is 12.2 miles, and there are sights to see along the picturesque walk. I’ve only walked a small section, and it is akin to strolling in a storybook fairytale. There are also places along the way to venture off the walkway, including the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Water of Leith Walkway, Scotland
Water of Leith Walkway, Scotland
Water of Leith Walkway, Scotland
Water of Leith Walkway, Scotland
Water of Leith Walkway, Scotland
Royal Botanic Garden
Just off the Water of Leith Walkway, you will find the Royal Botanic Gardens. This is a wonderful place for meandering and a truly relaxing way to spend a few hours away from the bustling city.
Founded in 1670 as a physic garden, this 70-acre site is a world-renowned center for plant research and conservation. I’m not typically into horticulture, but I can certainly appreciate the array of plant species, the well-tended landscape, and the peaceful scenery.
Highlights of the gardens include:
The Rock Garden: Featuring over 5,000 alpine plants.
The Queen Mother's Memorial Garden: A dedicated, serene space celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother (born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, 1900–2002).
The Glasshouses: An extensive series of climatically controlled Victorian structures.
The Chinese Hillside: Home to the largest collection of wild-origin Chinese plants outside of China.
Rock Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
The Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Gray Heron, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Glasshouses, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Royal Yacht Britannia
Located in Leith, the former Royal Yacht Britannia of Queen Elizabeth II is now a UK attraction, preserving a bit of royal history. After 40 years of service and over a million nautical miles, the yacht was decommissioned and brought here.
The audio guide, one of the best I’ve heard, takes you through the yacht’s five decks. The tour covers the entertainment and dining areas, staterooms, crew rooms, and engine room, combining information about the yacht with engaging stories about the royal family.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is just over 2 miles from the city center and is easy to get to via the Edinburgh Bus Tours or public transportation.
Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Dining Room, Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
💬 Which of these Edinburgh attractions would be your first stop? Share your must visit sites below!
