Edinburgh travel guide: the castle, Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh is a hilly city with a medieval old town, a Georgian new town and a castle on a volcanic rock. It is easy to walk and hard to see in a day. Climb Arthur's Seat, walk the Royal Mile, and book the castle ahead, because it is the main sight and it sells out.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the Royal Mile, visit the castle, and climb Arthur's Seat for the view.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town for atmosphere, the New Town for calm, and Leith for food.
- How many days
- Three days covers the main sights and one trip. Two is enough for the highlights.
- Best time to go
- May to September for long days, or the festival month of August if you want crowds.
- Book ahead
- Edinburgh Castle timed tickets, and any hotel in August, months ahead.
- From the airport
- Edinburgh Airport is about 30 minutes from the center by tram or Airlink bus.
Where to stay in Edinburgh, in brief
Old Town
first visits and the main sights
Around the Royal Mile, with the castle and museums on the doorstep. It is busy and noisy in summer and during the festival.
New Town
quiet Georgian streets and shops
Elegant streets north of Princes Street, with good restaurants. A short walk uphill to the Old Town.
Stockbridge
a village feel and independent cafés
A leafy, local neighborhood with a Sunday market, about 20 minutes on foot from the center.
Leith
restaurants and the waterfront
The old port, now known for good restaurants and bars. About 30 minutes on foot from the center, with frequent trams and buses.
Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock, with the Crown Jewels and the One O'Clock Gun. Allow three hours.
1 to 3 weeks ahead in season
The Royal Mile
The old street between the castle and Holyrood, with closes, shops and St Giles' Cathedral. Walk it early to avoid crowds.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, with the best views of the city. Allow two hours, and take shoes with grip.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum with Scottish history, science and natural history. A good choice for a wet day.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with the abbey ruins in the grounds.
a few days ahead in season
Calton Hill
A short climb with views across the city, and the National Monument. Good at sunset.
Water of Leith walk
A riverside path from Stockbridge to Dean Village, quiet and green, close to the center.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Edinburgh can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Edinburgh, and which to pick- Edinburgh Castle1 to 3 weeks ahead in season
Timed tickets sell out in summer, and the queue at the gate is long.
- Hotels in August3 to 6 months ahead
The festival fills the city, and prices rise sharply.
What to skip in Edinburgh
- Tourist shops on the Royal Mile
Many sell the same tartan goods at high prices. Look in Victoria Street and the New Town for better shops.
- Crowded ghost tours in the dark
Most follow the same route. Choose a small group with a guide who knows the history.
Best time to visit Edinburgh
May to September is the best period, with long days and mild weather. August is the festival month, and is busy and expensive.
Winter is cold and dark, but the city is atmospheric, with Christmas markets and Hogmanay on 31 December. Spring and autumn are quieter, with changeable weather.
- From Edinburgh AirportThe tram runs to Princes Street in about 35 minutes. The Airlink bus takes about 30 minutes to Waverley.
- On footThe center is compact but hilly. Most sights are within a 20 minute walk of each other.
- Buses and tramsLothian Buses cover the city, and trams run from the airport to the center. Pay contactless on board.
Edinburgh in three days
- Day 1
Edinburgh Castle in the morning, the Royal Mile, and St Giles' Cathedral. A pub dinner in the Old Town.
- Day 2
Arthur's Seat in the morning, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum in the afternoon.
- Day 3
Calton Hill, the New Town, and a walk along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge.
Day trips from Edinburgh
- St AndrewsAbout 90 minutes by bus or train, with the old golf course, the ruined cathedral and the beaches.
- StirlingAbout an hour by train, with Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument.
Edinburgh: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
Three days covers the main sights and a walk up Arthur's Seat. Two days is enough if you are short on time.
Where should I stay in Edinburgh?
The Old Town is the most convenient for sights, and the New Town is calmer. Stockbridge and Leith are good for a local feel.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
May to September has the longest days. August is the festival month, with large crowds and high prices.
Is Edinburgh walkable?
Yes, though it is hilly. Most of the center can be crossed on foot in about 30 minutes.