A visit to Edinburgh isn’t complete without experiencing the city’s many sights and attractions. Luckily, the city is full of exciting and beautiful places to explore, and there are definitely plenty of them. Here are our suggestions for the best sights and attractions in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle
This beautiful castle is without a doubt Scotland’s most iconic attraction, and many would claim that a visit to the city isn’t complete without seeing it. Edinburgh Castle sits high on Castle Rock, an ancient volcano, and can therefore be seen from many places around the city. In addition to the sight of the magnificent castle, there is a phenomenal view over the entire city.
The castle has a long history behind it and has played a major role in Scotland’s past. It has been used for everything from a defensive fortress and royal residence to holding prisoners. Inside the castle, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the famous Stone of Scone are kept and displayed – the stone that has been used for the coronation of Scottish and English monarchs. This is also where you’ll find St Margaret’s Chapel (Scotland’s oldest building) and the Scottish National Museum of War.
Every day at 13:00, a cannon is fired – a tradition that dates all the way back to 1861 and is definitely worth experiencing. If you want to get the full experience of the castle, I recommend setting aside a couple of hours, as there is a lot to see.
The castle is incredibly popular among tourists, and tickets often sell out quickly – especially in the summer months. Because of this, it’s a very good idea to book your tickets in advance. By booking ahead, you secure your entry and avoid the disappointment of not getting in.
The castle is open every day from 9:30 to 17:30. If you’ve bought tickets, we recommend arriving at the castle half an hour before your booked time.
The Royal Mile
After you’ve visited Edinburgh Castle, we recommend to head down The Royal Mile, which leads you directly from the castle and through Edinburgh’s Old Town. We found the street incredibly charming and definitely worth a visit! Here you’ll find small shops and cozy pubs selling everything from Scottish whiskey to traditional kilts – maybe you’ll even be tempted to buy or try one? We have to admit that we didn’t, although it probably would have been quite fun!
But The Royal Mile is much more than just shops and pubs – along the street you’ll also find interesting sights like the impressive St. Giles’ Cathedral, which you can read more about later in the article.
Holyrood Palace
At the end of The Royal Mile lies Holyrood Palace, which today serves as the official residence of the British monarch whenever he is staying in Scotland. Although the palace is still used for royal purposes, it is open to the public. Here you can experience an important part of Scotland’s history.
Inside, you can explore a range of exhibitions that dive into the country’s past, from stories about former monarchs to significant events that have shaped Scotland’s culture and identity. These exhibitions offer an exciting and educational journey through time and make the visit both entertaining and informative – and we can highly recommend experiencing them!
Holyrood Palace has roots going all the way back to the 11th century, when it was originally founded as a monastery. It wasn’t until the 15th century that it was transformed into a royal palace, and since then it has played a central role in Scotland’s history.
The palace is open every day from 9:30 to 16:30, except on Tuesdays when it is closed. As with Edinburgh Castle, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance, as they can sell out quickly – especially in the summer months.
Close to the palace you’ll find Holyrood Park, a lovely park where you’ll also find Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano with a fantastic view over Edinburgh, which you can read more about later in the article.
Scotland’s National Gallery
For those interested in art, Scotland’s National Gallery is an obvious choice – it’s absolutely packed with masterpieces. Many consider it one of the best attractions in all of Edinburgh, which says quite a lot! If you have an interest in art, it’s an absolute must – and even if you don’t think of yourself as much of an art expert, it’s still a fantastic place to experience.
The museum offers everything from iconic works by artists like Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Monet to excellent Scottish art that gives you deep insight into the country’s rich history and culture. The collection spans several centuries, so whether you’re fascinated by the Renaissance, inspired by Impressionism, or simply curious, you’ll definitely find something that captures your attention.
The building itself and its central location on The Mound in the middle of Edinburgh make it an experience in its own right. In short, there’s no excuse not to add it to your list of places to visit!
It’s completely free to visit the museum! There may be special exhibitions that require payment, but general admission costs you nothing. In addition, the museum is open every day of the week, from 10:00 to 17:00.
Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is located in the middle of Holyrood Park, right next to Holyrood Palace. This makes it an obvious choice to combine a trip to Arthur’s Seat with a visit to the palace. This ancient volcano rises 251 meters above sea level and offers a fantastic view over all of Edinburgh and the surrounding landscape. And on a clear day, you can even see all the way to the sea – an experience I can highly recommend!
If you’re considering a trip up to Arthur’s Seat, we can truly recommend it. It’s actually quite easy to find your way up – there are plenty of signs and paths, so you don’t need to worry about getting lost. There are also several routes to choose from, so whether you want to take the easy way or feel like a more challenging climb, there’s a path that will suit you.
Expect the trip to take around 1–2 hours, depending on how fast you walk and which route you choose. Personally, I think it’s nice to take your time and enjoy the walk.
It’s completely free. All you need is a bit of time and a good pair of shoes.
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is without a doubt one of our absolute favourite attractions in Edinburgh. The last time we were there, we ended up spending an entire day – and even then, it felt like we didn’t get to see everything. This is not your typical boring museum – it’s packed with fun and fascinating activities that make it appealing for both kids and adults.
The museum is huge, with exhibitions covering everything from Scottish history and culture to fascinating displays about ancient Egypt – and everything in between. There are also tons of interactive and exciting technological inventions that really show how far we as humans have come over time. Everything is presented in a way that brings history to life and makes it genuinely entertaining – not just for adults, but also for kids or anyone young at heart who likes learning through play and interaction.
It’s free to visit the museum, and it’s open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, so there’s really no excuse not to consider a visit.
St. Giles’ Cathedral
Just like in many other historic European cities, Edinburgh has its fair share of impressive cathedrals and churches – but few are as iconic as St. Giles’ Cathedral. There’s broad agreement that this cathedral is one of the most unique sights in the city, and we definitely recommend a visit.
The cathedral features a combination of different architectural styles. The Gothic influence is clear – especially in the distinctive crown-shaped spire – but you can also sense elements from later periods of renovation. Historically, the cathedral has played a central role in Scotland’s religious development.
It’s free to visit St. Giles’ Cathedral, though donations are appreciated. It’s open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, except on Sundays when it opens to tourists at 13:00.
Address: Chambers St.
Dean Village
After you have seen the most popular sights, we would highly recommend taking a trip to Dean Village – one of the most unique places in Edinburgh. Dean Village is a historic district located by the Water of Leith and is known for its old and beautiful mills. The area also offers plenty of cozy cafés and charming, local specialty shops. It is only a short walk from the city center. We found the place very charming with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings, and we recommend stopping by if you have the chance.
Free Walking Tour (if your hostel doesn’t offer it)
Our final recommendation is a free guided walking tour. It’s a fun and budget-friendly way to see the city’s sights, and yes – it’s completely free. All you have to do is show up. The tour starts at the bar Copper Still, located at 154 High Street, right in the middle of The Royal Mile and just a two-minute walk from St. Giles’ Cathedral. The guides are friendly and have a good knowledge of the city. Since the guides work for free, it’s appropriate to leave a small tip as thanks for the tour. Tours take place every day, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join whenever it suits you. There are tours at 10:00, 11:00, and 13:00, so you can freely choose the time that works best for you. We recommend arriving at the location 15–20 minutes before the tour starts.