There are plenty of things to do in Edinburgh , whether you’re after a fun day out packed with adventure or a relaxed stroll through historical haunts. For a start, wander down the Royal Mile (actually one mile and 107 yards long), the name given to the road that runs along the crest of the ridge linking the Castle with Holyroodhouse, a working 17th-century palace where Mary Queen of Scots once lived. Art lovers, meanwhile, should head to the National Galleries of Scotland on the Mound or the Gallery of Modern Art a few minutes away from the West End.
For museums, there’s Dynamic Earth, which was built to celebrate the millennium, and the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, which features important artefacts from Scottish History. If you’re after a shopping spree and a bite to eat, try the new St James Quarter, or for great pubs and restaurants , head to Leith and the Shore. To marvel at the city’s beauty, take a stroll up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat, from where there are excellent views out to the sea.
How many days should I spend in Edinburgh? We recommend spending two to three days in Edinburgh to give yourself ample time to explore all the nooks and crannies this historical city has to offer. Where are the best neighbourhoods in Edinburgh to visit? To get a fully rounded experience of Edinburgh, try to visit at least a few different areas. Each neighbourhood in this city is like its own mini village with a unique atmosphere that ranges from bustling Leith with its bars and restaurants to the specialist, independent shops of Stockbridge.
Out to the east, the cool neighbourhood of Leith is where most of the city’s creatives call home. Once the product of a 40-minute walk, it’s now much more easily accessible thanks to the reintroduction of Edinburgh’s tram network. Take the five-minute trip out to enjoy the pretty port with its high street bursting with specialist shops, cool bars and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Edinburgh has the distinct advantage of being just a stone’s throw from the beach. Out at Portobello you’ll find a long promenade that runs the length of the beach, perfect for a robust walk to blow out the cobwebs after a weekend of too much eating and drinking. There are usually bikes to rent, too, and many take to the water for some cold exposure therapy (even in the depths of winter), so it works well for outdoors types.
If you need to refuel, you can grab pizza slices on the beach or head up and away for pastries from Twelve Triangles. If you’re only in town for a day or two, don’t skip the Old Town. As the name suggests, this is the original heart of the ancient capital.
Squat stone buildings, winding alleyways and fascinating architecture are jam-packed into this tiny neighbourhood, which has traditional restaurants as well as many a tourist shop for trinkets and tartan aplenty. Quiet with cobbled streets, Haymarket makes a nice place for a wander if you’ve done all the dodging of crowds you can take. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants down this way, notably The Palmerston, which is one of the city’s best places for seasonal sharing plates in a relaxed dining room.
With its well-heeled locals and a bevvy of independent shops, Stockbridge is one of the prettiest places to spend an afternoon. Drink up the orderly and elegant Georgian architecture and make plenty of stops in bookshops and coffee shops to pleasantly while away your time. The New Town is the city centre, but don’t let its name fool you.
Still full of beautiful, classic architecture and a bustling shopping district, you’re likely to start your Edinburgh trip here. From this central point you can easily access all other areas, as well as spots like Carlton Hill for incredible views and the St James’s Quarter with its global brands and famous food hall. The best things to do in Edinburgh From hiking up Arthur's Seat and looking out over Edinburgh to shopping in the city centre, these are the best places to visit in Edinburgh.
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