Top things to do in Edinburgh
Attractions, tours and activities in Edinburgh
Edinburgh: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Edinburgh
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Old Town
In the city centre
Edinburgh Old Town oozes mystery. Its cobbled “wynds” (narrow alleyways) entice and delight with unexpected nooks and crannies that urge you to explore. In the town that spawned Stevenson’s “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde”, let Grassmarket’s cosy pubs bring out the bard in you. To unravel the ghostly tales behind Old Town’s hidden gems, join a guided tour.
Places to stay from £23 per night
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New Town
0.5 miles from city centre
Don’t be fooled by the name – New Town’s not that new. But its open spaces and elegant Georgian façades stand in stark contrast to the scrunched mediaeval maze of Old Town. Hidden behind neo-classical columns, New Town’s flats are among the city’s most sought after. If you fancy going the full Scottish, pick up a bespoke kilt from 21st Century Kilts.
Places to stay from £33 per night
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West End
0.9 miles from city centre
West End’s all about performance. This district’s chock-full of theatres, cinemas and concert venues. It really comes into its own during August’s Fringe Festival, when you can barely walk for grinning street comics or touts thrusting flyers into your hand. Need a break from the theatricality? Slip into Caley Sample Rooms for an off-stage brew.
Places to stay from £31 per night
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Haymarket
0.9 miles from city centre
Hay ho, let’s go! Commuters zoom in and out of Edinburgh’s central business district in a whirl of brogues and briefcases. On match days, you’ll see (and hear) rugby fans bustle their way to iconic Murrayfield Stadium. There’s plenty to please foodies, too – from First Coast’s Scottish fare to Lovecrumbs’ exceedingly good cakes.
Places to stay from £16 per night
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Bruntsfield
0.9 miles from city centre
Bruntsfield’s a leafy district where students eat, drink and sleep. On sunny days, grab a corner-shop beer and join the fresh-faced crowds in The Meadows Park, where you’ll find picnics, frisbees and sun cream galore. Head to funky gastro-pub Blackbird for Sunday brunch, before stopping off at Cameo Cinema’s cosy bar for a pre-film pint.
Places to stay from £45 per night
About Edinburgh
Including tips for the best time to visit Edinburgh
Compact, hilly and filled with innumerable attractions, Edinburgh delights visitors with its medieval old town and vibrant personality. Dominating the skyline is Edinburgh Castle, where Scotland’s crown jewels are displayed and centuries of national history unravel. Take a free guided tour of this mighty citadel to hear stories of its fascinating past, and pause at the Argyle Battery for sweeping city views.
From the castle, the legendary Royal Mile leads down to Holyrood Palace in a jumble of museums and gift shops selling everything from kilts to vintage whisky. Some of the city’s best eats can be found here too – if the salty smell of fish and chips doesn’t tempt you, then perhaps a pub lunch of ‘haggis, neeps and tatties’ will.
Burn it all off with a walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that overlooks the city in nearby Holyrood Park, and admire the natural landscape that stretches for miles around.
A wonderful time is guaranteed in Edinburgh, no matter the time of year. In winter there’s Hogmanay, a three-day festival of spectacular events and street parties to celebrate the new year. Summer brings balmier weather, before rounding up with the world’s biggest arts festival: The Fringe. Lasting an entire month, this all-out celebration packs stand-up comedy, magic shows and dramatic theatre into its busy schedule, creating a buzz that draws bigger crowds to the Scottish capital year after year.
Tonight
From £157 per night
This weekend
From £387 per night
Next weekend
From £640 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | GBP |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | £125 per night |
| Average weekday price | £123 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Edinburgh
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Castle
0.2 miles from city centre
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Grassmarket
0.1 miles from city centre
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Edinburgh Playhouse
0.7 miles from city centre
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Usher Hall
0.5 miles from city centre
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The Georgian House
0.7 miles from city centre
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Arthurs Seat
1.2 miles from city centre
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Royal Botanic Garden
1.3 miles from city centre
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Royal Yacht Britannia
2.4 miles from city centre
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Royal Mile
0.4 miles from city centre
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Queen's Hall
0.6 miles from city centre
Edinburgh reviews
What other travellers say about Edinburgh
Always lots to do in Edinburgh.
14 April 2024
Always lots to do in Edinburgh. We stayed a couple of days and visited Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, National Gallery and the Britannia. Ocean terminal is great for a variety of restaurants. A day pass for the tram removes the usual city centre driving and parking hassle. Edinburgh zoo is great and will easily take up a few hours. Great city for families, couples and solo travellers.
Edinburgh is a great city if you like culture, cuisine and...
12 April 2024
Edinburgh is a great city if you like culture, cuisine and comedy. There's always a lot going on. They've got a million little cafes, bars and restaurants. It's also very historical and worth a visit if you're into castles and period buildings. It is quite expensive, especially to go out at night but most places are worth the expense.
Edinburgh is very beautiful,no word’s to tell about it,you...
12 April 2024
Edinburgh is very beautiful,no word’s to tell about it,you have to see it,there is all -old city- amazing,beautiful houses,churches and castles,There is the see ,the mountains,there is amazing shops,pub’s,restaurants.
Full of things to do , easy to get around on foot or by...
12 April 2024
Full of things to do , easy to get around on foot or by public transport or open to bus. Lots of restaurant choices . Historical buildings and museum all worth seeing . Plenty for Harry Potter and ghost fans . Boat trips need to be booked in advance of arrival and well worh considering .
Edinburgh can be expensive.
11 April 2024
Edinburgh can be expensive. Look around first. Doesn't mean value if expensive. You can get good food at a reasonable price.dont go on tour buses. Buy a day saver from Lothian buses. £5 any bus and tram all day.
Edinburgh is full of life.
10 April 2024
Edinburgh is full of life. Old Town has a fabulously bewitching vibe: underground vaults, cobblestone streets, narrow dark passageways, turrets and spires, and lively cafes and pubs housed in gothic buildings, soaring spires. New Town bustles with a more modern vibe but just as unique and full of Scottish character. It's a very walkable (and in some places hikeable) city, and good public transportation to take you from waterfront to the hills and anywhere in-between. There are many enchanting sights to just outside the city as well. Lastly, The National Museum of Scotland is seriously impressive and well worth a few hours on a rainy day.
Popular places to stay in Edinburgh
Stay in some of the best accommodation Edinburgh has to offer
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BrewDog DogHouse Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh
From £198 per night
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Ocean Mist Leith Leith, Edinburgh
From £129.60 per night
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Cheval Old Town Chambers Old Town, Edinburgh
From £285.30 per night
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The Balmoral Hotel Old Town, Edinburgh
From £440 per night
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Hotel Ceilidh-Donia Newington, Edinburgh
From £120 per night
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Other accommodation in Edinburgh
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Edinburgh
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Apartments
From £35 per night
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Villas
From £106 per night
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Cabins
From £100 per night
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Cottages
From £70 per night
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Glamping Sites
From per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £27 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £72 per night
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Guest Houses
From £24 per night
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Hostels
From £23 per night
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B&Bs
From £27 per night
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Holiday Parks
From per night
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Homestays
From £30 per night
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Campsites
From per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £35 per night
