There’s no secret that I love Edinburgh — Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is a city where history and modernity meet in perfect harmony. Nestled amid Scotland’s stunning landscapes, this city offers an enchanting blend of ancient castles, contemporary architecture, literary legacies, and vibrant festivals. It makes for a perfect weekend trip or start of a larger trip to the Scottish Highlands. For those wondering what to do in Edinburgh, I’ve listed out a few ideas below for what to see/do during your trip to this moody city.
A Little About Edinburgh
Established as a royal burgh in the 12th century, Edinburgh’s prominence grew as it became the seat of Scottish monarchs. Edinburgh Castle stands as a witness to key historical events, evolving from a royal residence to a formidable fortress.
During the 18th-century Scottish Enlightenment, Edinburgh emerged as an intellectual hub, attracting luminaries like David Hume and Adam Smith. The city played a pivotal role in the Scottish Reformation of the 16th century, leaving an indelible mark on its cultural landscape.
In the 19th century, Edinburgh underwent a transformative expansion with the construction of the New Town, showcasing Georgian architecture and contributing to the city’s economic and cultural vitality. Today, Edinburgh harmoniously combines its rich history with modern energy.
Edinburgh Weather
The best times to visit Edinburgh are between May and September. Between these months, the weather is warmer, there’s less rain, and you’ll have more daylight hours to enjoy the city. In my opinion, however, there isn’t any wrong time to visit Edinburgh. The city has a special charm in each season, and the pros and cons depend on the trip you want.
Below are some temp highs and lows of the recommended months to visit Edinburgh:
- May: High of 58ºF/14.6ºC and low of 43ºF/6ºC
- June: High of 63ºF/17ºC and low of 48ºF/9ºC
- July: High of 66ºF/19ºC and low of 51ºF/10ºC
- August: High of 66ºF/19ºC and low of 51ºF/10ºC
- September: High of 62ºF/16.6ºC and low of 47ºF/8.6ºC
- October: High of 55ºF/13ºC and low of 43ºF/6ºC
If you don’t mind the cold, December is also a great time to visit due to Edinburgh’s Christmas markets. Temperatures range from 2-5°C (35-41°F), so you’ll want to bundle up. To learn more about Edinburgh’s Christmas markets, you can find more info on their official site.
What To Do in Edinburgh – 10 Things Not To Miss When Visiting
#1 Walk the Royal Mile
Walking the Royal Mile is one of the main activities that pop up when researching what to do in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile is a historic, mile-long thoroughfare that connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s filled with shops and restaurants and is a great start to discovering the city. We landed in Edinburgh in the afternoon and walked the Royal Mile down to Holyroodhouse. If you’re a fan of the royal family, I’d recommend taking time to visit Holyroodhouse (which I mention more about later) as it’s the King’s official residence in Edinburgh.
The walking time to cover the entire Royal Mile depends on your pace and how much time you spend exploring the various attractions, shops, and historical sites along the way. On average, a leisurely walk from one end to the other, without many stops, might take around 20 to 30 minutes. To fully appreciate the area, I recommend blocking out at least 1-2 hours to explore.
Another great way to see the Royal Mile (and all of Edinburgh, really) is a Hop On Hop Off bus. This is a great activity on your first day visiting Edinburgh to get a lay of the land. You can book a Hop On Hop Off bus here.
If you’re not keen to walk but want to have the full Royal Mile experience, you can also book a guided walking tour to take in its full history. This Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh has great reviews (5 stars!) and is 3 hours long.
#2 Tour Mary King’s Close
A “close” refers to a narrow, enclosed pedestrian alley or passageway. Mary King’s Close dates back to the 17th century, and it is one of the many closes buried beneath the Royal Mile as the city expanded and modernized.
During the 17th-century plague, many residents succumbed to the disease within its narrow confines, and the close was sealed off, creating a time capsule of that era. This dark past has given rise to various ghostly legends, making it a popular destination for those seeking a glimpse into Edinburgh’s haunted history. If there is one thing that I would add to your what to do in Edinburgh list, it would be touring Mary King’s Close. The experience was extremely well done and if you’re into dark history like I am, you’ll find it really interesting.
During October, there are true crime themed tours of the close from Oct 13-31st. These tours get bought out quickly, and we sadly didn’t buy in time for the weekend we visited, but the classic lantern-led tours were still great. You can book tickets for Mary King’s Close here. The tours last approximately one hour.
#3 Graveyard Walking Tour
We made a little detour to Greyfriar’s cemetery during our walk to dinner to find Tom Riddle’s tombstone. The grave of Thomas Riddell is said to be the inspiration for the name, Tom Riddle (Voldemort for you non-HP fans) in Harry Potter.
On our walk through Greyfriar’s Cemetery, I noticed a lot of walking tours and wished we had booked one. Edinburgh has a dark, haunted past and I would’ve loved to hear more about it from a guide. Especially as we visited in October, this would’ve been the thing to do to get in the Halloween spirit. Below I’ve listed a few paranormal walking tours that I’m considering for my next visit to Edinburgh:
- City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour (£16.00 – 1.5 hours)
- Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Walking Tour in Edinburgh ($30.69 – 1.5 hours)
- Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends ($26.23 – 2 hours)
#4 Victoria Street
Victoria Street, Scotland’s most photographed street, is believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. The street is lined with plenty of shops, including the Museum Context Harry Potter shop, a store dedicated to all things related to the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. It offers a wide range of Harry Potter merchandise, including books, collectibles, clothing, and various wizarding world-themed items.
As I mentioned, Victoria Street is one of Scotland’s most photographed spots, so don’t forget to take a photo here! Another thing you can do on Victoria Street is make a reservation at Howie’s, which serves seasonal, traditional Scottish food. We had a lovely meal here and tried their haggis, veal, and toffee pudding, which were all amazing. Tip: make sure to make reservations beforehand to ensure your spot as Howie’s gets busy!
#5 Edinburgh Castle
This what to do in Edinburgh list would not be complete without including Edinburgh Castle. It’s hard to miss the castle as it overlooks the city from atop Castle Rock. The castle has a collection of museums within its grounds which walk you through its construction and history from the 11th century to the present day. Our visit took about 2 1/2 hours, but we didn’t queue to see the crown jewels within the castle. Fun fact: The Honours of Scotland, on display in the Crown Room in Edinburgh Castle, are the oldest Crown jewels in Britain. They were first used together to crown the infant Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in 1543!
We recommend booking tickets ahead of time as they are slightly cheaper online and spaces tend to get filled up. You can book tickets online on their site, or you can opt to book with a service and have a guided tour of the castle. If you’re tight on time, a guided tour might be the way to go since most tours look like they are only about 1.5 hours long.
#6 Dean Village
Dean Village is not always included in what to do in Edinburgh lists and I’m not sure why. Located along the Water of Leith in Edinburgh, its charming stone cottages and cobblestone streets make it a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Dating back to the 12th century, it was originally a part of the Water of Leith Village, a milling community that powered up to 11 grain mills to provide food for Edinburgh’s growing population.
After its decline in the mid-20th century, the village underwent restoration and preservation efforts, transforming it into a picturesque and historic locale. We spent time roaming its streets and exploring Belgrave Crescent Gardens, the park right next to Dean Village. Today, Dean Village is a popular tourist destination, inviting visitors to explore its charming atmosphere and experience a glimpse into Edinburgh’s industrial and cultural past.
#7 Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano located in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. Standing at 251 meters (823 feet) above sea level, it offers panoramic views of Edinburgh and its surroundings. The hike is a 2.6-mile loop that takes around 2 hours to complete. Popular among locals and visitors alike, hiking the dormant volcano makes for a great outdoor activity, which makes it a must on the list of what to do in Edinburgh for you nature lovers.
#8 Take a Cocktail Making Class @ The Cauldron
We unfortunately did not get a chance to book this because the days we were looking to book were closed. However, this can be a fun twist on a night out during one of your nights in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is known to be the inspiration for many elements of Harry Potter, so you’ll find lots of attractions and tours that play on this. The Cauldron Edinburgh is no exception. This witchy-themed bar is an interactive cocktail bar that offers “potion-making classes” where you get to create your cocktails for the night.
If you book the potions experience, you create 3 delicious cocktails with your ‘potions master’. The experience is complete with fake smoke, cauldrons, and wands (at least, this is what I gathered from reviews when we were looking to book)! The whole experience lasts ~1h45 minutes and costs ~£34 per person. No worries if you don’t drink alcohol — there are also alcohol-free options as well so you don’t have to miss out on the potion-making fun.
#9 Day Trip to the Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are a mountainous region in northwest Scotland. It’s home to the famous Loch Ness (yes, like the Loch Ness monster), rugged landscapes, and some incredible views of the Scottish countryside. The Scottish Highlands are only a few hours away from Edinburgh by car and can make for an amazing natural escape from Edinburgh’s bustle.
We went to the Scottish Highlands as part of a 2-day road trip, which you can read more about here. While I would recommend spending at least a weekend in the Scottish Highlands, I think it is still worth it to take a day trip to discover their beauty. If you find yourself struggling to figure out what to do in Edinburgh with an extra day on your itinerary, a day trip to the Scottish Highlands will be more than worth your while.
Below are some options for day trips from Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands:
- Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh (€72.51 – 12 hours, bus tour, large group)
- Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh (€108.29 – 12 hours, mini coach, limited to 16 people)
#10 Visit Holyrood House
If you’re at the end of this blog post and you’re still trying to fill up your activity list for what to do in Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace is a good visit for those who are interested in the Royal Family. Positioned at the end of the Royal Mile, the palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Originating as a 12th-century monastery, the palace evolved into a regal residence with towering turrets and ornate furnishings.
Visitors can delve into history by exploring the State Apartments, marvel at the grandeur of the Throne Room, and enjoy the serene gardens. You can book tickets for Holyrood Palace on their official site here.
