Edinburgh is one of those cities that has so much to explore. There’s the castle in the Old Town, hidden closes leading to tucked-away courtyards and numerous historic pubs. Whether you’ve come for a weekend or a week, there’s always more to discover.
At TARKA, our capsule hotel sits right in the heart of it all. We’ve put together this guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh, from the iconic landmarks every visitor should see to the hidden gems the locals love.
1. Edinburgh Castle
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the castle. Perched dramatically atop an extinct volcano, it’s guaranteed to stop you in your tracks when you first catch sight of it from Princes Street.
Inside you’ll find the Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom, along with St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in the city, and the mighty mediaeval cannon known as Mons Meg. The National War Museum, and the views across to the Firth of Forth are extraordinary.
Book tickets in advance, queues can be very long in summer. Stay until 1pm to hear the famous One O’Clock Gun fired from Mill’s Mount Battery.
2. Walk the Royal Mile (and Explore the Hidden Closes)
The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle at the top down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. The street’s bustling shops, historical attractions and vibrant street performances makes it a cherished part of the city.
Anchor Close, Riddle’s Court and Brodie’s Close are all worth ducking into. For a deeper dive, a guided walking tour will unearth the stories, including tales of plague, fire and the city’s thriving mediaeval street life.
3. Climb Arthur’s Seat
A 251-metre extinct volcano sitting right in the middle of the city. Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park is a genuine highlight of any visit, and the hike to the summit takes around 45 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Once you reach the top, the panoramic views stretch across the city, over the Firth of Forth and far into the distance on a clear day.
Wear sturdy shoes; the path gets slippery when wet. Go early in the morning or at golden hour for the best light and fewest crowds.
4. The Real Mary King’s Close
Beneath the Royal Mile lies a warren of preserved 17th-century streets. The Real Mary King’s Close is one of Edinburgh’s most fascinating, and eerie, attractions.
Costumed guides lead you back through plague-era Edinburgh, into cramped rooms where merchants and tradespeople once lived and worked. It’s atmospheric, brilliantly told and genuinely unlike anything else in the city.
Book in advance; tours sell out.
5. The National Museum of Scotland
Free to enter and absolutely unmissable, the National Museum of Scotland is one of the best museums in the UK. The grand Victorian Grand Gallery is excellent, and the collections inside range from Scottish history and natural science to design, fashion and technology.
Highlights include Dolly the sheep (yes, the cloned one), the Lewis Chessmen and a beautifully curated story of Scotland from the earliest settlers to the present day.
Head to the rooftop terrace for some of the best free views in the city.
6. St Giles’ Cathedral
Sitting in the middle of the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral is one of the great Gothic buildings of Scotland. Its soaring vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and remarkable thistle chapel reward a slow, unhurried visit.
Entry is free (donations welcome). It’s a calm, beautiful alternative to the bustle of the Royal Mile just outside the doors.
7. Palace of Holyroodhouse
At the foot of the Royal Mile stands the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The Palace of Holyroodhouse has a long history; Mary, Queen of Scots, lived here, and her private chambers have barely changed in 500 years.
The State Apartments are lavishly decorated, and the ruined mediaeval Holyrood Abbey adjacent to the palace adds a haunting, romantic dimension to the visit.
The palace is closed to visitors when the King is in residence, usually in late June.
8. Dean Village and the Water of Leith
A short walk from the west end of Princes Street, Dean Village feels like a storybook illustration, a cluster of old mill buildings nestled in a leafy gorge, completely cut off from the noise of the city above.
Follow the Water of Leith walkway from here towards Stockbridge for one of Edinburgh’s most peaceful and photogenic strolls. The area around Circus Lane nearby is especially beautiful, a cobbled mews street that’s arguably the most-photographed spot in the city.
9. Greyfriars Kirkyard
Edinburgh’s most famous graveyard is a place of genuine history and curious stories. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, the churchyard is where you’ll find headstones bearing names J.K. Rowling borrowed for her characters, including one for Thomas Riddell.
It’s free, central and unlike anywhere else in the city. The statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal Skye Terrier who reportedly guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years, sits just outside the gates.
10. Victoria Street
If any street in Edinburgh could be described as cinematic, it’s Victoria Street. This curved, two-tiered cobbled street in Old Town, thought to be one of the inspirations for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, is lined with colourful shopfronts selling everything from antique maps to hand-crafted whisky.
Walk it from above on the terrace level, then again from below; it looks completely different from each perspective. The adjacent Grassmarket area is great for food, drinks and people-watching.
11. Edinburgh Vaults
Beneath South Bridge lies a network of underground chambers built into the arches, vaulted rooms that once housed taverns, cobblers and residents.
Tours range from historical to ghost-hunting experiences. The Edinburgh Vaults are one of the city’s most memorable experiences and are endlessly atmospheric.
12. Scotch Whisky Experience
Situated right beside Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience is the best place in the city to get to grips with Scotland’s national drink. Guided tours take you through the production process, the regions and the vast range of flavours, and naturally, there’s tasting involved.
For gin lovers, Edinburgh Gin Distillery near Waverley Station offers behind-the-scenes tours with tastings and the chance to try their award-winning range.
13. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attraction, Camera Obscura, sits right at the top of the Royal Mile next to the castle. Five floors of optical illusions, mirror mazes and mind-bending exhibits make this a fantastic option for all ages, and the rooftop terrace offers 360-degree views across the city.
14. Calton Hill
A short walk from Princes Street, Calton Hill rewards a fifteen-minute climb with some of the best free views in the city. The hill is home to a mix of monuments, including the unfinished National Monument, modelled on the Parthenon, and gives you a unique perspective of Edinburgh’s dramatic skyline with the Firth of Forth beyond.
It’s especially worth visiting at sunrise or sunset, when the light turns the city golden.
15. The Royal Yacht Britannia
Docked at the Ocean Terminal in Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia served the Royal Family for over four decades. A self-guided audio tour (available in 36 languages) takes you through all five decks, from the royal apartments and state dining room to the engine room and crew’s quarters.
It’s consistently rated among the UK’s top attractions, and the on-board tearoom with waterfront views is a treat in its own right. Allow a couple of hours and combine it with a wander through Leith’s excellent independent food and drink scene.
Bonus: The Edinburgh Festival
If you can time your visit for August, Edinburgh transforms into the world’s largest arts festival. The Fringe features thousands of shows across every genre, comedy, theatre, cabaret and spoken word, while the International Festival brings world-class opera, dance and music to the city.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade, with massed pipe bands, military precision and fireworks, is an unforgettable spectacle. Book accommodation and show tickets well in advance; the city fills up entirely.
Practical Tips for Exploring Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s city centre is very walkable, with most of the Old Town’s main attractions sitting within ten minutes of each other on foot, though you’ll want comfortable shoes with good grip, as cobblestones and hills are par for the course.
If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket bundles all three at a discounted price.
Budget travellers will also be pleased to know that the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries and Princes Street Gardens are all free to enter.
Just be sure to book the big-ticket experiences, Edinburgh Castle, the Real Mary King’s Close and Camera Obscura in particular, well in advance if you’re visiting in summer, as they sell out fast.
Stay in the Heart of It All at TARKA
Edinburgh is a city best explored on foot, which means where you stay really matters. TARKA is Edinburgh’s capsule hotel, a smart, design-led base that puts you within easy reach of everything on this list. Whether you’re here for a flying weekend or a longer adventure, we’ve got a bed for you.
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