Top Things To Do in Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland creates a dramatic impact with its Gothic architecture, inspiring culture and thriving nightlife.  

The best thing to do in Edinburgh is to take a guided tour in the historic hub of the Old Town, the Royal Mile, which is home to the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II. Major landmarks can be visited by buying attraction tickets in advance. The Georgian New Town is the other neighbourhood in the city worth exploring. Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tours are the best way to see the main sights. Several day trips are available from the city to see castles and countryside.

Edinburgh has some world-class museums dedicated to nature, science and local heritage, but the two essential ones for the museum addict are the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

Known as the “the world’s leading festival city”, Edinburgh holds 12 festivals throughout the year covering themes as diverse as literature, science and films, including the Fringe, the Book Festival and the International Festival. New Year is the time for the Hogmanay celebration and rugby is the flavour of spring with the annual Six Nations tournament.

The highest peak in Edinburgh, Arthur’s Peak, offers breathtaking panorama of the cityscape and the North Sea. Some of the best experiences include lively evenings at traditional pubs and an underground ghost tour. Dean Village and Stockbridge are entertaining options with a wide variety of delis, bars and shops. Walking along Inverleith's century-old mansions, relaxing in the Royal Botanic Garden and exploring historical area of Leith are some of the essential experiences to enjoy as part of the Edinburgh tour package.