Edinburgh

Q: What food is Edinburgh known for?

A strong modern-Scottish food scene with Michelin-starred restaurants, excellent seafood and beef, and dishes like haggis alongside historic pubs.

Q: When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

Late spring and early autumn balance weather and crowds; August is busy thanks to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

A medieval Old Town, elegant Georgian New Town and castle skyline

Browse Edinburgh

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Scotland’s capital packs a medieval Old Town, an elegant Georgian New Town and a dramatic castle skyline into a compact, walkable city. Our local picks below cover the best things to do, eat and book – filter by category and budget to explore.

Edinburgh at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: late spring and early autumn
Highlights: the Castle, Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat
Where to stay: Old Town, New Town or the West End
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: a very walkable centre

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Compare live hotel prices on the map, then browse our hand-picked hotels by budget below. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Luxury

The Balmoral

Edinburgh's iconic Forbes Five-Star landmark above Waverley Station, with the famous clocktower, a spa and a celebrated afternoon tea.

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Gleneagles Townhouse

A chic, art-filled townhouse hotel in the city centre with a rooftop bar and service guests consistently rave about.

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Mid-range

The Resident Edinburgh

A smart, well-priced 4-star in the West End with high-spec rooms, big beds and skyline views.

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Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

A dependable central mid-range hotel a short walk from Princes Street and the Old Town.

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Hotel du Vin Edinburgh

An Old Town hotel with a wine-and-whisky theme and plenty of character at mid-range prices.

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Budget

Motel One Edinburgh-Princes Street

Stylish, design-led budget rooms in a prime New Town spot across from Waverley Station.

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Eden Locke

Aparthotel studios on George Street offering excellent value, especially for multi-night stays.

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Hotel Ceilidh-Donia

A friendly, highly rated budget guesthouse known for its breakfasts, just south of the city centre.

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Prefer a self-catering flat or house? Browse Edinburgh rentals on Vrbo →

Arthur’s Seat

The remains of an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park and Edinburgh’s best free viewpoint. The walk up takes roughly 45 minutes and rewards you with a sweeping panorama over the city and the Firth of Forth.

Dean Village

A picturesque former milling village minutes from Princes Street, with handsome 19th-century buildings strung along the Water of Leith walkway. One of the most photogenic corners of the city.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh’s most-visited paid attraction sits high on Castle Rock above the city. Inside you will find the Crown Jewels of Scotland (the Honours), the Stone of Destiny, the National War Museum and the famous One O’Clock Gun. Book a timed ticket ahead, especially in summer.

Edinburgh Ghost & Underground Vaults Tour

Edinburgh’s atmospheric Old Town closes and hidden underground vaults come alive on an evening ghost tour. Established operators such as Mercat Tours offer access to the Blair Street vaults, mixing real history, folklore and a few frights.

Falko Konditormeister

The place is situated in the buzzing Bruntsfiend area, providing locals with genuine German bakery products. Falko himself is a state qualified Master Pastry Chef from Germany who fall in love with…

★ 4.6

Harry Potter Walking Tour

A walking tour of the closes, graveyards and cafes said to have inspired J.K. Rowling, who wrote parts of the series in Edinburgh. Spot the real-world names and places behind the wizarding world.

Hawksmoor Edinburgh

The Edinburgh outpost of the acclaimed steakhouse, recently ranked among the best steak restaurants in the world, known for well-sourced British beef and a standout Sunday roast.

★ 4.5

$$$

Leith

Leith Arches

Old Town & Royal Mile Walking Tour

A guided walk through the medieval Old Town, taking in the Royal Mile, hidden closes, St Giles Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirkyard with the history and stories behind them.

One World Shop

One of Edinburgh’s oldest ethical shops, on Princes Street, selling a wide range of Fair Trade crafts, gifts and food sourced from producers around the world.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The King’s official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Tour the state apartments, the historic chambers linked to Mary, Queen of Scots, and the ruined 12th-century abbey and gardens.

Scottish Highlands Day Trip

The most popular day trip from Edinburgh heads into the Highlands, typically taking in Loch Ness, Glencoe and Pitlochry across a long but rewarding day of lochs, glens and dramatic Scottish scenery.

Stockbridge

Stockbridge Market

Stockbridge’s Sunday institution — a compact market beside the Water of Leith packed with artisan bread, Scottish cheeses, and some of the best street food in Edinburgh, from hog roast rolls to giant pans of paella. It runs every Sunday, 10am to 4pm, rain or shine. Arrive before noon — the popular stalls sell out and the lanes get packed — then walk it off along the river toward Dean Village.

The Grassmarket

A historic market square below the Castle, now full of independent shops and pubs, with a regular Saturday market and some of the best castle views in the city.

The Royal Mile

The spine of the Old Town, running downhill from the Castle to Holyroodhouse, lined with historic closes, St Giles’ Cathedral, independent shops and street performers.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

A five-star introduction to Scotland’s national drink at the top of the Royal Mile, with a barrel ride through the whisky-making process, expert-led tastings and the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky. The Silver tour includes one tasting; the Gold tour adds four single malts.

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Book your trip to Edinburgh

Find the best hotels and book tours and experiences, all in one place.

Find hotels in Edinburgh Book tours and experiences

Edinburgh travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?

Top picks include Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, climbing Arthur's Seat for the view, the Scotch Whisky Experience and an evening ghost or underground vaults tour.

How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

Two to three days is enough to see the Old Town, the Castle and Arthur's Seat at a relaxed pace, with time for a Highlands day trip if you have longer.

What food is Edinburgh known for?

A strong modern-Scottish food scene, with several Michelin-starred restaurants, excellent seafood and beef, and traditional dishes like haggis alongside its many historic pubs.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

Late spring and early autumn bring the best balance of weather and crowds; August is buzzing but very busy thanks to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.