Arthur's Seat is a 251-metre former volcano which erupted for the last time around 350 million years ago. It is also a prominent Edinburgh landmark and is situated in Holyrood Park in the heart of the city.Many believe that the hill was named for the famed King Arthur of the Round Table, but there is also another school of thought on the origin of the name. This latter theory holds that the name comes by way of the Scottish Gaelic “Ard na Said”, meaning “Height of the Arrows”.Stroll up the relatively easy ascent to the hilltop, where you will find the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. The climb is 4.8 kilometres long, and can take anything from 30 minutes to a couple of hours the length of time is dependent on the route you choose and, of course, on the speed at which you walk. Keep your eyes open for the grey basalt rock formed by solidified lava from the hill's past life as an active volcano. A word of caution: conditions can sometimes be rather windy here, meaning that the climb up Arthur's Seat may prove difficult for people with little hillwalking experience.Once you get to the top, however, all that tramping will be more than worth it this is one of the best possible vantage points from which to view the Edinburgh cityscape. Many find the panorama to the west the most pleasing, taking in Edinburgh Castle and the medieval Old Town, as well as the stylish Georgian layout and design of the New Town. Looking further afield, the Firth of Forth is clearly visible and, on a good day, so are the Scottish Highlands.Near the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat is situated in Holyrood Park. There are buses running from the city centre to the car park at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the starting point for the walk.
Arthur's Seat Tours and Activities
Visit Arthur's Seat
Tours & day trips
See all 433 activitiesOpens in new tabLoch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour
Private & custom tours
See all 148 activitiesOpens in new tabThe Potter Trail Private Tour
Food, drink & nightlife
See all 72 activitiesOpens in new tabEdinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling
Holiday & seasonal tours
See all 23 activitiesOpens in new tabEdinburgh: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour
Adventure & outdoor
See all 20 activitiesOpens in new tabStunning Edinburgh E-bike Tour max 10 people small group
Popular places to visit
Holyrood Park
Explore the lovely green spaces of Holyrood Park and enjoy the golf courses in Edinburgh. Experience the lively festivals and fascinating museums in this walkable area.
Dynamic Earth
Rich with history, Dynamic Earth is a cultural attraction worth visiting in Edinburgh. Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and fascinating museums.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Palace of Holyroodhouse is just one of the places to see in Edinburgh, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Experience the area's acclaimed theatre scene and lively festivals.
Scottish Parliament
As Scotland’s political center, this striking modern building hosts the nation's government and welcomes visitors to its events and exhibitions.
Royal Mile
Stretching through the middle of the Old Town, this ancient thoroughfare brings you on a walk through the heart of Edinburgh history and tradition.
National Library of Scotland
Millions of examples of the written and printed word are held in this enormous repository of Scotland's past and cultural heritage.
Top Arthur's Seat Hotel & Accommodation Deals
Check availability on hotels close to Arthur's Seat
- Holidays and getaways similar to Arthur's Seat
- Are there hotels near Arthur's Seat?
- Hotels near popular Edinburgh Attractions
- What kind of hotels are in Arthur's Seat?
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Edinburgh Castle
- University of Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Zoo
- George Street
- St. Giles' Cathedral
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Royal Highland Centre
- Heriot-Watt University
- St. Andrew Square
- Princes Street Gardens
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Calton Hill
- Portobello Beach
- Scotch Whisky Experience
- Livingston Designer Outlet
- Hotels near Edinburgh Castle
- Hotels near Royal Mile
- Hotels near Princes Street
- Hotels near Edinburgh Zoo
- Hotels near George Street
- Hotels near St. Giles' Cathedral
- Hotels near Military Tattoo Theatre
- Hotels near Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Hotels near Royal Highland Centre
- Hotels near Royal Yacht Britannia
- Hotels near Calton Hill