Edinburgh Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle featuring a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden featuring heritage elements and a park

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

The capital of Scotland combines ancient architecture and fascinating history with a vibrant cultural scene and world-famous festivals.

Walking through Edinburgh is a very pleasant experience, with visitors to the city quickly understanding why the Scottish capital has achieved the status of a World Heritage Site. Stroll past the medieval buildings of the Old Town and on to the wide and elegant boulevards and Georgian architecture of the New Town. Take your time and enjoy the many impressive landmarks, as well as the picturesque parks and gardens that abound.The city is built on seven hills, adding to its natural charm, and is framed by a number of long-extinct volcanoes. Built on one of these rises is the famous Edinburgh Castle an imposing fortress which overlooks the city, and has long defended it from attack.The Royal Mile is a cobblestoned link between the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, one of the British Crown's monarchical residences in Edinburgh. The route also takes in St Giles' Cathedral and Parliament House, some of the primary buildings of historic interest for visitors to the city.Princes Street is the city's principal shopping thoroughfare and is always a hub of activity. Princes Street Gardens run alongside, and offer a green respite from the hustle and bustle. The striking Gothic-designed Scott Monument was built in memory of the celebrated writer, Sir Walter Scott. Its viewing galleries offer excellent vistas over the Edinburgh rooftops.If you'd like to get off the beaten track, try nearby Dean Village, situated in an oasis of countryside but only a few minutes away from the heart of Edinburgh. Head for the port area during the day for its range of charming cafés, and come back in the evening for its excellent restaurants and bars.The best vantages over the city can be accessed via a short walk up Arthur's Seat, a volcano which is now dormant, or Calton Hill. The latter also has a range of monuments which will give you an even greater insight into the city's past.Edinburgh is justly famous for its festivals – the locals really know how to throw a party! The Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Arts Festival, in particular, bring a riot of cultural activity to the city in August. Christmastime brings plenty of celebration too, with festive markets and attractions, all leading up to the famous Hogmanay street party which celebrates the opening of the New Year.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(164 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Royal Mile to Princes Street – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Old Town Edinburgh
Calton Hill which includes general coastal views, a city and skyline

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Princes Street or Royal Mile and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(120 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Princes Street and Assembly Rooms.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring interior views and boating

Leith

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Edinburgh Port and Royal Yacht Britannia are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Leith
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Tollcross

4/5(4 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross
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Haymarket

5/5(3 area reviews)

Visitors often come to Haymarket for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Princes Street and FountainPark. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you take a ride at Haymarket Tram Station.

Haymarket
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NZ$438 per night from 17 July to 18 July
NZ$438
17 July - 18 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,978 reviews)
"The breakfast options each morning were delicious. Highly recommend enjoying the on site Metro restaurant as well. I did not like the shower set up. The large step up into the shower and subsequent large step down were very dangerous. On a minor note, the pillows were extremely uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 10 Jul. 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NZ$508 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$508
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,737 reviews)
Great location, nice place, but no view fr room
"Great location, just a 5 min walk from the metro - and theres actually a sneaky way that makes it even closer that we didnt know about til we left - they have an elevator that goes down below the bridge where theres no foot traffic making walking w/luggage a breeze and goes straight to the train ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is NZ$304 per night from 29 July to 30 July
NZ$304
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Convenient location, buses into city centre. Nice pool, good breakfast"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
4 out of 5
231 Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,140 reviews)
"This was a last minute booking & the staff were very welcoming & helpful. Great location, convenience of a laundry downstairs, transport & shops. A little too pricey for a Murphy bed but we enjoyed our stay."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
4 out of 5
26 King's Stables Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (924 reviews)
"Very helpful and friendly Accommodations were clean"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Fraser Suites Edinburgh
Fraser Suites Edinburgh
4 out of 5
Fraser Suites Edinburgh, 12 - 26 St Giles Street, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,960 reviews)
Very expensive, not really worth it..
"Everything was fine… Had 2 different rooms, one had a towel Warmer which didn’t work, & knobs on shower that I couldn’t budge ( told they were new fixtures & very tight) next room was nice but TV didn’t work. Bath amenities were lovely, but for the big price for the room there could have been some ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Fraser Suites Edinburgh
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
218
5 - Excellent 74%
4 - Good
66
4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Forbes

Beautiful Old Town, & Royal Mile, amazing history & architecture

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beaurtiful city and i highly recommend one of the guided bust tours. I sdid leave Edinburgh with a sense of 'having seen all there was of interest to see' though, but i would return and happily be guided to places i didn't go

5/5 - Excellent

Alex

Great place to visit with amazing buildings and sights

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Best city I have visited

4/5 - Good

LKazda

A vibrant, attractive city with great food. Easy to get around and friendly Scotsmen!

5/5 - Excellent

MB

Love Edinburgh. Such a beautiful city.

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