What to do in Edinburgh

Activities, attractions and tours

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

Places to Visit in Edinburgh

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Edinburgh attractions from NZ$6, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Edinburgh tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 557 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Edinburgh. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Edinburgh

Tours & day trips

See all 512 activities
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Activity duration is 12 hours and 30 minutes
9.4 out of 10 with 93 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$187 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 226 activities
Edinburgh: Scottish Tasting Platter at The Tolbooth Tavern

Edinburgh: Scottish Tasting Platter at The Tolbooth Tavern

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$62 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

See all 70 activities
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 25 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$67 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 21 activities
Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Activity duration is 5 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$174 per adult
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Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 19 activities
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 25 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$67 per adult
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with WhiskyOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Edinburgh

Number of things to do
557
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
eSIM: Airalo Europe Package - United Kingdom: NZ$6
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Edinburgh

Discover the most popular places to visit in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle which includes heritage elements and château or palace

Edinburgh Castle

4.5/5(189 reviews)

This storied fortification has been at the heart of Scottish history for almost a thousand years, and remains the home of the glittering crown jewels.

Edinburgh Castle
Royal Mile featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a house

Royal Mile

4.5/5(64 reviews)

Stretching through the middle of the Old Town, this ancient thoroughfare brings you on a walk through the heart of Edinburgh history and tradition.

Royal Mile
Princes Street

Princes Street

4.5/5(42 reviews)

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Princes Street. Experience the fascinating museums and entertainment choices in this walkable area.

Princes Street
University of Edinburgh which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture

University of Edinburgh

4.5/5(30 reviews)

The campus of Edinburgh's venerable educational institution is spread seamlessly around the architecture of the city and opens to the public during year-round events.

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Zoo featuring zoo animals and land animals

Edinburgh Zoo

4/5(7 reviews)

Home to over 1,000 animals and 200 different species, this zoo works hard to maintain its many unusual and rare inhabitants.

Edinburgh Zoo
Grassmarket

Grassmarket

4.5/5(25 reviews)

During your visit to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Grassmarket. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this family-friendly area.

Grassmarket
Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

4.5/5(6 reviews)

Enjoy a performance at Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, a theatre with a story to tell in Edinburgh. Experience the area's entertainment choices and lively festivals.

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
George Street

George Street

4/5(26 reviews)

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at George Street. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

George Street
Dean Village

Dean Village

5/5(1 review)

You can learn about the history of Edinburgh with a stop at Dean Village. Discover the area's fascinating museums and shops.

Dean Village

Explore areas of Edinburgh

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Old Town Edinburgh

Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic center to discover the hidden delights of an area that also encompasses some of the city's top attractions.

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

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle 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 showing heritage architecture and night scenes

New Town

Stroll around the refined Georgian quarter of Edinburgh to encounter iconic monuments, stunning art galleries and an array of stores.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia showing boating and interior views

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

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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West End

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dean Village to Johnnie Walker Princes Street – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

West End

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Edinburgh

North Berwick

North Berwick

South Queensferry

South Queensferry

Callendar House featuring a castle and heritage elements

Falkirk

Lanark

Lanark

Peebles

Peebles

Photo by Simon Cook

Bathgate

Photo by Nikki Emery

North Queensferry

Photo by Jock Watson

Musselburgh

Frequently asked questions

Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Providing a mix of festivals and history, there's no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh. While you're here, visit Edinburgh Castle, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Edinburgh?
Kick your day off with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo. Then, explore different areas of Edinburgh for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Edinburgh?
Three days will give you plenty of time to tick off many city attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and Grassmarket. The average stay in Edinburgh is three days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, Newbridge isn't far away.
Is Edinburgh a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Edinburgh. Several top sights, such as Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Edinburgh's neighbourhoods, Edinburgh City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old Town Edinburgh is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Edinburgh with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all ages, here are some terrific ideas for what to do in Edinburgh with kids.

What to do in Edinburgh for adults?
Scotch Whisky Experience and Edinburgh Gin Distillery are just two of the things to do in Edinburgh. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Edinburgh?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Edinburgh is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Grassmarket is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.