Edinburgh Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle featuring a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden which includes heritage elements and a park
Visitors flock to the cultural and historic heart of Scotland to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and its many landmarks, parks and gardens.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Edinburgh's incredibly rich history and culture goes back so much further. Wander down the medieval side-streets of the Old Town or past the spectacular Georgian avenues and homes of the New Town, and enjoy the aesthetic charm of the city. Always in view and perched high on an ancient volcano, is Edinburgh Castle, which defended the city against attack for hundreds of years.

A good starting point is The Royal Mile, a series of cobblestone streets which lead you right from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as taking you past some of Edinburgh's best loved landmarks. Among them you'll see St. Giles' Cathedral and Parliament House.

Explore Princes Street Gardens that runs the length of the main shopping area of Princes Street. Around this stunning park, you’ll find memorials and monuments, including the Gothic Scott Monument built as a tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, and from which you can enjoy remarkable views of the city.

For the most rewarding views however, take a hike to the top of an extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat or to Calton Hill, with its impressive monuments.

To find more beautiful spaces to enjoy, try a little further afield. Dean Village for example lies in the countryside yet is just five minutes from the heart of town. While away a few relaxing hours in the port district in some of the great bars, cafés and restaurants. This is also where you’ll find the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which was used to take the British royal family all across the globe in over 40 years' service and is now a museum, open to the public.

Edinburgh is a fine city to visit all through the year. However some of the best times to visit are December and August. In the summer months, Edinburgh hosts some renowned arts festivals to which visitors flock from far and wide. The most famous of these are the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. At Christmas the city takes on a magical feel with plenty of attractions and markets, and at New Year, join in with the famous Hogmanay street party, a great way to round off the year and welcome in a new one.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle – 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 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 which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(1,225 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 Assembly Rooms and George Street.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring interior views and boating

Leith

5/5(1 area review)

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

4.5/5(49 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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West End

4/5(668 area reviews)

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

West End
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹18,749 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,749
₹22,499 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,993 reviews)
Friendly staff
"Great hotel, friendly staff. Lovely helpful lady on reception at night who helped us out when we hadn't been able to get food late at night."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹11,872 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹11,872
₹14,246 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff were friendly and check in was seamless. We enjoyed a lovely meal at the restaurant. The room was great."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ₹18,749 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹18,749
₹22,499 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,756 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,168 reviews)
"Great place to stay on the Royal Mile, not far from the souvenir shops, Holyrood Palace, and St Giles. The hotel also has a luggage room to hold suitcases before check in if needed. Only downers were that the air conditioning in our room was difficult to figure out, and one of the teacups provided ..."

Reviewed on 18 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (929 reviews)
"Wonderful place to stay and recover from the days activities. Love your human focused approach to service. We were so impressed. The room configuration, supplies in the kitchen. Everything was thought of."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels

Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels

4 out of 5
6 Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Royal Mile and Princes Street ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (14 reviews)
Amazing Aparthotel
"Studio room was was equipped/supplied. I was able to do laundry with the supplies soap. Room was so nice I wish I could move in!"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Forth House by Supercity Aparthotels
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2147
5 - Excellent 72%
4 - Good
762
4 - Good 26%
3 - Okay
66
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
5
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great for shopping attractions and food.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Edinburgh!!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

would recommend the hop on hop off city tour buses great value,

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good place to stay at Edinburgh airpoft

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Had dinner at no 11 Brasserie and it was lovely food.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Too many begging people on pavements

Cities near Edinburgh