Things to Do in Edinburgh
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Edinburgh. Steep hills ahead, don't say I didn't warn you, a genuinely dramatic city built across an extinct volcano and a series of hills, castle perched right at the top of the whole affair. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Edinburgh: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the climb. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Edinburgh Castle
Perched dramatically atop Castle Rock, an extinct volcanic plug, Edinburgh Castle has served as a royal residence and military fortress for centuries, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used historically in the coronation of Scottish and later British monarchs. The One O'Clock Gun, fired daily except Sundays, is a fun bit of tradition to time a visit around.
It's one of the busiest attractions in Scotland, book timed entry well ahead, particularly in summer, and allow a couple of hours to see the crown jewels, the Great Hall, and the sweeping views over the city.
Hours Daily, roughly 9.30am–5pm or 6pm, shorter in winter
Address Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Arthur's Seat
An ancient volcanic hill overlooks the city and is a popular, steep walk for views over Edinburgh, extinct volcano, apparently, still very much capable of ruining anyone's legs on the way up, a rewarding climb, roughly 45 minutes to an hour to the summit, with sweeping views over the whole city, the Firth of Forth, and out toward the surrounding countryside.
It's free, and one of the best things to do here regardless of budget, wear proper shoes, the paths get slippery, particularly after rain, which in Edinburgh happens often enough to plan around.
Best time Clear mornings, both for the view and cooler climbing conditions
Getting there Holyrood Park, a short walk from the Royal Mile
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Every August, Edinburgh hosts the world's largest arts festival, officially called the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a month of street performers, my kind of crowd, frankly, always dropping things, comedy, theatre, and every kind of performance imaginable taking over venues across the entire city, alongside the more formal Edinburgh International Festival running concurrently.
If your visit lines up with it, the whole city transforms, worth planning around deliberately, book accommodation well in advance, prices spike considerably and availability drops fast during the festival period.
Best time August, throughout the month
The Royal Mile
A street connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, lined with historic closes and tourist shops, technically slightly longer than a mile, an atmospheric route through the old town, narrow closes (alleyways) branching off on either side, several worth a detour if you want to escape the busier main thoroughfare.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the far end, remains an official royal residence and is open to visitors when not in use for official functions.
Best time Any time; early morning for quieter photos
Address The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
The Real Mary King's Close
A moody underground attraction, preserved streets and buildings from Edinburgh's old town, built over and sealed centuries ago when the city expanded above, now offering guided tours through what was once a working part of the medieval city.
It's a good, moody, indoor option, particularly welcome given Edinburgh's genuinely reliable rain, book ahead as tours run at fixed times and do sell out.
Hours Daily, tours run on a set schedule
Address 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh
Whisky Tasting
Scotland's whisky heritage runs deep, and Edinburgh has several excellent options for tasting, from dedicated whisky bars along the Royal Mile to the Scotch Whisky Experience, which covers the production process and regional distinctions (Highland, Speyside, Islay, and more) with a guided tasting included.
It's a good rainy-afternoon activity, worth doing well with a knowledgeable guide rather than just picking a bottle at random, the regional differences are significant.
Address 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh
Best time to visit Edinburgh
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and hill climbing this list involves, and August specifically brings the Fringe Festival if that's a priority. For the full month-by-month breakdown, including when hotel prices actually drop, see our Best Time to Visit Edinburgh guide.
Edinburgh's weather is unpredictable regardless of season, pack for rain no matter when you visit. Hogmanay (New Year) is also worth knowing about, one of the world's most famous New Year celebrations, if your trip happens to line up with it.
Getting around Edinburgh
Central Edinburgh, including the Royal Mile and Castle, is entirely walkable, though the steep hills mean it's a proper workout regardless of route. Trams cover longer distances, including to and from the airport. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Edinburgh and 2 Day Edinburgh Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? Edinburgh on a Budget covers what's free and where the Royal Mile markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? Edinburgh for Couples covers sunset from Calton Hill and Dean Village at dawn. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Edinburgh breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the castle, Arthur's Seat, and the Royal Mile are all world-class, and the city transforms into something else entirely during the August Fringe Festival.
- How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
- Three days covers the castle, Arthur's Seat, and the Royal Mile comfortably; longer if visiting during the Fringe.
- Is Edinburgh expensive?
- Moderate to expensive, particularly during the August festival period when prices spike considerably, though Arthur's Seat and walking the Royal Mile remain free.
- What is Edinburgh famous for?
- Edinburgh Castle, hosting the world's largest arts festival each August, and Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking the city.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
