Must See~£20
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
A castle on an extinct volcano holding the Crown Jewels of Scotland and a one o’clock gun.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- Book ahead
- Suits: Culture lovers · Photographers
Daily, roughly 9:30–17:00 (earlier in winter)
Edinburgh
A dramatic castle-topped capital of closes, whisky bars and festivals.
Overview
Why go to Edinburgh
Edinburgh climbs a volcanic ridge from castle to palace, with medieval lanes, Georgian squares and a hillside park in the middle of the city. It is famous for August’s festivals and Hogmanay.
- Where
- Scotland, United Kingdom
- Recommended stay
- 3–4 nights
- Best time to go
- May–September; August festivals are exciting but expensive; winter is atmospheric.
- Approx. daily budget
- £85–165 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.
What does Edinburgh cost?
Full cost guide- Budget traveller£75–110a day
- Mid-range traveller£150–215a day
- Luxury traveller£295+a day
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Things To Do
See all 29 Top picks in Edinburgh
Must SeeFree
Royal Mile
Old Town
A cobbled street stretching from the castle to the palace, lined with closes and shops.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open-air; shops open daily
Must See~£20
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Holyrood
The King’s official Scottish residence, with royal apartments and an abbey ruin.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily, roughly 9:30–18:00 (closures for events)
Must SeeFree
St Giles’ Cathedral
Royal Mile
A crowned-spire kirk in the heart of the Royal Mile, with the Thistle Chapel’s superb carving.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; hours vary
Hidden Gems
See all 9 Beyond the checklist
ViewpointsFree
Arthur’s Seat
Holyrood Park
An extinct volcano in the middle of the city, with a rewarding climb and a panorama.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- No booking needed
- Suits: Families · Photographers
Open daily; best in good weather
Hidden GemsFree
Dean Village
Dean Village
A peaceful former milling village beside the Water of Leith, a short stroll from the West End.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
- Suits: Couples
Open-air; always accessible
Day Trips~£20
Rosslyn Chapel and St Andrews Day Trip
Roslin (12 km)
A richly carved 15th-century chapel and the seaside town of St Andrews, both a short trip away.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Everyone
Trains and buses run daily
Hidden Gems~£20
The Real Mary King’s Close
Old Town
A guided tour of preserved 17th-century streets and houses buried beneath the Royal Mile.
- Suggested time: 1h 15m
- Booking recommended
- Suits: Culture lovers
Daily; guided tours
Hotels
All 3 hotels Best-value hotels in Edinburgh
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Best ValueBest Mid-Range Hotel
Example listingHolyrood Park Hotel
Holyrood, Edinburgh
Excellent valueValue score 87 out of 100
Rated 8.5/10, about 19% below typical 4★ prices in Edinburgh, in Holyrood.
From £110 per night · check current availability
Best LocationHighly Rated
Example listingCastle Rock Hotel
Old Town, Edinburgh
Excellent valueValue score 82 out of 100
Rated 9.0/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Edinburgh, in a central location.
From £135 per night · check current availability
Best Budget Choice
Example listingNew Town Georgian Guesthouse
New Town, Edinburgh
Very good valueValue score 68 out of 100
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Edinburgh, in a central location.
From £95 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants
See all 9 Where to eat
Oink
A hog-roast sandwich stall in the Old Town serving roast pork in a roll with stuffing and apple sauce.
Known for: Hog roast roll
Under about £18 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
Café Royal Circle Bar
A Victorian pub with tiled portraits, ornate ceilings and oysters on the menu.
Known for: Oysters, real ale, Scotch whisky
About £18–35 per person
Local favourite Good for Groups · Couples
The Sheep Heid Inn
A historic village pub with a skittles alley, said to be one of Scotland’s oldest, beside Holyrood Park.
Known for: Sunday roast, real ale
About £18–35 per person
Local favourite Good for Groups · Couples
Mums Great Comfort Food
A cheerful café serving hearty Scottish comfort food such as haggis, neeps and tatties and sausage and mash.
Known for: Haggis, mash, pies
Under about £18 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A suggested Edinburgh itinerary
3 nights Couple
Edinburgh · Highlights
Edinburgh in 3 nights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Edinburgh picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
- Day 1 · Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Whisky Tasting in the Old Town
- Day 2 · Stirling Castle Day Trip, Calton Hill
- Day 3 · Dean Village, Royal Botanic Garden, St Giles’ Cathedral, Arthur’s Seat
Plan Edinburgh your way
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and what you enjoy. We’ll build a first draft you can edit.