Edinburgh

Travel Guide

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle which includes a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden featuring a garden and heritage elements

Edinburgh Travel Guide Video

Scotland’s capital is filled with attractive landmarks, parks and gardens, and hosts cultural festivals that draw millions of visitors each year.

Nestled beside long extinct volcanoes and built on seven hills, Edinburgh offers spectacular scenery in a rugged setting. The city itself is visually impressive with the medieval buildings of the Old Town and the wide Georgian roads and spacious homes of the New Town. Edinburgh was declared a World Heritage Site in 1995.

The city’s crowning glory and the reason for its existence is Edinburgh Castle. For hundreds of years, this fortress perched on an ancient volcano defended the city from attack.

Start your exploration of Scotland’s capital city at The Royal Mile. This series of cobblestone streets links the castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, an official royal residence. Along the route you’ll come across some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St. Giles’ Cathedral and Parliament House.

Just a short walk away is Princes Street Gardens, which runs the length of Princes Street, the city’s main shopping area. While you are enjoying this pretty green space, visit some of its memorials and monuments including the Scott Monument. This Gothic structure was built to honor the novelist Sir Walter Scott. Its viewing galleries offer good views of the city.

Enjoy even more beautiful views from the hills that rise over the city. Hike to the summits of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, and Calton Hill, which is home to a number of impressive monuments.

Veer off the beaten track and explore some of Edinburgh’s lesser-known sites. Dean Village is surrounded by countryside and is just five minutes from the city center. The port district has a wealth of bars, cafes and restaurants and is also the final resting place of the Royal Yacht Britannia. This magnificent vessel sailed the British royal family around the world for more than 40 years.

Two of the most popular months to visit Edinburgh are December and August. Overlapping arts festivals running through August include the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. December is packed with Yuletide attractions and markets, and is rounded off with one of the world’s most famous street parties: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(288 area reviews)

Preserving its medieval street plan, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features the Royal Mile, St. Giles' Cathedral, and the National Museum of Scotland. Explore narrow closes and hidden passages for a unique experience.

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

Edinburgh City Centre

While you're in Edinburgh City Centre, take in top sights like Edinburgh Castle or Scott Monument, and hop on the metro to see more 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(233 area reviews)

Discover original neo-classical and Georgian architecture in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy Building. Shop along Princes Street, George Street, and the newly redeveloped St James Quarter.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia showing interior views and boating

Leith

Undergoing significant regeneration, Leith boasts a busy port, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Ocean Terminal shopping centre. The shore area offers charming pubs and restaurants, while cultural attractions include Leith Theatre and Leith School of Art.

Leith
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Tollcross

5/5(8 area reviews)

Travelers come to Tollcross for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Usher Hall and King's Theatre while you're in town.

Tollcross
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West End

4/5(67 area reviews)

Visitors to West End love its popular shops, and you can check out Dean Village and Johnnie Walker Princes Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Haymarket Tram Station.

West End
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is CA $381 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
CA $381
CA $457 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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! (2,020 reviews)
"Range of menu could have been better"

Reviewed on Jul. 28, 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 CA $207 per night from Aug 30 to Aug 31
CA $207
CA $249 total
Aug 30 - Aug 31
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! (1,018 reviews)
"good to stay."

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 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 CA $332 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
CA $332
CA $399 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
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! (1,778 reviews)
"Good hotel overall in an excellent location but the room was not serviced once and due to the rain some leakage from the ceiling occurred. Would recommend staying in it though."

Reviewed on Jul. 26, 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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,183 reviews)
"The Royal Mile has become a zoo, but it's also the spine of Edinburgh (literally), and so a hotel on an extension of the Royal Mile that's both centrally located and not quite so frenetic is a great compromise. The service was very good, the rooms clean, and the cooking facilities and full-size fridge ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 27, 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! (943 reviews)
"This is a great hotel. The location is perfect. It’s near many attractions and we could see the castle right outside our window! The staff was very helpful. The windows were very soundproof and we had a very quiet stay."

Reviewed on Jul. 28, 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 WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Royal Mile and Princes Street ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
Amazing
"Place is new. All utensils and furnitures in the room are new and clean. Has a cooker, dishwasher, oven and washing machine. All tourist spots are walking distance and a lot of food choices available. We were upgraded to a larger room as a courtesy of our complaint of the aircon making very loud ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 25, 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.

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