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Edinburgh travel guide
A castle on a volcano, closes full of stories and a hill to climb before breakfast.
Photo: Hoàng Vũ / Pexels · Pexels License
Edinburgh is compact and walkable. The Old Town runs down the Royal Mile from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Georgian New Town is across Princes Street Gardens, and Arthur’s Seat rises right behind the palace. Two days covers the highlights; three lets you add Dean Village, Leith or Stirling. Book the castle online, pack layers, and in August book everything early.
Plan your Edinburgh trip
Best things to do in Edinburgh →
13 honest picks with costs, timing and skip-it-ifs.
Where to stay in Edinburgh →
4 neighbourhoods compared, with hotel picks per budget.
Edinburgh in 3 days →
A day-by-day route grouped by area.
Day trips from Edinburgh →
4 easy escapes by train or bus.
Edinburgh City Quest →
A printable self-guided treasure hunt.
Edinburgh quick facts
- Best time to visit
- May–September for long days. August is festival month (busy and expensive). December has Christmas markets and Hogmanay.
- Money
- Pound sterling (GBP, £). Contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere.
- Airports
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI), about 13 km west of the centre.
- Airport to city
- The tram runs from the airport to the city centre in about 30 minutes. Tap on and off with the same contactless card. The Airlink 100 bus is an alternative.
- Getting around
- Walk; the centre is hilly but small. Lothian buses and the tram cap daily fares with TapTapCap (£5.70 a day for buses and city trams, checked October 2026).
- Budget
- Hotels are the big cost, especially in August. From 24 July 2026, a visitor levy of 5% applies to the first 5 nights of a stay.
- Language
- English (and Scots and Gaelic).
- Plugs
- Type G, 230 V.
Only have one day? Do these three
Top things to do in Edinburgh
- 1. Edinburgh Castle · Paid: £23
- 2. The Royal Mile & its closes · Free to walk
- 3. St Giles’ Cathedral · Free entry
- 4. Victoria Street & the Grassmarket · Free
- 5. Greyfriars Kirkyard & Bobby · Free
- 6. National Museum of Scotland · Free
Watch: Edinburgh in one video
Video coming soon
Our walk-through of Edinburgh is in production. See all videos.
Turn sightseeing into a game
Edinburgh City Quest
Follow 12 quest stops from the Castle Esplanade down the Royal Mile to Holyroodhouse, with riddles, photo missions, a kids’ mode and a printable map.
Get the questEdinburgh FAQ
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
Two days covers the castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood and Arthur’s Seat. Three days lets you add the New Town, Dean Village and Leith, or a day trip to Stirling.
Should I book Edinburgh Castle in advance?
Yes. Online tickets are cheaper (£23.50 vs £26 at the gate for adults, checked October 2026), and it can sell out in summer.
How do I get from Edinburgh airport to the city?
Take the tram, about 30 minutes to the centre. Tap on and off with the same contactless card. The Airlink 100 bus is another option.
Is there a tourist tax in Edinburgh?
Yes. From 24 July 2026, Edinburgh charges a 5% visitor levy on the first 5 nights of a stay in paid accommodation.
Is Arthur’s Seat hard to climb?
It’s a short but steep climb – about an hour up for most people. Wear good shoes and avoid it in strong wind or ice.
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