Wandering the streets of Edinburgh gives travelers a historical and cultural experience of Scotland. Although the city is a tremendously popular stop for tourists, it is still possible for first-time visitors to get lost in Edinburgh while catching all the highlights.
From historic castles and palaces to the best of Scottish food and drink, travelers have plenty to see and do in Scotland’s capital city. Here are some tips and highlights of Edinburgh to help you explore this fantastic city:
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Best Views for the Full Edinburgh Experience:
A great view is an integral part of the full travel experience, and there are several points in Edinburgh that offer exceptional views. Among the viewpoints in the middle of the city, each has a unique view and is worth checking out in its own right.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is in the center of Edinburgh and is most notably the site of important buildings like the Scottish Parliament. The hill has great views looking down Princes Street, back at Edinburgh Castle and Old Town. The hilltop park is also home to several important monuments:
The Nelson Memorial, honoring Admiral Horatio Nelson, was built after his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar and is the tallest structure in the park.
The unfinished National Monument of Scotland is a curious sight. The classical structure looks more like Greco-Roman ruins than a memorial, but nonetheless is a memorial to fallen Scottish soldiers and sailors.
Other structures include the observatory and the photogenic Stewart Monument, which is recognizable from a distance. Calton Hill is a great place for a view of Edinburgh. With a little research or a guide, there is a lot of history to learn behind each structure on the hill.
Scott Monument
The Sir Walter Scott Monument, sitting on Princes Street, is an unassuming structure. From a distance, it appears as nothing more than a Gothic memorial. Up close, the 200-foot-tall tower, sporting intricate designs and statues, is much more impressive.
To the surprise of many, the Scott Monument is open and offers a great view. Admission is £8 for adults. Edinburgh Castle, Old Town and Arthur’s Seat (in the distance) are visible from the viewing areas. In the other direction, the Scott Monument has a great view of Calton Hill and Princes Street.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the Scott Monument is the climb to the top, which is narrow to say the least. Seriously, larger people – that is, wider people – should probably not try to squeeze through. Claustrophobic individuals may also want to abstain from this short climb.
Edinburgh Castle
Perched on Castle Hill above the city, Edinburgh Castle unsurprisingly has a nice view down toward New Town and the Scott Monument. Calton Hill and the Nelson Memorial are visible in the distance, as well. In the opposite direction, the Castle has a phenomenal view across the other side of Edinburgh, up to Arthur’s Seat.
More on Edinburgh Castle below.
Arthur’s Seat
Certainly, the best view in Edinburgh is found at Arthur’s Seat. The view changes each step of the way, past the Salisbury Crags and up to the top. From the top, on a clear day, visitors can see across Edinburgh all the way to the Firth of Forth.
More on Arthur’s Seat below.
Eat & Drink
Scotch Whisky – An Edinburgh Experience
If for no other reason, go to Edinburgh for the Scotch. Single malt Scotch whisky has been perfected over the centuries and there is no better place for a taste than its home in Scotland. The tastiest part of the full Edinburgh experience, Scotch is a highlight of Scotland for thousands of tourists.
Czech beer is cheaper in Prague. Wine is affordable in Provence. Normally, drinking or eating nearer the source is cheaper. The same is true for Scotch whisky. It is less expensive (not cheap) in Edinburgh than around the world, but it can still add stress to a travel budget. Then again, budget travel in Scotland is a challenge from the start.
*Disclaimer: I love Scotch. If I could afford to have a dram of single malt each night, preferably of the Islay variety, I would happily do so. Unfortunately, good Scotch whisky is expensive, and the bad stuff isn’t worth drinking.
The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh is the perfect place to go for travelers with limited knowledge of Scotch whisky. This interactive museum offers tours to help you learn more about the world famous spirit from Scotland, and it has thousands of bottles to draw the envy of collectors, connoisseurs and casual consumers.
For those who don’t care for Scotch, go to the Scotch Whisky Experience to learn more and find something that fits your tastes. The bar at the Scotch Whisky Experience is tended by knowledgeable and friendly staff. Scotch comes in a variety of styles. This is the place to explore and expand your tastes.
Scotch is expensive. Even in Scotland, Scotch is expensive. But the Scotch Whisky Experience has some of the most reasonable prices in Edinburgh. Along with an incredible selection.
Grassmarket
The Grassmarket is an historic area in Old Town, Edinburgh. Once a market and the center of town, today, the Grassmarket is home to shops and pubs that are perfect for tourists seeking a fun, wandering experience in Edinburgh.
The area is very photogenic, with Edinburgh Castle looming above the medieval buildings. Personally, I love the Grassmarket. The winding streets, alleys and narrow corridors are one of the most interesting experiences in Edinburgh.
Historic pubs are the biggest draw to the Grassmarket. Of note, the White Hart Inn and the Beehive Inn are two of the best. The White Hart Inn is at least 500-years-old, and the Beehive Inn is even older. These old pubs are very busy at times. Should you have a calling for an early pint, crowds are more manageable in the afternoon. The food is good, but expect typical high Scottish prices.
The Grassmarket is on every Edinburgh travel list and is an key part of the Edinburgh experience. More than ticking off another historic site, having a pint in a cozy pub that’s been around since the 1400s – one of the oldest pubs in Scotland – is just awesome.
Crombies – Scottish Food
Food in Scotland – in all of the United Kingdom – gets a bad wrap. It’s unfair. The cuisine is simpler than French or Italian food, but food in the British Isles is good! It’s no nonsense food – a lot of meat, potatoes and gravy. What’s not to love about that?
One of the best aspects of food in Scotland is that they don’t waste any part of the animal. Whether it’s kidneys, blood sausage or liver, you can find it all. And it probably comes served over potatoes and drenched in gravy. Or perhaps stuffed in a pie. It may not be fancy, but it doesn’t matter what food looks like. Taste is what’s important.
In Edinburgh, there are plenty of places to get good food. My favorite place for a taste of Scotland is Crombies of Edinburgh. The shop is located on Broughton Street near the corner with Broughton Place. It is a very well known butcher shop, most famous for its sausages.
Crombies also has good haggis and black pudding. Cooking these while traveling, without access to a kitchen, can be a challenge. For the ease of eating on the go – and for my deep, passionate relationship with meat pies – Crombies meat pies are my favorite treat from the shop. A classic Scotch pie, a meat pie with mutton, is an easy choice. Crombies also has great beef and haggis pies and Birdies (another delicious Scottish pie). For less than £10, you can grab a few meat pies and enjoy a savory taste of Scotland.
Elephant House Cafe
For fans of Harry Potter, a stop at the Elephant House is a must for the full Edinburgh experience. This comfortable cafe is where JK Rowling wrote the first book in the Harry Potter series. That’s the only reason it’s famous.
Inside is very comfortable and has a steady flow of customers and fans. The bathroom is covered in graffiti where visiting Potter fans leave their mark. The old cemetery nearby has names on the tombstones that inspired characters from the novels, such as the headstone of a man by the name of Thomas Riddle.
The good news is that Elephant House actually has good food. Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, this is a great restaurant for breakfast or a “cuppa” as they say in Britain. Personally, the full English, in this case Scottish, and a kettle of Earl Grey brings me happiness.
Stay Active in Edinburgh
It’s important to stay active while traveling. Maintaining a certain level activity ensures that you remain fresh and even keeps your energy levels higher. Being active will lead to seeing more of your destination and, best of all, help make room for that extra meat pie. Or another pint! Edinburgh offers visitors plenty of opportunity to keep moving and exploring.
The Water of Leith Walkway
On a sunny day, or at least a day without rain, the Water of Leith Walkway is one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets. Not to be confused with Leith Walk (a road), the Water of Leith Walkway is a long nature path along the Water of Leith, through parks and neighborhoods, ultimately letting out in Leith. The Water of Leith is a small river, but it’s the United Kingdom, so they can’t call it that.
The Water of Leith Walkway runs for about 12 miles through Edinburgh. If you follow the path towards the sea (general north-northeast direction), it leads through areas that are perfect for anyone seeking a quick escape from the crowds and noise of the city.
The path leads to Leith, a vastly different area than touristy Edinburgh, although the Royal Yacht Britannia moors in a nearby harbor and draws a fair number of visitors.
Arthur’s Seat
The most popular and best activity to keep moving while in Edinburgh is to hike to the top of Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is a hill (or a small mountain, depending on where you’re from) that rises above Edinburgh.
Not only is Arthur’s Seat a great viewpoint as mentioned above, it is a fantastic opportunity for fun exercise. The hike up is not especially challenging. It takes about two hours without allotting much time for relaxing, resting or enjoying the view. I suggest taking your time. The best route is to go the long way around, walking past Holyrood Palace.
The full Edinburgh experience absolutely includes a walk up to Arthur’s Seat. The hilltop is visible across the city and holds an important place in the culture and history of Edinburgh.
History & Culture
The history of Edinburgh goes back thousands of years, with modern Scottish history in the city traced back about one thousand years. Important historical sites and buildings are in every direction in Edinburgh. Which ones are important for the full Edinburgh experience?
Edinburgh Castle
The focal point of history in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. Perched atop Castle Hill, Edinburgh’s medieval fortress is visible across the city and is the number one tourist attraction in Scotland. It is very touristy and is often crowded, but is an integral part of the travel experience in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle is a major symbol of the city and Scottish history. Within the castle is a palace, cannons, the battery and museums chronicling the history of the castle, city and country. The oldest building in Edinburgh, St. Margaret’s Chapel, is also within the walls. As mentioned above, there is a good view of Edinburgh from the castle.
Early morning and late afternoon, with smaller crowds, are good times to visit. The castle closes in the early evening, so make sure to allot enough time to wander the grounds before the gates are shut. The castle glows at night and remains visible across Edinburgh.
Holyrood Palace
It’s Scotland, so it’s pronounced “Holly-road.”
Holyrood Palace is the Scottish seat of the royal family of the United Kingdom. It has been the home of Scottish monarchs for hundreds of years. Wandering Holyrood Palace is one of the most interesting “nerdy” things to do in Edinburgh, but also one of the coolest parts of the full Edinburgh experience.
The palace is an official residence of the royal family and briefly hosts the queen once a year (and occasionally other members of the royal family). It remains open to visitors year-round, except when these regal people are in residence. Dates of closure are clearly set beforehand, making planning a visit easier. The self-guided audio tour is an easy, informative way to explore the palace.
Despite my belief that monarchies are a waste of resources and a tribute to the past, it’s interesting to see how the few of the few actually live. Walking through Holyrood is a rare opportunity to experience where and how “royalty” lives. It is also a walk through history, where monarchs of actual importance and consequence once sat and made decisions that affected history.
Also on the grounds of Holyrood Palace are the ruins Holyrood Abbey. The abbey dates back nearly a thousand years and is an interesting structure to wander through and take some fun pictures.
Scottish National Gallery
The National Gallery of Scotland is a small art museum in the center of Edinburgh, off Princes Street. The gallery hosts special exhibitions in addition to its impressive permanent collection.
The Scottish National Gallery boasts artwork from many of the world’s most famous artists. Renaissance art is on display, from legends like Raphael and Titian. The Scottish National Gallery even has an original Leonardo Da Vinci in its possession. Local Scottish artists are well-represented along with famous impressionist and post-impressionist painters, such as Monet and Cezanne, respectively.
The Scottish National Gallery is an oft-overlooked art museum. To the surprise of many, a fantastic collection of art is on display here in Edinburgh.
The Full Edinburgh Experience
The full Edinburgh experience for first-time visitors is a fun exploration of a city with a deep and proud history.
Edinburgh is a great city for wandering, especially Old Town. The random flights of stairs leading to alleyways and winding streets are perfect for the traveler looking to get lost in a destination. Scottish food is great. Meat pies are the perfect base for sampling a few of the world’s finest spirits or enjoying an afternoon at pubs older than the United States.
Edinburgh is the center of Scottish history and culture, and the gateway to the rest of this incredible country. First time visitors to Edinburgh will want a thorough sampling of the city for the full experience. These tips will help will lead travelers to the highlights and beyond. After a few days in this great city, you will be dreaming of a return.
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