This list of best places to visit in Edinburgh It will help you prepare a getaway to one of the most charming cities in Europe, making the most of your time.
This city that receives travelers with open arms, is dominated by its huge castle and divided between the New Town and the Old Town. This small town has a beautiful historic center full of alleys and courtyards that will take you to medieval times and from where, we are sure, it will be difficult not to return. In addition to its best known places, well-kept parks, free museums and its lively taverns, they will complete a trip that you will always remember.
As for times, on a weekend you can visit the most touristic places in Edinburgh, although if you have more days you can do some route or excursion through Scotland and see some of its incredible landscapes, castles or abbeys.
With the experience of our trip to Scotland in 11 days and the days we spent in the city, we have made a list with those we believe, are the 10 essential places to see in Edinburgh. We start!
1. Calton Hill
Climbing at sunset to Calton Hill to see the sunset over the city is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh. This hill located at the end of Princes Street has several outstanding monuments that are worth seeing, such as the National Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument or the Nelson Monument.
The climb to the hill does not require much effort and also allows you to enjoy the best views of Edinburgh with the Old Town and the New Town at your feet and the Edinburgh Castle in the background.
If it is your first visit to the city, a good way to explore it and know its history is to book a guided tour in Spanish, for its most special places.
Calton hill
2. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is the most visited place by tourists visiting the city and one of the most essential places to visit in Scotland. The castle, located on a hill in the historic center and surrounded by cliffs, can only be accessed by the steep Castlehill, located at one end of the Royal Mile.
The castle is immense with many points of interest such as the One o'clock Canyon, the Santa Margarita chapel, the Scone Stone, the Honors of Scotland, the Mon's Meg, the pet cemetery, the National War Museum or The old prisons.
Also, if you come in August, you should keep in mind that the famous parades of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a spectacular military parade with bagpipes and fireworks, are held on the esplanade of this 12th-century castle.
A good option to visit it is by booking a guided tour in Spanish to learn more about the history and curiosities of the castle, although if you want to visit on your own, you can also book tickets in advance and save your queues.
Visiting hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Edinburgh Castle
3. Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the most famous street and one of the most essential places to visit in Edinburgh. This avenue that crosses the historic center and has exactly 1.8 kilometers, is equivalent to a Scottish mile "royal mile", communicates Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyrood. Walking along this street includes seeing old buildings, having a drink in its lively pubs or shopping in its traditional shops, with products from Scotland and of course, wandering around places full of charm.
In the medieval streets adjacent to the Royal Mile you will find the true essence of Edinburgh, with the closes, covered passageways leading to beautiful interior courtyards, or pends, sloping alleys that descend from the castle hill.
At the entrance of the Old Fishmarket Close alley of the Royal Mile begins the Ghost Tour with a guide in Spanish, one of the best tours and excursions in Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile, one of the places to visit in Edinburgh
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
4. Palace of Holyrood
Located at the end of the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyrood is another of the essential places to see in Edinburgh. This 12th-century palace, the official residence of the Queen of England when visiting Scotland, has a Baroque interior with antique furniture and tapestries. The apartments of María Estuardo, the great hall "Great Gallery"and the chapel are some of the rooms that can be visited.
Although our favorite place in the Palace of Holyrood is the beautiful ruins of the Augustinian abbey of Holyrood, where several Scottish kings were crowned.
You can book the entrance to the Palace of Holyrood in advance that includes audioguide in Spanish here.
Visiting hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from April to October. The rest of the months close at 4pm. Entry included in the 48-hour Royal Edinburgh card.
Holyrood Abbey
5. Dean Village, one of the places to visit in Edinburgh
Walking about 15 minutes from Princess Street, following the Water of Leith River, you will reach one of Edinburgh's most charming places, Dean Village. This small village converted into a picturesque neighborhood, on the banks of the Water of Leith River, seems taken from a story with its bridges and stone houses, surrounded by greenery.
In addition to getting lost in the corners of Dean Village there are several places to visit such as the Dean Cemetery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Bridge.
An interesting option to know the history of this village and not miss anything is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish.
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Edinburgh by travelers:
- Excursion to Loch Ness and the Highlands
- Guided tour of Edinburgh
- Harry Potter tour
- Excursion to Glasgow, Lomond and Katrine lakes
- Ghost Tour
- More excursions and tours here
6. St Giles Cathedral
The 12th-century St Giles Cathedral, located in the middle of the Royal Mile, is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Scotland and is the most important church to visit in Edinburgh. The exterior of the church stands out for its hollow dome in the form of a royal crown and stands out in the silhouette of the historic center. It is worth entering inside to see its roofs, the great organ, the Chapel of the Thistle, the statue of John Knox in the center and its stained glass windows that transmit a special charm at sunset with the rays of light that sneak through crystals.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., from May to September. In the other months from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
St Giles Cathedral
7. Victoria Street
Victoria Street, next to the Royal Mile, are the two most famous and beautiful streets in Edinburgh. This street that connects the George IV Bridge with Grassmarket Square, stands out for having two levels. In the upper part you will find elegant restaurants with terraces that take you to the Royal Mile, in the lower one you will find its famous colorful houses in which there are exclusive shops and lively bars.
It is believed that the English writer J.K. Rowling, who spent a long season in this city, was inspired by Victoria Street to create Diagón Alley, from the Harry Potter saga. So if you are a follower of books and movies, it might be very interesting to book this tour through some of the Harry Potter locations.
Victoria Street
8. Mary King's Close Street
Mary King's Close, located on the Royal Mile, next to the Cathedral of San Giles, is a maze of alleys where you go back in time to the 17th century. Located under the buildings of the Old Town, what they call the underground Edinburgh, this close It is the most famous in the city and was forgotten for centuries until its reopening in 2003. Nowadays it has become a tourist attraction and one of the most essential places to visit in Edinburgh.
The visit is always done with a guide, there are tours in Spanish, although it is not recommended for people suffering from claustrophobia and must be booked in advance, as places are limited.
During the visit the old shopping streets are crossed, rooms of the victims of the plague of 1644 are visited, stories of people who died there and some ghosts are told, such as that of little Annie.
Our recommended hotel in Edinburgh
Canon Court Apartments, located in a quiet area of Edinburgh, about 15 minutes walk from the center and the castle. Large apartments and free parking in front of the apartments.
If you do not have a car and want to be closer to the center we recommend the Old Waverley Hotel located next to the Waverley train station and with a good connection to the airport. In addition to its fantastic location on the famous Princes Street, it has one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.
9. Princes Street Gardens
The Princes Street Gardens of the year 1820, located at the foot of the Castle, are the most charming gardens to see in Edinburgh and separate the old part from the new one. This English-style public park founded in 1820 is perfect for relaxing by walking through its beautiful vegetation and seeing monuments such as the Scott Monument, the statue of David Livingstone or the Ross fountain.
A good time to visit them is at Christmas, when the Christmas market stalls, a giant ferris wheel and an ice rink are installed.
Princes Street Gardens, one of the places to see in Edinburgh
10. Pubs
You cannot leave Edinburgh without having a beer, a whiskey or eating in one of its most traditional and famous pubs. We leave you a list with some of them, which we are sure, will be the perfect complement to end the day after touring some of the essential places to visit in Edinburgh.
- The Royal Oak: a great place to have a beer while listening to traditional Scottish music live.
- Deacon Brodies's Tavern: One of Edinburgh's most famous pubs, located on the Royal Mile, owes its name to William Brodie, a good citizen during the day and a thief at night.
- The Sheep Heid Inn: the oldest pub in Scotland, since 1360 you can take a good look.
- Indigo Yard: hidden in an alley, it has fabulous beers, in summer you can have them in its garden.
- The last drop: owes its name to "last drink"that those sentenced to death that were hung in Grassamarket were taken.
- The World's End: another of the oldest pubs, located on the Royal Mile, with a curious facade.
- The dome: Located in the former headquarters of Bank of Scotland, its interior with a huge Greek-inspired dome is spectacular.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 10 most essential places to visit in Edinburgh, add yours in the comments.
