Edinburgh Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle featuring a garden
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden featuring heritage elements and a park

Visitors flock to the cultural and historic heart of Scotland to enjoy the city’s atmosphere and its many landmarks, parks and gardens.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, Edinburgh's incredibly rich history and culture goes back so much further. Wander down the medieval side-streets of the Old Town or past the spectacular Georgian avenues and homes of the New Town, and enjoy the aesthetic charm of the city. Always in view and perched high on an ancient volcano, is Edinburgh Castle, which defended the city against attack for hundreds of years.

A good starting point is The Royal Mile, a series of cobblestone streets which lead you right from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as taking you past some of Edinburgh's best loved landmarks. Among them you'll see St. Giles' Cathedral and Parliament House.

Explore Princes Street Gardens that runs the length of the main shopping area of Princes Street. Around this stunning park, you’ll find memorials and monuments, including the Gothic Scott Monument built as a tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, and from which you can enjoy remarkable views of the city.

For the most rewarding views however, take a hike to the top of an extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat or to Calton Hill, with its impressive monuments.

To find more beautiful spaces to enjoy, try a little further afield. Dean Village for example lies in the countryside yet is just five minutes from the heart of town. While away a few relaxing hours in the port district in some of the great bars, cafés and restaurants. This is also where you’ll find the decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia, which was used to take the British royal family all across the globe in over 40 years' service and is now a museum, open to the public.

Edinburgh is a fine city to visit all through the year. However some of the best times to visit are December and August. In the summer months, Edinburgh hosts some renowned arts festivals to which visitors flock from far and wide. The most famous of these are the Edinburgh Fringe and the Edinburgh Art Festival. At Christmas the city takes on a magical feel with plenty of attractions and markets, and at New Year, join in with the famous Hogmanay street party, a great way to round off the year and welcome in a new one.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Default Image

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(164 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

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

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh showing heritage architecture and night scenes

New Town

4.5/5(120 area reviews)

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Assembly Rooms and George Street.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia showing boating and interior views

Leith

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Edinburgh Port and Royal Yacht Britannia are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Leith
Default Image

Tollcross

4/5(4 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross
Default Image

West End

4.5/5(54 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dean Village to Johnnie Walker Princes Street – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

West End
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is AU$278 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$278
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (2,219 reviews)
"Great hotel in a perfect location. Loved the bar."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 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 AU$140 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
AU$140
3 Nov - 4 Nov
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! (1,031 reviews)
"Basic holiday inn. What you would expect for cleanliness etc. Staff were helpful and polite."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 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 AU$291 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$291
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,872 reviews)
"Nice sized room and bath, all in good condition. Bed was firm. Restaurant food was good- a convenient option, but there's better values within walking distance. Only complaint is that the coffee is horrible. However, we'd stay here again."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 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! (2,298 reviews)
"Perfect Edinburgh base for this family of 4 adults. Great location and great to have a small kitchen for breakfast. Lovely view from our room and walking to transport and local sites."

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court

PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court

4 out of 5
121 Grove St, Edinburgh, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Edinburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (462 reviews)
"all good"

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

PREMIER SUITES Edinburgh Fountain Court
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! (1,019 reviews)
"I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the room was, staff was always willing to assist, breakfast was great, and the location was perfect. I would highly recommend this hotel."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Wilde Aparthotels, Edinburgh, Grassmarket
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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Edinburgh

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
218
5 - Excellent 74%
4 - Good
66
4 - Good 23%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 3%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Forbes

Beautiful Old Town, & Royal Mile, amazing history & architecture

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beaurtiful city and i highly recommend one of the guided bust tours. I sdid leave Edinburgh with a sense of 'having seen all there was of interest to see' though, but i would return and happily be guided to places i didn't go

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great place to visit with amazing buildings and sights

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Best city I have visited

4/5 - Good

LKazda

A vibrant, attractive city with great food. Easy to get around and friendly Scotsmen!

5/5 - Excellent

MB

Love Edinburgh. Such a beautiful city.

Cities near Edinburgh

Other places like Edinburgh

Explore a world of travel with Expedia