Edinburgh Attractions

Step out of your hotel in Edinburgh to inspect medieval wynds and nose around decorous Georgian residences.

Historic Edinburgh

Practically the whole city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site – beat that Glasgow! From the (almost) impregnable Edinburgh Castle to the elegant palace at Holyroodhouse, a walk down the Royal Mile is a study in medieval history. The increasingly inaccurately named New Town’s 18th-century squares and crescents are an urban planning masterpiece.

Art and museums in Edinburgh

Our Dynamic Earth at the foot of Arthur’s Seat revisits the Big Bang and shakes you with a volcanic eruption. The National Gallery is a European art treasure with Titian, Van Gogh and Monet all putting in an appearance. The Scottish Storytelling Centre up the Royal Mile runs regular sessions to delight young kids. Upstairs is the final home of Mary Queen of Scots’ arch enemy John Knox.

Eating and drinking in Edinburgh

Royalists should board Leith’s Royal Yacht Britannia to see where Charles and Di honeymooned and peek at Liz’s bedroom. Visitors to Edinburgh hotels with a taste for the macabre can rattle towards the Edinburgh Dungeons in Market Street to be whipped with a (fake) small intestine.

Quirky things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh stages the biggest arts shindig in the world every August. The Military Tattoo’s marching bands kicks off proceedings before the Fringe Festival, where stand-up comedy is the stand-out art form. The Edinburgh International Festival takes in opera, theatre, music and dance.

Events in Edinburgh

Edinburgh stages the biggest arts shindig in the world every August. The Military Tattoo’s marching bands kicks off proceedings before the Fringe Festival, where stand-up comedy is the stand-out art form. The Edinburgh International Festival takes in opera, theatre, music and dance.

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