What to do in Edinburgh

Activities, attractions and tours

Calton Hill which includes a sunset, skyline and a city
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle featuring a garden
Princes Street Gardens which includes a garden
Royal Botanic Garden which includes heritage elements and a park
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Most fun & popular experiences in Edinburgh

Tours & day trips

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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Activity duration is 12 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 1993 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿2,932 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Outlander Day Tour from Glasgow

Outlander Day Tour from Glasgow

Activity duration is 10 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿5,470 per adult
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Food, drink & nightlife

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The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 412 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿1,400 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 33 activities
Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿3,282 per adult
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Holiday & seasonal tours

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The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
9.0 out of 10 with 1635 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ฿831 per adult
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What to do in Edinburgh

Popular places to visit

Edinburgh Castle which includes heritage elements and a castle

Edinburgh Castle

Fortress, palace and repository of the crown jewels, this landmark overlooking the city has played a crucial role in Scottish history.

Edinburgh Castle
Royal Mile featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a house

Royal Mile

Explore this area in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town to find ancient buildings, historic relics, shops, museums and range of dining options.

Royal Mile
Walter Scott Monument in the Rainy Day, Edinburgh, Scotland

Princes Street

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Princes Street. Experience the entertainment choices and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Princes Street
Edinburgh Zoo showing land animals and zoo animals

Edinburgh Zoo

See rare and endangered species and learn about the efforts to conserve them at Edinburgh’s largest wildlife attraction.

Edinburgh Zoo
Aerial view of Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Roseburn St, Edinburgh, VK

Murrayfield Stadium

Catch an event at Murrayfield Stadium and enjoy other activities in Edinburgh such as golfing.Discover the acclaimed theatre scene and shops in this walkable area.

Murrayfield Stadium
Scenic sight in Edinburgh with the Castle in the background. Scotland.

Grassmarket

During your visit to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Grassmarket. Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this romantic area.

Grassmarket
University of Edinburgh which includes heritage architecture and heritage elements

University of Edinburgh

The campus of Edinburgh's venerable educational institution is spread seamlessly around the architecture of the city and opens to the public during year-round events.

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh royal playhouse theater

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

Enjoy a performance at Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, a theatre with a story to tell in Edinburgh. Experience the area's fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries.

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
street view of George street at Edinburgh, scotland

George Street

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at George Street. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

George Street

Explore areas of Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh showing street scenes, outdoor eating and a city

Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,176 area reviews)

Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic center to discover the hidden delights of an area that also encompasses some of the city's top attractions.

Old Town Edinburgh
Balmoral Hotel 8

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Edinburgh Castle or Scott Monument 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 which includes night scenes and heritage architecture

New Town

4.5/5(1,236 area reviews)

Stroll around the refined Georgian quarter of Edinburgh to encounter iconic monuments, stunning art galleries and an array of stores.

New Town
Panoramic view over Leith in Edinburgh from above - travel photography

Leith

5/5(1 area review)

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
Tollcross

Tollcross

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

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

Tollcross
Aerial view of historic city with cathedral and old town, Merchiston, Edinburgh, Scotland.

West End

4/5(677 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Gin Distillery to Dean Village – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

West End

Day trip destinations from Edinburgh

Long exposure shot of Linn Jaw Waterfalls, near Livingston, Scotland, with mossy rocks in the foreground and surrounding the waterfalls and white foam streaks in the water. West Lothian. UK. Nature. L

Livingston

Callendar House which includes heritage elements and château or palace

Falkirk

Bathgate Hills: Photograph of the Cairnpapple Hill burial cairn

Bathgate

Aerial view of a picturesque coastal town at sunset with serene water and rocky cliffs, Dunbar, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Dunbar

Arable farmland at Humbie Viewed from the public path to Costerton.
Photo by Walter Baxter (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Humbie

Templar temple

Roslin

River Almond in spate About 8 feet higher than normal summer-level.
Photo by Calum McRoberts (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Kirkliston

Frequently asked questions

Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Providing a mix of festivals and history, there's no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh. While you're here, visit Edinburgh Castle, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Edinburgh?
Kick your day off with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo. Then, explore different areas of Edinburgh for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Edinburgh?
Three days will give you plenty of time to tick off many city attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and Grassmarket. The average stay in Edinburgh is three days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, Newbridge isn't far away.
Is Edinburgh a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Edinburgh. Several top sights, such as Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Edinburgh's neighbourhoods, Edinburgh City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old Town Edinburgh is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Edinburgh with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all ages, here are some terrific ideas for what to do in Edinburgh with kids.

What to do in Edinburgh for adults?
Scotch Whisky Experience and Edinburgh Gin Distillery are just two of the things to do in Edinburgh. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Edinburgh?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Edinburgh is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Grassmarket is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.