United Kingdom (UK)

Things to do in Edinburgh

Top Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland - Edinburgh Attractions

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Things to Do in Edinburgh

Get a feel for Old Town by walking the Royal Mile, which connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. For rolling green hills, Arthur's Seat is a must.

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Ways to tour Edinburgh

Book these experiences for a close-up look at Edinburgh.

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe & Pitlochry Tour from Edinburgh
2,565
Full-day Tours
from
£61
per adult
Reserve
Underground Walking Tour in Edinburgh
3,648
Historical Tours
from
£20
per adult
Reserve
Edinburgh Castle: Skip-the-Line Guided Walking Tour
877
Historical Tours
from
£34
per adult
Reserve
Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission
448
Historical Tours
from
£80
per adult
Reserve
Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English
1,375
Skip the line Tickets
from
£34
per adult
Reserve
Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour Including Cruise from Edinburgh
2,213
Full-day Tours
from
£91
per adult
Reserve
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
946
Audio Guides
from
£16
per adult
Reserve
Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours
151
Food & Drink
from
~~£105~~
£100
per adult
Reserve
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
3,289
Halloween
from
£17
per adult
Reserve
Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh
847
Full-day Tours
from
£69
per adult
Reserve

Bus Tours

Top Attractions in Edinburgh

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.

1. Royal Yacht Britannia

Speciality Museums

Step aboard Queen Elizabeth II’s former floating palace and experience this iconic attraction for yourself. Rated Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction (AGAIN), Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world…Royal Deck Tearoom. Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh City Centre. Lothian Bus services from Edinburgh city centre are - 10, 16, 34 and 35. Edinburgh trams run from Edinburgh Airport through the city centre and down to Leith. To visit Britannia get off the tram at stop Ocean Terminal

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2. Arthur's Seat

Geologic Formations

Arthur's Seat is one of four hill forts, dating from around 2,000 years ago. Situated within Holyrood Park, as well as it's rich cultural heritage, the park offers walks, solace, wildlife, volcanic geology and unparalleled vistas of the city from its many vantage points. The park has several Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designations due to its exceptional range of grassland habitats and its internationally important volcanic geology. Ranger service on site.

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3. Edinburgh Castle

Castles

Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards and is Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction. This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland.

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4. National Museum of Scotland

Speciality Museums

Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, science and technology, art, design and fashion, and Scottish history, all under one roof.

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5. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Science Museums

Winner of VisitScotland's Best Visitor Attraction Experience 2022/23! We are Scotland’s oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835. Interact with over 100 illusions and get a breath of fresh air on our magnificent Rooftop Terrace, which offers the most spectacular 360 degree views of Edinburgh. At Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, experience five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including our head-spinning Vortex Tunnel, bewildering Mirror Maze and mind-blowing Shrinking Room. Not to mention our 170 year old Camera Obscura! Get involved, play, touch, listen, and see. Great fun for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. 'Best family attraction in Britain’, The Telegraph. 'Five Stars, outstanding, world class', VisitScotland. Free Wi-Fi. Allow about 2 hours. Please note the attraction is located in a listed 17th Century building over 5 floors without a lift. Open every day, open late on holidays.

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6. The Real Mary King's Close

Historic Sites

Hidden beneath the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh’s deepest secret: a warren of hidden ‘closes’ where real people lived, worked and died. For centuries they have lain forgotten and abandoned…until now. Visit Edinburgh's most famous Close, which makes Edinburgh's Hidden History unmissable.

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7. Edinburgh Old Town

Neighbourhoods

Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood, dating back to medieval times: these small streets are lined with wool shops, pubs and historical monuments.

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8. Royal Mile

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.

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9. The Chocolatarium

Speciality Museums

90 minutes of chocolate heaven. Find out how chocolate is made, make your own dream chocolate bar to take home and enjoy a session in the Tasting Room with over 40 kinds of chocolate! Same wonderful tour. Comfortable social distancing. Children under 6 are not permitted.

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10. Palace of Holyroodhouse

Historic Sites

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen. Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyroodhouse stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.

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11. The Scotch Whisky Experience

Distilleries

Experience for yourself our regional whiskies and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavours our experts will help you select your perfect dram.Enter the vault containing one of the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting. Explore Scotland's whisky history from the very beginnings through to the global success of today.

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12. Calton Hill

Points of Interest & Landmarks

Historic neighborhood lined with monuments dating back to the Enlightenment.

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