Edinburgh enchants first-time visitors with its effortless old-world elegance. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre is a beguiling maze of winding alleys, the skyline dominated by the regal crown steeple of St Giles Cathedral and the imposing turrets of Edinburgh Castle. But scratch beneath this grandiose and historical surface and you'll discover a down-to-earth, modern capital city.
Edinburgh is packed with laid-back bars, quirky boutiques, lush parks and friendly people, with most of the main highlights concentrated in the city centre. It’s a place of remarkable culture, too. Art aficionados can lose themselves for hours discovering the masterpieces in the Scottish National Gallery and the many theatres host first-class shows throughout the year, though especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Nature lovers can escape the hustle and bustle with a hike up the verdant hillsides of Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill while the rolling Scottish countryside is only ever a short drive away.
What to see & do in Edinburgh
Featured stories & fun stuff
The best things to do in Edinburgh revolve around its history and culture. This east coast city is among Britain’s prettiest. The Gothic architecture found throughout the Old Town, especially winding its way up the Royal Mile, is enchanting. Stroll the streets and keep your camera at the ready as photo-worthy cityscapes are around every corner. World-famous landmarks to enjoy in Edinburgh include Holyroodhouse Palace, St Giles’ Cathedral, and the...
The list of the best things to do in Edinburgh generally starts with enjoying the city’s remarkable sights. The stunning architecture is often the first thing to strike people. The grand Gothic landmarks and cobbled streets in the Old Town...
Edinburgh offers virtually endless opportunities for Instagrammable snapshots whether you're looking to capture the local history, brilliant natural features or...
Edinburgh is at its finest around mealtimes with a fully-fledged culinary scene to enjoy. For breakfast, you must try a traditional fried breakfast. Feast on Scottish square sausage, back bacon, and black pudding – just don’t count the calories!Pubs and cafes around the Old Town cater well to visitors who want to sample the best of Scottish dishes, especially haggis. This recipe of minced lamb and oats is synonymous with...
The best local dishes in Edinburgh are among the world's most unique culinary inventions, so you'll probably have a lot of fun discovering new flavours while dining in the city's iconic restaurants. Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city, and with that...
Shopping in Edinburgh covers everything from the latest fashions to one-of-a-kind antiques and plenty of artisan products unique to the UK. In fact, Scotland’s capital city is 2nd only to Glasgow for the range of products on offer. The main high street of Princes Street is where you’ll find many of Britain’s best brands. Shops here include the likes of House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Primark, JD Sports, and...
The best places to go shopping in Edinburgh range from eclectic shopping streets with independent boutiques to luxury thoroughfares with designer brands. You can find everything from artisan foods to paintings from local artists to vintage records, perfect for souvenirs...
Shopping centres in Edinburgh allow you to satisfy that shopping bug while exploring ultramodern, airy and welcoming spaces filled with entertainment, food and all the big name brands. You can find everything in these destinations from high street fashion to...
Nightlife in Edinburgh includes old-fashioned pubs, swanky bars, ghost walks, live music venues and pumping nightclubs. With a large student population, the arts scene in Edinburgh is excellent and you’ll find many bands, comedians, and DJs staging events right across the city throughout the year. For live entertainment in the Old Town, start your night at Whistlebinkies Live Music Bar just off the Royal Mile. Then, you can barhop up...
New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is one of the best times to visit Scotland's capital. It's a top destination for celebrating the end of December and the start of January. Combine the nation’s famous hospitality with historic traditions and you...
This section of our Edinburgh Go Guide presents all of the information you should need when planning your trip. As the capital city of Scotland, there’s plenty that is helpful to understand about Edinburgh, if you want to get the most out of a short time spent there. This includes everything from knowing how to get in, out and around to which neighbourhoods are best to visit and which make...
New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is one of the best times to visit Scotland's capital. It's a top destination for celebrating the end of December and the start of January. Combine the nation’s famous hospitality with historic traditions and you...
12 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
11 Iconic Buildings and Places in Edinburgh
10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Edinburgh
11 Best Festivals in Edinburgh
11 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Edinburgh
10 Best Road Trips Near Edinburgh
11 Instagrammable Places in Edinburgh
10 Best Things for Couples to Do in Edinburgh
10 Best Outdoor Adventures in and Around Edinburgh
5 Best Local Dishes From Edinburgh
10 Best Local Restaurants in Edinburgh
10 Great Restaurants in Edinburgh
14 Best Places to Go Shopping in Edinburgh
9 Best Shopping Malls in Edinburgh
5 Things to Do For New Year's Eve in Edinburgh
10 Best Pubs in Edinburgh
10 Best Theatres in Edinburgh
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Edinburgh
6 Creepy Stories from Edinburgh to Freak You Out
