The Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh shines as the jewel of the British Isles, embodying the fantasies of those who crave the medieval, the majestic, and the utterly enchanting. At its center lies the Royal Mile, a historic cobblestone pathway that stretches from a castle perched on a rock to an ornate palace. Edinburgh combines pure Gothic romance with elements reminiscent of House of the Dragon — a vision perhaps from a mad God, as Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid once described it.

However, the Scottish capital also embraces modernity, with its spirit and energy showcased in annual celebrations like the Edinburgh Fringe and the lively Hogmanay festival marking the New Year. The city’s museums, galleries, restaurants, and hotels exude the grandeur expected from such a splendid locale.

Whether you're exploring museums or indulging in fine dining, boredom is not an option in Edinburgh. Here’s a curated list of our top 10 favorite experiences to enhance your visit.

1. Conquer the battlements of Edinburgh Castle

For countless visitors, this royal fortress adorned with spires and turrets truly represents Edinburgh. The magnificent, jewel-encrusted Honours of Scotland in the Crown Room, the Romanesque chapel dating back to the 12th century, and the startling One O’Clock Gun that surprises unsuspecting onlookers below are all iconic landmarks. Experience the fierce Jacobite history and vibrant tartan culture while immersing yourself in Scotland’s rich identity.

Embarking on a self-guided tour, you'll travel back in time, entering through the dry moat and drawbridge beneath an archway embellished with crow-stepped gables, thistles, roses, and stained glass. The portcullis leads you towards the battery, various military museums, memorials, and grand halls, offering breathtaking views of sheer cliffs and the distant New Town and Leith. Everywhere, the marks of kings, queens, and would-be rulers await your discovery.

Insider tip: Lunchtime, when the One O’Clock Gun fires, tends to be the busiest. Aim to visit at 9:30 am or after 3 pm to avoid the heaviest crowds. If you're visiting in August, be sure to book in advance for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which transforms the Esplanade into a dazzling display of pipes, drums, and dancers illuminated by fireworks and stars.

2. Stroll down the historic Royal Mile

Edinburgh is compact and easy to navigate—especially if you wear comfortable shoes and carry an umbrella for those frequent rain showers. While it’s tempting to linger at a cafe or pub, there’s so much to uncover during your leisurely stroll (or 'daunder' as the Scots say) down the Royal Mile toward Holyrood Park.

As you pass by a stunning array of stone townhouses, bridges, churches, and historic gates, the shifting light will captivate you. Shadows of dark history hide in the winding paths of narrow alleys and quirky tollbooths. Be sure not to overlook St Giles’ Cathedral, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, or the Canongate Tolbooth as you make your way.

At the eastern end of the road, you'll find the Scottish Parliament Building alongside the Palace of Holyroodhouse, showcasing a striking contrast between the city’s historical roots and its modern aspirations.

Detour: As you continue along George IV Bridge from the Royal Mile, make sure to allocate time for the National Museum of Scotland. Its vast size makes thorough exploration essential, as it's the largest museum in the country, featuring exhibits from Ancient Egypt to the Kingdom of the Scots.

3. Hike up Arthur’s Seat

Edinburgh's own Robert Louis Stevenson, famed for works like Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, often ascended Arthur's Seat. Who could resist such an opportunity? This small mountain encapsulates the essence of the Highlands, featuring a ruined chapel, a secluded lake, heathery landscapes, and stunning vistas from its 251m (823ft) peak.

For geology enthusiasts, it's notable as a dormant volcano that last erupted around 342 million years ago—if Tolkien had been a Scot, this could have been his Mount Doom.

Planning tip: There are multiple walking trails leading to Arthur’s Seat, with the quickest route taking about an hour. For a true Highlands experience, consider a path that passes by the remnants of St Anthony’s Chapel and Dunsapie Loch.

4. Visit the beach, rain or shine

On bright, sunny days when the Firth of Forth sparkles with silver and gold, you'll find bathers, surfers, and sailors enjoying the capital’s beaches. These sandy spots extend from the suburbs into the city, offering a mix of sea and sand, vibrant community spirit, and a distinctly Caledonian charm—far from the Caribbean feel.

Portobello is the go-to destination for classic seaside fun, featuring a charming promenade lined with fish and chips shops, ice cream parlors, an amusement arcade, and a delightful two-mile stretch of soft sand. To the northwest, Cramond presents low tide adventures to a deserted island adorned with WW2 gun bunkers, offering stunning views of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge.

Detour: Edinburgh boasts three castles, not just one. The traditional Scottish tower house, Lauriston Castle, sits in picturesque grounds and gardens overlooking the Firth of Forth, just a short stroll from Cramond.

5. Explore Edinburgh's galleries, both inside and out

The beauty of Edinburgh extends beyond what you see on the streets. Inside some of the city’s most impressive buildings are bursts of color and inspiring brushwork, as Edinburgh boasts a series of remarkable museums that rival any in Europe.

You could easily spend a full day visiting the city’s four National Galleries, searching for masterpieces by Vermeer, Titian, Rembrandt, and Velázquez, as well as local icons like Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow Boys.

Just off Princes Street, The National Gallery features the country's finest art collection, while Modern One and Modern Two represent the pinnacle of contemporary Scottish art. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is housed in a stunning neo-Gothic red sandstone building that is as impressive as the artwork within. Best of all? Admission is free for all.

Local tip: Each gallery has its own unique character, and their cafes and restaurants reflect this diversity. They're perfect for recharging during an art-filled day, especially Paolozzi’s Kitchen at Modern Two, named after Eduardo Paolozzi, the pioneer of pop art in Edinburgh.

6. Feast like a laird or lady

As Scotland’s most multicultural city, Edinburgh offers a delightful array of flavors, with enticing aromas of Pakistani, Thai, Mexican, Syrian, and Nepali cuisine coming from food stalls and restaurants. To satisfy visitors, the city also showcases the best of Scottish cuisine, featuring organic meats, wild game, and shellfish caught from local waters on many menus.

For an unforgettable dining experience in Edinburgh, start your evening at Timberyard, a Michelin-starred gem housed in a stunning warehouse that once stored theatrical costumes and props.

Similarly enchanting, The Witchery resembles a gothic television set, complete with velvet drapes, flickering chandeliers, and an exquisite menu featuring rare steaks and succulent shellfish that match its dramatic ambiance. Other restaurants showcasing the modern Scottish kitchen include The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage, The Spence, The Little Chartroom, and Leith's Heron.

Local tip: If you’re dining on a budget, embrace the local style. While the rest of Britain typically adds salt and vinegar to fish and chips, in Edinburgh, the go-to is salt and 'sauce' — a thin, brown ketchup.

7. Take a leisurely walk along the Water of Leith

This riverside path north of the New Town serves as a portal to Edinburgh’s stunning suburbs, providing a serene escape from bustling trams and traffic while offering a glimpse into the city’s rich history. It stretches from Murrayfield, home to Scottish Rugby, meandering through leafy areas and Georgian townhouses towards the historic mills of Dean Village.

If you’re seeking a picturesque, timeless view of Edinburgh, look no further. Here, the river flows past Antony Gormley sculptures emerging from the water and the Doric columns of St Bernard’s Well, leading to the Stockbridge neighborhood, renowned for its charming pubs, restaurants, and independent shops.

Detour: As one of the greenest cities in the UK, Edinburgh boasts a plethora of parks and private gardens with restricted access. Just a short walk from Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Gardens offers a refreshing escape, featuring rock gardens, twisted trees, Asian flora, and stunning glasshouses — it’s a true Narnia of miniature landscapes.

8. Immerse yourself in the diverse stages of the Fringe

Imagine puppets with colorful language, silent dance parties, drag queens with a twist, and live acts in taxis, restrooms, libraries, and even a massive inflatable purple cow. This is just a glimpse of what awaits at August's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest arts festival in the world.

You could explore the Fringe for a lifetime and still not see it all. Choose from approximately 1,650 shows and 55,000 performances across 300 venues during a month filled with comedy, cabaret, dance, music, theatre, circus, burlesque, and visual arts. Many attendees find that one visit simply isn’t enough!

Planning tip: To help refine your list of must-see performances, check out newspaper reviews, gather recommendations from friends, and relax in the beer gardens of the major venues — Assembly, Pleasance, Gilded Balloon, and Underbelly. Here, you can meet performers distributing flyers for their shows, and you might even score a free ticket.

9. Discover the mysteries of Greyfriars Kirkyard

Perhaps Edinburgh’s most notable modern figure, JK Rowling, brought this haunting graveyard into the spotlight by naming several Harry Potter characters after those laid to rest beneath the stones. She also drew inspiration from Victoria Street (for Diagon Alley) and George Heriot’s School (for Hogwarts).

However, the cemetery truly captures the essence of Edinburgh. Nowadays, the streets around it buzz with guides clad in Gryffindor scarves; you can join them or, for a more atmospheric experience, wander into the kirkyard alone, especially at sunset.

Detour: With a name that evokes horror, The Real Mary King’s Close is a hidden maze of preserved streets and cramped rooms located beneath the Royal Mile. After the devastating Black Plague of 1645, which claimed the lives of many of the city’s impoverished residents, these streets were sealed for centuries and only unearthed in 2003. Exploring this time capsule offers a glimpse into Edinburgh’s darker history.

10. Enjoy whisky like a genuine Scot

Indulge yourself—you are in the whisky capital of the world! Whether you opt for a single malt in a cozy leather chair or a whisky cocktail at a trendy speakeasy, whisky enthusiasts and newcomers alike are truly spoiled for choice here. Edinburgh boasts an unmatched selection of bars dedicated to this beloved spirit.

Dependable spots for a drink include Whiski Rooms, The Bow Bar, the Amber Bar within the Scotch Whisky Experience, and SCOTCH at The Balmoral Hotel. Edinburgh has also welcomed two new distilleries—the Port of Leith Distillery, the only vertical distillery in the nation, and its friendly competitor, Holyrood Distillery, the first to craft Scotch in the city in nearly a century.

Detour: Want a breathtaking view with your drink? Be sure to include the 1820 Rooftop Bar at Johnnie Walker Princes Street on your list—boasting a stunning castle backdrop, it will feel like you hold all of Edinburgh in your grasp.