Your guide to Edinburgh
Edinburgh highlights
Venture outdoors
Explore some of the city’s many parks, scramble up the hills and crags at Holyrood Park, or climb Arthur’s Seat for city views. Stroll the tree-lined paths of The Meadows and play tennis or croquet. Or if you have the time, venture beyond the city to forested parks like Beecraigs and Dalkeith.
Catch a play
August’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the world’s largest performing arts celebration. See jugglers and unicyclists on one Old Town street and jazz bands and comedians down the next. The Playhouse and the Lyceum host performances year-round, while the International Harp Festival (April) and Scots Fiddle Festival (November) are a great introduction to Scotland’s musical traditions.
Dine in Edinburgh
Hearty haggis, black pudding and neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes) should be part of a city break in Edinburgh. Leith is a great area for a taste of just about everything. From Indian curry or seafood dishes to Michelin-starred dining at The Kitchin. Casual ambiance dominates at Edinburgh Street Food market, with a dozen cooks serving to-go versions of global favourites.
Edinburgh: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | British pound (pound sterling) (£) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) and UTC+1 (BST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | November - February |
Find the best time to go to Edinburgh
Weather in Edinburgh
March – May: Spring is the driest season and a great time to enjoy Holyrood Park’s wildflowers. Temperatures in the single digits come with stiff breezes. Warm layers are essential.
June – August: July and August are the sunniest months. But average highs around 19°C mean you’ll rarely overheat walking up and down Arthur’s Seat.
September – November: Autumn starts off mild, with temperatures dropping around the end of September. October can be wet, but when the leaves change colour, the Princes Street Gardens are a vision of beauty.
December – February: Expect fog and wind in winter, when temperatures reach regular lows of 1°C. The short, dark days are good for exploring cosy pubs and atmospheric cathedrals.
Events in Edinburgh
Beltane Fire Festival (April): Climb Calton Hill to see a ritual inspired by thousands of years of Celtic tradition. Watch as hundreds of performers join forces to welcome the start of summer on the night before May Day.
Edinburgh Fringe (August): Multiple arts festivals take place throughout Scotland during this busy month, as well as the Highland Games and the Royal Military Tattoo. But none is livelier than the Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, celebrating the best of British comedy and experimental theatre.
Hogmanay (December): They take New Year’s Eve celebrations seriously in Scotland — and especially so at the Princes Street Party. Join the crowds singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to a backdrop of fireworks.
The best neighbourhoods in Edinburgh
Old Town
If you love history and are wondering where to stay in Edinburgh,look no further than the Old Town. The neighbourhood surrounds the Royal Mile, an avenue between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Wander the streets of the Grassmarket in search of souvenirs and spend a rainy afternoon in the National Museum of Scotland. Historic buildings, like the 12th-century St Giles’ Cathedral, are the perfect backdrop for your holiday photos.
Good for: History, castles, sightseeing
New Town
The central neighbourhood of the New Town is the best area to stay in Edinburgh for shopping and dining. Browse souvenir shops along Princes Street, saving time for a few drams of whisky at the Johnnie Walker Experience. Appreciate the views from above on Calton Hill and venture below for a living history tour of The Edinburgh Dungeon.
Good for: Shopping, whisky tasting, views
Stockbridge
Stockbridge is the best neighbourhood to stay in Edinburgh if you value convenience and a village atmosphere. Spend mornings in cafes and bakeries, then walk to the city centre. Take advantage of sunny weather at the Royal Botanic Garden and find the ideal souvenir at the Stockbridge Market on Sundays. End the day in one of the area’s many restaurants and gastropubs. Purslane is a top pick for its ‘casual’ fine dining.
Good for: Gardens, convenience, markets
Things to do in Edinburgh
Family friendly things to do
Edinburgh Zoo is one of the best things to do with family in Edinburgh. After taking in one of the zoo’s daily talks or tours, head to the mirror mazes and hologram shows of Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Scale the indoor rock walls at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena or hear family-friendly tales at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile.
Shopping
Shopping in Edinburgh is surprisingly eclectic. Window-shop your way past luxury boutiques along the Multrees Walk. Or appreciate handmade crafts, artisan foods and vintage wares at Old Town’s Grassmarket. Get your souvenirs on the Royal Mile and sample local flavours at the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market held every Saturday in front of Edinburgh Castle.
Take in the culture
Some of the top museums in Edinburgh are free. Immerse yourself in natural history, art and science at the National Museum of Scotland and explore the lives of literary figures such as Robert Louis Stevenson at the Writers’ Museum. Relive your younger years at the Museum of Childhood before learning about the lives of ordinary Edinburgh residents throughout history at the People’s Story Museum.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Edinburgh offer everything from creative fusion cuisine to casual classics. The Grassmarket area is great for pizza, burgers and baked goods. Go to Holyrood Park for more formal dining venues, including the Michelin-approved Condita. If you feel like casual eats, head to the area between Princes and George Streets to find modest cafes and street food vendors.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Edinburgh mixes the new and old. Sip a pint at the Sheep Heid Inn, a 14th-century pub in Holyrood Park, or embark on a late-night club crawl in the city centre. Laugh the evening away at Monkey Barrel Comedy and The Stand Comedy Club or delve into the city's rich folk music scene at Sandys Bell or the Royal Oak.
Free things to do
The array of free things to do in Edinburgh stretches beyond the museums and parks. Wander the photogenic neighbourhoods of Dean Village and Leith and soak in the rare sunshine at the Portobello Beach promenade. Entry to Edinburgh Castle is not free, but you can listen to the one-o’clock gun and visit the National War Museum without paying admission.
Get ready for Edinburgh
Budget
Scotland’s capital is one of the UK’s most expensive cities. But play it right, and you can still enjoy an inexpensive stay in Edinburgh. An inexpensive meal costs around 15 British pounds (£). You’ll also find plenty of student haunts serving curries, noodles and pizza. A short taxi ride will set you back around £12, but buses are cheaper and run 24 hours a day.
Day trips from Edinburgh
Scotland’s second city, Glasgow, is less than an hour away. On a day trip, you can explore its art museums, galleries and magnificent Victorian architecture. Drive an hour up the Firth of Forth to Stirling, whose castle is as historic as Edinburgh’s own. Famed for its university and golf course, the east coast town of St Andrews is an hour and a half away.
Getting around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is walkable, and you can get to the different neighbourhoods on the Lothian Buses network and Edinburgh tram line. Purchase single-ride and day-pass tickets from bus drivers or via the Transport for Edinburgh app, which also has trip-planning features. See the city under your own power with a bike rental from Leith Cycle Co or Cycle Scotland.
