Things to do in Edinburgh

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A historic cityscape with a prominent castle and a tall church spire.
A historic street with buildings, a church tower, and a busy sidewalk.
A castle on a hill, lush greenery, and a pathway with flowers.
A historic cityscape with a prominent castle and lush green park.
A stone building with a tiled roof, a garden with neatly trimmed hedges, and a clear blue sky.

Things to do

Harry Potter Tour & Edinburgh Castle Visit

Harry Potter Tour & Edinburgh Castle Visit

￥11,894
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Harry Potter Tour & Edinburgh Castle Visit
Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

￥8,203
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets
mountain view in edinburgh

Loch Ness & the Highlands of Scotland

￥14,765
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Loch Ness & the Highlands of Scotland
Countryside in Edinburgh

Hadrian's Wall, Roman Britain & Borders from Edinburgh

￥22,594
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Hadrian's Wall, Roman Britain & Borders from Edinburgh
Big Bus Edinburgh Hop on Hop off

Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour

￥4,037
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Open-Top Bus Tour
Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

￥17,484
per adult
Edinburgh: Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
Loch Ness viewed from Fort Augustus

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands

￥12,520
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands
See all activities in Edinburgh
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Most popular activities in Edinburgh

Tours & day trips

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 1841 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥8,957 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 279 activities
Edinburgh Airport: Bus Transfer

Edinburgh Airport: Bus Transfer

9.6 out of 10 with 2594 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥1,311 per adult
Edinburgh Airport: Bus TransferOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 110 activities
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 471 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥6,991 per adult
The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in EdinburghOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 37 activities
Glasgow: Highland Cow Trailer Tour with home baking

Glasgow: Highland Cow Trailer Tour with home baking

Activity duration is 2 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 6 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥5,243 per adult
Glasgow: Highland Cow Trailer Tour with home bakingOpens in new tab

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 23 activities
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 1863 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is ￥4,151 per adult
The World Famous Underground Ghost TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Edinburgh

Stay near popular Edinburgh attractions

A cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, including a Gothic church and a classical building with arches.

Royal Mile

9.4/10 (9,742 reviews)
Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile connects the castle to Holyroodhouse Palace through medieval cobblestone streets. Explore hidden closes branching off the main thoroughfare to discover centuries of Scottish heritage.
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Where to stay in Edinburgh

Find the best Edinburgh areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Edinburgh
Learn more about Edinburgh
A bustling street with historic buildings, a clock tower, and outdoor seating at a pub.

Old Town Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Royal Mile and Princes Street.

A Gothic-style clock tower with a statue at its base, illuminated by warm lights.

New Town

Travelers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Princes Street and Assembly Rooms.

A river with boats and historic buildings along the shore.

Leith

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Edinburgh Port and Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre 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.

A historic stone building with a river in front.
Photo by scott marsland
Open Photo by scott marsland

West End

Visitors to West End love its popular shops, and you can check out Princes Street and Dean Village. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Haymarket Tram Station.

A cobblestone street lined with historic stone buildings, a clock tower, and a clear blue sky.

Stockbridge

Historic sites, museums, and art galleries are some highlights of Stockbridge. Make a stop by Stockbridge Church or St. Stephens Centre while you're exploring.

Popular day trips from Edinburgh

A coastal town with a beach, a large tented area, and a rocky shoreline.

North Berwick

A red suspension bridge over a river with a town on the left and hills in the background.

South Queensferry

A historic castle with a moat, surrounded by lush green hills and a serene lake.

Livingston

A beach with a bird standing on the sand near the water's edge.

Dunfermline

A historic building with multiple towers and a well-maintained lawn.

Falkirk

A lake surrounded by hills with a road and a small building near the water.

Haddington

A river flowing through a forested area with a stone building on the left.

Lanark

A river flowing through a park with a bridge, a church, and residential buildings in the background.

Peebles

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 vacation, 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 neighborhoods, Edinburgh City Centre is 0.16 kilometers away from downtown, while Old Town Edinburgh is 0.64 kilometers away from the center 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 neighborhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Grassmarket is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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