Things to Do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a beautiful city and the first place in Scotland to have a castle (St. Margaret’s). A great place to begin your trip to Scotland is the Castle. It is not only great at architecture, but also offers a terrific view of Edinburgh.

 

It lies at the heart of Scotland and is one of its 32 council areas. Edinburgh covers a land area that is about 3 times larger than the New York metropolitan area. The city of Edinburgh has an estimated population of 486,680 and it has an estimated population density of 1,200 people per square kilometer or 2,900 people per square mile

 

Must Do Things In Edinburgh

A beautiful and cultural city to visit. However, its beauty and culture are not limited to the city itself. It’s a good idea to plan your trip by following these “must do things” in Edinburgh.

 

Edinburgh Attractions

Its attractions include the Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile and UNESCO-protected Old Town. The city also has many museums and art galleries as well as numerous public artworks and sculptures. The city is a beautiful mix of medieval and modern architecture with a vibrant culture. The attractions are as diverse as the people who live here, and they include everything from ancient castles to subterranean vaults and art galleries.

 

Edinburgh Castle & Scottish Parliament: With royal residences and notable art collections, it’s home to the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle. Add in a scenic Old Town neighborhood, a charming Italianate Jewish Quarter, and some outdoor activities — like walking through a cutaway of rock that dates back more than 400 million years — and you’ve got a standout destination in the U.K. Founded in the 7th century A.D., Edinburgh has been consistently ranked among the top cities in Europe for quality of life.

 

Visitors can enjoy their food while they admire the architectural beauty up close and personal from any bar or seat on top of the building. The Scottish Parliament Building has three museums to offer as well as shopping and over 200 events per year for patrons to enjoy!

 

Take a walk in Royal Botanical Garden: The Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh is the oldest botanic garden in Scotland and one of the oldest gardens open to the public. It was founded in 1670, but it is now not just open to the public but also involved in scientific research and conservation.

 

Gradually it has developed its role as a centre of scientific research and conservation. Nowadays, it's not just open to the public but also involved with scientific work and conservation.

 

It has two major sites: The Main RBG site at Inverleith near Holyrood Park, and The Highland RBG site at Spey Bay near Aviemore.

 

The Writers' Museum and The Scottish Poetry Library: The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh is the first of its kind in the UK and tells the story of three centuries of Scottish authors, poets, novelists and playwrights. It features a literary café and library as well as exhibitions on world-famous authors such as JK Rowling, Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

 

The Scottish Poetry Library is Scotland’s national literature centre for poetry housed in an award-winning building with a striking contemporary design by Kengo Kuma. The library aims to promote Scotland’s literary life through its work with writers at all stages in their careers, producers of creative writing events, lecturers at universities and colleges, as well as schools across Scotland.

 

Jenners Shopping Centre: Jenners is a department store located in Princes Street, Edinburgh. The store was established in 1838 and has been run by the Jenners family ever since. It offers a wide selection of luxury designer brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Alexander McQueen and Michael Kors.

 

An independent retailer, the store stocks many luxury designers including Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors, A&F and many more. The store is located at 12 Princes Street in the city of Edinburgh.

 

Royal Mile: Head to the Royal Mile, which is lined with shops, theaters, pubs and more. Enjoy amazing scenery, history and diversity of culture, from the sandy beaches of the North Sea and the rolling green hills of Midlothian to the bustling city centre.

 

Pubs: A great way to get acquainted with the city of Edinburgh is through the traditional Scottish pub. There are some great pubs in the area that offer both food and drink specials daily or even nightly. A few of these include The Elephant House Pub which specializes in gin while also offering over 8 beers on tap, as well as The Hanging Bat which has wine from around the world on offer among other drinks.

 

Explore The Old Town: A maze of streets, this is where you'll be able to find numerous historic buildings and architectural treasures that are characteristic of a medieval town. The Royal Mile has plenty to offer when it comes to shopping, restaurants and entertainment options.

 

Museums to Visit: The National Museum of Scotland - Armadillo House, National Museums Collection Centre, National Library of Scotland, Royal (Dick Vet School of Veterinary Studies), Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Scottish National Portrait Gallery (NPG), John Leslie Howard Pavilion and Arts Centre

 

Other Important Attractions

Take a walk on Arthur's Seat

A 360-degree view across Edinburgh awaits you atop this hill with stunning views at every turn. This is also one of the few hills in Scotland with an almost perfect pyramidal shape.

 

Useful Tips When Visiting Edinburgh

Whether you're a first-time traveler or someone who has traveled all over the world, there are many things that you'll need to keep in mind before traveling.

 

Carry Valid Identity Documents

The first tip is to ensure that you have valid identification for entering the country.

 

Check Your Itinerary

You should start by looking at your itinerary and making sure that it's set up in the best way possible. If you know what your plans are already, then it will be easier for you to plan ahead of time. You can also take some time beforehand to research about the region and get familiar with what the culture is like there. This will help make your trip more enjoyable and prevent any culture shock or confusion when you arrive.

 

Pack Light

It's also important to start gathering packing supplies early on in order to avoid forgetting anything important when it comes time for your departure date! You should have every single thing packed and ready well before you depart so that there isn't any last-minute rushing around as an excuse not

 

Best Time to Visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a temperate maritime climate with four seasons. The summers are warm and sunny with an average temperature of 18°C. The winters are cold but snowfall is not common. If you wish to enjoy the beauty of Edinburgh during wintertime, it would be better to travel between November and March as this is when the festive season also takes place.

 

The city celebrates a number of festive festivals throughout the year such as Hogmanay (Scotland's biggest New Year celebration), Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Burns Night and Christmas Celebrations.