Scotland is known for its castles, gardens, and museums.

Here are some things to do in Scotland Edinburgh that will give you a taste of this beautiful city and surrounding areas.

10 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh Scotland

Take a tour of Edinburgh Castle

Visit Edinburgh Castle and see where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. The visit will give you an idea of what life was like in Scotland during the Middle Ages. You can also take a guided tour of the castle and learn more about its history.

The castle is one of the main attractions in Edinburgh. It’s also known as the “Castle of the Kings” because it was once the residence of Scotland’s kings. 

During summer, it often gets booked out, so pre-book your entrance ticket with a guided tour here.

See the Scottish Parliament Building

One of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, the Scottish Parliament building, was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and opened in 1999. It is located at Holyrood Park, near the Royal Mile.

You can join a free, one-hour tour (bookings recommended), which includes visits to the Debating Chamber, the office of the members of parliament and a committee room.

Have lunch on Grassmarket – Eat some traditional Scottish food

The former cattle market site from the 15th – 20th century is now the place to come and enjoy some Scottish food. You can also get a nice photo of the castle at the end of the square. 

This used to be the city’s main place of execution (there is a monument to this at the Eastern End), but today you’ll find humming pubs and restaurants to have lunch and try some typical Scottish food such as the famous haggis.

Perhaps you’ll taste haggis and many other Scottish classics on this 3-hour Secret Food Tour in Edinburgh.

The White Hart Inn is considered the most haunted pub in Edinburgh.

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Enjoy a day trip to Stirling Castle and explore its history

One of the famous Scottish Landmarks and one of the best things to do in Scotland, Stirling Castle remains a symbol of Scottish Independence and makes for a great day trip.

The famous 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge, where William Wallace defeated the English, occurred here.

The best day trip from Edinburgh is the Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour.

What to do in Edinburgh – Taste some Whiskey

When it comes to Edinburgh and Scotland, you must try their famous whiskey. Of course, you can pop into one of the many shops in the historic centre or simply have a drink in one of the pubs. 

However, I recommend the Whiskey Experience, where you can learn more about how whiskey is made, enjoy a tasting and even enjoy some of the finest Scottish cuisine at their restaurant. This experience was voted one of the best things to do in Edinburgh.

For more options for guided whiskey tours and experiences in Edinburgh, click here.

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Go underground at the National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland has several exhibitions and displays that explore different aspects of Scottish culture.

One such exhibition is “The People’s Story,” which explores the lives of ordinary people through objects and stories.

Explore Princes Street Gardens

If you love gardens, then you should check out Princes Street Gardens.

This garden was designed by Sir John James Burnet in 1824. It is located near the Royal Mile and is one of the oldest parks in Scotland.

Go Shopping at The Royal Mile

You will find some of the best shops in Edinburgh here. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy while shopping. There are usually some bagpipe performers wearing kilts, adding to the atmosphere. 

If you are a Harry Potter Fan, you will find a small shop with a lot of magic memorabilia from Harry Potter and other magic-related merchandise at Museum Context.

Attend a festival – Check out the Fringe Festival or Hogmanay celebrations

If you wish to visit Edinburgh, you may avoid coming in August as this is when the world’s best arts festival is held here and the price of accommodation skyrockets. 

But if you do plan, this is a fantastic time to be here during the summer and enjoy world-class music, comedy, dance, theatre, and cabaret.

If you prefer to join the biggest NYE street party, come here for Hogmanay – An incredible 3-day festival filled with music and so much more, with, of course, an epic fireworks show over the castle! 

And if you’re a fan of Harry Potter, then this Harry Potter Tour is a must-do experience. See all the locations that inspired JK Rowling to write the world-renowned Harry Potter series of books, which was later adapted into film.

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Get out of Edinburgh and see more of Scotland

Edinburgh might be one the most beautiful cities in the world but do head out of the city to truly appreciate Scotland’s beauty.

The Scottish Highlands are simply stunning, and while you can self-drive to visit this region, I highly recommend doing a tour here to see the locations you would likely have missed on your own.

Also, the chance to learn more about the stories this land holds is well worth it.

All the stories told by Mark, my driver/guide on my Rabbie’s 5-Day Northern Coast & Orkney Tour in July 2022, made the trip. I loved this tour and am excited to see that Rabbie’s offers mini-coach tours all over the UK and Ireland, as I’d definitely travel with them again.

Click here to browse Rabbie’s Tours.

Use promo code NOMAD5 at checkout for a 5% discount on any UK/Ireland trip with Rabbie’s.

And that’s our ten best things to do in Edinburgh!

You can do many other sites and experiences here; if you have recommendations, let us know your favourite things to do in Scotland and Edinburgh in the comments below. 

Travel Tips for Europe

We have many travel guides and tips for Europe— an incredible continent!

Are you travelling on a budget? These ten cheapest European countries will help you plan an itinerary that lets you see as much as possible while there.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Europe, and our food map of Europe will inspire your culinary journey.

For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies, a couple of them are located in Europe.

Here are 8 things to know about travelling to Eastern Europe and it’s good to know these 7 misconceptions about Eastern Europe too.

These top 6 travel hacks to save money are great to read when planning your travels.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Europe. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual European countries, or consider a regional eSIM for Europe (which covers 39 countries).

If your travels in Europe are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming European departures, or view Tourradar for great deals on group tours in Europe.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.