Scotland’s bonnie auld capital still has a firm grasp on my heart after living here for several years; I regularly jump on the train to meander through Edinburgh’s streets, camera at the ready, to capture one of the world’s most beautiful cities. I will never tire of Edinburgh. Though parts of the city are frozen in time, the city is constantly changing and there’s always something new to explore. From the Old Town to the New Town, you’ll find everything from bustling traditional pubs to sleek cocktail bars, free walking tours to whisky-tasting experiences, and budget-friendly hostels to luxury accommodations. With so much to offer, planning a trip to Edinburgh often begins with a question: where do I even start?
I’m a regular visitor to Edinburgh- I lived there for three years and I now live in the next town over.
Whether it’s a solo jaunt, a date night with the hubby, or a child-friendly adventure with my son, the city has so much to offer. But planning a trip here can be tricky; because the city centre is relatively small, and receives an influx of visitors, simple tasks such as eating out or getting tickets to popular attractions can be difficult.
Don’t fear- it’s my job to help people plan a trip to Scotland. I’m sharing ten tips on visiting Edinburgh (number eight is the best!) so you arrive prepared and can maximise your time exploring Auld Reekie.
1) Book these attractions in advance
Edinburgh Castle in spring
During the peak tourism period (May-August) attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, The Real Mary King’s Close and other ticketed attractions tend to sell out in advance.
I recommend booking these attractions (especially Edinburgh Castle) at least 3 months in advance to ensure you get the date and time you want. It’s also cheaper to book your tickets online for many attractions in Edinburgh!
2) Get to know the city centre
Edinburgh’s Old Town
Edinburgh’s city centre is roughly split into two sections: the Old Town and the New Town.
The Old Town is the oldest part of the city, and is filled with Gothic architecture, bagpipers and tiny closes. The Royal Mile is the bustling main street and connects Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s filled with tourist shops, restaurants and pubs, and some of the cities major attractions.
The New Town was constructed between 1767 and 1890, and features modern, neo-classical buildings. Princes Street is the main street in the New Town and is filled with department stores and popular chain stores such as H&M, Marks and Spencer and River Island. It runs alongside Princes Street Gardens, which is a lovely park to seek respite from the crowds.
Both the Old Town and the New Town are UNESCO World Heritage sites!
3) Get off the beaten path
Craigmillar Castle
After exploring the city centre, I recommend getting off the beaten path to experience the ‘real’ Edinburgh.
Here are a few recommendations:
- Ride the tram to the hip neighbourhood of Leith and explore bookshops, cafes, and markets.
- Walk to Stockbridge for brunch and explore the pretty streets (tip: visit on a Sunday and explore the market that happens every week)
- Catch the bus to Cramond Island– an island near Edinburgh you can walk to at low tide
- Go and see Edinburgh’s ‘other’ castle, Craigmillar Castle, which was also used as a filming location for Outlander
4) Spend at least 2 days in Edinburgh
The minimum amount of time I suggest when visiting Edinburgh is at least two days. This will allow you enough time to cover the main attractions, as the city centre is fairly small and accessible on foot.
Four days is more ideal, as it will give you some time to explore outside the city centre. However, not everyone has that long, especially if you’re planning on seeing more of Scotland. Two days is enough to give you a taste of the city, but like most people, you’ll probably fall in love with the Old Town’s charm and book another trip back!
5) Explore Edinburgh’s haunted history
Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and has witnessed its share of war and death. As a result, there are some pretty fascinating tales of hauntings in the city.
To learn more about Edinburgh’s ghostly past, I recommend going on a ghost tour with a tour provider such as Mercat Tours, where you can explore the haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults.
6) Don’t drive in Edinburgh
The best way to explore the city is either on foot or using the bus. Driving in the city is an absolute nightmare! Narrow streets, high foot traffic, and expensive parking are just some of the reasons I recommend that you never drive in Edinburgh (especially if you’re a tourist and you’re used to driving on the opposite side of the road).
Edinburgh is a great city to explore on foot, and if you need to get somewhere further afield, catch a bus or get an Uber. We’ll be showing you how to get around Edinburgh using the bus in more detail in our Planning a Trip To Scotland Workshop– so make sure you sign up!
Read more: My recommendations for accommodation in Edinburgh
7) Make the most of the free museums
The Writer’s Museum in Edinburgh
One of my best tips for visiting Edinburgh is to visit a museum to see Scotland’s ancient history first hand.
Edinburgh is home to a number of incredible free museums you can visit. A trip to the museum is a perfect rainy-day activity! A visit to the National Museum of Scotland is a must- some of Scotland’s most important artefacts can be found here, such as the Lewis Chessmen, Pictish carvings, and items belonging to historic heroes such as Mary Queen of Scots.
Here are some more free museums you can visit in Edinburgh:
- The Writer’s Museum
- Museum of Edinburgh
- Museum of Childhood
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- People’s Story Museum
- Museum on the Mound
8) Sign up for the Planning A Trip To Edinburgh Workshop
Every time I catch the train into Edinburgh, the city changes. New shops, restaurants and pubs are always popping up, yet the same information is regurgitated about what to see and do in Edinburgh.
I’ve teamed up with my friend, Lonely Planet Scotland author and Edinburgh-local Kay from The Chaotic Scot for a 90-minute workshop that dives deep into visiting the city!
In this 90-minute workshop, you will learn:
👉 The must-sees to visit in Edinburgh
👉 Our favourite hidden gems
👉 Day trip ideas from Edinburgh
👉 How to use public transport to get around the city
👉 Our top food and drink recommendations
👉 Where and how to book accommodation, tours, and activities
👉 The things you need to book in advance (and the things you don’t)
👉 Helpful travel tips for visiting Edinburgh and more
If you’re planning on visiting Edinburgh, this workshop is a must!
9) Make your restaurant reservations well in advance BUT…
…you don’t need to make a reservation for every single meal.
You will never go hungry in Edinburgh- there are many chippies, fast food outlets, supermarkets, and restaurants signed up to JustEat and UberEats.
So when should you make reservations, and how far in advance? It’s usually a good idea to make reservations for dinner if you want to eat out, if you’re travelling in a group (5 or more people) and require a large table, or you have a must-try restaurant on your bucket list- it’s best to be safe and make a reservation. Kay and I will be sharing our top places to eat and drink in our Planning A Trip To Edinburgh Workshop.
To summarise: make reservations for popular restaurants or the places you really want to eat at in advance (my advice is to book two months in advance).
10) Avoid the cheap, tourist shops and shop local
Edinburgh is home to some fantastic independently owned businesses. Try to support them if you can!
Unfortunately, Edinburgh is filled with cheap tourist shops, especially on Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Try to avoid these if possible, as many products are mass-produced and the quality isn’t great.
If you are looking for authentic, Scotland-made kilts, tartans and accessories, be sure to visit ScotlandShop on South Queensferry Street. They have plenty of options to choose from in-store, and they also create bespoke, tailored clothing (like my Cameron of Lochiel skirt in the photo above!). They have international delivery, so if you’re visiting Edinburgh and want something made and sent home, they can do it! You can also book an online appointment with them at home to take your measurements and pick up your tartan creation in-store.
You can save 10% using my discount code KIWI10 (this works in-store, online and at any of ScotlandShop’s events).
I hope you found my tips for visiting Edinburgh useful. Are you planning a trip to Edinburgh in 2026 or 2027?
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