Edinburgh

Edinburgh enchants first-time visitors with its effortless old-world elegance. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre is a beguiling maze of winding alleys, the skyline dominated by the regal crown steeple of St Giles Cathedral and the imposing turrets of Edinburgh Castle. But scratch beneath this grandiose and historical surface and you'll discover a down-to-earth, modern capital city.

Edinburgh is packed with laid-back bars, quirky boutiques, lush parks and friendly people, with most of the main highlights concentrated in the city centre. It’s a place of remarkable culture, too. Art aficionados can lose themselves for hours discovering the masterpieces in the Scottish National Gallery and the many theatres host first-class shows throughout the year, though especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Nature lovers can escape the hustle and bustle with a hike up the verdant hillsides of Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill while the rolling Scottish countryside is only ever a short drive away.

What to see & do in Edinburgh

what’s around Edinburgh

Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh

The Chocolatarium in Edinburgh

Where & what to eat in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is at its finest around mealtimes with a fully-fledged culinary scene to enjoy. For breakfast, you must try a traditional fried breakfast. Feast on Scottish square sausage, back bacon, and black pudding – just don’t count the calories!Pubs and cafes around the Old Town cater well to visitors who want to sample the best of Scottish dishes, especially haggis. This recipe of minced lamb and oats is synonymous with...

5 Best Local Dishes From Edinburgh
The best local dishes in Edinburgh are among the world's most unique culinary inventions, so you'll probably have a lot of fun discovering new flavours while dining in the city's iconic restaurants. Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city, and with that...
10 Best Local Restaurants in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s dining scene is a dynamic combination of traditional recipes and innovative tastes. The capital of Scotland is one of...
10 Great Restaurants in Edinburgh
These great restaurants in Edinburgh are among the top choices for trying out some of Scotland’s most popular dishes. Whether...

Where to shop & what to buy in Edinburgh

Shopping in Edinburgh covers everything from the latest fashions to one-of-a-kind antiques and plenty of artisan products unique to the UK. In fact, Scotland’s capital city is 2nd only to Glasgow for the range of products on offer. The main high street of Princes Street is where you’ll find many of Britain’s best brands. Shops here include the likes of House of Fraser, Marks and Spencer, Primark, JD Sports, and...

14 Best Places to Go Shopping in Edinburgh
The best places to go shopping in Edinburgh range from eclectic shopping streets with independent boutiques to luxury thoroughfares with designer brands. You can find everything from artisan foods to paintings from local artists to vintage records, perfect for souvenirs...
9 Best Shopping Malls in Edinburgh
Shopping centres in Edinburgh allow you to satisfy that shopping bug while exploring ultramodern, airy and welcoming spaces filled with entertainment, food and all the big name brands. You can find everything in these destinations from high street fashion to...

Where to go & what to do at night in Edinburgh

Nightlife in Edinburgh includes old-fashioned pubs, swanky bars, ghost walks, live music venues and pumping nightclubs. With a large student population, the arts scene in Edinburgh is excellent and you’ll find many bands, comedians, and DJs staging events right across the city throughout the year. For live entertainment in the Old Town, start your night at Whistlebinkies Live Music Bar just off the Royal Mile. Then, you can barhop up...

5 Things to Do For New Year's Eve in Edinburgh
New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is one of the best times to visit Scotland's capital. It's a top destination for celebrating the end of December and the start of January. Combine the nation’s famous hospitality with historic traditions and you...
11 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Edinburgh
Spend your evening at one of these best bars, live music venues and nightclubs in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital boasts...
10 Best Theatres in Edinburgh
Theatres in Edinburgh are easy to find no matter what kind of performances you're looking to enjoy, including plays, musicals,...

Useful information

This section of our Edinburgh Go Guide presents all of the information you should need when planning your trip. As the capital city of Scotland, there’s plenty that is helpful to understand about Edinburgh, if you want to get the most out of a short time spent there. This includes everything from knowing how to get in, out and around to which neighbourhoods are best to visit and which make...

5 Things to Do For New Year's Eve in Edinburgh
New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is one of the best times to visit Scotland's capital. It's a top destination for celebrating the end of December and the start of January. Combine the nation’s famous hospitality with historic traditions and you...
6 Creepy Stories From Edinburgh to Freak You Out
Edinburgh has a long and macabre history, filled with creepy stories to freak you out. Ghost hunters and psychics often...
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Edinburgh
Steeped in history and culture, Edinburgh is a wonderful city to visit, but its distinctiveness also presents a lot of...