Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh

No trip to Scotland would be complete without a stop at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock. First erected in the 12th century, the fortress sits on top of an extinct volcano and is the most breathtaking part of the city's skyline.

The Royal Mile, which runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Abbey, is by far Edinburgh's most popular tourist street. It is composed of a series of windy cobblestone roads. Stroll along the picturesque Royal Mile to peruse the dozens of tourist shops and niche museums.

For a frightening experience, tourists can try their luck with the infamous and violent Mackenzie poltergeist on a nighttime ghost tour of Greyfriars kirkyard run by the City of the Dead tour company. It's is the scariest ghost tour in Edinburgh!

The Real Mary King's Close is an incredible tour of the long-forgotten underground streets of Edinburgh dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, which were paved over as the city grew. Guides dressed in period costumes walk you through these hidden closes, homes and streets while describing what life may have been like for the residents, particularly during the plague.

Like Castle Rock, Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags were formed by an extinct volcano and carved out by moving glaciers. These hills, lochs (lakes) and cliffs make up Holyrood Park and offer breathtaking views and somewhat easy walking trails.

If the Royal Mile is the life vein of the Old City, then Princes Street is its equivalent in the New Town. With dozens of high-end retail stores aligning it, including the uniquely Scottish department store Jenners, Princes Street is a fashion diva's heaven.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest and most popular art festival. Venues throughout the Old Town and New Town feature hilarious stand-up comedians, absurd puppet theatre, innovative dance and acrobatic creations and outlandish musical theater productions throughout the month of August.

The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink is a temporary ice rink that is part of the festivities and attractions of Edinburgh's annual Christmas and Hogmanay fair held in the East Princes Street Gardens starting in mid November until after the New Year. Go for a twirl around the rink or watch a Christmas show, where Santa makes an appearance each year.

If you fancy a round of golf, head to Bruntsfield Links Short Hole Golf Course, the oldest short hole golf course in the world! It's free to play and clubs can be rented at Ye Olde Golf Tavern, 30/31 Wrights Houses, Bruntsfield.