Best Things to do in Edinburgh

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The Balmoral Hotel was initially built in 1902, but has been completely refurbished by its new owners, Rocco Forte. The results are impressive, an excellent blend of Edwardian character with thoroughly modern amenities. Striking an imposing figure, it dominates the east end of Princes Street, affording superb views of the Castle, Gardens and Old Town and is handily situated beside Waverley Station.

This five-star luxury hotel might be out of most tourists' price range (it is usually the sleeping quarters of visiting celebrities like J.K. Rowling and Brittany Spears). But everyone is free to admire its lovely exterior, which boasts a large clock that is set two minutes fast to make sure passengers will be on time to catch their trains at the adjacent Waverly Station.

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Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the famous road leading upwards to Edinburgh Castle. Cobbled in places and pedestrian friendly the Royal Mile is home to historic buildings which run the length of the street. It is the definitive route to see Old Edinburgh Town. Many of the city's best restaurants and shops line the incline offering traditional Scottish food and memorabilia. Take a moment to wander down one of the narrow and sometimes secret Royal Mile closes, many providing the theatrical atmosphere for grizzly ghost tours.

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Elegance permeates throughout this Victorian cafe-bar, from the marble flooring, stained glass and ceramic tiles and the ornately decorated main Cafe Royal Circle Bar to the delicious Oyster Bar in an adjoining room. Besides the featured dish - oysters served on crush ice - the food is delectable. Your senses will perk as you bite into the various tender meats and fish.

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Dine with a beautiful view in the roomy Wee Windaes Restaurant. Take your appetite on a joyride with the delectable Scottish dishes which they have in store for you. Try the foie gras or wild deer as starters and move onto a generous helping of salmon fillet and highland smoked platter which includes duck, trout and venison. Finish off with lovely desserts or drinks-you're sure to be satisfied! This family-run restaurant also has a side room for those who crave privacy and is available for large groups too. So, what are you waiting for? Go on, dig in!

Our Local Expert Says:

For those who like to spend, Princes Street Gardens is the picturesque gateway to the shopping district beyond. A beautiful park with historic statues and monuments, it’s a peaceful refuge for those who’ve hit the stores all day.

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Step out amongst the vibrancy of Edinburgh city centre and visit Princes Street Gardens. Take in views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town on one side of this splendid park and the bustle of the New Town on the other. Princes Street Gardens is the gateway to the shopping district beyond, it is a great place to wander through with historic monuments and a fountain. Frequented by families, students and performers Princes Street Gardens is alive with people.

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Information from Historic Scotland.

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. Within the castle walls you see impressive views of most of the New Town, including the Princes Street Gardens, Arthur's Seat and the Salisbury Crags, the famous Balmoral Hotel and more. You can also explore the various rooms, chapels and compartments of the fortress and through interactive displays discover what living and working there might have been like during the medieval era.

The highlight of any tour of the castle is the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels), on display in the Crown Room of the castle's Royal Palace (built in 1617). These include the ancient crown, sword and scepter, which date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Here you can also see Scotland's most prized treasure: The Stone of Destiny, otherwise known as the Coronation Stone. This has been used in the crowning of Scottish and English monarchs (much to dismay of many Scottish nationalists) for hundreds of years.

Be sure to arrive...

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With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of Edinburgh.

You can hop-on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. There are 24 stops and the entire route takes approximately 60 minutes. The bus departs every 20 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.

The capital of Scotland since the 15th Century, Edinburgh stands on 7 hills creating a dramatic skyline. Tour highlights include the Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House, the historic Royal Mile and Our Dynamic Earth.

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At Creelers you can go Bistro-style, or you can dine in more formal surroundings. The opulence and price are determined by your choice. The content of the menu also depends to a large extent on what the fishermen managed to outwit earlier in the day. This means that the fish are very fresh, as you would expect. Mind you, if you're dragging along someone who refuses to eat anything scaly then don't despair. There are a number of vegetarian and meat dishes, and they aren't mere token additions either - comfortably holding their own amongst the fishes.

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Families of all ages are welcomed to Edinburgh Zoo. Hop onto one of the zoo buses and spend the day away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Edinburgh Zoo has lots to offer, with scheduled activities such as petting and feeding and everyone's favourite highlight- the Penguin Parade.Visit Rainbow Landings to meet and feed the rainbow lorikeets and see Budongo Trail where they can get up close and personal with chimpanzees. Serengeti animals live on the sprawling land at the peak of Edinburgh Zoo. There are Sun bears, Indian one-horned rhinos, Sumatran tigers, Amur leopards, the UK's only koalas and European wolves.

The Edinburgh Zoo opens at 9am and is located on Corstorphine Road. Admission costs £15.50 for adults and £11.00 for children (kids under 3 get in for free). You can also buy family and group tickets; visit the Edinburgh Zoo website for more information.

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The Balmoral Hotel was initially built in 1902, but has been completely refurbished by its new owners, Rocco Forte. The results are impressive, an excellent blend of Edwardian character with thoroughly modern amenities. Striking an imposing figure, it dominates the east end of Princes Street, affording superb views of the Castle, Gardens and Old Town and is handily situated beside Waverley Station.

This five-star luxury hotel might be out of most tourists' price range (it is usually the sleeping quarters of visiting celebrities like J.K. Rowling and Brittany Spears). But everyone is free to admire its lovely exterior, which boasts a large clock that is set two minutes fast to make sure passengers will be on time to catch their trains at the adjacent Waverly Station.

Our Local Expert Says:

Arthur’s seat is one of the highest of Edinburgh’s seven hills and makes for a good walk for photo opportunities of Edinburgh below. Pathways are easily located from the foot of Arthur’s Seat with a car park area at the base.

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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 somewhat easy walking trails. Arthur's Seat is the highest point in Edinburgh (251 meters high) and is located at the center of the park while the Crags are located west of it. It is not known if the name is truly related to the mythology of King Arthur.

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Camera Obscura is one of the oldest and most unique story telling centers in Edinburgh. Located inside a Victorian rooftop room, the 175-year-old visitor center employs old fashioned illusions and magic from mirrors and light to create a projection. This projection is live footage from somewhere in Edinburgh. The footage is beamed through a giant periscope onto a viewing table. Visitors are then encouraged to touch what they see and interact with a mini-scale Edinburgh. A marvellous and exciting take on sight-seeing.

Following a £1.2m project in 2010 (the visitor center's 175th anniversary year), Camera Obscura was expanded onto five floors. It now also features a c, and a room that distorts the images of those who enter into giants and dwarves.

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Dubh Prais is Gaelic for blackened cooking pot, reflecting the culinary ethos here, to make home-cooked Scots food using the freshest of ingredients. Enjoy the varied and imaginative menu of Scottish cuisine with a twist in this intimate Old Town basement. An example of the inventive starters is the West Coast Broth, a light fish stew flavoured with tabasco and cream. Favourite main courses include Lamb Cutlets, and Aubergine and goats cheese, which is "served as a gateau with a wild mushroom and parmesan crust".

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Take a look at Edinburgh's dark side, including tales of witchcraft, plague and torture on this Murder and Mystery Walking Tour of Edinburgh. Visit the scenes of many horrific tortures, murders and supernatural happenings as you walk along eerie alleyways an creepy courtyards of the Old Town. Your ghostly guide will blend history with humor and facts with fables, while "jumper-ooters" provide guaranteed ghastly appearances.

Visit the scenes of many horrific tortures, murders and supernatural happenings on this award winning tour of historic Old Town of Edinburgh. Your guide, under the cloak of darkness, is famous Edinburgh character Adam Lyal (deceased), highwayman, who was executed in Edinburgh's Grassmarket on 27th March 1811.

Mr Lyal leads you through the haunted alleyways and dark courtyards of Old Town Edinburgh telling tales of executions and torture, ghosts and witchcraft, and the notorious 19th century trade of body snatching.

Although the subject matter is dark, Mr Lyal's approach is fairly light-hearted. With a ghost as your guide, there will no doubt be a few strange incidents on route, whilst our "jumper-ooters" provide guaranteed ghastly appearances!

Beware! This walking...

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Edinburgh's gruesome and brutal past is celebrated at the Edinburgh Dungeon. Torture and sadistic methods of punishment are documented here in a macabre display of bleeding wax models, authentic pungent smells and disturbing sounds. Witness one of the Edinburgh Dungeon trials acted out by the dungeon guides and see the array of instruments for extracting confessions. Located near the main train station Edinburgh Dungeon is a great if gory start to your Edinburgh visit.

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The Balmoral Hotel was initially built in 1902, but has been completely refurbished by its new owners, Rocco Forte. The results are impressive, an excellent blend of Edwardian character with thoroughly modern amenities. Striking an imposing figure, it dominates the east end of Princes Street, affording superb views of the Castle, Gardens and Old Town and is handily situated beside Waverley Station.

This five-star luxury hotel might be out of most tourists' price range (it is usually the sleeping quarters of visiting celebrities like J.K. Rowling and Brittany Spears). But everyone is free to admire its lovely exterior, which boasts a large clock that is set two minutes fast to make sure passengers will be on time to catch their trains at the adjacent Waverly Station.

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The National Museum of Scotland is an excellent museum that describes the history of Scotland from the Stone Age to modern times. This museum is a must visit for those interested in the early Celtic and Pictish history of the country.

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This 17th century wine warehouse features high-ceilings, colorful tapestries and, of course, a well-stocked bar. The menu boasts a strong seafood selection, such as locally sourced lobster, as well as a delicious French cheese selection

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This theme pub is named after the legendary skye terrier, who allegedly was so loyal to his master that after he died the pooch stood vigil at his grave in the adjacent Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years. Boasting a black wooden exterior, it's interior is designed in a fauxVictorian style. The pub serves a good variety of ales and whiskies, but is also a fun bar to bring the kids, who can buy t-shirts with Bobby's image. Be sure to take a picture with the statue of the brave canine in front of the pub.

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There is a great range of healthy meals in this friendly establishment. Take a pew at one of the pine tables and order a filling breakfast made up of fresh juices, yoghurts and wholemeal pastries. Lunchtime options vary on a daily basis, and always include vegan hot dishes. There are various pasta dishes, sublime salads and a veggie take on haggis, neeps and tatties. There's a good choice of wines, ales, organic juices and hot beverages. In the evenings, there is often live jazz to accompany the culinary pleasures.

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The National Gallery of Scotland is housed in a striking neoclassical building situated at one end of Princes Street Gardens. With works by Da Vinci and Van Gogh represented within the National Gallery of Scotland's collection this is an essential part of any tour to Edinburgh city. Temporary exhibitions are frequent here and tickets can be booked in advance from the website.

Description:

The Balmoral Hotel was initially built in 1902, but has been completely refurbished by its new owners, Rocco Forte. The results are impressive, an excellent blend of Edwardian character with thoroughly modern amenities. Striking an imposing figure, it dominates the east end of Princes Street, affording superb views of the Castle, Gardens and Old Town and is handily situated beside Waverley Station.

This five-star luxury hotel might be out of most tourists' price range (it is usually the sleeping quarters of visiting celebrities like J.K. Rowling and Brittany Spears). But everyone is free to admire its lovely exterior, which boasts a large clock that is set two minutes fast to make sure passengers will be on time to catch their trains at the adjacent Waverly Station.