The Excellent 3 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary for Your First Go to

A very long time in the past, the town of Edinburgh was often known as “Auld Reekie.” This was again within the days of peat fireplace smog, overpopulation, and an absence of contemporary plumbing. Add to this a stagnant Nor Loch (which was polluted with the whole lot from waste to lifeless our bodies), and also you most likely can work out the place the “Reekie” got here from.

Fortunately, Edinburgh has come a good distance since then.

I am going to always remember my first journey to Edinburgh. It was on the tail finish of my very first journey to Europe, and I arrived on the practice from London proper smack in the midst of the town’s festival season in August. I hadn’t carried out my analysis beforehand, and was completely shocked by this timing.

It was nice, although – I explored the town AND loved the Fringe Pageant on the identical time.

It was on that first journey that I completely fell in love with Edinburgh. The town is stuffed with historical past (each its Previous and New cities are UNESCO World Heritage Websites), wonderful structure, loads of Scottish tradition, and never one however TWO castles/palaces!

In the event you’ve by no means been to “Auld Reekie” earlier than, listed below are my options for what to do with three days within the metropolis. (And don’t be concerned – they discovered these plumbing points ages in the past.)

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3 Days in Edinburgh itinerary

I’ve personally been to Edinburgh half a dozen occasions now, and this steered itinerary is what I’d suggest for any first-time customer!

Day 1: Iconic Edinburgh

In your first day in Edinburgh, I like to recommend specializing in its most well-known websites. We’ll dub this present day “Iconic Edinburgh.” Begin on the Royal Mile, go to a citadel or two, and finish the day with a spooky tour.

Morning: Royal Mile

Edinburgh’s most well-known attraction by far is the Royal Mile. Although “attraction” is not actually the suitable phrase, because the Royal Mile is a lot greater than only a singular factor to see.

Right here you will discover the whole lot from pubs to tartan outlets, and the pedestrian-only part is often stuffed with avenue performers. As you make your approach up (or down) the Royal Mile, try the next historic websites and points of interest:

1. St. Giles Cathedral

You’ll be able to’t miss this 14th-century cathedral with is crown-shaped steeple on the Royal Mile. Not solely is St. Giles stunning on the surface, however the church is simply as fairly on the within, too. Pop in to see the stained glass home windows, fairly blue ceiling, and complicated Thistle Chapel.

(Observe that St. Giles is often open day by day, although generally is closed to guests for personal occasions like weddings. It is free to go to, although they do ask that you just pay a small price to take pictures inside.)

2. Scotch Whisky Expertise

Close to the Edinburgh Citadel, you will stumble upon the Scotch Whisky Expertise. Even when you do not love whisky, that is one thing value doing.

You’ll be able to take quite a lot of excursions that promise that can assist you “change into a ‘one-hour-whisky-expert,’” and likewise see a assortment of greater than 3,300 bottles of Scotch whisky. The tour comes full with a scratch-and-sniff card to stroll you thru several types of whisky, in addition to one tasting.

(Book a guided whisky tour here, which is nice for first-timers.)

3. Writers’ Museum OR Digicam Obscura

The small Writers’ Museum is simply off the Royal Mile, and is value a go to! It is devoted to a few of Scotland’s most well-known literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The free museum has issues like portraits, uncommon books, and private objects belonging and associated to those well-known Scottish writers.

Or, when you’re within the temper for a extra enjoyable solution to spend an hour or two, try the Digicam Obscura and World of Illusions proper subsequent to the doorway to Edinburgh Citadel. This interactive museum is stuffed with optical illusions and enjoyable puzzles, and is very nice when you’re touring to Scotland with youngsters.

You’ll be able to see the digital camera obscura itself and study the way it works, and the tower atop the constructing additionally provides you some nice views out over the town.

Afternoon: Go to a citadel

You’ll be able to’t actually go to Edinburgh with out visiting a citadel or palace (in spite of everything, keep in mind that there are two of them right here!).

1. Edinburgh Citadel

Edinburgh Citadel, sitting proudly on the prime of the Royal Mile, is the citadel that you’re going to see essentially the most typically because it’s seen from many components of the town. And whereas the traditional fortress is fairly cool, I discover the doorway price (presently £19.50 for adults) a bit steep for what you may really see.

Edinburgh Citadel has not been occupied for hundreds of years, so what you will discover inside consists principally of the crown jewels of Scotland and a few navy reveals.

(In the event you do go to and need to get extra out of your time there, choose up a skip-the-line ticket that features a guided tour.)

2. Palace of Holyroodhouse

If you’d like my sincere opinion, I feel that visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse is extra value it than visiting Edinburgh Citadel when you solely need to go to one in all them. This palace on the backside of the Royal Mile has an analogous entrance price (£19.50) to tour, however affords the added bonus of nonetheless being an official royal residence.

Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. The late Queen would come to remain (and throw an enormous backyard celebration) each summer time, and it’ll now be utilized by the King.

You’ll be able to view the State Flats (that are nonetheless used), in addition to the previous chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots. Once I visited, additionally they had a particular show of a few of the attire Queen Elizabeth had worn all through her reign.

Outdoors the palace, you will discover some stunning grounds, in addition to the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey.

This was all way more attention-grabbing for me than Edinburgh Citadel – however in fact you do you!

Night: Get ghostly

Edinburgh has a really lengthy historical past – and never all of it good. There are numerous excursions you may take to discover the darker aspect of the town, from nighttime ghost excursions to after-dark historic excursions.

You must also try the Real Mary King’s Close, which is a posh of slender alleyways partially hidden beneath the Royal Trade within the Previous City. The world has loads of darkish tales related to it, so be ready for some goosebumps.

Listed below are some spooky Edinburgh excursions to take a look at:

Day 2: New City

In your second day in Edinburgh, enterprise away from the Previous City into the newer components of the town (that are nonetheless tremendous stunning and historic!).

Morning: Princes Road Gardens

Begin your morning with a stroll by Princes Road Gardens, that are technically two adjoining gardens within the middle of Edinburgh, simply down the hill from the citadel. The Gardens had been created within the 1820s, after the Nor Loch was drained.

Right this moment, they seem to be a beautiful place for a stroll, particularly within the spring and summer time when a number of issues are in bloom! (In the event you’re visiting between mid-June and early July, maintain an eye fixed out for the purple thistle blooms, as that is the one time of 12 months you will see them.)

Late morning: Scottish Nationwide Gallery

Subsequent, you may head to the Scottish Nationwide Gallery, positioned on The Mound beneath Edinburgh Citadel. One of the best half about this museum (apart from the nice art work) is that it is free to go to.

Afternoon: Climb the Scott Monument

The Victorian Gothic monument devoted to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott sits on the sting of Princes St Gardens, and is without doubt one of the largest monuments to a author wherever on the earth. 

It is not a simple climb (it is 287 steps up, and consists of some extraordinarily slender passages), however climbing to the highest of the Scott Monument will get you a few of the easiest views of Edinburgh. 

And if making that climb would not sound like enjoyable to you? Then head over to George Road to do some buying!

Afternoon: Dean Village

Subsequent up is a stroll by the New City on foot to go to one in all my favourite spots in Edinburgh: Dean Village. This little neighborhood is characterised by colourful historic homes and the Water of Leith working by it.

It is a fantastic place for a stroll – however beware that you’re going to really feel such as you’ve stepped again in time right here!

To seek out Dean Village, take Bell’s Brae down beneath the Dean Bridge, solely a few 10- or 15-minute stroll from Princes Road.

Night: Calton Hill

Situated past the east finish of Princes Road is Calton Hill, the place you will discover varied monuments (just like the Nelson Monument and Robert Burns Monument) and a few extra unimaginable views out over Edinburgh.

In the event you do not fancy climbing the Scott Monument earlier within the day, positively be sure you get to Calton Hill for the views.

It is a well-liked spot to observe the sundown in Edinburgh.

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Day 3: Historic Edinburgh

I am dubbing your third day in Edinburgh “Historical past Day,” as a result of that is what all my options for right this moment appear to focus round. (And sure, I do know you’ve got already seen historical past on the Royal Mile and contained in the castles, however this is extra!)

Morning: Nationwide Museum of Scotland

Begin your day with one other museum: the Nationwide Museum of Scotland. This museum is devoted to the historical past of (you guessed it) Scotland, however has reveals protecting issues like artwork, design, world cultures, and even dinosaurs, too. (Guys, they’ve the actual Dolly the Sheep right here!)

And, like with most museums within the UK, this one can be free. Positively plan to spend a pair hours right here.

Afternoon: Go to an previous cemetery

This may occasionally sound a bit bizarre, however I actually take pleasure in visiting previous cemeteries after I journey. They are often hauntingly stunning, and that is positively true of Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh’s Previous City.

Greyfriars is legendary for a few issues, together with Greyfriars Bobby, a bit canine that guarded its former grasp’s grave within the graveyard for 14 years. It is also *supposedly* the place writer JK Rowling received just a few concepts for names within the Harry Potter collection. 

(For extra Harry Potter websites in Edinburgh, try this publish: A Harry Potter Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland.)

OR make a customized bag

If strolling by previous cemeteries would not attraction to you, then one other factor you are able to do close by (proper across the nook from the graveyard, in truth) is create your personal customized bag at Islander.

Standard bag store Islander has a number of places round Edinburgh the place you may e book a “bag workshop” to construct your personal customized bag with a bit of Harris Tweed. These workshops are enjoyable and straightforward (“constructing” a bag actually simply consists of choosing out your colours/designs after which including some screws and fastenings), however you stroll away with a completely distinctive memento. It is pretty inexpensive too, with luggage beginning at £65.

There are a pair Islander places in Edinburgh to do a bag workshop, however I like to recommend the one at 42 Candlemaker Row. Book on the Islander site (superior reserving is required).

Late afternoon: Grassmarket

Situated beneath the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Citadel (on the alternative aspect as Princes Road Gardens) sits the Grassmarket. What as soon as was a historic market place is now stuffed with pubs, eating places, and extra of the town’s unimaginable structure.

Whilst you’re there, remember to head up West Bow avenue, which ends up in one in all my favourite streets in Edinburgh: Victoria Road.

Victoria Road is stuffed with distinctive outlets, together with just a few Harry Potter-inspired ones.

Night: Literary pub tour

Do you know that Scotland (and Edinburgh extra particularly) has produced a large number of writers and poets? Discover out for your self by happening a singular literary pub tour, which can have you tracing the town’s literary historical past by visiting locations frequented by the likes of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.

(Or, how about a Harry Potter walking tour of the town? Edinburgh has a number of enjoyable Harry Potter-related sites.)

In case you have extra time

End up with an extra day or two in Edinburgh? Then the opposite must-do within the metropolis is unquestionably climbing to the highest of Arthur’s Seat if the climate is sweet. This historical volcano sits above Holyrood Park and affords the very best views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

The hike typically takes a few hours to finish, however you would simply stretch it to a half-day exercise when you deliver a picnic lunch.

The place to remain in Edinburgh

Lastly, listed below are just a few of my favourite locations to remain in Edinburgh:

Mid-range resort within the Previous City: Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile – I like this resort on Cowgate as a result of it is near the Royal Mile, and but not tremendous noisy. The rooms are brilliant and clear, the free wifi is quick, and also you often get free breakfast together with your reserving. (Read reviews | Book here)

Condo within the Previous City: No1 Apartments Edinburgh – George IV Bridge – On a earlier solo go to to Edinburgh, I rented a one-bedroom condo on George IV Bridge by No1 Flats. The condo was beautiful, and I had a view of Edinburgh Citadel from my kitchen window! (Read reviews | Book here)

Condo-hotel within the New City: Eden Locke – For studio and one-bedroom flats on George Road, I like Eden Locke. It is completely located close to eating places and cafes within the New City, however nonetheless inside strolling distance to Princes’ Road Gardens and the Previous City. (Read reviews | Book here)

Luxurious resort within the Previous City: Radisson Blu Edinburgh – If you wish to keep proper ON the Royal Mile, try the Radisson Blue with its modern rooms. (Read reviews | Book here)

Luxurious near the practice station: Market Street Hotel – Proper throughout the road from Edinburgh Waverley Station, this resort is one in all my favorites. It is understated luxurious with a number of added particular touches, together with a welcome glass of champagne and a free mini bar in each room.  (Read reviews | Book here)

The place to eat in Edinburgh

Now that you’ve an concept of what there may be to do in Edinburgh, listed below are just a few options of the place to seize a chunk to eat within the metropolis. (And, opposite to what you’ve got heard about Scottish meals, there’s really numerous nice issues to attempt past haggis!)

For pies: The Piemaker – No, not fruit pies; we’re speaking meat pies right here! The Piemaker on South Bridge serves up low-cost and attractive pies which can be excellent for a takeaway meal.

For soup: Union of Genius – That is Edinburgh’s first soup cafe!

For upscale Scottish pub meals: Satan’s Advocate – Down Advocate’s Shut, this bar and eatery serves Scottish-inspired dishes.

For critical foodies: The Kitchin – This Michelin star restaurant has a “from nature to plate” philosophy, and serves up British/Scottish delicacies with French-influenced aptitude.

For dessert: Moo Pie – Head to this tiny store for wonderful gelato or sizzling chocolate (get the marshmallow fluff on prime!).

For drinks: SCOTCH – This whisky bar on the swanky Balmoral Lodge is THE place to go when you’re on the seek for distinctive or attention-grabbing Scotch.

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Is anybody else as in love with Edinburgh as I’m? What are a few of your different favourite issues to do there?

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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!