No. 01 · Landmark
Edinburgh Castle
A fortress on a 700-million-year-old volcanic plug
The Castle dominates the city — home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Mons Meg, a 15th-century cannon.
Read more →United Kingdom
Edinburgh
Castle on a rock above two old towns
Scotland's capital — a medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town stacked on volcanic ridges, with a castle on top.
When to go
May–September; August for the Fringe Festival.
Getting around
Walk everything in the old town. Buses and trams handle the rest.
Edinburgh highlights
Don't miss
The top places to start with if you only have a day or two — the essentials before you go deeper.
No. 02 · Landmark
Royal Mile
Cobbled spine of the Old Town from Castle to Palace
A medieval street linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse — lined with closes (alleys), kirks, and the Real Mary King's Close beneath.
Read more →No. 03 · Attraction
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano with city views
An 822-foot hill in Holyrood Park rising right above the city — 45 minutes up from the lower car park for a panorama of the Forth.
Read more →Things to do in Edinburgh
4 hand-picked
A curated mix of landmarks, neighborhoods, and museums worth your time in Edinburgh, United Kingdom — grouped by type below.
Landmarks
2 places
Attraction
1 place
Where to stay
1 place
Where to stay in Edinburgh
4 neighborhoods
Edinburgh splits between the Old Town's wynds and the New Town's grid — stay anywhere central and you'll walk to both.
Old Town
Royal Mile, closes, the castle above
Best for: Atmospheric first Edinburgh trip
New Town
Georgian terraces, shopping, restaurants
Best for: Walkable and elegant
Stockbridge
Boho village, Sunday market
Best for: Quiet, repeat visitors
Leith
Waterfront, Michelin stars, breweries
Best for: Foodies on a longer stay
A 3-day itinerary, your way
If you only have a long weekend in Edinburgh.
Day 1
Castle & Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle at opening, walk the Royal Mile down to Holyrood, lunch en route, climb Arthur's Seat at golden hour.
Day 2
New Town & Museums
Princes Street Gardens, Scottish National Gallery, lunch in the New Town, Calton Hill at sunset, dinner in Leith.
Day 3
Stockbridge & Beyond
Sunday market in Stockbridge, Royal Botanic Garden, afternoon train option to South Queensferry for the Forth bridges.