Location: Edinburgh
Top Things to do in Edinburgh
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Pentland Hills
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By johnhouston2 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
Although the accepted way of enjoying the Pentland Hills is to park up and walk on the numerous trails and paths, you can also appreciate the beauty when traversing the area by car. We were driving from Edinburgh to Biggar in South Lanarkshire and the scenery of the hills as we drove through was absolutely lovely.
2. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,529 reviews
The Royal Edinburgh Military tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed at the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams. This is held during the month of August each year which coincides with the Fringe Festival and International Festival. This really is a must when visiting Edinburgh and really provides for the experience of a lifetime. Dress warmly for the outdoors as the seating in the esplanade is uncovered.
Reviewed By 691paulineg - Finghall, United Kingdom
Love the tattoo. So professionally done This year is brilliant Top secret Swiss drummers - outstanding Mexicans - colourful and great fun American Air Force - incredible timing and captivating Shetland fiddlers - gorgeous as always Brilliant dancing Pipes and drums just amazing Belgian buglers - incredibly moving Well done on another fabulous evening and superb fireworks
3. BobCat Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 321 reviews
Alpaca farm with some visitor options (see website for details). Advance booking is essential via our website booking calendar. Weekends are particularly popular and are booked well in advance. We are accepting visitors by appointment.
Reviewed By S143WZkevins
Heard about Bobcat Alpacas from the the great support Bob, Cath & their family of lovely Alpacas give to Marie Curie cancer care Edinburgh. Our visit to the farm was on a cold but sunny Friday afternoon in January. On arrival we were warmly welcomed by Bob & introduced to the Male Alpacas who we would be walking with, Bob introduced our Alpaca friends for the day by name telling us all about their personality & how each furry friend is very different! We partnered for our afternoon stroll with Milo who like all the alpacas is awesome & Bob shares his vast alpaca knowledge in a warm & funny way as we wander in the Pentland hills .I would highly recommend a visit to the farm, it offers a great non commercial afternoon out with lovely Alpacas that benefit from exceptional care & husbandry from Bob & Cath.
4. Royal Yacht Britannia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22,167 reviews
Step aboard The Queen's former floating palace and experience this iconic 5 star attraction for yourself. Rated Scotland's Best Attraction for 12 years running and in TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for the last 5 years, Britannia is one of the most famous ships in the world. Sailing a million miles on a thousand official visits, during 40 years in service, the Royal Yacht played host to glittering state banquets and official receptions, but was also home to the Royal Family and crew of 220 Royal Yachtsmen. Explore Britannia's highly accessible 5 decks with highlights including the elegant Royal Apartments, Crew's Quarters, Engine Room and stunning Royal Deck Tea Room. Highly accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. Open year round .Only 15 minutes from Edinburgh city centre (local buses every 10 minutes - 11, 22, 34 and 35 to Ocean Terminal).
Reviewed By JCBH_1 - McLean, United States
The (now retired) Royal Yacht Britannia is a national treasure, frozen in time for all of us to enjoy. Wonderful "whisper" audio sets tied to numbered highlights so you can't miss a thing. Britannia is crowded, but for great reason: It's fantastic. You visit everything from the Bridge to the (impeccable) Engine Room, including the impressive State Dining Room and Salon, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's staterooms - staff quarters and even the ship's infirmary and laundry rooms. The Royal Rolls Royce is on board, and the Queen's motor launch (alongside the Britannia - you'll see it last) is very impressive. Furnishings are original. It's amazing. Very nice shoreside ticket facility, gift shop, etc. There is also a tea room - which is apparently very popular. Britannia is a national treasure - terrific to be able to experience it.
5. St Giles' Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,424 reviews
St Giles’ Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. With its famed crown spire it stands on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, it is the Mother Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland’s chivalric company of knights headed by the Queen). Please do not book any tours through TripAdvisor, as they are not endorsed by the cathedral.
Reviewed By laurabW3205XC - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
From outside it's only a church more, but from inside it's hughe. Photo permit costs around £2. There's a shop and a cafeteria inside, children's space and a wee secret place at the very end, it's a must see!
6. Edinburgh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51,182 reviews
Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards and is Scotland’s number one paid-for tourist attraction. This most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland.
Reviewed By gabrielgpavon2018 - Community of Madrid, Spain
Outstanding views, very well designed visit flow, 10+ worthwhile sites, from the successive ramparts to the OUTSTANDING Scotland War Museum and the Scottish Crown Honors (jewels and the recovered Stone of Destiny / Scone), Medieval Great Hall, War Memorial, Regimental museums, Saint Margaret´s XI century chapel... The castle guide book, available at the shop by the entrance, is really useful The views alone (we had wonderful weather) are worthwhile, the treaures inside and the exquisite care shown in presenting them are second to none. Allow at least three hours to stroll around and have a drink...
7. Georgian House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,184 reviews
Enjoy a visit to the past and experience what life was like for the Lamonts family in 18th and 19th century New Town. The Georgian era produced some of Scotland’s most distinctive architecture. In the late 1700s, this grand townhouse was at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town development. The house was designed by acclaimed architect Robert Adam and was a true statement of luxury in an era of enlightenment, for those who could afford it. The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town house of the late 18th and early 19th century. The fine collections of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass reflect the Lamonts’ lifestyle and the social and economic context of the time. The kitchen and servants’ room give a glimpse of the arduous ‘below stairs’ life of the servants, who made the Lamonts’ elegant lifestyle possible.
Reviewed By HSeeingtheworld - Welwyn, United Kingdom
We came during our recent visit to the fringe and are very pleased we did The house is owned and run by the National Trust for Scotland and is next door to the First Minster's office, also owned by the Trust The house contains many items of furniture and artefacts related to the period as well as various paintings by Scottish artists. There is an introductory film and various information sheets as well as well informed volunteers who are happy to answer visitor's questions Well worth a visit
8. Scott Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,739 reviews
A 200-foot spire dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish poet.
Reviewed By Andrew081 - St. Albans, United Kingdom
One cannot fail to be impressed by the 61m high Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scot (his books included Rob Roy and Ivanhoe) Completed in 1846 the monument, on Princes Street, is blackish in colour giving it an eerie beauty. The spire is decorated with 64 figures representing various characters from the writer’s novels. In contrast to the blackened construction, the white marble statue of Sir Walter Scott, with his dog Maida, that shines. The monument is split into four levels, but there ere are 287 steps up to the top (cost £8).
9. Princes Street Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,323 reviews
Reviewed By wanderlustsurvivor
This large and beautiful park is situated perfectly in town, and large enough to stroll for hours and wander, or sit on a bench, or by the fountain, etc. Would have liked to spend more time here.
10. Festival Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 425 reviews
If you like a little added sparkle with your live entertainment then the prestigious Festival Theatre is the place for you. Built in 1994, the impressive glass facade imposes a sense of occasion as you enter the sleek and contemporary foyer spaces. Enjoy a drink in our spacious bars and take in the insipring views across to Arthur's Seat - but don't let the modern entrance fool you - the traditional 1915-seat auditorium, with its sumptuous decor and lavish fittings, has all the grandeur and splendour you need for a truly special theatrical experience.Designed as Scotland's premier dance and opera house in 1994, the stage is the largest in Scotland, providing the perfect platform for world-class contemporary dance and ballet, and excellent acoustics make it a number one venue for opera, musicals and concerts. The Festival Theatre continues to provide the best programme of dance and opera in the country, as well as a variety of world-class productions across all artforms. Home to the International Festival in the summer, and Christmas shows in winter, you'll find unmissable entertainment here all year round.
Reviewed By OriginalJim9357
The Theatre Clean, bright, well organised with no problems my first visit seat at Les Mis was in the stalls and my second was in the upper circle which gave me a superb view of what was going on at the back of the stage. good venue. Les Mis Great energy from the cast and solid performances throughout and for me, Javert and Valjean were the stand outs. I didn't think Madame Thernardier's voice had the commanding presence that it requires but don't get me wrong Sophie-Louise Dann has a superb voice .... maybe it was the way she was directed .... or just me? Although I like this production and the way background graphics was used in particular, when Valjean was rescuing Marius through the sewers .... I think it should be kept for tours only. The revolving stage from the original production gives an opportunity for changing the audience perspective with a simple half turn e.g. the barricade swinging round to reveal Enjorlas and Gavroche post battle. All in all though am just delighted to have been able to go watch Les Mis a mere 45 minutes from my home. :)
