Location: Edinburgh
Top Things to do in Edinburgh
What to do and see in Edinburgh, Scotland: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Pickering's Gin Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,224 reviews
Pickering's Gin is distilled by hand at the Summerhall Distillery, Edinburgh's first exclusive gin distillery to open in 150 years. We are delighted to host guided tours and tastings. Please visit our website to book a tour and to check availability. Tours last approximately 80 minutes. For a mere £15 a head you can: - See our wacky 'Old Workshop', filled with our own inventions - Learn how hand crafted, small batch gin is made - Marvel at the botanicals room, still and bottling line - Sample all four Pickering's gin expressions - Get a wee G&T kit to take home - Explore the labyrinth of exhibitions and events within Summerhall Summerhall Distillery.
Reviewed By colinb319
Fantastic little distillery! A great tour with a very knowledgeable guide who talked us through the history of gin and the journey of the two founders and a passionate team in creating exceptional, delicious gin! A real treat and a must see.
2. Edinburgh Gin Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,505 reviews
Advance booking is essential as we are unable to offer walk in tours. Located in the beating heart of Scotland's capital, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery is a destination quite unlike any other. It's here that we produce small batches of gin, inspired by the majesty, marvel and mischief of Edinburgh and its inhabitants. The Edinburgh Gin Visitor Centre is a space in the capital where you can indulge both the mind and the palate in all things gin. From taking a tour or a guided tasting, to trying your hand at making your own, our goal is the educate, excite and libate; all in equal measure.
Reviewed By beverlyrevelry
This tour was fantastic in every way, from the knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide, Allan, to the behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process, to the generous and inspired tasting session! I heartily recommend making it a part of your Edinburgh itinerary!
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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
6. 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).
7. 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.
8. Hopetoun House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 565 reviews
Hopetoun House & Grounds are now closed until Friday 10th April 2020. Visit Hopetoun and discover a place of beauty, tranquility and architectural magnificence dating from the 17th century. It has been home to the Hope Family since the late 1600’s and the present Lord Hopetoun and his family still live in Hopetoun House. Hopetoun House, a remarkable and beautiful stately home, is filled with stunning collections and sits in majestic grounds with nature trails and scenic walks.
Reviewed By 802brendag - Linlithgow, United Kingdom
Hopetoun Farm Shop (linked to Hopetoun House) is near Hopetoun Garden Centre off the road to Newton. It was a delight to shop there where all 3 members of staff I dealt with were enthusiastic about the products they were selling, and (in the case of the butcher counter) had made.
9. Edinburgh Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,961 reviews
Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood, dating back to medieval times: these small streets are lined with wool shops, pubs and historical monuments.
Reviewed By annemacmillan
When in Edinburgh you must visit The Old Town, .. See the Old Tenement Buildings.. Feel the History of this old Historical Town, with its cobbled streets....Take a walk along the Royal Mile, from the Castle to Holyrood Palace.. You can easily feel what it must've been like living in "Auld Reekie" centuries ago.. and hearing the words being shouted from the tenement windows "Gardy Loo" ..the warning that Waste was going to be thrown out the window...Visit Grassmarket.. and the weekend Farmers Markets... If you looking for souvenirs to take home you will definitely find them here, from the array of shops to choose from,.. if your looking for Cashmere, Whisky., Tablet or some nice Edinburgh Rock..You will find it all in the Old Town and much more.
10. Royal Mile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25,301 reviews
Stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.
Reviewed By BarryE308 - Lake Stevens, United States
This is an unbeleivable place to see people. The shops and historic places are all fantastic, but is is the interplay of thousands of visitors that ebb and flow about the walk that makes it special. You can be in a flowing sea of street performers, bagpipes and excitement, then step down a narrow Close and find yourself in a secret garden with lovely flowers and only the chirping of birds, Wonderfull..
