What Makes Edinburgh Unforgettable? Discover the Top Things to Do in Edinburgh

Introduction

Edinburgh is strange in the best way. One minute you’re walking down a perfectly normal shopping street, turn a corner, and suddenly there’s a castle on a volcano staring down! This is a city where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter in cafés because the gothic architecture helped her imagine. Edinburgh is the place where every August the population triples, and the entire place turns into a stage. If you’re looking for the best, you won’t run out. The problem is narrowing it down before your feet give out.

Top Things to Do in Edinburgh

Here’s a handy list of the best stuff to do in Edinburgh. Ensure you visit them when you visit this gorgeous city:

1. Edinburgh Castle

The iconic Edinburgh Castle cannot be missed when you visit Edinburgh. The castle sits on an extinct volcano, right in the middle of the city. You see it from everywhere. It is one of the oldest and most popular Edinburgh tourist places. From the inside, it looks less like a princess’ castle and more like a military museum. The Crown Jewels of Scotland are here, and they’re older than the English ones. There’s a dog cemetery for regimental mascots, which is quite touching. The views from the battlements are amazing. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Firth of Forth.

Pro tip: Book your ticket online. The line at the gate can be brutal, especially around noon when the One O’Clock Gun goes off. However, if you are booking a Thomas Cook Scotland Holiday package, the entry tickets will be taken care of.

2. The Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is very touristy. It is lined with tartan shops, expensive Cashmere stores, street performers, and some delicious food stalls. But a walk on the Royal Mile is one of the coolest things to do in Edinburgh city. The buildings lean toward each other, giving a spectacular sight. The hidden closes, those narrow alleyways between buildings, lead to tiny courtyards and quaint gardens. St. Giles’ Cathedral is free and worth a visit. It features the beautiful Thistle Chapel, which has some of the best woodwork in the country. You can go on walking tours through the lanes around the Royal Mile and have a great experience, learning about the history while admiring the beauty around.

Pro tip: Start at Edinburgh Castle at the top, and walk downhill toward Holyrood Palace. This will help you conserve your energy, as you will need to walk a lot here.

3. Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is the main peak in Holyrood Park. It is another extinct volcano. The hike up takes 40-50 minutes depending on how many pit stops you take. It’s steep, and it’s windy, but once you reach the top, the entire experience becomes worth it. Hiking up to Arthur’s Seat, therefore, is among the best stuff to do in Edinburgh. The view is breathtaking. The whole city spreads out below you – the castle, the sea, the hills fading into the distance.

Pro Tip: Bring water. Bring a jacket even if it’s warm at the bottom. The weather up the peak is quite chilly.

4. The National Museum of Scotland

The building itself is gorgeous. It is a massive Victorian hall with a glass roof and a taxidermied giraffe. Dolly the Sheep is here, the actual cloned sheep, looking normal, surprisingly! There’s a 12th-century Lewis chess set with pieces that give you a true glimpse into history. You also get to see ancient Egyptian stuff, along with a working steam engine that roars to life at regular intervals. The National Museum of Scotland is a great mix of the old and the new, and it is definitely one of the things to see and do in Edinburgh. And it’s free.

Pro Tip: Grab a physical map at Level 0 right when you enter. There is a lot to see and do in this museum, so venturing without a map would be difficult.

Discovering the food and beverages of Edinburgh

After exploring the amazing things to see and do in Edinburgh, you should settle down for a nice meal. Here are some guidelines for you:

1. Whisky

When you come to Scotland, you have to experience Scotch Whiskey. While Edinburgh has some whisky experiences, it is not at the heart of it. You can try a whisky experience on the Royal Mile, but you will only learn the basics. But if you actually want to drink good whisky, go to The Bow Bar on Victoria Street. It’s tiny, dark, full of locals, but the bartenders know their stuff. Ask for personal recommendations. You will surely get the best stuff there. Holyrood Distillery does great whiskey tours, which are among the most fun things to do in Edinburgh. If you want to understand how whisky is actually made. Their new-make spirit tasting is interesting because you’re tasting the stuff before it becomes whisky, which is quite intriguing.

2. Haggis

Everyone is scared of Haggis. But if you really want to experience the true essence of Scotland, try some Haggis. However, it is only meant for non-vegetarians, so try it according to your dietary preferences. The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge does a great one. Makars Mash Bar on the Royal Mile serves it with mashed potatoes.

3. Breakfast

Breakfast is one of the most loved meals in Scotland. You have heard of a full English breakfast, but what about a full Scottish breakfast? Well, when you are in Edinburgh, you must try a full Scottish breakfast. It is one of the most delightful things to do in Edinburgh. Loudons Café does a proper one, and their pancakes are brilliant too.

Get Off the Mile and Explore the Neighbourhoods

The Royal Mile gets all the attention, but the neighbourhoods are where Edinburgh actually lives.

Stockbridge is a ten-minute walk from the New Town and is a beautiful urban village. Independent bookshops, vintage stores, and a farmers’ market on Sundays are some of the best stuff to do in Edinburgh, around this neighbourhood. Dean Village is even better. It is a fascinating little hamlet along the Water of Leith that has the charm of the 1800s. The walk from Dean Village to Leith along the river is the most peaceful thing you’ll do in Edinburgh.

For something truly unique, visit the Surgeons’ Hall Museums. Medical history, old surgical tools, and anatomical specimens in jars are spread all over the place. It can be a bit horrifying, but it surely is unlike any other of the Edinburgh tourist places.

Day Trips – The Best Way to Explore the Nearby Destinations

Rosslyn Chapel,

about 40 minutes south of Edinburgh, is covered in intricate carvings. These mysterious carvings are said to have inspired Dan Brown to write an entire novel trying to explain them. It’s smaller than you expect, but the detail is insane!

North Berwick,

on the coast is a cute seaside town with beaches and a massive rock island covered in white birds. From a distance it looks snow-capped. It’s not. It’s just thousands of birds giving you a crazy view.

Loch Lomond,

is a beautiful lake. If you want Highlands without the commitment, Loch Lomond is doable in a day. The views of the mountains and the lochs remind you of the absolute beauty of Scotland from postcards.

Practical Travel Tips

1. When to travel

August is the Fringe Festival, which is the best time to travel. However, it is the peak tourist season, and Edinburgh is very crowded. All the things to do in Edinburgh city are always packed. September is also a good option. The weather is decent, crowds are manageable, and you also get good deals and discounts. May and June are good too. Winter is dark and wet, but the Christmas markets are genuinely lovely and Hogmanay (New Year’s) is legendary. Just bring layers. And a rain jacket, as rainfall is a very steady feature in Scotland.

2. Getting there

Edinburgh Airport has decent connections. The tram to the city centre takes about 35 minutes and is cheaper than a taxi. Once you’re in the city, you don’t need a car. Edinburgh is walkable, but you have to be fit to be able to navigate through the hilly roads. Buses are fine. Lothian Buses day tickets save money if you’re making multiple trips.

3. Getting a package

If you wish to skip the hassle and gift yourself a happy and convenient trip, simply book a Thomas Cook Scotland holiday package. All aspects of your travel will be taken care of, and you can enjoy a beautiful vacation.

Conclusion

Edinburgh gives you all that you want from a holiday. From history to tradition, from natural beauty to great food, you find everything within the things to see and do in Edinburgh. The castle, the hikes, the whisky, the weird little corners you find when you stop following the map: it all adds up to a city that feels lived-in, and extremely welcoming. Whether you’re looking for history, festivals, or just a decent with unreal views, Edinburgh is the place to go.