10 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland (for 2025)

Of course, it wouldn’t be Edinburgh if you couldn’t find something out of the ordinary so if spooky vibes are more your speed you can do ghost tours, night tours and even underground ghost tours.

For the literature buffs, you can learn how the world of Harry Potter came about on those cobbled streets, or keep things simple on an Edinburgh walking tour. 

Whatever you feel about tours, Edinburgh is brimming with them so it’s well worth adding one to your itinerary.

Editor’s tip: one of my absolute favourite restaurants in Edinburgh is Chez Jules. The authentic French bistro has a fantastic lunch menu which includes three courses for £12.90 (!). It’s a set menu though so there isn’t a huge amount of choice.  Get there by 12pm as they tend to sell out!

2. Explore Carlton Hill 

Fun fact: Edinburgh is known as ‘The Athens of the North’, and you can imagine why when you visit the architectural structures of Carlton Hill.

On top of the mound sits the Edinburgh Acropolis, more formally known as the unfinished National Monument of Scotland.

It doesn’t exactly transport you to Greece but it’s pretty striking. There’s not just a homage to Greek architecture to entertain you on Carlton Hill.

Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city and if you want an even better view, you can pay a small fee of £6 to walk up Nelson’s Monument, a tall tower that sits on top of the hill (it’s currently closed though with no date as to when it will reopen).

If you have an interest in astronomy, you can wander over to The City Observatory on the same hill. But you can’t leave Carlton Hill without getting a photo of the Dugald Stewart Monument at sunset, framed by the city skyline behind.

Looking for the best tours to do around Scotland? Check out this guide to small-group tours in Scotland!

3. Do a self-guided tour 

The best part about travel is having the freedom to explore without a particular goal in mind.

If tours aren’t really in your budget, or you just can’t hack the crowds, do a walking tour of your own. It’s one of my favourite things to do in a new city. 

Edinburgh accommodates this perfectly. The city is made up of narrow winding streets, bridges and hidden passages to duck into, and intriguing staircases to follow.

Edinburgh’s architecture is so dramatically beautiful that you can always find a picturesque moment wherever your feet take you.

Doing your own personalised sightseeing tour of the city is the best way to get a unique feel of the place and see the real Edinburgh behind its popular tourist haunts. It’s one of the top free things to do too!

In doing so, you get to witness a fresher, more intimate side of the city, and the best part is the activity is completely free. 

You can wander aimlessly around the city centre, uncovering some hidden gems.

Or, if you prefer to draw up a list, some absolute must-visits include:

• Royal Mile in Old Town
• St Giles’ Cathedral
• Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier who guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years;
• Dunbar’s Close, a secret garden
• Chessel’s Court, another secret garden
• Royal Botanic Garden.

Other gorgeous places in Edinburgh to visit are Circus Lane and Dean Village in New Town. Dean Village was once a village before it got swallowed up by the city.

It was quiet when I went and it didn’t feel like part of the city at all!

Editor’s tip: The Royal Botanic Garden is open all week from 10 am to 6 pm (in summer). St Giles’ Cathedral is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm.

4. Climb Arthur’s Seat 

Travelling to Edinburgh is incomplete without the obligatory climb to Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. It’s essentially a rite of passage for all Edinburgh visitors.

This volcanic hill dominates the skyline and offers stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings below.

Its beauty is not without effort, however, as there’s a steep climb to the top. But, if you want to get a flavour of the wild Scottish countryside and don’t have time to explore the Scottish Highlands, Holyrood Park is a strong alternative.

You get a glimpse of rolling hills, wild heather, and even a few small lochs nestled here and there. It’s a brief escape from city life without being too far from it. 

I recommend doing this walk on a clear morning as, by lunchtime, Arthur’s Seat gets very busy.

Once you’ve climbed to the top, make your way down to the picturesque ruin of St Anthony’s Chapel before wandering back to the city.

Entrance to the park is completely free so there’s no excuse for those on a budget. It’s one of my top recommended things to do in Edinburgh for solo travellers. 

Want to go further afield? Discover the best Edinburgh day trips by public transport!

5. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Sometimes, when you’re travelling the weather decides to throw a spanner in the works and you end up with torrential rain on a day when most of your itinerary is outside.

In the UK the probability of rain is slightly higher but fear not because a trip to a museum is perfect for this occasion and Edinburgh has its fair share of them. 

Start with visiting The National Museum of Scotland. It has a wealth of fascinating exhibitions and entry is free!

It’s the best place to seek refuge from the weather and expand your knowledge of Scotland and the world at the same time.

From natural history to design and fashion, there’s so much to see and I can guarantee that you won’t get around to it all in a day. 

Editor’s tip: The National Museum of Scotland is open all week from 10 am to 5 pm. General admission is free and the address is Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.

6. Visit Edinburgh Castle and The Palace of Holyroodhouse

It’s impossible to visit Edinburgh without noticing its castle watching over the city from the hill above. It’s a magnificent fortress which allows visitors by day and lights up a bright ruby red at night.

Take your time wandering up the cobblestoned Royal Mile to Castle Rock, observing the quaint little shops and street performers as you go until you get to this amazing Edinburgh attraction. 

It has stunning views from all sides and one of the best spots to take a photo of it is the Vennel, a staircase leading from Grassmarket to Lauriston Place. 

Edinburgh Castle is packed with military history and visitors can explore the dungeons which still have original doors marked with the initials of their prisoners, hundreds of years ago. 

Wander along the battlements to get views of the city below before heading over to the Crown Room.

There you can find the Scottish Crown Jewels or the Honours of Scotland as they’re more formally known.

Dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, they are the oldest set of crown jewels in the British Isles and were used for the coronation of Scottish monarchs from 1543 to 1651. 

If you prefer something a little more modern, then The Palace of Holyroodhouse is a worthy alternative.

The official home to the British Monarch on her visits to Scotland is filled with fascinating art exhibitions, a Throne Room, State Apartments, an abbey and palace gardens. 

Editor’s tip: Admission to Edinburgh Castle is £15.50-£19.50 for adults. Get them online for the best price guarantee. The castle is open all week from 9:30 am to 6 pm (in summer). 

Get there early to avoid the crowds and see it all. Standard adult admission for the Palace of Holyroodhouse is from £20. Get them online or on the door. The palace is open all week from 9:30 am to 6 pm in summer.

Wondering where to stay in Edinburgh? Check out my top favourite mid-range hotels!

7. Be puzzled by the Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions

The Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions have a whole host of interactive puzzles and tricks to leave you befuddled and entertained.

Despite its modern appearance and interesting display of clever technology, The Camera Obscura is one of the oldest attractions in Edinburgh. 

It was first established in 1835 by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short, as the home to a live moving picture of the city of Edinburgh which amazed visitors from all over the world and can still be seen today.

Nestled on Castlehill overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the attraction has been extended to host fun mazes, holograms, and mirrors to make you shrink and illusions.

You can even climb the attraction’s tower and observe yet another stunning panoramic view of the sprawling city below.

Editor’s tip: Adult tickets for The Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions are £21.95 if you book them online or £22.95 at the door. Opening times are 9:30 am to 7.30 pm on Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 9.30 pm on Friday, 9 am to 10 pm on Saturday and 9.30 am to 9.30 pm on Sunday.

8. Do some shopping on Victoria Street

Collecting memories, whether it’s photographs, postcards, or trinkets is an important part of travel. But when it comes to Edinburgh’s Victoria Street, it’s no ordinary shopping spree.

The gently curving street is one of the most photographed locations in Edinburgh with its vibrant colourful shop fronts and quirky old Flemish-style architecture. 

The street is steeped in history and tales of its old resident, the famous and notorious Thomas Weir, who voluntarily confessed to witchcraft in 1670.

Magic is no stranger to this particular street. Fans will be delighted with the Harry Potter merchandise shop on its corner, but that’s not all.

The street’s vibrant higgledy-piggledy nature is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley.

9. Get creepy in the Edinburgh Dungeon

If the creepy ghost tours aren’t enough for you and you want more grizzly action then you can always pay a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeon.

Deep underground, these dungeon tours offer an interactive, immersive adaptation of some of the darkest points of Scottish history. It boasts rides, live-action shows, and special effects for an adrenaline-inducing edge. 

The Edinburgh Dungeon is an attraction designed for families in mind but you can still join in if you’re travelling solo; you may even meet people along the way.

After all, nothing prompts a bonding sesh more than being voluntarily scared witless by some actors dressed as ghosts.

The Edinburgh Dungeon is a good choice for a rainy day (there are a lot of those in the UK) and if you don’t mind spending a bit of cash on some guaranteed entertainment.

Editor’s tip: Standard adult tickets for the Edinburgh Dungeon start from £19 per person online and in advance (cheaper than at the door). The attraction also offers bone-chilling late-night tours for adults only. 

10. Pay attention to the time of year 

Edinburgh is a bustling cultural city with a whole host of unique and exciting events all year round. So, when you’re booking your trip, pay attention to the time of year you’re planning to go because you might just find something you don’t want to miss. 

The big one, and probably the most famous, is the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival that runs for most of August. If you’re looking for what to do in Edinburgh then this festival is an absolute winner.

It’s the largest arts festival in the world and spans 25 days. The city comes alive with poetry readings, performances and live comedy on street corners, in bars, cafes and clubs – including The Stand.

Edinburgh Fringe is well worth a visit but with an increase of more than 3 million visitors during this time, the city is a lot busier and the accommodation is a lot more expensive. Christmas and New Year are wonderful times to visit for a budget-friendly Edinburgh solo travel itinerary.

The city is decorated with twinkling lights, garlands and baubles. You can find a beautiful Christmas Market on East Princes Street with stalls selling handcrafted nicknacks, Bailey’s Hot Chocolate, and a lot of delicious indulgent food.

You can even take part in themed events, including silent street discos and pub crawls. During the turn of the New Year, Edinburgh plays host to Hogmanay. New Year’s Eve parties will never be the same again once you’ve experienced three days of street parties, live concerts and torchlight processions through the streets. 

Looking for more Scotland travel tips? Check out these posts!

• The BEST Train from London to Edinburgh
• Complete Scotland Packing List: What To Wear For Every Season
• 13 Awesome Day Trips From Edinburgh By Train Or Bus

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