The 11 essential things to do in Edinburgh

Visit Edinburgh: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Scotland?

Edinburgh is a city that only asks to be explored. Vaults and wynds (small roads) that squeeze the old town to the new neighborhoods of Stockbridge and Cramond, Edinburgh is filled with strange and aguising places that walk us every time a little further, until revealing sudden and unexpected panoramas, such as green sunny hills, reddish rocks, or a glimpse of the blue of the sea off.

Edinburgh is famous for its many festivals, summer and winter (with Fringe in August, the world's largest art festival, and Hogmanay New Year). But with its elegant shops, gastronomy, underground city and medieval castles, the capital of Scotland is a pleasure to visit at any time of the year.

If you have planned to visit Edinburgh, whether for a weekend or a week, here are the 11 essential things to do in Edinburgh !

1. The Edinburgh Castle

The first thing to do in Edinburgh falls under the meaning! High perched on the hill steeped in Castle Rock, as if he watched the city just below, Edinburgh Castle is the must-see attraction to make in Edinburgh. Within its black stone walls are the Honours of Scotland (the jewels and jewels of the crown of Scotland) locked in the heart of the Royal Palace where are hung to the walls of the historical paintings. We also find in the castle the Queen's apartments Marie Ire of Scotland , Great Hall (a room of the 15th century where the Scottish parliament met until 1639) and the Mons Meg , a giant 15th century headquarters cannon built in Mons in 1449. Everything turns around the place of arms on which the Scottish National War Memorial .

From the crenate walls of the castle you have a breathtaking view of the district New Town and the estuary of the Firth of Forth. Note that every day at 1 p.m., the One O’Clock Gun is fired to give time (except Sundays and certain holidays). It is advisable to book a guided tour with skipper ticket to avoid the tail at the entrance.

2. Arthur’s Seat or Arthur’s headquarters

This summit, which is actually at the top of an extinct volcano, offers one of the best views on the city and Fife County. If you are wondering where to find the Arthur’s Seat, you just need to lift your eyes to Holyrood Park .

This rocky peak of 251 m dominates, along with Edinburgh Castle, the city. To walk to its summit (45 min), go to the ruins of the Chapel Saint-Antoine and follow the signs on site. Ideal for sunrise or sunset.

3. The National Museum of Scotland

The long façade of the National Museum of Scotland dominates the elegant Chambers Street . Its many collections are divided between two buildings, one modern, the other Victorian. The golden stone and the striking modern architecture of the new building, opened in 1998, is one of the city’s most distinctive monuments. The five floors of the museum recount the history of Scotland of its geological origins in the 1990s, with many original and stimulating exhibitions. The entrance (from 10am to 5pm) is free and audioguides are available in several languages.

The museum is linked to the Victorian Royal Museum adjacent to collections on science, technology, natural history and world cultures. Both buildings are worth visiting. Give them half a day. The place is perfectly adapted to children who will soon be enchanted by the different cultural animations.

4. A Scottish whisky tasting

The Scotch Whisky Experience is a museum dedicated to the history and manufacture of whisky that is located on Royal Mile , in an old school, down the hill of the castle and the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade . Visit The Scotch Whisky Experience to have a complete idea of how the national drink is made, from barley to bottle. This museum is in a magical setting where you can make tastings.

But in this regard, why not continue to taste different whiskies in a typical bar? The Whiski Rooms , for example, enjoys an unprecedented reputation.

5. Princes Street Gardens

These beautiful gardens are located in a valley that was once occupied by Nor’Loch ( North Loch , or “North Lake”), a marshy water plan that was dried in the early 19th century. The gardens are divided in the middle by The Mound , a "butte" formed by about two million earth tanks, extracted from foundations during the construction of New Town and spilled here, to establish a link through a road through the valley to the old town. The road was completed in 1830.

In the middle of the western part of the gardens is Ross Bandstand , a place for outdoor concerts in summer and during the Hogmanay, and the place where the Fireworks Concert at the Edinburgh Festival. Right next to The Mound, you can see the Floral Clock , a floral clock (which works) the oldest in the world whose design changes every year and was created in 1903. The gardens Princes Street Gardens also house the Scott Monument, a monument built in honour of Walter Scott , great writer born in the city. You are invited to climb the 287 steps to reach the small observation platform located near the top.

6. The arches and underground streets of Edinburgh

One of the best things to do in Edinburgh is to visit the underground of the city! Under the pavements of the city of Edinburgh, especially under the City Chambers (City Hotel), a real underground world is typified in darkness and bears witness to the daily life of the poorest in the 18th and 19th century. Today, this complex is called the Mary King’s Close, a labyrinth of alleys and original houses dating mainly from the 17th century.

From the great arteries of "Royal Mile" to the small dark aisles, you will discover the historic buildings of the city in an unusual and unforgettable way! Myths and legends circulate about ghosts of plague patients, multiple victims of mass murderers, and conflicts of the time that really took place here, in these alleys that are locally called “broken”. Experience Real Mary King’s Close, or book a guided tour of haunted streets (in advance). It is an ideal activity for children and very popular in Edinburgh.

7. Follow the steps of great literature

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Edinburgh’s literary city has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is full of monuments dedicated to writers and it is possible to study old manuscripts by Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson at the Writers’ Museum. You can also read writings from the poet Lord Byron at the National Library of Scotland. To think and inspire you as these great artists did, why not take a gourmet tea Elephant House What do Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin and JK Rowling love?

It is indeed a must-see for all the fans of the wise Harry Potter, because it is in this café that the author wrote his first lines and found inspiration! If you want to pierce all the secrets of J.K. Rowling's successful books and at the same time visit the city, why not combine the two with one guided tour on the footsteps of Harry Potter ?

8. Scottish Parliament

The building Scottish Parliament , built on the site of an old brewery, opened in October 2005. It was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles (deceased in 2000) as a work of art. The plan of the complex represents a flower of democracy rooted in the Scottish soil, which has been seen since. Salisbury Crags .

Free one-hour guided tours (book in advance on the official website) include a tour of the hemicycle, a committee room, the Garden Lobby and the office of a member of the Scottish Parliament.

9. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Modern Art Gallery of Edinburgh is divided between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped gardens some 500 m west of Dean Village. Presenting an amazing collection of popular Scottish colorist paintings, and post-impressionist, the gallery is also a starting point to stroll along the Water of Leith, following a sculpture path by Anthony Gormley. The main collection focuses on 20th century art, with various European movements represented by artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Kirchner, Magritte, Miró, Mondrian and Giacometti.

American and English artists are also represented, but more space is given to Scottish painters, Scottish colorists from the early 20th century to contemporary artists such as Peter Howson and Ken Currie.

10. Scottish festivals

Edinburgh hosts a festival at any time of the year. You will find everything, from jazz to tattoos, to science and Mela (a festival of cultural diversity). In June, there is the Edinburgh International Film Festival which presents British and European films. The International Festival of Edinburgh (music, theatre, opera and dance) begins in July and overlaps its dates with those of the famous Fringe Festival in Edinburgh in August, the largest performing arts festival in the world.

For more information, visit the official website of Edinburgh’s festivals.

11. Other ideas for visits to Edinburgh and its surroundings

What else to do in Edinburgh? If you still have time in front of you, here are other ideas of visits to the Scottish capital.

• The Royal Yacht Britannia, the last British royal yacht
• Saint-Gilles Cathedral, the Mother Church of Presbyterianism
• The Holyrood Palace
• Greyfriars Kirk (church) and Greyfriars Kirkyard (cimetière) that surrounds him
• Royal Botanical Garden (free)
• The unusual museum Camera Obscura and World of illusions, a fun and playful museum, which appeals to children and adults, featuring more than 100 illusions and interactive exhibitions on six floors
• Pass one day in the Highlands and go to the Loch Ness
• Visit Glasgow

Good to know: The CityPass Edinburgh allows you to visit some monuments for free and also includes discounts for different activities!

How to get to Edinburgh?

Several companies offer direct flights to Edinburgh from Toulouse, Nantes, Marseille, Paris, Lyon and Grenoble. It is therefore relatively simple to go to Edinburgh without it impacting your budget travel. Prices can easily climb at the festivals we mentioned. To find the best prices, use the flight comparison Ulysses .

Where to sleep in Edinburgh?

When you visit Edinburgh, you can stay in the old centre of Edinburgh in a building with Georgian architecture, very typical of the city. For small budgets, there are several youth hostels. To find a hotel in Edinburgh, use this Compare hotels to search for it on a map or price.

Have you visited Edinburgh?