Walking through Old Town Edinburgh is like stepping back in time. Most of their buildings are older than our country! You’ll need more than one day to explore all that Edinburgh has to offer, I suggest dedicating two to three days to this amazing city.
7. Take a walk down the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the road that connects the two royal residences in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle and The Palace at Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh Castle is at the top of the hill and at the bottom of the hill is The Palace at Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is actually made up of five streets – Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, and Abbey Strand. Along your way, you’ll find plenty of places to shop and eat. Take your time and duck into some of the alleyways and stop and take in the beautiful architecture of the Old Town. You will also want to be sure to see the following churches (the Scots call churches kirks):
- St Giles Cathedral – once a Catholic cathedral, but now protestant. This was the home church of John Knox who led the protestant movement in Scotland.
- 1688 Canongate Kirk – this is where the royal family worships when in Edinburgh
6. The Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a gorgeous piece of architecture in its own right. It is a monument to Sir Walter Scott. But it also offers one of the best views of Edinburgh Castle, so be sure to take some photos here.
5. Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Kirkyard is a cemetery. It’s said to be where JK Rowling found the inspiration for several of the names in her Harry Potter books, such as Thomas Riddle and McGonagall.
Greyfriars Bobby was a little Skye Terrier named Bobby whose owner passed away and the little dog came and sat by his grave in the kirkyard for 14 years until he died. He is now buried by his owner. A statue of Bobby is just outside the kirkyard in front of a pub named after him.
4. The Grassmarket
The Grassmarket is a neighborhood where you will currently find restaurants and shops, and on Saturdays it is home to an outdoor market with local artisans and food vendors. But its past is a bit more notorious and dark. On the corner of one of the main streets is a stone circle where public hangings took place – a red X marks the spot on top of the circle.
3. Victoria Street
Victoria Street is a beautiful street with colorful buildings that curves upward from the Grassmarket. This is said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. There are a couple of shops dedicated to Harry Potter wares, but there are also a lot of other shops that beg to be explored. The street itself, being named after Queen Victoria, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss this one!
2. The Palace at Holyroodhouse
This is the official residence of the royal family in Edinburgh. If the family is not in residence there, the palace is open for tours. You will want to get the audio tour headset (included in the price of the ticket). The palace is both beautiful and full of history. Don’t miss visiting the ruins of the Abbey and walking through the gardens.
1. Edinburgh Castle
A trip to Edinburgh is not complete without visiting Edinburgh Castle. The castle is a fortress set on a steep hill called Castle Rock. The hill was perfect for defending the castle, but all of the walkways and streets are cobblestone. If this will be a challenge for you, take advantage of the taxis that run continuously between the top and bottom of the hill. Plan your day to be at the castle at 1:00, as they fire a cannon (with a blank) each day at that time. There is a cafe’ and there are restrooms just off the very top of the hill, called Crown Square. On each of the four sides of Crown Square is something you will not want to miss:
- Do not miss going to see the Scotland Crown Jewels – they are called the Honours of Scotland. There will be a queue forming outside the building, but it moves fast. These jewels were all used in the coronation of King Charles III in 2023, and his mother, Queen Elizabeth II before him. There is a glass case over them, but you are close enough to get an amazing look at them. If it is not loaned out for an exhibit at a museum, The Stone of Destiny will also be there. This is a large flat piece of limestone that the throne sat on for both King Charles’s and Queen Elizabeth’s coronations. As you leave the room with the crown jewels, you can also visit the royal palace.
- The Great Hall has one of the most amazing wooden beam ceilings in the world. The architecture of the room itself is beautiful.
- The Scottish National War Memorial is a memorial to Scots who fought in World Wars I and II and other conflicts since 1945.
- The Tea Room is in the Queen Anne building. You will definitely want to make a reservation for afternoon tea while you are at the castle – it is an amazing experience and everything was delicious. If you make your reservation online, it includes the purchase of your ticket into the castle. Afternoon tea in Great Britain is a must, but enjoying it at a royal castle is iconic!
