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Recognised as the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century, Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Parliament, the highest courts in Scotland, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
- Explore Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle and city. Perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city, this should be a must-see on your list of places to visit in Edinburgh.
- Discover the treasures of the National Museum of Scotland Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland. © VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin. Scotland is known for having unpredictable weather, and if you happen to get caught in the rain you might be wondering what to do in Edinburgh.
- Climb Arthur's Seat and stroll through Holyrood Park Edinburgh. Friends on Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam. Perhaps one of the most iconic places to go in Edinburgh is Arthur's Seat, located within Holyrood Park.
- Be amazed at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Edinburgh. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam. This top attraction in Edinburgh is fun for all the family - we dare you not to be amazed, whatever your age.
Discover the beauty and diversity of Scotland's capital city with Forever Edinburgh. Find experiences, events, festivals, accommodation, food and drink, and more to plan your perfect visit.
- Planning Your Trip to Edinburgh
- Spending Time in Edinburgh
- Etiquette in Edinburgh
- Health and Safety in Edinburgh
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Arriving in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's airport is 8 miles (13km) away. Buses (cheaper), trams (quicker when the roads are busy) and taxis (good for door-to-door drop-offs) connect the terminal with the city center. If you’re arriving from outside Britain and you’re not a UK citizen, you’ll need to fill out apassenger locator form. Train passengers roll into Edinburgh Waverley – travelers coming from England will get gorgeous coastal views on the way up. Buses arrive at St Andrew’s Square in the New Town, just north of...
Come in summer for a chance of sunshine
Summer, when the days are long and bright and the winds are generally docile, will suit most visitors best. But if you don’t mind a spot of dreich(dismal) weather, come in the colder months, when you can mix warm pubs and museums with bracing strolls along atmospheric streets.
Dodge the Festival
The world’s biggest arts festival takes over the city every August. If you’re going, book your accommodationmonths in advance and be ready to book the biggest shows early too. If you’re not, avoid August. Things also get pretty busy around Hogmanay (the run-up to New Year), but the madness is shorter-lived.
What kind of currency do you need?
Scotland has its own banknotes, but English notes are accepted everywhere in Scotland. (You’ll find a few shops in England that don’t repay the favor.) Card and contactless payments are now more common than cash, and they're the easiest way to pay on public transport too – if you use cash on a bus, you’ll need exact change, or a passis a good alternative.
The Pink Triangle is where to find LGBTQ+ Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s gay scene is centered on the “Pink Triangle”, just northeast of Princes Street. CC Blooms is the mainstay, with (fairly expensive) food in the day and cabaret and DJs at night. Down the road in Abbeyhill, the Regentis a laid-back alternative. Same-sex marriage was legalized in Scotland in 2014.
Sniffing out Old Reekie
“Old Reekie” is one of Edinburgh’s most enduring nicknames. It dates from the 17th century, when the Old Town’s narrow, tall streets, combined with the Nor Loch (a stagnant pool where Princes Street Gardens now sits) created a notorious odor that mixed smoke and effluent. These days, Edinburgh smells much like any other city, although the West End sometimes has a slight boozy fug from the brewery.
Don't offend the locals
If you meet someone in a social setting, an informal “hi” or a handshake are the usual greetings. You’re unlikely to inadvertently cause offense, though subjects like politics and religion are generally avoided in small talk. Scottish independence and Brexit can inspire passionate responses too. Remember that Edinburgh is in Scotland, which is a part of Britain, but you’re definitely not in England – while lots of English people happily make Edinburgh their home, the England football team is...
Buy your round in the pub
Rules here are the same as elsewhere in Britain and Ireland – one person usually orders for your group at the bar, paying for the “round” of drinks and bringing them back to the table. Everyone else then takes turns to get the round. Smarter bars may have table service, and almost everywhere will be able to offer a tray if you’ve lots of drinks to carry. Most places take cash, although card or phone payments are more common. Pubs stay open later than south of the border – usually until midnig...
When should you tip, and how much?
Tipping is only really required for table service in a restaurant (10% to 15%), although locals often round up taxi fares. If a hotel porter helps with your luggage, a tip of a pound or two per bag is standard.
It’s a safe city – but watch your step
Edinburgh is relatively safe. Pub-packed areas like the Cowgate (Old Town), Rose Street (New Town) and Lothian Road (West End) get lively on Friday and Saturday nights, but serious trouble is rare. Calton Hilloffers good views during the day but is best avoided at night. Take usual precautions for a city, and use recognized ride-sharing apps or black cabs if in doubt at night. Street scams are also uncommon, but watch your step as you explore: The sloping cobbles of the Old Town are slippery...
Can you drink the water?
Oh yes. Edinburgh tap water is safe to drink ,and you can request it for free with your meal in a restaurant. The region’s water is soft (low in dissolved minerals), giving it a fresher taste than water from much of the UK.
Attractions are mostly accessible
Most modern hotels and attractions are accessible for travelers with disabilities, but many older buildings – including guesthouses and some pubs and restaurants – lack ramps and lifts. The New Town, with its wide streets, is more straightforward for wheelchair users than the steep, sometimes cobbled streets of the Old Town. Tourism body VisitScotland has a useful guideto accessible accommodation. You might also like: Budget Edinburgh: the best things to do for free in Scotland's capital 17 b...
Learn about Edinburgh's history, culture, etiquette and more before you go. Find out when to visit, what to pack, where to stay and how to get around in Scotland's capital.
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- The Royal Mile. Resting like a gem near Holyrood Park, The Royal Mile is a succession of streets through Edinburgh’s Old Town which connect Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Edinburgh Castle. No visit to the Scottish capital would be complete without seeing Edinburgh Castle. Originally built in 1103 on a large craggy rock, Britain’s most besieged castle can be seen from almost every corner city.
- Dean Village. In a city as beautiful as Edinburgh, it can be hard to stand out, but the tranquil Dean Village – which officially became part of the city in 1826 – just about takes the crown.
- Arthur’s Seat. An unmissable landmark, Arthur’s Seat provides visitors with spectacular views of the city. Some 350 million years ago, these lurching green hills within Holyrood Park formed an active volcano.
3 days ago · Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland, located in southeastern Scotland with its centre near the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, an arm of the North Sea that thrusts westward into the Scottish Lowlands. The city and its immediate surroundings constitute an independent council area.
Discover Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, with its history, attractions, festivals and culture. Find accommodation, events, food and drink, tours and more for your visit.
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