Edinburgh, Scotland is one of the most magical places on earth! The misty atmosphere, the complicated and interesting history, and the wonderful people all make for the perfect destination. There’s so many options for activities, food, and fun- but how does one choose? From exploring castles to Scottish whisky tastings, there’s something for everyone in Edinburgh. I have quite a few favorites of my own- so keep reading for 10 things you need to do in Edinburgh!
10. Edinburgh Castle
Let’s start with the obvious. As soon as you arrive in Edinburgh, you’ll see the imposing yet awe-inspiring Castle perched atop ancient volcanic rock. As it’s named for the city, this Castle is integral in many parts of Edinburgh’s (and Scotland’s in general) history. Initially built in the 1100s, this Castle was home to royalty for centuries. Monarchs such as Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there (and her son, King James VI and I, was born there. You can even see his birthroom!).
You can go on a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle or on your own. As a history-lover, I personally recommend doing a self-guided tour with the audio guide (available for a small additional purchase). The Castle is huge- you could quite literally spend all day there and not see it all. I recommend giving yourself at least 3 hours to fully explore the Castle. You can book your tickets here!
9. The Palace of Holyroodhouse
If we’re talking about 10 things you need to do in Edinburgh, you can’t miss out on the Palace of Holyroodhouse! This is the official residence of the Royal Family when they’re in Edinburgh. This place is almost as stunning as Edinburgh Castle and has also housed Royals such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Here, you can see Holyrood Abbey (dating back nearly a thousand years!), the remnants of a Jacobite attack on the palace, Mary, Queen of Scots’ bedchamber, and also a 16th century murder scene. Pretty cool, right? There’s so much more to the Palace of Holyroodhouse- just know that it is absolutely worth a visit. I highly recommend booking tickets in advance, though. You can get your tickets here.
8. The Royal Mile
It truly wouldn’t be a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland without paying a visit to the Royal Mile. Located centrally in Old Town, this stretch was a processional route historically used by Royals and is set between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is close to many Edinburgh attractions such as the Writer’s Museum and the Real Mary King’s Close. There’s also a number of shops, pubs, restaurants, and more lining the way. You could definitely spend hours just exploring this one street!
7. The Real Mary King’s Close
Have you ever wondered what the plague-riddled streets of 16th and 17th century Edinburgh looked like? Well, now you can find out! The Real Mary King’s Close allows you to literally step down into the preserved streets of 16th and 17th century Edinburgh. I recommend pre-booking your tickets- select the lantern led tour if you want to really step back in time! You’ll be met in real historic places and homes by some of Edinburgh’s past residents. You’ll step into residences once touched by the plague and hear stories of the ghosts that potentially remain in the Real Mary King’s Close. You can see how much of Edinburgh was actually built on top of the oldest parts. It’s very interesting and you’ll learn so much! This was my fiance’s favorite activity we did on our Scotland trip, and one of mine as well!
6. Arthur’s Seat
One of the 10 things you definitely need to do in Edinburgh is Arthur’s Seat! This extinct and ancient volcano is rumored to be the possible site of King Arthur’s legendary Round Table. Additionally, legend has it that a dragon used to terrorize the city of Edinburgh- until one day it curled up and fell asleep- and became the hill we now call Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse as it’s located in Holyrood park. It’s a bit of a hike, but I promise once you get to the top it is so worth it for the 360 views of Edinburgh and the coast.
5. The Potter Trail
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you won’t want to miss this activity in Edinburgh! The Potter Trail is a free Harry Potter walking tour in Edinburgh. If you didn’t know, a lot of Harry Potter was written and even finished in Edinburgh; many magical elements and characters featured in the books were actually inspired by Edinburgh landmarks! I won’t spoil this Harry Potter tour for you, but just know that you’ll visit a certain villain’s grave, see the real-life inspiration for Hogwarts, and the real people who inspired some of our favorite magical characters. You may even cast a spell or two! I highly recommend doing this free Harry Potter Walking Tour in Edinburgh- even if you’re not a Potterhead, you’ll see very cool places such as Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and the Flodden Wall and learn a lot about Edinburgh history. You can book your free Harry Potter Tour here!
4. The Department of Magic
I’m obviously a huge Harry Potter fan- so on this list of 10 things you need to do in Edinburgh, of course there’s going to be a lot of Harry Potter activities. However, that doesn’t mean you have to be a Potterhead to enjoy these things to do in Edinburgh! The Department of Magic Edinburgh is a great option for a fun night out in Edinburgh. They offer a few fun activities such as Harry Potter-themed escape rooms and also mixing your very own magic ‘potions’ (otherwise known in this context as cocktails!). I unfortunately didn’t get to do any of the Department of Magic’s escape rooms, however I did make a reservation for the magical cocktail making. And? It was incredible! You’ll choose your drink of choice (they offer nonalcoholic options for nearly every drink- or their own alternatives) and they’ll deliver a tray with all of your potion-making ingredients. You’ll receive a parchment with the instructions to successfully make your potion- just follow along and enjoy the process! Between the parchment, magical ingredients and the Harry Potter-esque environment, you’ll definitely feel like you’re in Snape’s Potions Class. I got Potion No. 9 and my fiance got Liquid Luck- both drinks tasted amazing and were so much fun to make. Depending on your reservation, you may also receive some magical shots. Either way, you’ll love the Department of Magic in Edinburgh! Be sure to book a reservation first!
3. The Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar
For the best views of Edinburgh Castle, you won’t want to miss the Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar! Located at the top of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, this rooftop bar serves up some incredible whiskey cocktails and even better views. Booking a reservation is recommended, but not necessarily required. You can have drinks and light appetizers or order off the full menu from 5:00-8:30 pm. I had the Strawberry Bonfire and truffle fries- both were incredible! If whiskey isn’t your vibe, no problem! They also offer draft beer such as Guinness, mixed drinks, and non-alcoholic options. But the real attraction at the Johnnie Walker 1820 rooftop bar is the views of Edinburgh Castle outside on the terrace. It’s absolutely stunning!
2. Princes Street Gardens
Did you even really visit Edinburgh if you didn’t stop by Princes Street Gardens? It’s a must-do in Edinburgh for sure for a few reasons: first, it’s free (and beautiful!). Second, It’s centrally located in Edinburgh on Princes Street, between Old Town and New Town. Here in Princes Street Gardens, you’ll see famous Edinburgh monuments such as The Scott Monument and the beautiful Ross Fountain. Princes Street Gardens is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee and go for a beautiful, peaceful stroll in Edinburgh and even take some cute photos in Edinburgh while you’re at it! It’s a definite on my list of 10 things you need to do in Edinburgh.
1. The Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour
Of the 10 things you need to do in Edinburgh on this list, this has got to be one of my favorites, if not my favorite. We’ve talked about the Johnnie Walker 1820 Rooftop Bar and it’s incredible drinks and even better views of Edinburgh Castle, but let’s talk about my favorite thing to do at Johnnie Walker Princes Street: The Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour. This Scottish whiskey tasting experience in Edinburgh is something you can’t miss. Basically, you’ll take a quiz and receive your unique whiskey flavour profile- essentially to show you which whiskeys and cocktails you’ll enjoy the most. You’ll then go on the tour and learn about the history of Johnnie Walker whiskey and how it operates today. You’ll learn about different flavour profiles and how they’re actually incorporated into the whiskey for a perfect pour. During the tour you’ll try three handcrafted whiskey cocktails according to your unique flavour profile (you can also choose cocktails from a different profile if you want to try something new!). The drinks were incredible and e learned so much about whiskey- we developed a huge appreciation for the art of it and had a great time on this tour. The Johnnie Walker Experience was the first activity we did in Edinburgh and it was a perfect introduction to the city and an aspect of Scottish culture. You can read my full review here if you’re interested in the Johnnie Walker experience!
10 Things You Need to Do In Edinburgh
I hope my list of things you need to do in Edinburgh have helped you with your next Edinburgh trip! I truly love Edinburgh so much, and it’s a city with so many wonderful things to do- so it was certainly difficult to narrow down these must-do activities in Edinburgh! From touring historical castles to Scottish whisky tasting to seeing potentially haunted sites of Edinburgh’s past- there’s certainly something for everyone in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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