Tourist Attractions in Edinburgh

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Edinburgh

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an ancient bastion, shrouded in mists and shrouded in legends. It has been the site of great historical events on many occasions. The memory of the legendary independence fighter William Wallace – “Braveheart” – is still preserved here, the images of the beautiful chivalric novel “Ivanhoe” live in the austere castles, and the stone Walter Scott pensively leafing through a book against the background of Gothic domes.

The unbroken spirit of Edinburgh is strengthened in the piercing melodies of Scottish bagpipes and makes the traveller sink deeper and deeper into the stratum of time. Through the centuries, the tourist can see prominent Scotsmen in the National Portrait Gallery, the ruins of Holyrood Abbey are mute witnesses to the former power of the church, and the walls of Edinburgh Castle still remember the last Scottish monarch.

Top-25 Tourist Attractions in Edinburgh

Royal Mile

 4.7/5

12397 reviews

The Royal Mile is the collective name for several streets located in the centre of the Scottish capital. Their total length is approximately 1800 metres, which is the size of a Scottish mile. A large number of places of interest are centred here. The Mile starts at Edinburgh Castle Square, passes through the High Street and Lawn Market and ends at Holyrood Palace.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Edinburgh Castle

 4.6/5

86449 reviews

An ancient residence of the Scottish monarchs, which is mentioned in documents from the XI-XII centuries. As a result of years of war with England, the fortress was repeatedly destroyed, after which it was rebuilt again. In the XV century the residence was moved to Holyrood Palace, and Edinburgh Castle was used as a prison. In the XVII century, by order of the English monarch Charles II, an armoury was placed in the castle. From the 19th century it was opened to the public.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Palace of Holyroodhouse

 4.6/5

16595 reviews

The official residence of the British monarchs in Scotland. The palace was built in the XV century under the Scottish rulers, later it was rebuilt under the English monarchs, as Scotland lost its independence. By the beginning of the XVIII century the building fell into disrepair, only under George IV they undertook to restore it. Since the 1920s, Holyrood Palace has become a residence where official events are held.

Open time

Holyrood Abbey

 4.6/5

348 reviews

The abbey was built in the twelfth century under the monarch David I. Several Scottish rulers were crowned here. David II, James II and James V are also buried in the abbey. In the XVI century, as a result of the spread of Reformation ideas, the monastery stopped supporting the Catholic tradition and adopted the new doctrine. In the XVIII century the facade of the main building collapsed and it was not restored. Now the complex of ruins is a protected historical monument.

Open time

Craigmillar Castle

 4.7/5

2167 reviews

An early 15th century castle, presumably built by one of the Barons Craigmillar. The castle underwent several major expansions in the 16th century. Queen Mary Stuart stayed in the castle on several occasions. During the 18th and 19th centuries the building gradually fell into disrepair. In the middle of the 20th century it was taken over by the state, after which some of the premises were restored and opened to tourists.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

The Real Mary King's Close

 4.4/5

9265 reviews

A subterranean street within the Royal Mile, steeped in many legends. One of them says that during a plague epidemic, all the infected were brought here, which led to the formation of a “city of the dead” in the street and surrounding neighbourhoods. A little girl with the plague was even walled up alive in a house. The Mary King cul-de-sac became underground due to the construction of a new building for the city government in the XVIII century. In 2003, the street complex was excavated and opened to tourists.

Open time

Scottish Parliament Building

 4.2/5

707 reviews

The Scottish Parliament ceased to exist in the early 18th century when the union of England and Scotland was announced. For almost 300 years, local patriots demanded the restoration of the national assembly. In 1997, a referendum was held and the Scottish Parliament was reconvened. The new building for the revived legislature was designed by Catalan E. Miralles.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

The Georgian House

 4.5/5

907 reviews

A residential house of the XVIII-XIX centuries, located on Charlotte Square Street. The building was designed by architect J. Craig in the best traditions of Georgian architecture. From the middle of the XVIII century in the capital of Scotland became so little space that it was decided to build the New Town next to the old Edinburgh. The Georgian House is one of the first structures erected as a result of the expansion of Scotland’s capital.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

St Giles' Cathedral

 4.6/5

8776 reviews

The cathedral is the main church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland and was named after St Giles (St Egidius), the patron saint of lepers and maimed people. The building was erected in the fourteenth century. The church is characterised by a massive and gloomy architecture, but the situation is saved by the elegant Victorian stained glass windows decorating the main facade. Inside the cathedral is the Thistle Chapel, where the initiation into the order of the same name takes place.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Greyfriars Kirk

 4.8/5

18 reviews

The church is located within the Royal Mile. It was erected in the early 17th century on the site of a Franciscan monastery. Greyfriars Kirk was the first church in Edinburgh to be built after the triumph of Reformation ideas. At the church there is a cemetery, where the earliest burials began in the XVI century at the time of the Catholic abbey. The church is the oldest structure outside of Old Edinburgh.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

National Museum of Scotland

 4.8/5

42401 reviews

The collection is the result of the merger of the Royal Museum and the Museum of Scottish Antiquities. The exhibition is housed in two buildings, one built in 1998 and the other an example of 19th century Victorian architecture. The museum displays archaeological finds, national and world cultural heritage, natural science exhibits and much more.

Open time

National Galleries of Scotland: National

 4.6/5

12114 reviews

An art gallery that houses and exhibits a collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. The museum is located near the Royal Academy of Sciences and is built in a classical style. In addition to the exhibition halls, the National Gallery houses a library with archival documents and valuable books from the 13th to 19th centuries.

Open time

National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait

 4.6/5

4206 reviews

The National Portrait Gallery is based on the private collection of the Earl of Buchan, who collected portraits of famous Scotsmen. The museum was organised in the late 19th century with funds from local philanthropist J. Ritchie. The building for the gallery in neo-Gothic style was erected according to the design of R. Anderson. The collection consists of portraits of kings, writers, scientists, statesmen and national heroes.

Open time

The Scotch Whisky Experience

 4.6/5

8379 reviews

A museum dedicated to the most famous and revered national drink of Scotland – whisky. The exposition will tell you about the history of the drink and reveal some of the secrets of its preparation. Because of its incredible popularity, the museum is open during holidays and weekends. During the tour, tourists will be able to see the process of whisky making and learn to distinguish the varieties of the drink even without tasting.

Open time

National Galleries of Scotland: Modern One

 4.5/5

3562 reviews

The collection is housed in a historic 19th-century neoclassical building that originally served as a school. The gallery exhibits interesting and relevant works by contemporary artists. There are also paintings by recognised masters such as Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Warhol, Nicholson and others. There is a garden near the museum building, where you can see several interesting sculptures.

Open time

Dynamic Earth

 4.4/5

1860 reviews

A science and entertainment centre and museum whose exposition is based on modern technology. The excursion begins with boarding a “time machine”, which takes a person 14 billion years back to the time of the Big Bang, which resulted in the Universe. Gradually the whole history of the formation of stars, the solar system, our planet, the origin of life and evolution passes by the viewer.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Royal Yacht Britannia

 4.7/5

8224 reviews

A 1953 yacht designed for the current Queen of Britain, Elizabeth II. Since 1997, the royal family has not used the vessel, so “Britannia” was moored at a pier in Edinburgh. The yacht is now used as a museum. Visitors can tour the living quarters, dining room, and state rooms. Compared to modern luxury yachts, the ship looks quite modest from the inside, despite the status of the former royal residence.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Scott Monument

 4.7/5

3924 reviews

A grandiose neo-Gothic monument dedicated to the writer Walter Scott, built in the 19th century to a design by J. Kemp. The monument was built of sandstone, so over time its surface darkened. In the 1990s, restoration became necessary. It was restored using the same material used during construction. The monument resembles the shape of a hollow bell tower with a sharp spire. Inside it there is a statue of the writer.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Forth Bridge

 4.8/5

3461 reviews

A railway bridge over the Firth of Forth, linking Edinburgh and the Fife region. The structure is over 2.5 kilometres long and is made entirely of steel. The bridge was built for 7 years, during the works several dozen people died. It took 10 times more metal to build the Forth Bridge than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is supported by three powerful piers more than 100 metres high.

Open time

Edinburgh Zoo

 4.3/5

11842 reviews

The Zoo was established at the beginning of the 20th century on the initiative of the Royal Zoological Society. From the very beginning, natural habitats were created for the animals whenever possible. Nowadays this is a common and obligatory practice in European zoos, but almost 100 years ago it was a rather progressive view of keeping animals. One of the first inhabitants of Edinburgh Zoo were penguins.

Open time

Princes Street Gardens

 4.6/5

24458 reviews

A popular public park in the centre of Edinburgh which hosts many national festivals, concerts and other events. The gardens were created as a result of the expansion of the capital city and the draining of Loch Nor in the early 19th century. The park has a fountain, a concert stage, a flower clock, several monuments and the ‘Eye of Edinburgh’, a 33 metre high Ferris wheel.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:35 PM

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

 4.7/5

20044 reviews

The Botanical Garden was founded in 1670 by scientists R. Sibbald and E. Balfoer as a vegetable garden with medicinal plants. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was moved to a new location twice. The garden covers an area of 25 hectares and includes: a palm greenhouse, a rockarium, a heath garden, an arboretum, a palm orangery, a Chinese garden, an ecology and demonstration departments.

Open time

Portobello Beach

 4.6/5

6128 reviews

The beach area is located to the east of Edinburgh, a 20-minute drive from the city. It was a popular seaside resort in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The water temperature of the Firth of Forth is not suitable for comfortable swimming even in warm weather, but many people come to Portobello Beach for sunbathing, picnicking or drinking a pint of beer in the many pubs.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Calton Hill

 4.8/5

4150 reviews

A city hill with a viewing platform and several historic buildings: the Admiral Nelson Monument, the Acropolis, a monument in honour of the philosopher D. Stuart and others. The hill was outside Edinburgh until the middle of the 19th century. At first a prison was built here, then the Scottish Government building appeared. At the foot of Calton Hill is the Holyrood Palace.

Arthur's Seat

 4.8/5

3043 reviews

A mountaintop plateau located within Holyrood Park. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of Edinburgh. The North Beach Bridge, the new parliament building, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile and other landmarks can be seen. The viewing platform is accessed via a stone staircase. Arthur’s Throne is the highest point in the Scottish capital.