11 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh on Your First Visit
Planning a visit to Edinburgh soon? Here are 11 of the best things to do in Edinburgh on your very first visit to Scotland’s capital!
Edinburgh is one of the best and most beautiful cities in the UK and a fantastic destination for a short city break.
The Scottish capital is now only 4.5 hours away from London by train, thanks to Lumo’s new high-speed London to Edinburgh has tickets for just £30.
So if you haven’t visited Edinburgh yet, what are you waiting for? Beautiful bookshops, the Balmoral and bagpipes await!
11 Things to Do in Edinburgh
Climb Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is an absolute must-visit when in Edinburgh. It’s an ancient volcano located in Holyrood Park to the east of central Edinburgh, and it dates back around 2000 years.
Climbing up and down will take you around 1-2 hours, depending on how fast you are and how much time you spend at the top.
It’s not too strenuous, but nor is it a walk in the park, so you can expect to work up a bit of a sweat in that time as you climb this steep hill.
It’s totally worth it in the end, though, as you’ll get stunning views over both Edinburgh and the surrounding greenery of Holyrood Park from this high vantage point.
A few tips: You won’t need hiking shoes, but a sturdy pair of trainers is advisable. It was quite crowded at the top when I hiked Arthur’s Seat, so setting off earlier in the day is ideal.
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is right in the centre of the city on Castle Rock. There has been a royal castle on this rock since at least the 12th century, so it has a lengthy history in Edinburgh and has been involved in many a conflict.
There was research a few years ago that suggested this was “the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world” (Caldwell).
Today, it’s one of the UK’s most visited paid tourist attractions, and it is very well maintained.
You can take an audio guide tour of the castle, which will share the best of its history and explain the architecture as you walk around.
The castle and its grounds are huge, but taking the self-guided tour means you can go into as much or as little detail as you want.
There’s a tonne of history to be discovered inside, and the views over Edinburgh are amazing!
You’ll definitely want to book tickets in advance, as the castle is extremely popular and you will not be guaranteed entry if you just turn up.
Be warned – the tour involves a lot of uphill walking, so you will need to plan ahead if this is going to be an issue.
Opening hours: 9:30am – 5pm/6pm (summer/winter)
Explore Edinburgh’s Independent Bookshops
Many of Scotland’s best writers have called Edinburgh home, so it should come as no surprise that the city is teeming with wonderful independent bookshops.
If you’re of a bookish disposition, I’d recommend setting aside a few hours for bookshop hopping. You can check out my blog post on Edinburgh bookshops for a guide on the very best to visit.
READ MORE: 18 Best Edinburgh Bookshops
If you’re not quite that dedicated but would like to see a few, then I’d highly recommend visiting West Port. It’s a street in the centre of Edinburgh and not too far from other major sites like the Vennel or Edinburgh Castle.
On this street, there are four Edinburgh bookshops so you can poke your head into a few of Edinburgh’s finest in quick succession: Edinburgh Books, Armchair Books, Peter Bell Books and Main Point Books.
My absolute favourite is Armchair Books, a winding bookshop with dusty, old brown shelves that are positively stuffed with old tomes!
Or, alternatively, if you’re in the Stockbridge area, check out Rare Bird Books, Golden Hare Books, and Ginger and Pickles.
Eat a deep-fried Mars bar
You may have heard rumours that just about anything can be deep-fried in Scotland. And whilst I haven’t tested that theory, Scotland is the country where the deep-fried Mars bar was born.
With a crunchy exterior with sickly sweet chocolatey insides, this sweet treat won’t be for everyone, but I enjoyed my first taste of this all the same.
I’d highly recommend sharing this with someone else, as the melted Mars bar is quite thick and gooey.
Some places offer a scoop of ice cream with the deep-fried Mars bar, which I actually think would work really well, as the cold and soft ice cream would balance out the heavy, dense deep-fried Mars bar.
I visited Cafe Piccante on Broughton Street to try mine, but there are a few establishments in Edinburgh that’ll serve these.
Visit the Harry Potter Cafes
One reason a lot of tourists visit Edinburgh is to visit all the Harry Potter-related sites. JK Rowling moved to Edinburgh in 1993 (she still lives there today!) and she spent a lot of time writing in this city.
There are a few cafes that say that JK Rowling used to write in their establishments, but the most famous is undoubtedly The Elephant House Cafe.
Unfortunately, the cafe is (still!) shut as there was an awful fire on George IV Bridge in 2021, which damaged a number of establishments on this road.
Every inch of the cafe’s bathroom walls was covered with drawings and doodles by Harry Potter fans, which were very cool, and I hope that there’ll still be some sort of homage to the boy wizard when they open up again.
Check out my guide to Harry Potter in Edinburgh for even more Harry Potter cafes to visit in the meantime.
Try haggis
Haggis has to be one of the most famous foods associated with Scotland (it’s their national dish!), and it’s one that a lot of people approach with trepidation.
For the uninitiated, it’s a sort of savoury pudding made from sheep innards (heart, liver, lungs) minced with onion, oatmeal, spices and more.
It’s not my favourite dish, but it’s not bad. If you’re a fan of black pudding, then you might well love haggis too, as they’re made of similar ingredients.
If you want to try haggis, then it’s often found on the breakfast menu as part of a full Scottish breakfast. You’re probably familiar with a full English breakfast, and a full Scottish is very similar, but often with haggis or black pudding included.
Explore Victoria Street
Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town is one of the most famous streets in Edinburgh, and it’s easy to see why when it’s so picturesque.
This gently curved street with colourful shop fronts is simply iconic, and it’s one of the most photographed streets in the city.
The multi-coloured shop exteriors reminded me of the coloured houses of Notting Hill in London, another hotly photographed spot.
Victoria Street is home to an eclectic collection of independent shops, making it the perfect place to indulge in a bit of window shopping (or perhaps some souvenir shopping).
You’ll find everything from quirky fashion boutiques and cosy bookshops to gourmet cheese sellers and magical Harry Potter-themed stores.
The street sweeps downhill from George IV Bridge towards the Grassmarket, but when you reach the bottom, turn around and look back up – the view of the colourful curved shopfronts against the old stone buildings behind it is pure Edinburgh magic.
Enjoy the sunset at Calton Hill
Located just a short walk from Princes Street, Calton Hill offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. From here, you get sweeping views all over the city and can enjoy a wonderful orange sunset over Edinburgh.
The climb up is relatively short and gentle, taking about ten minutes, but the view at the top is well worth it. From here, you can see the Edinburgh skyline laid out in full: Edinburgh castle on its rocky perch, the Balmoral Hotel’s clock tower standing proud, and Arthur’s Seat rising in the distance.
Calton Hill is also home to a number of historic monuments that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
The National Monument of Scotland, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, stands partially unfinished (and has done for over 100 years), earning it the local nickname, “Edinburgh’s Disgrace”.
It’s the perfect foreground for photos as the sky starts to turn orange and gold.
You’ll also find the Nelson Monument, shaped like an upturned telescope, which you can actually climb for an even higher vantage point if you’re feeling energetic.
As the sun begins to set, musicians often play softly nearby, couples gather with picnic blankets, and photographers line up along the edge of the hill, waiting for that perfect shot.
If you’re visiting in summer, bring a light jacket (the wind can be fierce at the top!) and maybe a drink or snack to enjoy while you take in the view.
And if you’re visiting in winter, time your visit for late afternoon. The sun sets early, but the skies can be spectacular with dramatic pinks and purples over the city rooftops.
Visit the Camera Obscura
The Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is located in the centre of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile and is great fun for all ages.
Spanning five floors, there are over 100 extraordinary illusions here, many of which are interactive and all of which will play tricks on your brain.
The attraction was first established in 1835 so some of the illusions date back almost two centuries and it’s fun to see some historic illusions made of nothing but paper as well as more modern ones which rely on electricity and movement.
From the roof terrace at the top, you also get amazing 360 views over the centre of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle. It’s not one to miss!
Visit the National Museum of Scotland
If you need to take shelter on a rainy day in Scotland (and there’ll be plenty of those), head to the National Museum of Scotland for some culture and history.
The museum is housed in a beautiful mix of Victorian and modern architecture. Not only is it stunning, but it’s also home to a number of really interesting and insightful exhibitions.
Inside, you’ll find a blend of Scottish history, world cultures, science, technology, art, and natural history.
You can wander from ancient Egyptian artefacts to the story of Dolly the Sheep (yes, the first cloned mammal lives here, well, her preserved form does) to exhibits exploring fashion, design, and space exploration.
It’s eclectic in the best possible way, offering something for every kind of curiosity.
One of my personal highlights was the Animal World gallery. It’s full of beautifully presented displays featuring creatures from every corner of the globe – there’s everything from lions and elephants to tiny insects you have to peer closely to spot.
The sheer diversity is incredible, and it’s one of those exhibits that makes you appreciate just how vast and intricate the natural world is. Kids love it, but honestly, adults do too (i.e. me!).
If you have time, head up to the rooftop terrace, which offers some of the best views over Edinburgh’s skyline. You can spot landmarks like the castle, Arthur’s Seat, and the Old Town’s winding rooftops. It’s especially lovely on a clear day!
And best of all? Entry is completely free (though donations are welcome!). It’s an easy addition to your Edinburgh itinerary, whether you’re seeking shelter from the rain, a bit of inspiration, or simply a beautiful museum to explore.
Take pictures of Dean Village
Edinburgh is an absolutely beautiful city with instagrammable snaps waiting around every corner. But Edinburgh’s Dean Village has to be one of the most gorgeous parts of the city.
It’s located just five minutes away from Princes Street, and you’ll hardly believe you’re so close to a busy capital city when surrounded by the beautiful, historic architecture and the Water of Leith.
Dean Village is where water mills were once made, and you’ll see a number of millstones and plaques with bread on them dotted around.
One of the most famous buildings in the area is Well Court, which was built in the 1880s and boasts beautiful architecture, including turrets. It’s hard to believe that this is where local water mill workers stayed back in the day!
–
Have I missed anything? If you’re off to Edinburgh soon, then I hope you enjoy your first trip to Scotland’s capital!
Love this post? You may also like these:
18 Edinburgh Bookshops to Visit
A Book Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh
17 Day Trips from Edinburgh
A Guide to Harry Potter in Edinburgh
The Harry Potter Graveyard in Edinburgh
