Edinburgh Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

Edinburgh Things to Do

There are a plethora of sights to see and things to do in Edinburh. Here are some of the more popular attractions.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a must visit when in Edinburgh. View the Great Hall, The Royal Palace, The Stone Of Destiny, Crown Jewels – the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles – St. Margaret’s Chapel, One o’clock Gun, Half Moon Battery, Prisons of War, Scottish National War Memorial, Regimental Museums and the National War Museum.

Tours are included in the entrance fee or you can look around at your own pace.

Scott Monument

The enormous sandstone memorial to Sir Walter Scott soars above Princes Gardens and is one of the first things which catches the eye when you emerge from Waverley railway station. His massive monument, is the largest to a writer in the world. It stands more than 200 feet high and is accessible to the public via a staircase of 287 steps, with a series of viewing areas from which you can look across the city.

Hollyrood House Palace

At the opposite end of The Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle is the British monarch’s official Scottish residence. During the Queen’s annual holiday at Holyrood House there’s a good chance of spotting some member of the Royal Family strolling The Royal Mile or the park with an escort.

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile, as the name suggests is about a mile long and runs downhill from the castle (where the monarch used to live) to Holyrood Palace, one of the official residences of the queen. The Royal Mile runs through the old town and is also known as the High Street but actually it is a succession of five streets called Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, the High Street, the Canongate and Abbey Strand. Stop in at No. 1 High street, a traditional Scottish pub, for a local brew.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Edinburgh.