Guidebook for Edinburgh
Essentials
Tesco Superstore
5 FerrymuirFood Scene
La Barantine
202 Bruntsfield PlLovely cakes
Project Coffee
192-194 Bruntsfield PlInformal, great for breakfast
Honeycomb & Co.
1 Merchiston PlModern, fresh, seasonal food
Three Birds
3-5 ViewforthLocal delicious food, great atmosphere for dinner
Seeds For The Soul Ltd
167 Bruntsfield Pl100% vegan
Montpeliers
159-161 Bruntsfield PlLocal favourite for over 20 years, busy pub serving good food
The oldest pup in Edinburgh, located in charming Dudingston village, just off Holyrood Park
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The Sheep Heid Inn
43-45 The CausewayThe oldest pup in Edinburgh, located in charming Dudingston village, just off Holyrood Park
Run every Saturday morning, local farm products
Some street food on offer
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Bændamarkaður Edinburgh
Castle TerraceRun every Saturday morning, local farm products
Some street food on offer
Sightseeing
From Edinburgh Castle, the next logical thing to do is to stroll down the Royal Mile. This is the medieval city’s main highway, and is still a very busy place today. It runs almost a mile from the castle at the top of the hill to Holyrood Palace at the bottom, and spans five different streets, none of which are actually called the Royal Mile.
This is a busy street and there are a lot of things to see along the way, including many of the attractions we note below as well as many restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops. You’ll likely find yourself on and off this street many times during your visit!
Secret Gardens and Closes of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, particularly the narrow streets of the Old
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Royal Mile
From Edinburgh Castle, the next logical thing to do is to stroll down the Royal Mile. This is the medieval city’s main highway, and is still a very busy place today. It runs almost a mile from the castle at the top of the hill to Holyrood Palace at the bottom, and spans five different streets, none of which are actually called the Royal Mile.
This is a busy street and there are a lot of things to see along the way, including many of the attractions we note below as well as many restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops. You’ll likely find yourself on and off this street many times during your visit!
Secret Gardens and Closes of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, particularly the narrow streets of the Old
Covered over by construction in the 19th century, Mary King’s Close was previously one of the busiest streets in the medieval city, located just off the Royal Mile. It was named after Mary King who was a business woman who lived in the close in the 1630’s.
The tour of Real Mary King’s Close aims to provide information and examples of what life would have been like in Edinburgh between the 16th and 19th centuries. The tour takes you into a warren of what were bustling streets, shops, animal pens, and homes that sit just below the current street level. Note that photography is not allowed during the tour at the time of writing.
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The Real Mary King's Close
2 High StCovered over by construction in the 19th century, Mary King’s Close was previously one of the busiest streets in the medieval city, located just off the Royal Mile. It was named after Mary King who was a business woman who lived in the close in the 1630’s.
The tour of Real Mary King’s Close aims to provide information and examples of what life would have been like in Edinburgh between the 16th and 19th centuries. The tour takes you into a warren of what were bustling streets, shops, animal pens, and homes that sit just below the current street level. Note that photography is not allowed during the tour at the time of writing.
Near Mary King’s Close and a fixture in Edinburgh’s skyline is the beautiful St. Giles Cathedral with its crown shaped steeple. If you are only going to visit one church in Edinburgh, this would be our recommendation. St. Giles, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship for the Church of Scotland and the church itself dates from the 14th century.
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St. Giles Dómkirkja
High StreetNear Mary King’s Close and a fixture in Edinburgh’s skyline is the beautiful St. Giles Cathedral with its crown shaped steeple. If you are only going to visit one church in Edinburgh, this would be our recommendation. St. Giles, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship for the Church of Scotland and the church itself dates from the 14th century.
This excellent free museum contains exhibits on all sorts of things related to both Scotland and the world, from Scottish history and culture to art and fashion to science and technology.
Some highlights for me were objects related to Mary, Queen of Scots, which include jewelry, coins, letters, and furniture. The museum’s huge collection is set across two main buildings, a more modern building dating from 1998 and a Victorian era section from the 19th century. The Victorian section features a wonderful cast iron grand gallery, which is a museum piece
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National Museum of Scotland
This excellent free museum contains exhibits on all sorts of things related to both Scotland and the world, from Scottish history and culture to art and fashion to science and technology.
Some highlights for me were objects related to Mary, Queen of Scots, which include jewelry, coins, letters, and furniture. The museum’s huge collection is set across two main buildings, a more modern building dating from 1998 and a Victorian era section from the 19th century. The Victorian section features a wonderful cast iron grand gallery, which is a museum piece
The Surgeons’ Hall Museums consists of three joined museums (admission includes all three): the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and The Dental Collection. This unusual museum complex includes one of the largest collection of surgical pathology in the world, including the collections of surgeons Sir Charles Bell and John Barclay. Sir Charles Bell was actually credited by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as being an inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes.
Originally founded as a teaching museum for students of medicine, it is now open to the public. The collection ranges from the informative and unusual to gruesome and macabre!
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Lyfjafræðistofnunin
Nicolson StreetThe Surgeons’ Hall Museums consists of three joined museums (admission includes all three): the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and The Dental Collection. This unusual museum complex includes one of the largest collection of surgical pathology in the world, including the collections of surgeons Sir Charles Bell and John Barclay. Sir Charles Bell was actually credited by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as being an inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes.
Originally founded as a teaching museum for students of medicine, it is now open to the public. The collection ranges from the informative and unusual to gruesome and macabre!
Edinburgh Zoo is popular with families and animal lovers wanting to get up close to over 1,000 animals. Some of the most popular attractions are the penguin walks and getting to see the resident giant pandas (note that you usually get a set viewing time slot as they are so popular!). Other animals we enjoyed seeing were the tigers, lions, wallabies, chimps, red panda, and monkeys.
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Edinburgh Zoo station
Edinburgh Zoo is popular with families and animal lovers wanting to get up close to over 1,000 animals. Some of the most popular attractions are the penguin walks and getting to see the resident giant pandas (note that you usually get a set viewing time slot as they are so popular!). Other animals we enjoyed seeing were the tigers, lions, wallabies, chimps, red panda, and monkeys.
Entertainment & Activities
Near Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile is the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. This attraction has two main features – first, it has several floors featuring optical illusions, light tricks, old-fashioned games, and magic displays which we had a lot of fun playing with.
Then, the “main attraction” is the Camera Obscura on the roof. A camera obscura is basically an old-fashioned projection system, which directs visible light from the outside world onto a viewing surface in a darkened room. These have been known about for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and were a particularly popular attraction in Victorian times. In fact, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura dates from the 19th century,
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Camera Obscura og Heimur Illusjóna
549 CastlehillNear Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile is the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. This attraction has two main features – first, it has several floors featuring optical illusions, light tricks, old-fashioned games, and magic displays which we had a lot of fun playing with.
Then, the “main attraction” is the Camera Obscura on the roof. A camera obscura is basically an old-fashioned projection system, which directs visible light from the outside world onto a viewing surface in a darkened room. These have been known about for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and were a particularly popular attraction in Victorian times. In fact, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura dates from the 19th century,
Across from the Camera Obscura is The Scotch Whisky Experience, which is a very popular place to visit along the Royal Mile. You can take tours, masterclasses, training sessions or just enjoy some food and whisky at their restaurant. We took the Silver Tour which is their shortest and least expensive whisky tour experience and we both really enjoyed it.
It begins with a fun and informative whisky barrel ride and then a self-guided tour to learn about whisky, then a tasting experience, and then finally a look around a giant whisky collection, the largest collection of its type in the world. Laurence really enjoys whisky, and he has visited this attraction more than once, always enjoying the
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Skoskur viski reynsla
354 CastlehillAcross from the Camera Obscura is The Scotch Whisky Experience, which is a very popular place to visit along the Royal Mile. You can take tours, masterclasses, training sessions or just enjoy some food and whisky at their restaurant. We took the Silver Tour which is their shortest and least expensive whisky tour experience and we both really enjoyed it.
It begins with a fun and informative whisky barrel ride and then a self-guided tour to learn about whisky, then a tasting experience, and then finally a look around a giant whisky collection, the largest collection of its type in the world. Laurence really enjoys whisky, and he has visited this attraction more than once, always enjoying the
Arts & Culture
At the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, you’ll find the Palace of Holyrood House, usually referred to simply as Holyrood Palace. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It has served as the principal residence of the monarchs of Scotland since the 16th century.
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Palace of Holyrood
CanongateAt the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, you’ll find the Palace of Holyrood House, usually referred to simply as Holyrood Palace. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. It has served as the principal residence of the monarchs of Scotland since the 16th century.
If you love art, you’ll want to save at least an hour or two to stroll the Scottish National Gallery, one of many excellent free museums in Edinburgh. Located on The Mound near Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument, Scotland’s National Art Gallery houses a large collection of paintings and other art from the Renaissance up to the start of the 20th century, with both Scottish and international artists represented.
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Þjóðlistasafn Skotlands
The MoundIf you love art, you’ll want to save at least an hour or two to stroll the Scottish National Gallery, one of many excellent free museums in Edinburgh. Located on The Mound near Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument, Scotland’s National Art Gallery houses a large collection of paintings and other art from the Renaissance up to the start of the 20th century, with both Scottish and international artists represented.
Situated in the first building in the world that was purpose-built as a portrait gallery (in 1889), the gallery exclusively houses portraits of Scottish people, although not all the artists are Scottish.
Highlights include portraits of Stuart monarchs and family members, including portraits by Dutch painter Arnold Bronckorst. My favorite galleries contain the “Scots in Italy” collection. In addition to portrait paintings, the musem also includes a collection of prints, photographs, and statues.
The building itself, in a Gothic style, is quite beautiful and the entrance hall is well worth spending some time in. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a statue of Robert Burns, beautiful murals
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Skoska þjóðlega portrettlistasafnið
1 Queen StSituated in the first building in the world that was purpose-built as a portrait gallery (in 1889), the gallery exclusively houses portraits of Scottish people, although not all the artists are Scottish.
Highlights include portraits of Stuart monarchs and family members, including portraits by Dutch painter Arnold Bronckorst. My favorite galleries contain the “Scots in Italy” collection. In addition to portrait paintings, the musem also includes a collection of prints, photographs, and statues.
The building itself, in a Gothic style, is quite beautiful and the entrance hall is well worth spending some time in. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a statue of Robert Burns, beautiful murals
Fruitmarket Gallery is a public art gallery that features rotating temporary exhibitions from both Scottish and international contemporary artists.
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Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market StFruitmarket Gallery is a public art gallery that features rotating temporary exhibitions from both Scottish and international contemporary artists.
Jupiter Artland is a contemporary art and sculpture park and art gallery located on a large 100-acre piece of land outside of Edinburgh. The park is on the grounds of Bonnington House (private, not open to the public), a 19th century Jacobean style house with 17th century origins. The current owners are avid art collectors and started the art park in 1999.
The park is set back off the road and you’ll follow a long driveway to reach the parking area. Then you’ll want to follow the signs to find the ticketing office, which is in one of a group of steadings. Here you’ll also find toilets, a cafe, information, an indoor art gallery, and a gift shop. Here you can buy your ticket and collect a ma
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Jupiter Artland
Jupiter Artland is a contemporary art and sculpture park and art gallery located on a large 100-acre piece of land outside of Edinburgh. The park is on the grounds of Bonnington House (private, not open to the public), a 19th century Jacobean style house with 17th century origins. The current owners are avid art collectors and started the art park in 1999.
The park is set back off the road and you’ll follow a long driveway to reach the parking area. Then you’ll want to follow the signs to find the ticketing office, which is in one of a group of steadings. Here you’ll also find toilets, a cafe, information, an indoor art gallery, and a gift shop. Here you can buy your ticket and collect a ma
Drinks & Nightlife
The Jazz Bar
1a Chambers StLive jazz, acoustic music and cocktails
The Stand Comedy Club is the most popular comedy venue in Edinburgh, hosting stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy acts, ranging from beginners to well-known international comedians. The Stand also hosts a number of acts during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and many of the popular British acts from the Fringe perform here throughout the year.
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The Stand Comedy Club
5 York PlaceThe Stand Comedy Club is the most popular comedy venue in Edinburgh, hosting stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy acts, ranging from beginners to well-known international comedians. The Stand also hosts a number of acts during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and many of the popular British acts from the Fringe perform here throughout the year.
Parks & Nature
If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little, get away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and take in a bit of botany whilst you’re at it, then you should head to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
The gardens are located about a half hour walk from the city center or a short bus ride away (you can take a local public bus or a sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus). The garden has been in its current location since 1820 (although the garden was originally planted in 1670 in Holyrood Park). It is free to enter the garden and a beautiful place to spend a couple of hours in Edinburgh if the weather is good! With 70 acres of gardens featuring over 273,000 plants,
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Royal Botanic Garden station
If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little, get away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and take in a bit of botany whilst you’re at it, then you should head to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
The gardens are located about a half hour walk from the city center or a short bus ride away (you can take a local public bus or a sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus). The garden has been in its current location since 1820 (although the garden was originally planted in 1670 in Holyrood Park). It is free to enter the garden and a beautiful place to spend a couple of hours in Edinburgh if the weather is good! With 70 acres of gardens featuring over 273,000 plants,
If you are looking for a pleasant walk in Edinburgh consider taking the path along the Water of Leith (main river that flows through Edinburgh) between Stockbridge and Dean Village. The full walkway runs over 12 miles and goes through the city from Balerno to Leith (~ 7 hours to walk the total path), but you can start or stop the walk anywhere in between. The path goes by a number of attractions throughout the city.
A favorite section of this path is the charming section from Stockbridge to Dean Village, which are also two areas of Edinburgh very worth visiting. A favorite landmark along this section of the path is St. Bernard’s Well, which is a mineral water well with a pump room topped b
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Water of Leith Walkway
Water of Leith WalkwayIf you are looking for a pleasant walk in Edinburgh consider taking the path along the Water of Leith (main river that flows through Edinburgh) between Stockbridge and Dean Village. The full walkway runs over 12 miles and goes through the city from Balerno to Leith (~ 7 hours to walk the total path), but you can start or stop the walk anywhere in between. The path goes by a number of attractions throughout the city.
A favorite section of this path is the charming section from Stockbridge to Dean Village, which are also two areas of Edinburgh very worth visiting. A favorite landmark along this section of the path is St. Bernard’s Well, which is a mineral water well with a pump room topped b
One of the best things about Edinburgh is that you can find wide open green spaces just outside the city center. Not far from Holyrood Palace, you’ll find the towering remnants of an extinct volcano, which has come to be known as Arthur’s Seat; the name is believed to have come from the legendary tales of King Arthur.
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Arthur's Seat
One of the best things about Edinburgh is that you can find wide open green spaces just outside the city center. Not far from Holyrood Palace, you’ll find the towering remnants of an extinct volcano, which has come to be known as Arthur’s Seat; the name is believed to have come from the legendary tales of King Arthur.
The Meadows is a popular area of park land in the heart of Edinburgh and the Bruntsfield Links forms part of it. This tree lined park was once a mini golf course. Nowadays it is a great location for a picnic and a spot of sunbathing when the weather permits. And it’s a nice walk to old town.
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Meadows
Melville DriveThe Meadows is a popular area of park land in the heart of Edinburgh and the Bruntsfield Links forms part of it. This tree lined park was once a mini golf course. Nowadays it is a great location for a picnic and a spot of sunbathing when the weather permits. And it’s a nice walk to old town.