Welcome to Edinburgh!
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About Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Gaelic Dun Eideann, capital city of Scotland, located in southeastern Scotland with its centre near the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, at the North Sea that is at the edge of the Scottish Lowlands. Situated in Scotland’s Central Belt, Edinburgh lies on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. There are many hills in Edinburgh. Some worth a visit are Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. Calton Hill is where you will find the National Monument and the famous Dugald Steward Monument. Arthur’s SeatArthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills about one mile from the castle. It is a great place to hike and get some great photos of the town of Edinburgh.
The historic centre of Edinburgh is divided in two by the broad green swathe of Princes Street Gardens. To the south, the view is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, built high on Castle Rock, and the long sweep of the Old Town descending towards Holyrood Palace. To the north lie Princes Street and the New Town. The West End includes the financial district, with insurance and banking offices as well as the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 in recognition of the unique character of the Old Town with its medieval street layout and the planned Georgian New Town, including the near-by Dean Village and Calton Hill areas. There are over 4,500 listed buildings within the city, a higher proportion relative to area than any other city in the United Kingdom. The Royal Mile runs downhill and ends at Holyrood Palace The historic Old Town, where some of the best Edinburgh attractions can be found, such as the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
A special thank you to Around the World in 4K. They really bring the city to life! Be sure to click on the subscribe link below the video for more amazing cities in 4K. Be sure to check out the official site below.
City Planning Guide
Maps & Other Resources
Rick Steves AUDIO Walking Tour is available on the app or where you can find podcasts. Not only does this audio tour give background and history, but walks you through the city step by step for a deeper look. Be sure to learn more by clicking the button below.
Visit the GPS My City website: for self-guided walks in Edinburgh. This site also contains information on some of the best places to see. You can even read about and choose the sites to create your own custom map. The maps cover everything from historical landmarks to world-class museums, charming neighborhoods and shopping. You will also find many articles that are super helpful as you plan your trip.
“GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities” can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play to your mobile phone or tablet. Each walk comes with a detailed tour map as well as photos and background information for the featured attractions. It also works offline. Find out more by clicking Explore More below.
Eat Play & Stay
Explore more about the wonderful places to see, great restaurants and amazing accommodation in Edinburgh! We have chosen one of our favorites for each. Click on the title to learn more, and click Explore More for other options.
Feel free to click on the slide or the icon at the top right to stop and the arrow to continue.
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, just off Princes Street, the Café Royal has been a hive of eating and drinking since 1826, meeting the city’s appetite for the Café’s speciality – oysters. In 1863, the Café moved to its present Parisian-styled building becoming one of Edinburgh’s most striking restaurants. You must stop in for an amazing meal or sit at the bar for a local beer to admire this amazing interior. Click on the title or picture to see reviews. Click Explore More for other great options.
One of the most popular pubs in Edinburgh is the Piper's Rest. Besides having great food, which is locally sourced, they offer a wide selection of local beers, whisky, and gin. They are located in the heart of the old town, on Hunter Square, just off of the Royal Mile. They offer live music seven nights a week, including traditional Scottish to modern.
Edinburgh Castle is a historic castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued at times to be a royal residence until 1633. By the 17th century it was principally used as military barracks with a large garrison. Its importance as a part of Scotland's national heritage was recognized increasingly from the early 19th century onwards. It really is a must visit while in the city. Tours/tickets must be purchased ahead so click on the title or photo for more info. Click Explore More for other options.
We are not big on chain hotels in Europe (unless you have points to use), but this smaller boutique hotel chain, Motel One, is an excellent choice. They focus on simplicity and modern amenities, while offering super afforadable prices. We were not familiar with this chain until we stayed in London. There are many options in walking distance to main sites. Click on the title to learn about this location, or Explore More for other options with Booking.com. You can also check out Airbnb for an apartment option at affordable prices.
For the most comprehensive travel guides out there, click Trip Savvy and Culture Trip below! These travel sites hire local writers and expert travelers to share the most relevant articles and best tips in the industry! Branding belongs to each respecitve company.
Local Spotlight
48 Hours
Unilad has put together some great short videos on various cities around the world. It is worth a look at other helpful videos by clicking Explore More.
Rick Steves
If you have about 30 minutes, it is worth a look at Rick Steve’s take on Edinburgh. His videos are always so informative. Click Explore More to be taken to his website on Scotland. You will find other great videos about Scotland and beyond. Click Explore More to be taken to Rick’s Travel Guide for Edinburgh.
Visit Scotland
This site offers some great suggestions on the best things to do in Edinburgh. Click Explore More to find out some of the best ways to spend your time!
Unique Scotland
John Harbour, a licensed guide and incredible story teller, takes you from Ediburgh to Inverness and shares colorful stories along the way. If you are traveling to Scotland, do visit his page by clicking the button below for customized day trops or londer tours.
Off the Beaten Path
Shaun on Edinburgh
Shaun, a great Youtube Vlogger to follow, shares the top things to do in Edinburgh for free! Check out the link below for other amazing videos about Shaun’s homeland Scotland.
Free Walking Tour
You may have read on other pages that we are big fans of free city walking tours. The guides do rely on tips but are often passionate about their town and sharing everything about it. It is also a great way to get suggestions on local eateries, etc. Checkout this site for more information .
Virtual Walking Tour ~ Edinburgh
by Living Walks
