Thank you!
Thank you for choosing to read my guide! I've lived in Scotland since 2015 and there is nothing I love more than having my friends and family coming to visit and I get into tourist mode. Those moments remind me of when I first moved to Edinburgh and everything was new and magical. I hope my guide will make you feel in a similar way when visiting the beautiful Scottish capital!
This guide is free, however if you liked it and found it useful you can leave a tip, or share it on social media and tag me @ponytella.travels
Tips
Edinburgh is very hilly, so make sure you wear comfortable trainers or walking shoes, possibly water resistant. Scotland can be wet and windy even in summer, so make sure to wear layers and bring a rain jacket. There's no need for an umbrella as the wind will most likely break it or fly it away.
I have included ticket prices for tourist attractions, however these are all for the standard adult price. Edinburgh is a student city, so make sure to check if they offer student discounts or child/senior discounts.
I have included information from breakfast to after dinner. You don't need to follow everything on this guide, and even if you decide not to visit any tourist attraction you can still follow the path for the walking tour of Edinburgh. The guide can be mould into your preferences. I have included extra options at the end.
Day 1
Scottish Breakfast at The City Cafe
The City Cafe
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American-style diner, offers amazing Scottish dishes and their Scottish breakfast will make you want to go back. Vegan options available.
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Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
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Adult ticket £19.50. Best to book in advance, especially in the summer and around Christmas/Hogmanay.
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Every day in Edinburgh they fire a cannon at 1pm from the Castle, so the best time to visit is 12-12:30pm. This way you can witness the firing from inside the Castle!
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
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It's called the Royal Mile because it connects the Castle to the royal residence at Holyrood Park.
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After the Castle we start walking down the Royal Mile. Scottish miles used to be different than English miles until the 17th century, so the Royal Mile is 1.8km instead of 1.6km, the current length of a mile.
Underground Edinburgh
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If you don't fancy seeing many touristic attractions, this is one of the ones to prioritise. It's a very interesting tour of what Edinburgh used to look like in the 17th century before the Black Death, and before the city was buried and rebuilt on top.
Clarinda's Tearoom
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Holyrood Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Adult ticket £20. Official residence of the British Monarch when they come to Scotland, it's open to the public when not in use.
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Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament Building
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Free entry and tour of the building. Check the website to know when it's open/close to the public.
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Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat
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45 minutes uphill walk, about 250 meter elevation. Off road trail, might be muddy.
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To end the first day in Edinburgh, a walk up the highest point of the city. You can also time this to be there for sunset but make sure you have a light with you for the way back down.
Holyrood 9A
The Holyrood 9A
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About £20 per person. Burgers and local beers to choose from, vegan options available too.
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Brewhemia
Brewhemia
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Cocktails from £10. Brewhemia has beautiful interiors and many drinks available. It often has live music and shows on.
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Day 2
Dishoom
Dishoom Edinburgh
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Brunch £15 per person. You can't book so you will probably have to queue but it's worth it. Famous for its naan rolls.
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Calton Hill
Calton Hill
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On Calton Hill you will find the "Edinburgh's Disgrace", a monument started in 1822 and never finished due to running out of money
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Yesterday you walked around the Old Town and today we will dig into the New Town. From Calton Hill you will be able to see the Gothic style of the Old Town and the Georgian style of the New Town. Both are part of UNESCO and they are separated by Edinburgh's main street, Princes Street.
Princes Street
Princes Street
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From Calton Hill you start walking towards West End, and you will see Princes Street Gardens on one side, and some shops, cafes and restaurants on the other.
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Johnnie Walker Experience
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
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Adult ticket £30. This is a fun and interactive experience for both whisky lovers or not. You will learn about whisky in a fun way and at the end of the tour they will make a you a whisky-based cocktail curated on your taste.
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Dean Village
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From the end of Prices Street you start walking towards Dean Village and you will find yourself in a small and peaceful neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Some areas are private property so be mindful while walking around.
Water of Leith
Water of Leith Walkway
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The Water of Leith is 35km long and it starts from the Pentlands Hills to end at Leith Port.
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From Dean Village, start walking on the path alongside the river towards Stockbridge.
Stockbridge
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Edinburgh neighbourhood with cute cafes, independent shops and charity shops.
I.J. Mellis Cheesemongers Stockbridge
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Cheese lovers can try local cheeses at I.J. Mellis Cheesemongers - they have seats available in the back.
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Inverleith Park
Inverleith Park
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Inverleith Park is big and relaxing park, and you will be able to see the Castle and the skyline of the city from a different point of view.
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The Botanic Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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Free entry all year round apart from Christmas time when it is decorated with lights and music for the season.
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Dinner Options
On Broughton Street you will find many dinner options. These are some of my favourites:
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The Ox
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£20-30 per person, British cousin, famous for their Sunday roast. Vegan options available.
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The Orchard Bar & Restaurant
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£20 per person, British food, vegan options available
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CC Blooms
CC Blooms
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Probably the most popular LGBT+ club in Edinburgh, CC Blooms is a great place to go for a drink and if you're lucky you will get there while a drag show is on!
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The Dome
The Dome
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If you prefer a quieter place, The Dome offers beautiful interiors and atmosphere. It's a fancy venue but it doesn't require a dress code.
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Day 3
Söderberg
Söderberg The Meadows
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£7 per person. Swedish café famous for its cinnamon and cardamon buns.
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National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
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Free entry. You could spend entire days here. They offer exhibitions from natural history to technological development.
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Victoria Street
Victoria Street
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For Harry Potter lovers, it is said this street inspired J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley. You will find two or more Harry Potter shops, some cafes and souvenir shops.
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Grassmarket and the Vennel Viewpoint
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Armstrongs Vintage
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Vintage shop worth your visit for its interesting interior
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The Meadows
The Meadows
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Famous park in Edinburgh for its cherry blossoms in Spring and popular for BBQs in the Summer
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Bruntsfield
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Project Coffee
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£10 per person. Their sandwiches are big for a filling lunch and really good
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Montpeliers
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£15-20 per person, offers breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner options
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Morningside
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Wild West
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Strange part of Edinburgh, in a hidden alley in Morningside. There is a car repair shop but all the Wild West style buildings don't seem in use
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Blackford Hill
Blackford Hill
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From Morningside you can keep walking towards Blackford Hill. Once you reach the hill the path will take you between trees and alongside a river on your way to the top. Here you will have a view of Edinburgh from the Southern point of the city.
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The Hermitage Bar
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Canny Man's Pub
Canny Man's
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You can have your last Scottish pint at this pub with interesting decorations
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If you have more time, or you simply want to swap some of the activities, have a look at the list below.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
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Adult ticket £23. Fun and interesting for both children and adults
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Leith Walk
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Leith and Edinburgh used to be two different cities. Leith Walk is Leith's main street
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National Galleries of Scotland: National
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Free entry for the permanent exhibitions - pay entry for temporarily ones
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