11 unmissable issues to do in your first journey to Edinburgh

January 31, 2023

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Right this moment Lucy shares an unimaginable Edinburgh information with 11 unmissable issues to do in Edinburgh throughout your first journey to Scotland’s capital!

Fascinating historical past, baggage of tradition, beautiful views, scrumptious food and drinks – Edinburgh is a kind of cities with a little bit of every little thing and my first-timer’s information to Edinburgh has every little thing you must see and do throughout your first go to. The Scottish capital is simply bursting with attraction and it’s manageable dimension makes it the right weekend metropolis break vacation spot. So right here’s our decide of 11 important experiences that each customer ought to attempt on their first journey to Edinburgh.

A newbie’s information to Edinburgh…

1. Go to the Citadel

The very first thing on our information to Edinburgh needs to be a go to to Edinburgh Citadel! The place else however Edinburgh are you able to go to a fort perched on prime of an extinct volcano?

Edinburgh Citadel dates again to the 7^th century and has been scaring off potential invaders ever since. Right this moment’s invaders usually tend to be vacationers, following within the footsteps of historic Scottish icons like Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.

Journey Hack Tip: Get to Edinburgh Citadel early to beat the crowds and take in the environment of its historic buildings and the views out over Edinburgh and past.

You may e-book a guided tour of Edinburgh Citadel with skip-the-queue entry for £33.

2. Wander down the Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s oldest and most well-known road, operating from the fort at one finish to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the different (although do you know it’s 5900 toes as an previous Scottish mile is longer than a contemporary one?)

The Mile is busy and bustling and there’s at all times one thing happening – from road theatre to fire-throwing bagpipers. There are church buildings, historic buildings, cafés and bars to discover, in addition to all of the tartan and shortbread retailers you could possibly ever want!

Journey Hack Tip: Climb to the highest of St Giles Cathedral for a implausible view alongside the Royal Mile – guided rooftop excursions price £6 per individual.

3. Attempt a wee dram

Even in the event you’re not usually a whisky drinker, you’ll be able to’t go to its dwelling nation with out making an attempt a drop from one of many Scotland’s 100 distilleries. Learn how it’s made on the Scotch Whisky Expertise close to the fort (£21), the place a guided tour comes with a whisky taster (beneath 18s get Irn Bru as a substitute – Scotland’s different favorite drink). Or if you wish to get a bit extra critical, drop into the Whiski Rooms for certainly one of their Introduction to Whisky tasting classes (£25 per individual).

Journey Hack Tip: In the event you’re not a whisky fan, Edinburgh has a few nice gin distilleries too – Pickerings and Edinburgh Gin each do excursions and tastings.

4. Tunnel underground at Mary King’s Shut

Edinburgh needs to be one of many solely locations on the earth with a road of homes buried underground!

Mary King’s Shut is without doubt one of the metropolis’s Seventeenth-century closes – tall, slim streets which crammed the previous city. Most had been knocked down however this one was preserved like a time capsule when the Royal Change was constructed excessive. So you’ll be able to head underground and again in time, the place a information will let you know the tales of the individuals who lived there, from plague victims to ghostly hauntings.

E book a Actual Mary King’s Shut Guided tour right here.

5. Deliver Greyfriars Bobby a stick

One other spooky spot in Edinburgh! By day, Greyfriars Kirkyard is a peaceable oasis within the centre of Edinburgh full of fantastically carved tombs, however by night time it’s a favorite with ghost-hunters. It’s the place well-known grave-robbers Burke and Hare did their body-snatching. However its most well-known resident is a canine, Greyfriars Bobby. The canine was so dedicated to his grasp that when he died in 1858 the canine sat by his grave each day for 14 years. He was buried within the churchyard and folks carry him sticks to put on his grave.

Journey Hack Tip: If you wish to discover out extra about Burke and Hare (and aren’t too squeamish about physique elements in jars), take a look at the Surgeon’s Corridor Museum.

6. Have a Scottish afternoon tea on the Balmoral

Afternoon tea is a British establishment, and Edinburgh’s Balmoral Lodge put their very own Scottish spin on it. It’s served beneath the chandelier within the glam five-star environment of the Balmoral’s Palm Court docket. You may select from a spread of Scottish teas, together with their very own Balmoral mix, served with sandwiches, pastries and scones with jam and cream.

Afternoon tea prices £35 (and it’s additional for Champagne), however you’re assured to return away feeling 1,000,000 {dollars} (and really full).

7. Climb Arthur’s Seat

Edinburgh is surrounded by three volcanic hills, however the largest is Arthur’s Seat. It’s a little bit of a climb to the highest, however you’ll be able to see for 60 miles on a transparent day (plus it’s a great way to burn off a few of Edinburgh’s implausible meals). There are a number of totally different paths leaving from Holyrood Park, relying on how a lot scrambling you need to do. The stroll takes a few hours and alongside the best way you’ll get loads of panoramic views – although it’s a good suggestion to pack a water-resistant.

Journey Hack Tip: In the event you’re pressed for time or that sounds an excessive amount of like arduous work, you’ll be able to drive as much as Dunsapie Loch and stroll as much as the summit in about 10 minutes.

You can even take an Arthur’s Seat Guided Strolling Tour to study extra concerning the landscapes and the park.

For Harry Potter followers, Edinburgh’s a little bit of a pilgrimage website – it’s the place writer JK Rowling lived and is filled with locations that impressed her. There’s Victoria Road which turned Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts-style George Heriot’s Faculty. A number of the names on the graves in Greyfriars Kirkyard would possibly look acquainted too.

You can even cease off for a drink in The Elephant Home Café and Spoon Café the place she wrote elements of the books (look out for the queues of Potter followers).

You may take a Harry Potter Magical Guided Tour to ensure you don’t miss any of the Harry Potter spots in Edinburgh!

9. Stroll the Water of Leith

In the event you’re searching for a peaceable escape from town, you solely must go a couple of mile from the Royal Mile to search out the Water of Leith Walkway. This 12-mile route runs alongside the waterside with statues, bridges and plenty of greenery alongside the best way. The total route covers 12 miles, from the Pentland Hills to Leith docks, however the stretch from the Gallery of Trendy Artwork to the Botanic Gardens is without doubt one of the prettiest, passing by means of Stockbridge and Dean Village.

Journey Hack Tip: Cease off in Stockbridge for a scorching chocolate at Coco, a boutique chocolate store that makes a number of the greatest scorching choc I’ve ever tasted.

In the event you’d fairly cycle, there’s a nice 20-mile biking tour that takes you on a circle round Edinburgh metropolis. You’ll go to Craigmillar Citadel grounds, cycle on Union canal paths then cease at Dean Village, Leith, and Portobello.

10. Be a part of within the social gathering

Edinburgh loves any excuse for a celebration, and you may normally discover some kind of particular occasion on everytime you go to. The massive month is August, when town’s taken over by the Fringe Pageant in addition to the Army Tattoo and the literature and humanities festivals. Then by means of the 12 months there’s Hogmanay, Burns Evening, the Beltane Fireplace Pageant, gentle reveals, music, storytelling and meals festivals, Christmas markets and extra.

Journey Hack Tip: Take a look at the That is Edinburgh web site for particulars of all the most recent occasions.

11. Blow the cobwebs away on Portobello Seaside

It’s straightforward to overlook that Edinburgh isn’t removed from the ocean, however catch a bus from Princes Road and inside half an hour you may be on the seaside at Portobello.

This Victorian seaside resort has been a sunny-day escape for Edinburgh residents for over 100 years. Seize an ice cream and be a part of them on the sand in summer season (and possibly even threat a paddle in the event you’re feeling courageous), or watch the waves crashing and blow the cobwebs away on a blustery winter’s day.

There’s one other biking tour that takes you on a tour or Edinburgh’s coast, visiting Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park and Portobello Seaside

Lucy is a journey blogger On the Luce, exploring the UK, Europe and past from her dwelling base within the Cotswolds. Her weblog combines inspirational tales and exquisite pictures with all of the helpful particulars that you must make the journey a actuality – from weekend break concepts to rail adventures, critiques of quirky lodging to uncommon angles in your favorite locations. Lucy’s by no means removed from her digicam, loves a very good glass of prosecco, devours a e-book per week and is at all times on the hunt for luxurious on funds.