Edinburgh, capital of Scotland – recommendations for a trip

Mostly I am not a fan of capital cities, but in Edinburgh there is some kind of magic that I cannot resist. I can see why this city has been a source of inspiration for many writers, including J. K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series. Wandering around Edinburgh puts you in a dream state. Maybe it’s the castle that overlooks you or the enchanting buildings and streets. It could also be all the mystical shops with their Harry Potter atmosphere or the bagpipe melodies that accompany you through the city streets. I cannot put my finger on it, so you will just have to check it out for yourself.

So here are my recommendations for wandering around the capital city, Edinburgh.

Holyrood Palace

The palace serves as the home of the Queen of Great Britain during her stay in Scotland. The palace was built in the 16th century so it has been home to many kings and queens. The tour in the palace passes through many rooms and shows collections of various works of art, portraits of royalty, antique furniture, luxury rugs and many murals. In addition, you receive digital guidance that accompanies you with stories, explains about the different rooms and is adapted to the order of the tour.

Holyrood Park And Arthur’s seat

Behind the palace you will find Holyrood Park, the place served as a hunting ground for the royalty who lived in the palace. The park is green and wild with small lakes, hills and cliffs. There are several different trails in the park, but the most famous leads to Arthur’s seat, an observation point overlooking a charming view of the city and the hills surrounding it. The point is located on a dormant volcano and it is the highest point in the park. The point gets its name from stories stating that it was King Arthur’s favorite place.

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile connects the Holyrood Palace with Edinburgh Castle. Its total length of a mile passes through five different street names. Between the 12th and 18th centuries it was the only road in Edinburgh. This road has a long history and is considered to be the core of the city. Today it is a tourist place with special buildings that take you back to the Middle Ages.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

On the Royal Mile you will find the Museum of Illusions, an experiential place for children and adults as one. It is a five floor tower that displays active exhibits of over 100 optical illusions. The place offers a wide range of activities and attractions, including a whirlpool tunnel, a mirror maze, a shrinking room and a 360-degree view of the city. In addition, you will find a variety of photo corners that manage to convey an optical illusion.

Edinburgh Castle

The castle is located on a cliff of volcanic rock and was built in the 12th century. The tour in the castle unfolds the history of Scotland in detail, with the help of the various halls. A wander through Edinburgh Castle is an amazing experience, you can see the large hall with the special ceiling, display of weapons and jewelry, the kitchen, the dungeon, the church, the antique furniture and the pictures, combined with the cannons designed to protect the castle and the view from the walls.

Princes Street Gardens

At the foot of the castle there are the Princes Street Gardens which until the 18th century were a swampy lake, but today are full of plants and flowers. The gardens also have an impressive fountain and are a popular place visited by both locals and tourists alike. Among other things, the gardens also host most of the festivals in the city. In the gardens you will also find ancient buildings and a pleasant atmosphere.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill is a park that is a spectacular vantage point overlooking the heart of the city, but also the bridges on the other side, to the bay on which Edinburgh sits and also to Holyrood Park. At Calton hill you will find some beautiful remains including an observatory, a monument commemorating Admiral Nelson and more.

Dean Village

Dean village is among the most special places in Edinburgh. The village once served as an industrial area and included various and multiple mills. The buildings in the village are special and have a picturesque look. There is a walking trail next to the river that flows through the village with a magical atmosphere.

Royal Botanic Garden

The Botanic Gardens are a great place to take a break away from the city for a moment. The gardens cover an area of about 283 dunams and house close to 300,000 species of plants. The gardens are divided into different areas of plants. Each garden has its own theme, the plants that characterize it and a specific atmosphere. The garden is very impressive and visiting it is free of charge.

Other interesting things in Edinburgh

Every Saturday between 9: 00-14: 00 there are several farmers’ markets in different places in the city. The markets sell different types of foods along with second hand books, jewelry and handicrafts. The most popular of them is at the foot of the castle on Grass Market Street. In addition you will find many tours in the city such as: a tour of the underground city of Edinburgh along with stories of ghosts and witches, whiskey tours, tours following the Harry Potter theme and his writer and many more.

Looking for a central place to sleep?

I personally recommend the Apex Hotel, which has a castle view. The hotel is located in Grass Market street next to Victoria Street and it is a 5-minute walk from the castle. If you are looking for a hostel, I really recommend Castle Rock Hostel. It has a pleasant atmosphere, spacious rooms and shared spaces. There are several types of rooms, for 4/8/12 people and also private rooms, as well as mixed rooms and rooms for women only. The hostel is clean and located next to the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh is full of charm and I recommend spending at least three days there. The places I mentioned are within walking distance of each other and wandering the streets of Edinburgh is an experience in itself. Hope you enjoy your next trip to Scotland.

If you are planning to travel on public transport, do not miss the ultimate guide I have prepared on traveling in Scotland without a car.