Our Suggested Itinerary for 3 Days In Edinburgh
Introduction
The Scottish capital of Edinburgh is the perfect place to spend a long weekend. As a small, compact metropolis it is quite easy to get from one place to another; you can walk between most places, but if you need to use the city's bus network, it is quick and cheap. Having said that, it is still best to choose accommodation not too far from the city centre to maximise time on such a short visit.
Accommodation Tip: Look for a hotel in the Old Town. With the winding cobblestone streets and endless rows of Georgian architecture, it gives you a flavour of Edinburgh at its best. It may cost just slightly more, but the price is absolutely worth it.
Day One
Your first day should begin with a walk up the Royal Mile to its summit where you will find Edinburgh Castle. Exploring the castle grounds gives you not only a good view of the surrounding countryside, but it is a great way to get orientated with the city layout. Afterwards, head down the hill - be sure to pop into one of the shops and check out the array of souvenirs on offer - and then make a left onto Bank Street and admire the headquarters of Bank of Scotland in front of you; it is beautifully lit at night and forms a centrepiece on the skyline.
This road slopes steeply downward towards the main thoroughfare of the city, Princes Street. The area to your left and right is called Princes Street gardens; it was formerly a lake that separated the two halves of the city, the Old Town and the New Town. The steep slope of this road is called the Mound, an artificial hill made when the lake was drained.
Just before your reach Princes Street, you'll find just to your right two large buildings - these are the National Galleries of Scotland. The main galleries are free to explore, but the rotating schedule of special exhibitions has a cover charge. See what is on display - the exhibitions are popular with tourists and locals alike. End your day with a brief perusal of the shops on Princes Street - the street is always busy so do your best to fight the crowds and enjoy.
Dining Tip: Try one of the high-end pub/restaurant establishments on George Street, just a block behind Princes Street. Despite the high-brow atmosphere, it is still possible to have a reasonably priced meal. A favourite is Brown's, on the west end of George Street.
Day Two
Start your second day with a heart-pumping walk up to the highest point in Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat. Alongside the bracing winds and great views, from here it is easy to see how nature is well blended into the city's urban landscape. There are multiple routes up to this point and all require appropriate footwear; for those who might find it a bit too daunting, the road underneath the Salisbury Crags offers similar views but is a more stable underfoot.
Once back down on lower levels, see what you think of the striking architecture of the Scottish Parliament which has been the subject of much debate in the city.
It is possible to tour the building and there is both a café and shop inside, beyond the security checkpoint. Across the street from the parliament is the modest Palace of Holyrood. This is the Queen's official residence in Scotland; while not as glorious as other royal residences, the palace has seen much history.
Tickets include access to the adjacent Holyrood Abbey, now in ruins but still beautiful. The rest of your afternoon should be spent wandering back up the Royal Mile; try stopping in at Clarinda's, a wonderful tea room not far from the Parliament, for some tea and scones to perk up your spirits.
About halfway back up towards the castle, you will find a narrow alleyway home to the Royal Mile's most popular attraction: Mary King's Close. This is only one section of an underground maze of the former streets of the city. Mary King's is famous in particular as it was the place that plague victims were sent and then subsequently sealed off from the rest of the city, left for death. The displays in this attraction are authentic and give you a visual interpretation of life in this time of history.
After dark, Edinburgh's murky history comes to life. Make reservations for one of the several ghost tours that depart from the Royal Mile. You'll hear about some of the brutal stories and infamous figures in Scottish history; for the fearless, book the tour of Greyfriar's Kirkyard, supposedly the most haunted place in the entire city and home to the Mackenzie Poltergeist.
Dining Tip: George IV Bridge, which runs south from the Royal Mile to Greyfriar's Kirk, is lined with cafes and restaurants on both sides. Grab an Indian at Namaste Kathmandu or opt for a traditional British meal at Monster Mash.
Day Three
Your last day in Edinburgh starts further afield in Leith, Edinburgh's port. Take any number of buses that are destined for Ocean Terminal, a shopping plaza in which you will find the Royal Yacht of Britannia, the ship which was the royal residence at sea until she was decommissioned in 1997. The tour of the ship is extensive; each of its luxurious decks can be fully explored with a helpful audio guide. On board there is even a sweet shop similar to what would have been on board for the crew, and there are plans to open a café.
After your visit, spend some time in Ocean Terminal itself - it is one of the newest shopping developments in Edinburgh and has a wide range of restaurants and stores. The café at Baxters offers excellent food as well as a view over the piers at Leith; on most days it is possible to see across the estuary to Fife, the county to the north.
Spend the afternoon in the shops on Princes Street, or perhaps instead explore the boutiques in Old Town. One of the most popular shopping streets is Victoria Street, a picturesque lane that connects the Royal Mile with the Grassmarket.
Dining Tip: Grab some pub grub in one of the Grassmarket pubs, such as The Last Drop (named so for the last public hanging that took place just outside on the square).
In Summary
It is possible to spend every waking moment exploring the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh's historic city centre. Do as the locals do: take everything at your own pace, don't be afraid to stop and investigate a narrow lane or an interesting shop, and soak up the ambience of the UK's most historic and vibrant cities.
You should also look at our collection of recommended Edinburgh Day Trips to see if there is anything you fancy.
