What to visit in Edinburgh? A quick guide to the city
by Ewa, fourth year, MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering
Have you been in a situation when your family or friends decide to visit you for a weekend and ask about your advice on what to visit in Edinburgh? There are so many things to see here, so what should you recommend?
Maybe you haven’t even visited some of the most beautiful sights yourself, because you have been too busy with your studies?
Hopefully, this blog will help you to plan an amazing weekend for any unexpected visitors (or yourself 😉).
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the heart of Edinburgh, it connects two royal residences – Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. While walking the Mile, you will see multiple amazing attractions such as The Real Mary King’s Close and the Camera Obscura, plus historical sites including St Giles’ Cathedral. Also it’s a great place to buy some souvenirs and try whisky or haggis!
Edinburgh Castle
Although there is a superstition that you shouldn’t visit Edinburgh Castle before you graduate, I definitely recommend going. It’s a beautiful place, where you can truly immerse yourself in Scottish history.
It is worth planning your visit there for at least two hours, as there is a lot to see including the Royal Palace, the Stone of Destiny, the Honours of Scotland, National Museum of War and definitely you can’t miss One o’Clock Gun.
Moreover, if you have Young Scot Card, the ticket is only £1!
Palace of Holyroodhouse
If you want to discover true luxury, you should definitely visit the King’s official residence in Edinburgh. Holyrood Palace is built next to the old Holyrood Abbey, surrounded by beautiful gardens resting in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat.
It’s a magical place to visit. There is a multimedia guide that will enable you to learn about the history of the palace and the Royal Family. The guide is available in different languages and is already included in the price of the ticket.
Plus – if you ask a Warden to stamp your ticket at the end of your visit, you can convert it into a one-year pass to get free re-admission to the Palace for 12 months!
National Museum of Scotland
This is a big museum where you can spend hours viewing exhibits from different fields and playing with interactive activities. There are four main sections – animals and our planet; technology; art, design and culture; and the history of Scotland.
Everyone can find something interesting and the building alone is outstanding. Plus the admission is free!
Calton Hill
You can’t visit Edinburgh without admiring the beautiful views from the top of Calton Hill. This hill is located in the centre of the city at the end of Princess Street. You can see the castle and Arthur’s Seat overlooking the whole city. And don’t worry, it’s only a hill! You don’t need to bring your climbing boots. 😉
So here you go – my five recommendations for places to take your family and friends or visit by yourself over a weekend.
But there is so much more to do in Edinburgh, so take a break from studying and explore it by yourself!
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