Things to See in Edinburgh

Bus Tours—if the weather’s nice, this is a great way to see the highlights of the city with an audio commentary offering fun facts and stories.

Walking Tours—probably the most popular way to see the city. There are many, many groups that offer walking tours. This website is just one example of what’s on offer.

Edinburgh Castle—the most popular tourist spot in Edinburgh, and for good reason. The history, the atmosphere, the view of the city…it’s really spectacular. It is highly recommended that you get your tickets ahead of time.

Palace of Holyroodhouse—at the opposite end of the Royal Mile is the King's official residence in Edinburgh and a veritable treasure-trove of Scottish history. Open dates are subject to change due to the Royal Family’s schedule. Again, advance tickets are highly recommended.

John Knox House—a fascinating medieval building on the Royal Mile that was saved from demolition due to its association with the famous Scottish reformer. Touring the house is not just about John Knox, though, as it covers the history of the building dating back to 1470. Tickets are available from a third party site here.

St. Giles’ Cathedral—a magnificent cathedral that dates back to the 14th century. It still functions as a parish church for the Church of Scotland, and many important national services are held here.

National Museum of Scotland—a vast collection celebrating Scottish history and culture. Admission is free, and it’s helpful to use the website to plan your visit because there’s more than you can see in a single day.

The Real Mary King’s Close—this is a fascinating time-capsule that takes you underground to visit a warren of hidden streets that were a hub of life and business from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

The Writer’s Museum—the Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Admission is free and you can wander at your discretion to view portraits, rare books and personal objects from the authors’ lives.

Rosslyn Chapel—a 15th century Episcopal chapel known for its beautiful surroundings and mysterious aesthetic. Rosslyn Chapel features in the book and movie “The DaVinci Code” because of its supposed links to the Knights Templar. The chapel is quite a ways out from the city centre, but you can Uber or sometimes find a bus tour heading there.