Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is the gateway to the country, a medieval city with a unique charm. Ideally, you should stay here at least two or three days, to discover its wonderful attractions, from the famous Castle to the city's scenic spots. If you only stay a weekend, with the right arrangements you can manage to visit the city's must-sees and dedicate the third day to a visit in the surrounding area.
If you're planning a more extensive trip that also includes exploring the delights of England, you might want to consider expanding your itinerary. A short trip down would get you to the county of East Sussex, which is another amazing destination with its stunning coastline and historic sites. For accommodation in this region, you can check out the hotel deals in East Sussex at eastsussex-uk.com offering great value for your money.
Further along the coast, you'll come across the charming town of Hastings. Replete with maritime history and culture, it's a must-visit location in your UK trip. To embrace a comfortable and luxurious stay here, you can look up some of the best options on tophotels.com.
So now, with all there's to enjoy coupled with the perfect accommodation options, you're all set to plan a perfect 3-day Edinburgh itinerary that extends well beyond.
Consider buying a card: to save on the cost of individual attractions or transport, we recommend buying the Edinburgh City Pass, prices from €53.20.
Day 1
Distance travelled: 4.3 km
Places visited: Edinburgh Castle(guided tour with priority entry €38.00), Grassmarket and Victoria Street, Royal Mile and St. Egidius Cathedral (free offer), Holyrood Palace(ticket €20.50), Calton Hill, Old Town
Where to eat: Lunch at Cold Town House(Get directions), Dinner at The Three Sisters(Get directions)
First time in Edinburgh? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, we recommend you first take a guided tour in Italian with a local guide or a ride on the sightseeing bus with a panoramic deck. If you're in a family, also consider the free Harry Potter-themed walking tour!
1 - Edinburgh Castle
Start your city trip with one of the symbols par excellence: Edinburgh Castle (October to March 9:30am-4pm, April to September 9:30am-6pm; full price £15.50/€18.00), concessions £9.30/€10.80).
Edinburgh Castle is a timeless place with a unique charm. Inside there are several exhibition areas: on Crown Square, the citadel located at the top of the castle, the National War Memorial, the Great Hall and the Royal Palace face each other. The latter houses the Crown Room, where the Crown Jewels are kept, and the Stone of Destiny, the coronation throne.
SEE ALSO: Visiting Edinburgh Castle: times, prices and tips
Book in advance,or you'll lose precious time in the queue: the visit will take you all morning, and if you don't book in advance, with the queues at the ticket office it might not even be enough... the advice is to book a guided tour in Italian with skip-the-line entry, or try to go to the ticket office before it opens.
2 - Grassmarket and Victoria Street
For lunch add the wonderful Grassmarket, one of the city's most beautiful squares. Situated at the foot of the castle, it's the right area to stop by as there are plenty of Scottish pubs and clubs. This was once the old cattle market and the place where public executions of those condemned to death were held, and is still a popular meeting place.
Once you've had lunch, wander down the famous Victoria Street, the historic street of colourful old buildings that inspired J.K. Rowling to create the Diagon Alley of the Harry Potter novels. And Rowling frequented Edinburgh's very premises while writing the first chapters of the story. But that's not all: you'll find plenty of really typical little shops here, selling mainly handicrafts and local produce!
Astop for Harry Potter fans at the Museum Context: located on Victoria Street, this place is reminiscent of one of the magical shops in Diagon Alley. And, if you're a true fan of the young wizard saga, you definitely won't want to miss a Harry Potter-themed guided walking tour on this trip.
3 - Royal Mile and St Egidius Cathedral
Walk the length of Victoria Street and you'll arrive on the Royal Mile, the capital's main street, which runs all the way to the Scottish Parliament. Enjoy a stroll along the street, past small shops, boutiques and clubs.
Also don't miss a visit to the wonderful St Giles ' Cathedral, or St Giles' Cathedral, the city's main place of worship (Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm; free). Built from 1124 on the remains of an ancient 9th-century shrine, as well as admiring it from the outside, go inside to admire the beautiful stained glass windows and the statue of John Knox, reformer of the Scottish Church.
Stop at Mary King's Close: along the Royal Mile, just behind the Cathedral, is this small passageway. Reopened to the public in 2003, it is a damp, dark alleyway where the city's poor once lived. Definitely worth a short stop.
4 - Holyrood Palace
Walk the entire length of the Royal Mile and, in about 15 min, you'll reach Holyrood Palace, one of Edinburgh's most beautiful palaces (November to March 9:30am-4:30pm, April to October 9:30am-6pm; entrance fee €20.50).
Holyrood Palace is the official Scottish residence of the UK royal family and is probably the most beautiful palace in Edinburgh. The interior can only be visited when not hosting the Queen and other members of the Royal Family (see the dates on the official website) and inside you can admire numerous galleries, the royal flats, the Chapel and the wonderful ballroom. Also close to the palace are the remains of Holyrood Abbey.
If the palaceis closed or you are not interested in visiting, you can visit The Scotch Whisky Experience, an interactive museum where you can learn about the history of the famous Scotch Whisky, with a final tasting. The museum is located at the foot of the castle, near the Royal Mile.
5 - Calton Hill
Finally, end this early afternoon by admiring the sunset, weather permitting of course, from Calton Hill, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in all of Edinburgh! It's about a 15-minute walk from both Holyrood Palace and the Scotch Whisky Experience.
As well as admiring the wonderful views, you can visit several important monuments here, such as the National Monument of Scotland. But one of the most photographed is definitely the Dugald Stewart Monument.
Spend the evening in the Old Town: stop for dinner in the Scottish pub The Three Sisters and then enjoy the evening among the many bars. Near the pub you'll find venues such as Bannerman's Bar or the Escaper Room Department Of Magic. You can also head to Victoria Street. Alternatively, if you're a thrill-seeker, you can discover the city by night by joining a spooky walking tour of the city's underground pass ages or an Italian Ghost Tour.
Day 2
Distance travelled: 4.5 km
Places visited: National Museum of Scotland (free) or National Gallery of Scotland (free), Dean Village (free), Princes Street Gardens and Princes Street, Monument Scott (£8.00/€9.30), New Town and George Street
Where to eat: Lunch at The Painted Rooster(Get directions), Dinner at Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre(Get directions)
1 - Morning at the museum: National Museum of Scotland or National Gallery of Scotland
Photo by Syrio. Devote this morning to visiting one of the city's museums. We mainly recommend two: the National Museum of Scotland and the National Gallery of Scotland, both in the Old Town.
Option A at the National Museum of Scotland (daily 10am-4.30pm; free admission). This is one of the country's most important museums and inside you can trace the entire history of Scotland, from prehistory to the present day. The museum has six floors, all organised in chronological order.
Option B at the National Gallery of Scotland (daily 10am-5pm; free admission). One of Scotland's most important art museums. Here the collection is spread over three floors and you can admire works by Gauguin, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet, Rubens and many others. An entire floor is dedicated to the Scottish art collection and temporary exhibitions.
SEE ALSO: What to see at the National Museum of Scotland: opening times, prices and tips
2 - Dean Village
After your visit to the museum, head to Dean Village, one of the most picturesque residential areas in the city. From the museum take bus 3, 31 or 33 from the National Museum of Scotland stop and get off at Shandwick Place (12 mins), then walk to your destination (10 mins).
Also known as theWater of Leith Village, this district played an important role in Edinburgh's history: for over 800 years it was one of the richest areas due to the presence of the old water mills. Today you can stroll through the ancient streets, admire the buildings and relax in the gardens with only the sound of flowing water from the River Leith in the background and stop to admire the view from the Water of Leith Walkway bridge.
3 - Princes Street Gardens and Princes Street
After strolling through the quaint streets of Dean Village, head back to the historic centre to visit the New Town, the most modern part of the city. This time you can get around on foot: in just 10 minutes you'll reach Princes Street Gardens, one of the city's most beautiful green areas and a favourite with Scotsmen. Here you can't miss the Ross Fountain, a wonderful cast iron fountain from 1872, with four figures representing science, arts, poetry and industry, and the Floral Clock, a truly unique flower clock.
Also enjoy a stroll along Princes Street, one of Edinburgh's most elegant avenues, full of cafes, clubs and shops, until you reach the last stop of the day.
If you visit Edinburgh at Christmas: don't miss Winter Wonderland, the wonderful Christmas village hosted within the gardens in December, with markets, an ice rink and a spectacular Ferris wheel.
4 - Monument Scott
The last stop of the day is the Scott Monument, a distinctive Victorian-style memorial, visible from several points in the city (summer months daily 10am-9pm, winter months until 4pm; admission £8.00/€9.30). From Princes Street Gardens you can reach it easily on foot.
Featuring tall Gothic-style spires, it is dedicated to the writer Sir Walter Scott. Today it is possible to climb to the top of the monument after climbing 287 steps: the effort will surely be repaid by the wonderful view! If you visit Edinburgh in winter, the monument unfortunately closes at 4pm, but is still worth a visit from the outside.
Spend the evening in the New Town: the other face of Edinburgh's city centre, one of the centres of evening nightlife, especially along bustling George Street and Rose Street, packed with pubs and clubs. Pop into the Rose Street Brewery, enjoy an elegant evening at Never Really Here or lose yourself in the beauty of the Copper Blossom, also a very Instagrammable venue.
Day 3
Distance travelled: 573 km
Places visited: Loch Ness, Glencoe and Scottish Highlands(tour from Edinburgh in Italian €78.00) / Alternative to Queensferry and 3 Bridge Firth of Forth cruise (€17.90)
Where to eat: packed lunch recommended, Dinner at Biddy Mulligans(Get directions)
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands
If you are only staying in Scotland for the weekend then use this day to visit one of the most famous places in the world: Loch Ness. It is really far from the capital, about 270 km, so the best solution is to rely on a guided tour in Italian from Edinburghwhich, in addition to the included transport, also includes other stops along the way.
On this day you will travel through the Scottish Highlands, an unspoilt area of great beauty, made up of rolling hills, mountains, forests and lochs. First stop is Glencoe, a small town with stunning views of the lake and mountains, while at lunchtime you will arrive in the beautiful drive of Fort William. Finally, you will reach the famous Loch Ness, where you can also board a boat in search of Nessie, the famous monster that lives in its waters. A truly unique experience.
Bewell organised: the day will be challenging, the tour takes 12 h 30 min due to the distance. Pack a picnic lunch, ideal for such occasions, and bring an umbrella and a kway. Also make sure to book the tour from Edinburgh in good time, it is one of the most popular activities.
Alternative day trip: Queensferry and 3 Bridge Firth of Forth cruise
If, by chance, these three days you spend in Edinburgh are just one leg of your long trip to Scotland and you already have plans to visit Loch Ness, then you can dedicate yourself to an excursion in the surrounding area. For example, we recommend Queensferry, located just a few kilometres from Edinburgh on the Scottish coast. You can reach Queensferry easily by train (direct train company ScotRail, Edinburgh Waverley-Dalmeny, 25 min).
Queensferry still retains the charm of an old fishing village but is most famous for its Forth Bridge, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best way to see it is with a cruise of the 3 Firth of Forth bridges, a truly wonderful experience. Then take some time to stroll around the old town, past craft shops and small establishments, it feels like stepping back in time.
SEE ALSO: Excursions from Edinburgh
How much does a weekend in Edinburgh cost
Edinburgh, like all large cities in the United Kingdom, is not a cheap destination, due to the cost of living, not very different from that of large Italian cities. Fortunately, there are numerous direct low-cost flights from Italy(compare flights).
For accommodation, the best areas are the Old Town and the New Town, especially with only two nights available. Staying here, you'll be close to the main attractions, with all amenities close at hand, and you'll be able to get around on foot, without having to buy tickets and transport passes. Alternatively, you can consider the tourist bus to explore the city. For lunch and dinner, however, stop at typical Irish pubs: here you will find traditional dishes, good beers and honest prices.
Let's take a detailed look at the costs of a weekend in Edinburgh:
Costsfor eating: approx. €50.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Costsfor museums and attractions: average price €40.00 per day per person following our suggested itinerary including tours to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands
Transport: average price €5.00 per person per day
Hotels, accommodation and B&Bs: from €70.00 per room - see offers
Entertainment: from €25.00 per person per day (including snacks, coffee, drinks, ...)
Total cost of a weekend in Edinburgh: from €410.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)
Before you go: useful tips
Choose the good season: May to September, for milder temperatures and longer days, although rain is present almost every day. There are also numerous events during this period, such as the Edinburgh International Festival or the Fringe Festival - find out more here;
Always carry an umbrella: it rains often in Edinburgh, almost every day, even in summer. Make sure you always have an umbrella or mackintosh with you;
Where to sleep: in Old Town, close to the main attractions. New Town for nightlife (along George Street). For cheaper accommodation Dean Village and Stockbridge - neighbourhood map here;
Getaround on foot: Edinburgh is a city on a human scale, perfect for exploring on foot. Walking through its streets is like stepping back in time, plus the attractions are close together - find out more here;
Discover the city by night: if you love thrills, join a spooky walking tour of the city's underground pass ages or an Italian ghost tour and discover the mysterious side of the city;
Experiencethe atmosphere of Scottish pubs: stop for lunch and dinner in a typical Scottish pub, where you can soak up the local atmosphere and sample traditional dishes, accompanied by excellent beers - find out more here.