Edinburgh is a city where beautiful medieval architecture, elegant neoclassical urbanism, lush green hills, ghost stories, and colorful stores bars all come together to form a vibrant capital, bustling with life, charm, and history. In Edinburgh, there is so much to do and see that it could easily take a few months just to explore everything the city has to offer!
Considered the capital of Scotland since at least the 14th century, Edinburgh has evidence of human settlement in the area dating back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Home of many Kings and Queens of Scotland, it has many facets and titles: it’s the first city in the world to be proclaimed a UNESCO World City of Literature, the most haunted city in Europe, the intellectual center of Europe in the Age of Enlightenment, fortress of Scotland, the Athens of the North, and of course, the Auld Reekie (Old Smokey, due to the chimney-made smog that covered the city in the 1800s).
Edinburgh’s Old Town
Edinburgh is divided into two areas: the Old Town and the New Town. While the New Town was built in the 17th century, in a Georgian, Neoclassical style, the Old Town is Edinburgh’s historic city center. Its sloping streets weave through the tall stone buildings, the many towers, and chimneys that make up Scotlands’ ancient skyscrapers. The architecture in the Old Town is a mish-mash of styles ranging from the 12th, 16th to even 19th centuries.
The Old Town is made of one historical landmark after another, monuments, tours, markets - there is so much to see, so let’s break down all of Old Town's most enrapturing attractions.
Edinburgh Castle
Exploring the Old Town can start at one of the most famous monuments in all of Scotland: Edinburgh Castle. The castle stands tall above and overlooking the entire city, constructed atop Castle Rock, where evidence indicates people have settled on since the Iron Age. Parts of the castle date back to the 12th century, and it’s one of the most important strongholds of Scotland, having never been taken by force in its centuries of bloody, battle-riddled history, despite the numerous times it has been under siege.
Today, Edinburgh Castle can be visited on self or guided tours. Visitors can climb up the towers of the fortress and look down at the city through its centenary walls, like many soldiers, kings, queens, and knights have done centuries before.
Edinburgh Castle Tour Tickets are available online or on-site, whatever you prefer. Pro tip: buying online can save you having to lose time at the ticket line.
The Royal Mile
Climbing down Castle Rock will take tourists to the Royal Mile, one of the busiest and most popular streets in Edinburgh. Beyond the marvelous architecture, various shops, stores, and whiskey bars, the Royal Mile hosts many landmarks and attractions in its long stretch.
There are haunted tours through historic closes - small and cramped alleyways, which have seen centuries of scary stories -, including the famous underground Mary Kings Close, and the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions interactive experience. in the Outlook Tower museum.
Along the cobblestone sidewalk there is a statue of philosopher David Hume - for any scholars out there, don’t forget to touch his toe for good luck in your studies! -, the University of Edinburgh, the Scotch Whisky Experience - a guided tour through the history of Whisky, and yes tasting is included -, the 14th century St. Giles Cathedral and the fascinating Scottish Parliament, standing out from all the ancient structures with its modernist, conceptual architecture representing the Scottish history and the city.
Greyfriars Bobby
Dog lovers will love the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, reportedly the most loyal dog in Scotland, who went every day to his late owner’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard till his own death in 1858. The statue sits just across the Kirkyard, and for spooky lovers - a haunted tour through the graveyard is also a must!
After all of that your stomach might be rumbling, but don’t worry: Edinburgh has so many cafés, pubs, restaurants, and bars, old and new, finding one that suits your wants and needs will never be an issue - make sure to set aside some time to enjoy some Scottish Breakfast while you’re there.
Holyrood Palace
At the end of the Royal Mile stands the Holyrood Palace, the official residence of Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 16th century. Parts of the palace, such as St. Margarets Abbey was built in 1128. The ruins of the Abbey are still standing and can be visited, as well as the chamber of Mary Queen of Scots. Tickets to visit Holyrood Palace are available online.
Holyrood Palace is still the official royal residence in Scotland, and Queen Elizabeth II spends at least one week there every summer.
Arthur’s Seat
Just beyond the palace is Holyrood Park, where the royal gardens are located, where the impressive Arthur’s Seat rises above Edinburgh.
Arthur’s Seat is an ancient, extinct volcano that makes for the highest peak in Holyrood Park. It is one of the sites that are thought by some to have been the location of King Arthur’s Camelot, and ruins around it could be of forts built in prehistoric times.
Arthur’s Seat is a relatively easy hill to climb, very popular for hillwalking, and offers an absolutely amazing view of Edinburgh’s sunsets and the sprawling city.