Edinburgh is the stunning capital of Scotland and a gorgeous city to spend a few days exploring. There is so much wonderful history, including Scotland’s crown jewels, Mary Stuart, and of course Harry Potter.
I visited Edinburgh for the first time last March and spent 48 hours in this historic city. I would definitely visit again as there is still so much more to explore.
Beware: The city is extremely hilly so make sure you have some sturdy walking shoes!
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Where to Stay
I stayed at the lovely Apex Grassmarket Hotel located in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town Grassmarket area. Grassmarket is a pedestrian square featuring restaurants, pubs, and shops. This hotel was centrally located with fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle. The pricing was relatively inexpensive, about $100 per night, with a free breakfast each morning. Waking up every morning with a view of Edinburgh Castle was definitely worth it!
Coffee Shop, Pubs, Bars, and Restaurants
If you are looking for a pastry and refreshing cup of coffee before hiking up to Calton Hill, I would recommend Rabbie’s Café Bar. It is located near the base of Calton Hill and is a casual café serving sandwiches, soups, pastries, and coffee. They even have a refrigerated section to grab cold water or juice.
One of the tastier pubs in the Grassmarket area is Biddy Mulligans. They feature an Irish pub menu with delicious beers on tap. I would recommend trying their Sticky Toffee Pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream!
While roaming the city, I stumbled upon The World Famous Frankenstein bar. Located next door to The Elephant House is a 3 story Frankenstein themed gothic bar. Originally a 19th century church, The World Famous Frankenstein is a horror themed pub with flashing lights, monster shows, and the original Frankenstein movie playing on two large screens above the bar. This themed pub takes up the top 2 stories with Bier Keller located on the bottom floor. This bar was really awesome to visit and featured some great beers on tap.
While traveling throughout the UK you sometimes start to crave a tasty Italian meal. Right across the street from my hotel was a delicious Italian restaurant called Made In Italy. I ended up eating here twice because of the inexpensive but amazing meals. The service was incredible, and the owner recognized my husband and I when we came in a second time. I would definitely recommend eating here if you are looking for an amazing Italian meal.
City Highlights
1. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle was built in the 11th century and houses the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny. There is so much to see and do that touring the castle can take an entire day so I would stick to the highlights if you only have a few hours to explore. The crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny are a must see and should be completed first! I would also recommend The Royal Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI, The Great Hall, and Prisons of War. The website has some great itineraries if you need some structure.
2. Stroll Down Old Town (Royal Mile)
From Edinburgh Castle, take the time to stroll down the Royal Mile (High Street) all the way to Palace of Holyroodhouse. This encompasses Edinburgh’s old town and is a lovely 1 mile walk to the palace. There are shops, restaurants, bars, and pubs along the way to keep you well hydrated and entertained.
3. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Located at the very end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is a 16th century palace and the official residence of the British monarch. The most notable historical figures who lived here were Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Mary Stuart’s bed chambers, supper room, and outer chamber are still located in the palace along with Bonnie Prince Charlie’s bedchambers.
4. Calton Hill
Calton Hill has some of the city’s best views with neoclassical monuments at the top. It also houses iconic Scottish monuments like Nelson’s Monument, Robert Burns Monument, and the National Monument.
5. Explore New Town (Princes Street)
From Calton Hill, walk up Princes Street and you will be in Edinburgh’s New Town. New Town has upscale boutiques, chain retail stores, chic hotels, and fancy cocktail lounges. I would recommend staying in Old Town as it is a more quiet and historic part of Edinburgh, but definitely take the time to explore New Town.
6. Hike Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano and the highest peak in Edinburgh. The hill rises above the city at 822 feet and provides breathtaking views of the city. It is definitely a hike to get to the top but well worth it!
Until next time,
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