The Best Things to do in Edinburgh
As the capital city of Scotland, there are so many things to do in Edinburgh and with the city centre being located right on our hotel doorstep, you can explore most of our capital’s culture, history and heritage on foot.
A breathtakingly beautiful city all year round, there’s something here for everyone. Edinburgh offers you outstanding sightseeing, iconic landmarks, historic buildings to explore, cobbled side streets to wander down, quiet galleries and museums to intrigue you, thrilling new attractions to discover, famous festivals and cultural events, serious shopping and a vast choice of excellent restaurants, cafes, bistros, wine bars, clubs and pubs to suit all tastes, including our very own Logan’s.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is undoubtedly one of the most iconic things to do in Edinburgh. Perched on an extinct volcano towering over the city, the castle offers breathtaking views and encapsulates the historic charm of Edinburgh.
Located only a twenty-minute walk away from our hotel, you can visit this World Heritage Site and marvel at the rich, unique architecture as you discover the complex history of the fortress, as well as Edinburgh’s oldest building that lies in the Castle’s grounds, St Margaret's Chapel, which dates back to the 1100s.
The Royal Mile
Leading up to the castle is the Royal Mile. At the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the mile connects the castle at its head and the Palace of Holyrood at its foot. Always bustling with tourists and locals alike, this is a must-see spot in Edinburgh. Wander along on a sunny day and enjoy a plethora of shops, bars, restaurants, street performers, cathedrals and more.
Gladstones Land
Gladstones Land is a must see thing to do in Edinburgh for architecture fans and history lovers. The building is an example of an early high-rise tenement building, now synonymous with Edinburgh’s architecture, which housed a diverse range of social classes. Visit to experience how people lived and worked in Edinburgh’s Old Town over 300 years ago and see firsthand how the rich and poor lived side by side.
Edinburgh Zoo
If you’re visiting with a young family, Edinburgh Zoo is one of the best things to do in the city. Home to over 1,000 animals, you can meet everything from lions and monkeys to goats and spiders! Located only a short ten minute bus ride from the hotel, you can enjoy Hilltop Safari rides, children’s play areas, restaurants, gift shops and events all year round – from the daily penguin parade to the annual giant lanterns exhibition before Christmas.
Calton Hill
For some of the best views in Edinburgh, you can climb to the top of Calton Hill. Only a short five to ten minute walk uphill, the short climb is well worth the views over the city on one side and the wider Leith area on the other. Once at the top, you can also enjoy the Collective Contemporary Art Gallery and the (unfinished) National Monument.
Edinburgh Playhouse
Round the corner from Carlton Hill is Edinburgh Playhouse. A former cinema in Edinburgh, the Playhouse now hosts touring musicals, concerts, comedians and more. As the largest working non-sporting theatre in the UK, the Playhouse is a must visit if you’re a cultural fan.
Galleries & Museums
With so many galleries and museums in Edinburgh it’s hard to pick just one. If you’re keen to learn more about Scotland’s vast and varied heritage, you should visit the Museum of Scotland. When you visit the museum you can choose from a range of exhibitions, including Scottish History and Archaeology, the Natural World, Science and Technology and Art, Design and Fashion.
Or if you prefer galleries over museums, you can choose from the Scottish National Gallery on Princes Street, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the Old Town or the Gallery of Modern Art, which is only a fifteen minute walk from our hotel.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
No list of things to do in Edinburgh would be complete without mentioning the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Held every year in August, the Fringe is the largest art festival in the world. Every year we see tourists and entertainers alike visit us from all over the world for a month full of entertainment, fun and laughter.
However, with so many other festivals and events in Edinburgh all year round, it’s never a bad time to visit. If you can’t make it in August, there’s still plenty to do in other months with festivals such as the International Science Festival, Film Festival, Book Festival, the Hogmanay Street Party and much more.
Explore the Rest of Scotland
With so much to do and see in Edinburgh, we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to leave! However, if you’re looking to discover more of what Scotland has to offer, Edinburgh is the perfect base to explore the surrounding areas. Get a sense of Scottish coastal life and visit the quaint seaside villages of the East Neuk of Fife, the iconic St Andrews or any other areas on the scenic East Lothian coast - all easily accessible by train, bus or car. It’s also easy to arrange day trips to Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Rosslyn Chapel and much more.