Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland and have been there twice. Still love it and for sure I'll return soon. No matter when, always take an umbrella or raincoat with you, because you never know when it begins to rain. Other than that, I can't get enough of this beautiful, historic, comfy little city.
Be it a weekend escape or a proper vacation. Edinburgh is one of the finest cities that you can explore while not having plenty of time. Two days are completely enough to get a first, but already more detailed impression whether you like the Scottish lifestyle or not.
Well, of course you'll love it to be there, because the Scots are super friendly, funny, even quirky sometimes. They play life music in pubs, are proud of who they are, honest and all in all the perfect companion.
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE VISITING EDINBURGH
#1 ARTHUR'S SEAT
Yepp, it is about hiking and a nice walk from city centre to the outskirts of Edinburgh.
The Arthur's Seat is a nice place to climb and drinking a hot coffee and eating some biscuits on top with your friends. Take care, it is very windy, because there are no trees growing on that hill or small mountain. And, even in summer it gets a bit chilly. Take enough breaks when you are not used to hiking.
#2 HOLYROOD HILL
Good call, the Holyrood Hill is next to the Arthur's Seat. That means, no matter where you arrive first, you can explore the other as well. The Holyrood Hill is a nice walk and from spring to autumn, wild flowers are growing all over the place.
#3 THE WORLDS END
The Worlds End is a pub and restaurant with a very lovely staff. Always joking and making fun, real entertaining while drinking your pint of Guinness or eating for dinner. Whatever you did during the day, the Worlds End is a perfect escape of the busy life and to relax while being on the road.
Next to regular food you get authentic Scottish meals as well. Be it a common fish stew, haggis, pudding or Scottish salmon, no matter what it is, its heavenly tasty.
PRO TIP
Did you know that The Worlds End is called like that, because back in the old days it was the last pub before there has been the outer wall that was keeping the people save from the inside and keep enemies out. With that said, either it was the first pub they went to for a fine beer, or the last thing that they ever seen before they had to get out of the city.
#4 EDINBURGH CASTLE
Built in the 12th and a location that has seen many battles, 26 times besieged, but never has been completely destroyed is one of the things you have to explore while you are in Edinburgh. Just to name two of the most important tragedies have been the Jacobite Rising and the bloody Wars of the Scottish Independence.
Did you know that the castle is standing on top of a 200 - 350 million old extinct volcano? Sort of creepy, I know.
It is specially a good spot in case of a rainy day. You buy your ticket after you entered the entrance of the castle. Take an umbrella with you, because the counters are outside and sometimes you have to wait awhile until you get your ticket.
PRICES
You can get a regular, skip the queue and tour guide tickets. Book them online or in front of the castle. Prices vary up to two Euros/Pounds.
Booking online:
Adult (16-59 yrs): £17.50
Adults (60 yrs + and unemployed): £14.00
Child (5-15 yrs): £10.50
Child under 5: £0.00
Young Scot holder card: £1.00
Costs to buy them at the gate:
Adult (16-59 yrs): £19.50
Adults (60 yrs + and unemployed): £16.00
Child (5-15 yrs): £11.50
Child under 5: £0.00
OPENING HOURS All year around.
Summer
1st April – 30 September: 9:30 – 6pm
Last entry at 5pm
Winter
1st October – 31 March: 9:30 – 5pm
Last entry at 4pm
An audiobook is advised in case you or one of your comrades are not good at understanding English. With that you don't need to worry to miss anything.
Following languages that are available: English, Spanish, Gaelic, Italian, Chinese, German, French, Russian and Japanese.
I already have been there twice and both times I saw something new. One fun part is to be there shortly before 1 pm, because that's the time when a Scottish dressed soldier is shooting once in the air. Be prepared the one o´clock gun is very loud, and I was caught in surprise by filming it and moved the camera a little. Still fun though, and we had to laugh, because so many have been shocked by the noise. After that you can take photos with the soldier and always open for a nice chat.
Things that can be explored are a museum, St.Margarets Chapel, the castle itself, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots son James the VI, Great Hall, prisons of war, café in case you need to recharge energy, Crown Jewels (no photos allowed) and everywhere some little historic gems can be found.
#5 ROYAL MILE
Not only being the street almost exactly a mile (approx. 1,6km) long , but it's also the busiest tourist street in the old town which is connecting the castle with the Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongrate and Abbey Strand. There are several guidebooks, THE spot for tour guides in general, no matter where you begin and is only rivalled by the Princes Street that can be found in the New Town.
Furthermore, the Royal Mile is crossing two signifiant historian buildings. Of course, one is the Edinburgh Castle and the other Holyrood Palace.
That means, the old town is the fundamental heart of the city, since it's there for hundreds of years and the richness of history, imagining that the queen and other important people have walked there, the same as you is almost impossible to imagine.
These days, the Royal Mile has several shops, such as knitwear, kilts, jewellery, plenty of tourist gift shops, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions in general.
Specially during summer it gets very crowded, because not only it is a nice season to visit the city, no it's also the time for street food and art festivals that can be explored in August.
#6 PUB CRAWL
A pub crawl basically means that you are gathering in a group, mostly in your Hostel and get ready for a night of drinking and jumping from one pub to the other. The first drink you normally get cheaper, for free or you'll get some Token that you can spend in the pubs that are on the list.
I tried and failed to stay almost sober until the last pub, most cases I have been super tipsy and stopped to drink alcohol and switched to lemonade or water. Usually you are thirsty and want to drink a cold Guinness or a whiskey, often you won't only drink one. Imagine, to do that for 6 to 8 pubs or more, you'll be wasted. But I have to say, even though you are not a big fan of drinking, it is lots of fun to join the group to get to know the night-life of Edinburgh better.
#7 GHOST TOUR / UNDERGROUND VAULTS
There are so many Ghost Tours that it's hard to keep up. Some of them are for free or you have to pay a small amount of money. Depending on what kind of tour you choose you get the chance to explore the dark vaults of Edinburgh and get to know some more stories that you could have missed when you just chose a Ghost Bus Tour, as a sample. I put together some ideas of Ghost Tours that you can join while being there. Otherwise, just ask about those tours in the Hostel where you are about to stay (in case you do so).
THE GHOST BUS TOURS €18.67
#8 CALTON HILL
Specially beautiful in the early morning, during sunrise, or evening to watch the sunset. I did both and have to say that I really enjoyed it. It is so beautiful, because you can overview the entire city to one side, and the water to the other. The perfect place to take a break, enjoy a cup of coffee that you prepared already before, and just take a deep breath, enjoying the colour play in the sky.
The Calton Hill is actually included in the UNESCO and World Heritage Site and is often used to take photos or even paintings have been done up there. Before you enter the Hill, you'll already see from further away a tower and another monument, while walking up, you'll stumble across an old cemetery which I advise you to pay a visit as well.
Numerous monuments and buildings that can be found at the Calton Hill or nearby:
National Monument, Nelson Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, Old Royal High School (you heard right), Robert Burns Monument, Political Martyrs Monument, City Observatory, the Scottish Government which is based at the St. Andrew's House and the Scottish Parliament Building are right there. The Holyrood Palace lies near the foot of Carlton.
#9 HARRY POTTER TOUR
Everyone should know about that name and should have at least a clue who J.K.Rowling is. For every H.P. fan it is a small corner on their bucket list, to explore once where she wrote most of the books, gained the ideas and how the tea tastes that she got plenty of times while relaxing in a small café. Or better one of the many.
Cafés where she truly wrote the Harry Potter books: Spoon, The Elephant House, Traverse Theatre Café
Now, without further introduction I move my wand and present you some Tours that you can decide to join:
HARRY POTTER WALKING TOUR €13.43
QUILLS AND MAGIC WANDS TOUR for kids / pricey but worth it €411
WONDERFUL WIZARDING BUS TOUR €41.95
THE POTTER TRIAL - the original € FOR FREE
#10 SCOTTISH WHISKY TOUR For everyone who likes to drink whisky or is interested in the process of making whisky in general is welcome to join. There are several tours that you can book that vary from daily tours to just a couple of hours.
Whisky is not my type of drink, even though I really like the colours and the stories behind it.
Therefore, I collected some Whisky Tours for you that may fit to you.
THE SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE €17.90
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Thank you so much and see you in the future,
Sina
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