Things to do in Edinburgh
The cobbled Old Town has landmark sights including dramatic Edinburgh Castle. Have a tipple at The Scotch Whisky Experience before exploring the medieval world of The Real Mary King's Close. The view from Calton Hill takes in the romantic architecture of the New Town, and centuries of fine art are on display at the National Gallery of Scotland. Laugh with Robbie Burns on the Literary Pub Tour.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Scottish folk tales
The Storytelling Centre in the Old Town preserves the folk tradition of
accessible storytelling. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the interactive
displays and replicas. The 15th-century John Knox House next door tells the
story of old Edinburgh through objects and architecture.
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Cost
Free; John Knox House £3.50; concessions £1-£3
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Jul & Aug Sun 12pm-6pm
Address
43-45, High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 556 9579
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Post-war artworks
The grand Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art building is located west of
the city centre in a spectacular sculpture garden. It houses notable works
by Matisse, Picasso, Bacon and Warhol as well as an extensive collection of
Scottish works.
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Cost
Free; special exhibitions various
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
75, Belford Rd, Dean Village, Edinburgh EH4 3DR
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 624 6200
National Museum of Scotland
History comes to life
The award-winning National Museum of Scotland building in the Old Town
showcases Scotland's history. The imaginative displays bring to life the
light and dark sides of Scottish life. Look out for replicas of Scottish
burghs and Dolly the Sheep.
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Cost
Free (donations welcomed)
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 7534
National Gallery of Scotland
Scottish and European art
Housed in a grand neo-Classical building on the New Town's Mound, the
National Gallery of Scotland boasts one of the world's best collections of
European art. Admire the extensive Scottish collection, and look out for
Raeburn's famous Skating Minister.
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Cost
Permanent collection free; special exhibitions vary
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (until 7pm Thu)
Address
The Mound, Princess Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 2EL
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 624 6200
Transport
Buses to Princes Street - tram works may cause disruption
Website
The Scotch Whisky Experience
How whisky is made
Take a light-hearted, child-friendly barrel ride through the making, storing
and imbibing of Scotland's national drink at The Scotch Whisky Experience in
the Old Town. The ticket includes a dram of whisky, and a visit to the
well-stocked shop is recommended.
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Cost
£11; concessions £8.50; children over 5 years £5.95
Opening Hours
Sep-May daily 10am-6pm; Jun-Aug daily 9.30am-6.30pm
Address
354, Castle Hill, Royal Mile, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2NE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 220 0441
The Real Mary King's Close
Under the city
Underneath the Old Town's streets lurks the parallel neighbourhood of The
Real Mary King's Close. In this preserved piece of medieval Edinburgh,
you'll meet resident ghosts and find out how they lived until the plague
exterminated them in the 1600s.
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Cost
£10.50; concessions £9.50; children £6; no under 5s admitted
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct daily 10am-9pm (Aug from 9am); Nov-Mar Sun-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-9pm
Address
2, Warriston's Close, Writers' Court, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1PG
Telephone
+44 (0) 845 070 6244
Transport
Bus 23, 24, 27, 41, 42, 45 or 67 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Our Dynamic Earth
Ancient history
One of the Millennium Commission's success stories, Our Dynamic Earth is a
testament to the forces that shape our planet. A fantastic journey takes
visitors through the fascinating story of the Earth, with a multi-sensory
insight into the past, present and future.
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Cost
£9.50; concessions £7.50; 3-15s £5.95; under 3s free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm (last entry 3.50pm)
Address
Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 550 7800
St Giles' Cathedral
Reformation landmark
Gothic St Giles' Cathedral in the Old Town is known as the High Kirk. Here,
Reformationist John Knox gave speeches, inciting religious riots. Look out
for medieval carvings of bizarre creatures and impressive stained-glass
windows. There are concerts on Sunday night.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
May-Sep: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 1pm-5pm; Oct-Apr: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 1pm-5pm
Address
High Street, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 9442
Edinburgh Castle
Symbol of the city
Above the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city and is at the
epicentre of Scottish history. Tour guides tell of former royal residents,
showing visitors the crown jewels and Stone of Destiny, as well as the dingy
Vaults below.
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Cost
£12; concessions £10; children £6
Opening Hours
Apr-Sep 9.30am-6pm; Oct-Mar 9.30am-5pm (last admission 45 min before closing time)
Address
Castle Hill, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 9846
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Royal residence
The 12th-century Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Old Town is the Queen's
official residence in Scotland. When she is absent, the splendid apartments
and galleries are open to the public. Audio guides tell of Mary Queen of
Scots witnessing a murder here.
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Cost
Palace £10; Palace and Queen's Gallery £14Seniors & Students: Palace £9; Palace & Queen's Gallery £12.50 6-16s: Palace £6; Palace & Queen's Gallery £8; under 5s free
Opening Hours
Nov-Mar daily 9.30am-4.30pm; Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm (closed during Royal Visits)
Address
Holyrood Road, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 556 5100
Calton Hill
Romantic lookout
Calton Hill in the New Town offers an easier climb than Arthur's Seat with
equally rewarding views of Victorian buildings and chimneys. It's sprinkled
with neo-Renaissance structures such as the unfinished replica of the
Parthenon and the telescope-shaped Nelson Monument.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
New Town, Edinburgh EH7
Transport
Bus 1, 5, 7, 14, 15, 25, 34 or 49 - tram works may cause disruption
Literary Pub Tour
Beer and poetry
The two actor-guides in the Literary Pub Tour take visitors around old and
new Edinburgh with dramatised stories of the city's literary wits. Starting
at the Beehive Inn, it takes in historic pubs and quirky landmarks, ending
at the Café Royal.
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Cost
£8.50; concessions £7
Opening Hours
May-Sep daily 7.30pm; Mar, Apr & Oct Thu-Sun 7.30pm; Nov-Feb Fri 7.30pm
Address
18-20, Grassmarket, Old Town, Edinburgh EH12JU
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 7171
Royal Botanic Garden
Floral paradise
The plants of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Stockbridge live in their own
secluded world. Visitors can stroll among ponds, a rock garden and rare
flowers, or experience the 10 different climate zones of the glass-houses.
Some species are 200 years old.
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Cost
Garden free; glasshouses £3.50; concessions £3; children £1
Opening Hours
Apr-Sept daily 10am-7pm; Nov-Feb daily 10am-4pm; Mar & Oct daily 10am-6pm
Address
20A, Inverleith Row, Stockbridge, New Town, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 552 7171
Arthur's Seat
Scenic getaway
Edinburgh has an extinct volcano at its heart. Rising above Holyroodhouse
Palace, Arthur's Seat is an easy get-away from the bustle of the centre.
Climb the well-trodden paths to take in the panoramic city views.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
Edinburgh
Transport
Bus 36 or 69 - tram works may cause disruption
Dean Village
Where the millers lived
The mansions of Dean Village, just north of the New Town, are from the 19th
century, but the milling village dates back 700 years. Walk along the Water
of Leith to see ivy-covered statues, quaint houses and the 17th-century
baxters' building.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
North of the New Town, Edinburgh EH3
Transport
Bus 13, 19, 36, 37, 47 or X47 - tram works may cause disruption
