Things to do in Edinburgh

Activities, attractions and tours

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle which includes a park
Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden which includes a park and heritage elements

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

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Most popular experiences in Edinburgh

Tours & day trips

See all 522 activities
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Activity duration is 12 hours and 30 minutes
9.4 out of 10 with 90 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €106 per adult
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Private & custom tours

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Edinburgh: Scottish Tasting Platter at The Tolbooth Tavern

Edinburgh: Scottish Tasting Platter at The Tolbooth Tavern

Activity duration is 1 hour
10.0 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €30 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 21 activities
Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Highland Cow Hike in Edinburgh

Activity duration is 5 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €86 per adult
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Holiday & seasonal tours

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Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Edinburgh: Underground Vaults Evening Ghost Tour with Whisky

Activity duration is 2 hours
9.2 out of 10 with 21 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €33 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 10 activities
Queensferry: Maid of the Forth 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise

Queensferry: Maid of the Forth 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
9.8 out of 10 with 7 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €21 per adult
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What to do in Edinburgh

Popular places to visit

Edinburgh Castle which includes heritage elements and château or palace

Edinburgh Castle

Fortress, palace and repository of the crown jewels, this landmark overlooking the city has played a crucial role in Scottish history.

Edinburgh Castle
Royal Mile which includes a house, heritage architecture and street scenes

Royal Mile

Explore this area in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town to find ancient buildings, historic relics, shops, museums and range of dining options.

Royal Mile
Princes Street

Princes Street

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Princes Street. Experience the lively festivals and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Princes Street
University of Edinburgh showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

University of Edinburgh

The campus of Edinburgh's venerable educational institution is spread seamlessly around the architecture of the city and opens to the public during year-round events.

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Zoo showing land animals and zoo animals

Edinburgh Zoo

See rare and endangered species and learn about the efforts to conserve them at Edinburgh’s largest wildlife attraction.

Edinburgh Zoo
Grassmarket

Grassmarket

During your visit to Edinburgh, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Grassmarket. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this romantic area.

Grassmarket
Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

Enjoy a performance at Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, a theatre with a story to tell in Edinburgh. Experience the area's acclaimed art galleries and lively festivals.

Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre
George Street

George Street

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at George Street. Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this walkable area.

George Street
Dean Village

Dean Village

You can learn about the history of Edinburgh with a stop at Dean Village. Discover the area's fascinating museums and notable monuments.

Dean Village

Areas of Edinburgh

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Old Town Edinburgh

4.5/5(1,168 area reviews)

Wander the narrow alleys of Edinburgh's historic center to discover the hidden delights of an area that also encompasses some of the city's top attractions.

Old Town Edinburgh
Calton Hill featuring general coastal views, skyline and a city

Edinburgh City Centre

If you're spending time in Edinburgh City Centre, check out sights like Royal Mile or Edinburgh Castle and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St Andrew Square Tram Stop or Princes Street Tram Stop.

Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh which includes heritage architecture and night scenes

New Town

4.5/5(1,225 area reviews)

Stroll around the refined Georgian quarter of Edinburgh to encounter iconic monuments, stunning art galleries and an array of stores.

New Town
Royal Yacht Britannia featuring boating and interior views

Leith

5/5(1 area review)

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Edinburgh Port and Royal Yacht Britannia are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Leith
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Tollcross

4.5/5(49 area reviews)

Tollcross is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Usher Hall and King's Theatre while in the area.

Tollcross
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West End

4/5(668 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Dean Village to Johnnie Walker Princes Street – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

West End
North Berwick

North Berwick

South Queensferry

South Queensferry

Photo by Jock Watson

Gullane

Photo by James Gray

Livingston

Dunfermline

Dunfermline

Callendar House featuring heritage elements and château or palace

Falkirk

Photo by Jock Watson

Haddington

Lanark

Lanark

Frequently asked questions

Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Providing a mix of festivals and history, there's no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh. While you're here, visit Edinburgh Castle, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Edinburgh?
Kick your day off with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo. Then, explore different areas of Edinburgh for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Edinburgh?
Three days will give you plenty of time to tick off many city attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and Grassmarket. The average stay in Edinburgh is three days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, Newbridge isn't far away.
Is Edinburgh a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Edinburgh. Several top sights, such as Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Edinburgh's neighbourhoods, Edinburgh City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old Town Edinburgh is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Edinburgh with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all ages, here are some terrific ideas for what to do in Edinburgh with kids.

What to do in Edinburgh for adults?
Scotch Whisky Experience and Edinburgh Gin Distillery are just two of the things to do in Edinburgh. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Edinburgh?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Edinburgh is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Grassmarket is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.