What attracts the visitors to Edinburgh the most? It's ability to take tourists to the past while being a lively and enjoyable city. The city offers excellent Gothic architecture and rich cultural heritage, making it a must-visit destination in Scotland. Whether you came to here for study purposes or vacation, there are numerous things to do in Edinburgh for a great experience. Thus, in this blog, we have listed out the top places to visit and attractions for tourists and learners.
Table of Contents
1. What is the best time of the year to explore the Edinburgh attractions?
2. Is Edinburgh a good place for families and kids to visit?
3. Are there any guided tours available in Edinburgh?
4. Can you explore Edinburgh on foot, or is transport needed?
5. Are there student-friendly attractions or hangout spots in Edinburgh?
As stated earlier, there are various great places to explore in Edinburgh. However, there is no fixed duration to visit the place, but late spring, early summer(May-June), and autumn(September-October) will be the suitable options. We have listed out the top 10 places to visit in Edinburgh in this section, you can see all.
The National Museum of Scotland is the largest multi-disciplinary museum, housing 12 million items in its collection. It has diverse collections of natural sciences, world cultures, science & technology and Scottish history and archaeology. The museum is committed to sharing its collections through exhibitions, education programs and community outreach. Its nearby locality provides many affordable student accommodation in Edinburgh as the museum is located near the University, especially within walking distance of the college.
Edinburgh Castle is known as the ‘defender of the nation’, is an active military base. An annual highlight that is, Royal Edinburgh military Tattoo is held in the month of August every year. It can be said that every tour to Edinburgh is incomplete without visit Edinburgh Castle as it is marked best heritage attraction for the consecutively fourth year in a straight line at the British Travel Awards 2014.
Arthur’s Seat is one of four hill forts dating back around 2,000 years. It is situated within Holyrood Park and provides walks, solace and volcanic geology, thus a must-visit Edinburgh attractions in the city. The park hosts many sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) due to its vast range of grassland habitats and its internationally vital volcanic geology.
The old town is famous as it forms the heart of Edinburgh’s historical and cultural identity. Edinburgh's Old Town has witnessed several key historical events. It includes the resurgence of artistic, intellectual and cultural activity, the Covenanters’ rebellion in the UK (17th century) and the Enlightenment (18th century). The Castle sits on a volcanic rock formation that was formed millions of years ago.
The Botanic Garden offers peace and tranquillity. It spread across 72 acres in Edinburgh city Centre, established in 1670. It is a world-leading Centre of excellence in plant science, conservation horticulture and education. It is the home of the world’s largest and richest plant collections, making it best Edinburgh attractions for tourists and learners.
The Wee Museum of Memory is run by the Living Memory Association. This is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh as itprovides a memory of the past of Scotland. It focuses on stimulating memories and conversations through familiar objects, for instance, household gadgets, old tools, school photographs, etc. The museum is built for hands-on experience, allowing one to recall the past, beneficial for individuals having dementia.
The Royal Yacht Britannia in theUK was once the personal ship of the royal family from 1953 to 1997. Later on, the Duke of Edinburgh did a new development in the design and furnishing of their floating home. It was a symbol of British royalty and a key part of the monarch’s life.
Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, which is located near Edinburgh Castle. At this place, one can experience the five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, fun games to enjoy, such as the shrinking room, vortex tunnel, etc. It offers great fun to all age groups and nationalities.
The Real Mary King’s Close is the best tourist attractions in Edinburgh, which provides a guided tour through the underground world under the Royal Mile. It was named after Mary King, a merchant in the 17th century. The tour experience is unique, offering a past perspective on Edinburgh’s history. However, the tour can be time taking due to the difficult terrain and slope, so it’s better to visit with companionship of family or friends to finish at good note.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarchy in Scotland. It was established in 1128 and is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh, which has a close connection with the history of Scotland. Today, the property is used as a royal palace, but is also open to the general public all year round. The most popular event, named ‘Holyrood Week of engagements’, is held every year from the end of June to the start of July.
These are the top things to do in Edinburgh, with their specialties. You can visit their official website for more detailed information. Now, in the next section, the blog covers some of the top attractions for the university learner.
As stated earlier, Edinburgh has something to offer for all age groups. If one visits Edinburgh for higher studies and wants to visit student attraction sites, this blog will guide you from scratch.
Youth have an unmatchable spirit for sport and related activities. If you are getting bored with your studies, then Murrayfield is a must-visit place. It is the home of the Scottish Rugby Union and the Edinburgh rugby team, as well as its cultural significance. The stadium hosted various rugby matches, such as the Six Nations’ championship and the Rugby World Cup.
If you visit Edinburgh, exploring The Meadows is a great adventure. It is a large public park known for its open grassland, vast tree-lined paths and various recreational facilities such as, playground, a tennis court and sports pitches. The Meadows is a spot for festivals, fairs and other social event.
Next in the list of best things to do in Edinburgh is Cowgate. The Cowgate is a street in Edinburgh, located about 550m southeast of Edinburgh Castle. It has much to offer the visitor in terms of culture and history. It is the site of historical interest where many popular personalities have lived and started businesses.
Experiencing the Edinburgh trams is the best venture in the city for a tourist. It is a modern tram system operating in the city, providing the best transportation connectivity between the city centre and the airport. This is affordable and easy to access, thus very much beneficial for the student community.
Portobello and other coastal areas are the kind of places in Edinburgh known for their independent character. It boasts a lively arts scene, monthly produce markets and Turkish baths. Portobello is a popular destination with beach lovers in the summer months, and has several bars, cafes and boutiques to explore.
Thus, hopefully you have now got the idea of great things to do in Edinburgh that make your visit exceptionally well. However, you should not limit yourself to just visiting the popular places, but there are many other fun-filled, enjoyable activities to explore.
If you are a kind of person who are sort of creative mind and is eager to explore some infamous activities to plan your day well, you must give a try to explore some exceptional activities. The following are some quick ideas about other recommended things to do in Edinburgh to ease your research.
Edinburgh provides many family-friendly activities, such as Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, etc. Other fun-having options include making chocolate at the Chocolatarium, getting interactive at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. In addition to this, families can spend their day in parks like Princess Street and Dynamic Earth and the National Museum of Scotland. Thus, tourist attractions in Edinburgh from a family perspective are huge in number, so you will not get bored.
A tour to Edinburgh is incomplete without exploring its traditional culinary cuisines. Haggis is at the top of the list, a savoury dish, traditionally served with neeps(turnips) and tatties(potatoes). Scotch whisky is another Scottish staple, famous for its rich flavours and distinct regional variations. With all these varieties of flavorful dishes, refer to the dining and drink places in Edinburgh that are given below:
Vibrant nightlife and long drives with friends during the visit are the excellent things to do in Edinburgh, to make your trip memorable. George Street is a famous area for nightlife. The following are the possible options for the best cozy night experience with your loved ones:
Edinburgh is a vibrant hub for creative activities. It hosts various festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe, the Edinburgh International Book Festival. City even boasts several museums and galleries such as the Scottish National Gallery, the Fruit Market Gallery and the Jupiter Artland sculpture park. There are many things to do in Edinburgh in terms of exploring cultural organisations and events, which are given below:
Numerous secret places in England are worth visiting, which are located near Edinburgh. So, you can enjoy the city and you will find plenty of quick things to do in Edinburgh and an uncovered beauty treasure. Thus, the following are the hidden beauties you must explore:
So, here you are! Edinburgh is a city of unlimited treasures to explore. From museums to cafes, it has diverse things to know and live. Whether you are a learner visiting Edinburgh for studies or just a tourist planning to visit the city in vacation, Edinburgh has plenty of hidden gems, spare activities and nightlife. Besides, the city offers the best student accommodation in UK at an affordable price, you can explore them as well.
The optimum time to explore Edinburgh is generally from June to August. It is because, warmer weather and fewer rainy days and longer days. This weather condition is perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Moreover, at this time, many Edinburgh cultural festivals also take place, thus ideal for a perfect vacation.
Definitely yes! Edinburgh is a family and kids-friendly city. The city provides a unique blend of historical and modern adventure attractions. Besides, the city is comparatively walkable, making it easy to explore with small children. It has several museums and galleries that tailored the needs of children, such as the Museum of Childhood and the Dynamic Earth.
Yes, Edinburgh provides multiple tours for visitors according to their interests. It has many historical, underground tours that have cultural and historical significance. In addition to this, the city offers thrilling tours as well that take you to the darker side of Edinburgh, such as Harry Potter locations and themed ghost tours.
Yes, Edinburgh is very walkable, especially the Old Town. Several city attractions are located within walking distance of each other. However, if you want to avoid walking, then buses, trams can be suitable options for a more enjoyable and convenient experience in Edinburgh.
Yes, as students, you have many hangout options in Edinburgh. Areas like Cowgate are popular for student-friendly bars and clubs with cheap deals. In addition to this, student life at Edinburgh is centered around areas like Newington, Marchmont and Buntsfield, which are very close to the university and offer various fun events.
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