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View of Edinburgh skyline from Holyrood Park

  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Scotland's Cities
  4. Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital; a city filled with history, culture, engaging attractions and beautiful architecture. Spend your time exploring its cobbled streets, hidden closes, world-class festivals and lively food and drink scene. Find out what makes Edinburgh so special, from its status as a UNESCO City of Literature and UNESCO World Heritage Site, to being named one of Time Out's top cities in the world. 

Please note, from 1 October 2025, a visitor levy of 5% is added to overnight stays in paid accommodation for bookings on or after 24 July 2026. Find out more at ForeverEdinburgh.

Great things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is known for famous landmarks, beautiful outdoor spaces and a rich cultural scene. 

13 Neighbourhoods to explore in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is divided into 13 unique neighbourhood areas. Check out these local insider guides for things to do.

11 Fascinating things to do in Edinburgh

Find a range of things to do, including top attractions like Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat and more.

Museums and galleries in Edinburgh

From world-class museums and galleries to quirky hidden gems, get your cultural fix in Edinburgh.

Castles and historical sites in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to many historical sites, including Gladstone’s Land, the Georgian House and Rosslyn Chapel.

Shopping in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fantastic city for shopping. From upscale luxury brands to high street stores and beautiful boutiques, we have it covered.

Top days out ideas

There's always something new to discover in Edinburgh, but it's pretty special to be able to explore three UNESCO sites in the city which celebrate its architectural, engineering and cultural heritage. From fabulous shopping to amazing distilleries, find a wide array of attractions the whole family will love.

Old & New Towns of Edinburgh

One of the most architecturally significant cities in the world, thanks to the dramatic contrast of its Old and New Towns, a recognised UNESCO site.

Edinburgh: UNESCO Creative City of Literature

Explore the capital city's historic connections with literature and the spoken word, through attractions and events held throughout the year.

The Forth Bridge World Heritage Site

Recognised for its innovative design and technology all over the world, the Forth Bridge is an impressive feat in engineering.

Tours in Edinburgh

Find a wide variety of tours in Edinburgh, from history and literature walks to pub and ghost tours, and see the city from a new perspective.

Lost Shore Surf Resort

Come and visit Europe’s largest inland surfing destination, open now. Both novice and expert surfers will love it.

Port of Leith Distillery

Learn more about Port of Leith Distillery, a modern landmark bringing Edinburgh's whisky heritage back to live.

Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries

Make the most of your trip to Edinburgh with our handy itineraries and ideas on gentle walks, scenic cycle routes and urban hiking trails to follow. Find magical locations for Harry Potter fans, climb Arthur's Seat, the city's extinct volcano, or take in idyllic spots along the Water of Leith Walkway.

A shop on Victoria Street, Edinburgh

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Follow a route

Explore ideas on short family strolls, more challenging hill walks, and discover many excellent routes and trails that suit a variety of interests and levels of fitness.

  • Walking in Edinburgh
  • The best Harry Potter locations in Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh in 3 days - 72-hour itinerary
  • Edinburgh Gaelic Trail
Find more ideas

See what's on in Edinburgh

From big international acts to local talent – whether theatre, exhibition, comedy, circus, literature or history is your thing, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.

The Royal Highland Show

Edinburgh Festivals, year-round - dive into a summer of colour and culture when the capital comes to life with a vibrant programme of shows, performances, and displays in a range of venues big and small.

Edinburgh International Children's Festival, 30 May - 7 June 2026 - Enjoy a fun, family-friendly programme of theatre and dance performances created especially for children and young audiences.

Royal Highland Show, 18 - 21 June 2026 - Step into Scotland's premier rural showcase, featuring livestock, local produce, demonstrations, and entertainment for all ages.

Genesis Scottish Open, 8 - 12 July 2026 - Returning to the Renaissance Club this summer, witness the world's best players go head-to-head against East Lothian's spectacular backdrop.

Party at the Palace, 8 - 9 August 2026 - Get ready for a toe-tapping line-up of musicians and performers as they take centre stage at Linlithgow Palace. Enjoy tunes from Peat & Diesel, Skerryvore, Bay City Rollers and more.

Scottish International Storytelling Festival, 21 - 31 October - Join in 10 days of stories, tales, poetry, short stories and more from world-class storytellers, alongside music and traditional culture to enjoy.

Tour de France Grand Départ, 2 July 2027 - Scotland takes centre stage for the opening of the world's most famous cycling race. See the cyclists set off from Edinburgh before journeying through the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway and beyond.

Map of Edinburgh

Explore Edinburgh

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How to travel to and around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is linked to by an extensive network of roads, rail services and flights, which makes travel to the city possible from every corner of the world. For a well-planned and stress-free holiday, make sure to book the essential elements of your holiday in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure the greatest deals and availability. 

Getting to

Bus and coach

There are many frequent and affordable bus services that travel from various main cities to Edinburgh daily. Most buses to Edinburgh arrive at the Edinburgh Bus Station that is located on St Andrew Square in the city centre.

  • National Express to Edinburgh
  • Megabus to Edinburgh
  • Scottish Citylink to Edinburgh
  • Flixbus to Edinburgh

Tram

Edinburgh Airport is directly linked through the west of the city, into the city centre and north and east down to Leith and Newhaven via a quick and convenient tram network.

Pre-book your tram ticket online via the Edinburgh Tram Ticket website so you’re ready to go as soon as you arrive. You can access lots of offers and money saving discounts by showing your Edinburgh Ticket at a range of attractions too.

Find out more on travel from the airport by tram

Train

There are fast and frequent services to Edinburgh from major UK cities. LNER trains run along the east coast from London, York and Newcastle, while Avanti West Coast run along the west coast from London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Carlisle. Transpennine Express run from Manchester to Edinburgh.

There are two stations - Edinburgh Haymarket to the west of the city centre, and Edinburgh Waverley sits at the east end of Princes Street.

Book with LNER

Book with Avanti West Coast

Book with Transpennine Express

Travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper

ScotRail provides an express rail service direct to Edinburgh from many major Scottish cities.

Check ScotRail timetables

Flying

Edinburgh Airport is situated only 5 miles (8 km) to the west of Edinburgh. You can travel from the airport to the city centre in around 30 minutes by bus, tram, taxi or car.

  • Find out more on airport buses to Edinburgh
  • Book a taxi to and from the airport
  • Hire a car from Edinburgh airport
  • Cycle back to Edinburgh from the airport

Driving

Edinburgh is well linked to the rest of Scotland and UK through an extensive road network, making access to the capital easy by car.

  • From Newcastle - 2.5 hours
  • From Manchester - 4 hours
  • From Birmingham - 6 hours

Plan your trip with Traveline

Getting around

Walking

Edinburgh is easily explored on foot with most key attractions within walking distance of each other. Attractions beyond the city centre can be reached cost effectively by public transport and again explored further by foot.

Find walks in and around Edinburgh

Bus and coach

Lothian Buses run a service across the city 24 hours a day, while First Buses connect Edinburgh with towns and villages in the Lothians.

Plan your journey within Edinburgh with Lothian Buses 

Plan your journey further afield with First Group

Tram

Trams run from Newhaven through Leith to York Place in the city centre and onto Edinburgh Airport which takes just under an hour.

Find ticket prices and plan your journey with Edinburgh Trams

Tours

Want to relax and let someone else drive?

Book a tour and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide as they highlight points of interest, stop off at the best hidden gems and visit the iconic landmarks you’ve heard all about.

Search for tours in Edinburgh

Taxi

There are over 1,000 cabs circulating around the city. You can hail one in the street or pick it up from one of the taxi ranks within the city centre. 

Find out more on getting around Edinburgh

Cycling

Explore Edinburgh on two wheels by hiring an e-Bike from Voi. With 24 hour access 7 days a week and an app with options for everyone, it's a great choice!

Carberry Tower

Carberry Tower

© Iris Art Photography

Places to stay in Edinburgh

Whether you’re looking for an elegant hotel, a quirky B&B, a self-catering apartment or a budget friendly hostel, there are lots of accommodation options throughout Edinburgh.

  • Hotels in Edinburgh
  • B&Bs and guest houses in Edinburgh
  • Self-catering in Edinburgh
Find more accommodation in Edinburgh

Fish tacos and mussels at Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace

© Bonnie & Wild

Places to eat in Edinburgh

From Michelin-star meals to incredible independent eateries, Edinburgh offers an amazing selection of places to eat. It's no wonder it's been named the Most Exciting Food Destination in The Good Food Guide Awards 2025!

  • Find food & drink in Edinburgh

A family on Calton Hill

© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin

Find information on accessible trips

Whether you’re travelling with kids, need a mobility scooter or you’re a wheelchair user, you’ll find that many parts of Edinburgh are easily accessible. 

  • Euan's Guide to the festivals
  • Euan's Guide to Edinburgh
  • Ideas for wheelchair-friendly days out by SimplyEmma
  • Search for more accessible places with AccessAble
More useful information on accessibility within Edinburgh

Explore nearby

Edinburgh is surrounded by other fascinating cities and regions to explore. Extend your trip and take the chance to slow down and really connect with Scotland. Head to the coastal towns of Fife, soak up the colourful history of the Scottish Borders, or enjoy the scenery around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. 

Fife

Discover the region of Fife, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and maps, insider tips & fantastic things to see & do.

The Scottish Borders

Discover the Scottish Borders region, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and insider tips.

Edinburgh & The Lothians

Discover the Lothians region and the city of Edinburgh, with holiday ideas, accommodation, travel information and maps & fantastic things to see & do.

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