There are plenty of activities to get lost in; from touring royal apartments, taking in the views from Carlton's Hill, taking in floral scents at the botanical gardens, walking the Royal Mile to combining culture and fine dinning at Witchery . There is something for everyone. A city built on a set extinct volcanoes. So as you hike up to Arthur's seat or Edinburgh Castle, delight in the fact that you are walking on extinct volcanoes. How cool it that?! If you have more than just a weekend in the city you can also branch out to the outskirts of Edinburgh and check out places like Dalkeith Country Park or other hiking tours on the edges of the capital. Below and in no particular order are my top 10 things to do and see in Edinburgh.
10. Walk the Royal Mile
This runs through the very heart of the city and connects the old town to Edinburgh Castle. Filled with shops, street entertainers, cafes and restaurants offering some of the best eating and drinking spots in the city. Royal Mile is also filed with street entertainment. My favorite was the levitating Yoda and the saw player.
09. Climb a volcano on Arthur's Seat.
Just a short walk from the Royal Mile is Holyrood Park. This is where you can run around the 640 acre Royal Park that is also home to Holyrood Palace. Considering the royal family only reside there a few weeks(a week at a time at most) in a year you can test your luck at squat's rights. If taking over the palace fails then walk a few meters up and rest your cheeks firmly on Arthur's seat and take in the city's vista. Arthur's Seat is the highest point on this dormant volcano.
08. Admire the royal splendor
You have a choice between Edinburgh Castle perched high on a base of a volcanic rock or the splendor of the Holyrood Palace tacked away in Holyrood Park. These are in walking distance of each other. Both offer up varying advantages and there are tickets that allow you to visit both sites or opt for just the one if you over do the royal regalia in one. Edinburgh Castle also comes with views over the city too, which you don't get so much of with from Holyrood. It might lack in views and make up in all that glitters on the inside. While we were in the city my boyfriend and I also managed to strike luck and sneak a peek at Kaiser Chiefs who were playing at Edinburgh Castle.
07. Take in the city's vistas at Carlton's Hill
This is one of Edinburgh's main hills and not too far from the centre. Complete with an Athenian acropolis peeking through. This is said to be an unfinished monument, initiated after Napoleon's defeat of Waterloo and was meant to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens. A memorial to those who died in Napoleonic Wars but as funds dried up, the rest of it was never finished as planned. This is a place is great for picnics as it also offers views of outlying islands on the coast of Edinburgh. Providing the weather is good, otherwise its another great vantage point for views of the city's skyline. This location also hosts many other iconic monuments such as the National Monument, Nelson's Monument as well as two observatories; one built in 1792 and another built in 1818 is still standing. You have views of Arthur's Seat, Scott Monument, Holyrood Palace, outlaying islands and many other popular sights can be spotted from Carlton's Hill.
06. We are all evil says the artist, so take to the galleries.
If you up for a little something more modern then the National Gallery may be up your alley. Offering up varying installations of quirky art. If you want a little peace and quiet from the city, you can hang out here for a while as its surprisingly quiet and a moment to take in some of Scotland's up and coming artists as well as the old of course.
05. Have a break, have a KitKat - Food before Dessert!
In my last post I shared with you a little Secret Gem in the heart of the Royal Mile tacked by the Edinburgh castle. This is where you can find the bewitching Witchery by the Castle's Secret Garden. Serving up tasty delights fit for kings and queens. If you are not up for that type of budget on your trip to Edinburgh, there is another tasty little spot serving healthy and delicious food! If you have been on my instagram or my last post on Travel and Fitness you will have noticed my love for freshly made juices and this place does mixes that will have you doing the Hula dance in no time. If you stop by check out the hummus salad. Heavenly taste and healthy, 2 birds one stone!
04. Have a moment of peace and quiet in Princess Street Gardens
Princess Street Gardens are set in a valley between the old and new town with Edinburgh Castle towering over the gardens. This is also where you will find the beautiful Ross fountain. There are a collection of public monuments and memorials dotted around. From the Scott monument to the David Livingstone Statue, to the weird memorials such as the massive gneiss boulder that was presented in 1978, by the Norwegian Army who asked Lord Provost Borthwick of Scotland to receive the stone into the care of the city. Here you will also spot the Floral clock in Princes Street Gardens I posted on Facebook can also be found here. Planted in 1903 and still ticking away today. Also a great place to just chill out and enjoy a moment of calm from the city.
03. Admire the architecture
Check out the beautiful Scott Monument. Still standing tall since construction in 1840 to commemorate Walter Scott, a Scottish literary figure. If you are up for a climb you can also take some 237 steps to the top to take in more views on Edinburgh. Other options if you are a lover of all that is old but breeming with history and charm then take to the Scottsman Hotel which used to house the Scottsman news paper for nearly a century. A stunning building, I believe they also offer tours in side but we didn't have time to go in.
02. Take a wee tour
Listen to the terrifyingly true stories of torture, murders and lingering ghosts, lustrous mistresses and walk into Scotland's dark past with the many tours that are available. There are a variety of tours on offer from city tours around the heart of the city with tales from the past to present, to tours that involve a hike into the outskirts of Edinburgh packed with a little more adventure to get those quads working up an appetite.
01. Spit on Edinburgh
Have you been to Edinburgh? Any other places you would add to the list?
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Haven't had the pleasure to go to Edinburgh yet, but it looks absolutely breathtaking! As an American abroad, I think it's certainly time I make myself take a trip north!
ReplyDeleteI think that I would love to take a tour, and of course, in keeping with tradition would give in to spitting on the Midlothian Heart. What a history that spot has, definitely deserves to be spat on!
Yaya ♥ My Dreamality
You definitely should! Make sure you check out the Fringe festival too.
DeleteReally awesome post! I've been to Edinburgh a few times but haven't covered half the things on this list! Though I'd add it's worth visiting the beaches and going to their authentic Chinese restaurants for hotpot!
ReplyDeleteThe spitting thing is really interesting, quite a unique and somewhat fitting tradition. Great pictures by the way.
Tin
#ukbloggers
Chinese hotpot?! Now, I havent had that since my trip to Hong Kong I will have to check it out!
DeleteI would love to go to Edinburgh sometime, never been :(. The National Gallery looks like a lot of fun!
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These pictures are so nice and I like this post. Great job.
ReplyDeleteLEJA
Grat tips! Looks like there's a lot to do in Edinburg :)
ReplyDeleteI lived in Edinburgh for three years and have never been up Carlton hill lol I know the views are awesome though
ReplyDeleteLauren
livinginaboxx
Isnt that always the case though. We seem to take things for granted if they are right on the door step.
DeleteI have not yet been to Edinburgh. I've been wanting to visit. Now I want to go even more than before.
ReplyDeleteI was in Edinburgh a few years ago, and wish I had known about some of these great things when I was there. I did enjoy the Royal Mile and all the touristy type things. Great city. I loved the levitating Yoda. I once saw the fiddling Darth Vader in Victoria, British Columbia.
ReplyDeleteFiddling Darth Vader?...hmm now what does that look like?
DeleteI have friends that live here and they love it! These pictures really show its true beauty!
ReplyDeletewow looks like a really fun place!
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I love your photos! I would love to climb to Arthur's seat. I enjoy hiking and the view looks spectacular!
ReplyDeleteThen this would be right up your alley. Really great views provide the weather is playing ball in Edinburgh
DeleteI've heard only good things about Edinburgh and Scotland but have never been myself! Very detailed post Bianca, makes me wanna go soon!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely I this is post will help in your activities when you visit Edinburgh.
DeleteThese are beautiful pictures Bianca! Ive never been to Edinburgh yet. I loved The Midlothian Heart's history. I live in NYC and Im used to seeing stray things on the streets, but a saw player? that, Ive never seen!
ReplyDeleteOh Lale, I hope this list gives you a starting point when you do visit :)
DeleteTHE SPIT! I remember staring at it and thinking: do I really have to? YOU BET YOU DO!!
ReplyDeleteHahah...its tradition after all!
DeleteThank you for this post- I have pinned it for when I visit Edinburgh next April :) I'll definitely work my way through all ten :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome. Glad you like it. I am sure you will enjoy Edinburgh.
Delete:D I have such a huge desire to visit Edinburgh, but I can't handle the cold. I'll have to wait until Spring/Summer this time. Really excited about that food though.....
ReplyDeleteIt can be up and down. When we arrived it was cold and foggy but the next day was as beautiful and sunny as can be.
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