Heading to the wonderful capital city of Scotland and feeling stuck with a blank itinerary? Bright Bus Tours are experts on all things Edinburgh, ready to give you the inside scoop on the popular must-sees and secret sights you won’t want to miss.
Our team put together an action-packed list of the best things to do in Edinburgh for every type of traveller. From the ultimate Scotch whisky experience and adventuring along the Royal Mile to learning all about Scottish history at The National Museum, we’ve got you covered.
If you need a little help getting to all these hotspots on a budget, our Edinburgh City Bus Tour and Britannia Tour will help you hit all the city gems – complete with a knowledgeable guide on board. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Bright Bus Tours offers the brightest way to enjoy Edinburgh to the fullest.
Read on for an in-depth guide on the best things to do in Edinburgh.
Top Things to Do in Edinburgh
There are tonnes of fun Edinburgh activities to keep you entertained during your Scottish adventure. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the crown history on the Royal Mile or gaze in awe at some of the oldest relics in the country at the National Museum of Scotland, there’s something for everyone.
Below, we’ve broken down the best things to do in Edinburgh. If you’re travelling on a tight budget, we’ve also got a complete guide to the best things to do in Edinburgh for free.
Pro Tip: Enjoy an efficient and affordable Edinburgh sightseeing experience with our hop-on, hop-off bus experience.
Step Back in Time at Edinburgh’s Historic Locations
The Royal Mile is a fantastic place to start your Edinburgh journey or guided tour if you’re interested in learning more about Scotland’s history. The entire city is full of incredible landmarks with historical significance.
Explore Scottish History at the Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle was built in 1103 and sits atop Castle Rock, an old volcanic plug. When Queen Margaret, a royal and a saint, died here, King David I ensured that St Margaret’s Chapel was built in her honour. You’ll also find the initials of Mary Queen of Scots carved on the door to the Royal Palace.
At Edinburgh Castle, you can wander through the Great Hall, where many royal figures dined. If you happen to be sightseeing at this famous landmark around lunchtime, listen out for the One O’clock Gun. Back in the 19th century, it was originally used to help ships set their maritime clocks to the right time!
Immerse Yourself in Royalty at the Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for the royalty-obsessed, and it’s a major attraction on our Britannia Tour. This yacht was built nearly a century ago with the purpose of becoming a residence on the sea for the British Royal Family.
Over time, many famous figures have walked across these planks, including Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill. Today, you can follow in their footsteps when you climb aboard.
The Royal Yacht Britannia sadly had its last voyage in 1996, but still remains an important part of Scotland’s history and holds many historical hidden gems, from the Drawing Room where Princess Diana played piano to to Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite room, the Sun Lounge.
Hear the Oldest Scottish Stories at the National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum is the place to be if you’re a history fanatic and want to learn all about Scotland’s past. This incredible landmark was combined with the new Museum of Scotland, which was built in 1998, to open its merged collection to the public in 2006.
Start your journey in the Grand Gallery, where you’ll see the skeleton of a giant deer and make your way through the Lewis Chess Pieces from the 1100s. These pieces were the inspiration behind the chess scene in the Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
You’ll also spot an animal habitat display, a fashion gallery, and even a miniature version of the museum.
This museum is ideal if you’re looking for free things to do in Edinburgh, as there are zero entry fees. The Writers’ Museum near the top of the Royal Mile is also nearby if you want to learn about the lives of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Sir Walter Scott for free.
Explore the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Situated right at the end of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Palace, boasting centuries of fascinating history from 1671 to the present day. It was built to create a safe haven for the British monarch, but these days, it is a major tourist attraction and a venue for royal ceremonies.
At this incredible location, you can wander through the Throne Room, enjoy stories about Mary Queen of Scots, and see the stunning locket made for her mother-in-law.
As you walk through the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you can even spot Scotland’s national animal — the unicorn — carved in various places of the building! There’s also a royal collection of art on display, and you can wander the same gardens where Queen Elizabeth II invited guests over for tea.
Explore Edinburgh’s Arts & Culture Scene
Some of the most famous artworks and pop culture hotspots in the world live right here in Edinburgh city.
You’ll have your choice of various fantastic arts and cultural activities in Edinburgh.
Enjoy World-Class Art at the Scottish National Gallery
Have you ever wanted to see a Picasso painting in real life? One of the most incredible things about Edinburgh’s city centre is that most of the art galleries, including the Scottish National Gallery, are completely free! Built in 1859, this gallery has plenty of world-class exhibitions and paintings on display.
Admire works like Van Gogh’s Olive Trees, Monet’s Haystacks, Picasso’s Blue Period, and even some work from Leonardo da Vinci. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in New Town and the Gallery of Modern Art are also nearby if you want a day full of artistic pleasures.
Celebrate Literature at the Scott Monument
Situated at our Calton Hill tour stop is the Scott Monument, the second-largest monument to a writer in the entire world! The monument was fully completed in 1882 and stands as a commemorative architectural delight to writer Sir Walter Scott.
Standing at 61m tall, it takes 287 stairs to get to the top of this incredible statue for a fantastic 360-degree view of the Scottish city, Edinburgh Castle, and beyond. It’s not just a statue of the famous author, either — the monument also depicts his beloved dog, Maida, and features 64 characters from his novel carved into the structure.
Live Like Harry Potter for a Day at Victoria Street
Named after Queen Victoria, this street isn’t just about royalty — it’s about magic, too! If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll probably remember the iconic scene when Harry first gets his wand.
Well, Victoria Street is rumoured to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the films. After you snap a few pictures of your own wizardry moments, take some time to wander through this charming street. It boasts fantastic coffee shops, small retail stores, and even fine-dining restaurants to enjoy while you soak in the magic.
Adventure Through the City’s Outdoor Attractions
Aching to get outside and explore beyond the city’s streets? When the sun’s out in Edinburgh, you definitely have to try these iconic things to do outdoors.
Admire the Extraordinary View at Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, noted for its remarkable beauty and unique characteristics. It’s right by Waterloo Place, a stop on both of our bus tour packages.
The view at the top of this volcanic hill offers a panorama of the city centre, a vista that has been featured in many historical paintings. While the hill is a fantastic spot for a walk and a moment of solitude, it has its fair share of interesting monuments, too.
The incomplete National Monument is at this location, built to replicate the Parthenon and pay respects to fallen Scottish soldiers from the early 19th century. Another great war artefact to seek out here is the Calton Hill Cannon, which was taken from Burma by Britain in the late 19th century and gifted to Edinburgh. It still has the original Royal Arms of Spain on its barrel!
Enjoy Neo-Greek Architecture at the Burns Monument
Famous writer Robert Burns, beloved throughout Scotland, is forever honoured in this Neo-Greek monument at the foot of Calton Hill. The frame of this 19th-century temple still exists here, though the actual marble statue was moved to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for fear of the marble being damaged.
While the actual statue is no longer there, the building is rife with historical and cultural significance, and you can still enjoy a fantastic view of Edinburgh’s city centre before heading to the gallery for the full picture.
Wander the Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden holds a world-class collection of unique plants and flowers across 70 acres of stunning greenery. Originally started in 1670 for the purpose of growing medicinal plants, it now holds plenty of interesting Edinburgh tourist attractions and picnic spots.
The Rock Garden was completed in 1914 and hosts a delightful collection of hidden gems with around 5,000 alpine plant species to peruse. Another popular spot in the garden is the Chinese Hillside, which features a wide selection of incredible plants from China and overlooks a stunning pond in the garden. Right at the beginning of the hill is the Chinese Pavilion, a breathtaking event location or a simple spot to savour a moment of solitude.
Delightful Indoor Experiences in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is home to endless indoor attractions and activities – perfect for days when the weather takes a turn. Here are some of our favourite indoor tourist attractions you can’t miss when you’re in the city.
Explore The Georgian House
Admiring the architectural gems in Scotland is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for architecture and history fanatics. The 18th-century Georgian House is a beautifully preserved Georgian-era home, perfectly encapsulating how Edinburgh’s wealthy residents lived.
This house museum is located a few minutes away from our St Andrew Square sightseeing tour stop and has tons of interesting stories lurking behind its walls.
As you walk through this neo-classical building, designed by famous architect Robert Adam, you can explore the old Drawing Room, which was used to host private guests.
You also won’t want to miss the medicine chest from 1830 with all its original bottles and the locked tea table, a symbol of wealth in the Georgian Period. There’s even a gift shop on site to bring a quaint souvenir back home with you!
Sample Innovative Scotch Whisky at the Holyrood Distillery
With Scotch whisky being the national drink, it’s a given that you have to give it a try when you take our Edinburgh city tour. Holyrood Distillery is an important brewery for Edinburgh. It was the first distillery to open in the city a century after Edinburgh Distillery closed down in 1925 following a decrease in whisky demand.
Opened in 2019, Holyrood Distillery uses incredibly unique brewing techniques, experimenting with traditional, forgotten methods and innovative ingredients. If you really want the full Scotch whisky experience, you can book a whisky tour to learn all about how their single malt whisky is made and taste a wide variety of samples along the
way.
Short on time or on a budget? Visit all the best places to see in Edinburgh in just two days. Book a Two Tours, Two Days ticket From Bright Bus Tours for 48 hours of action-packed adventures without breaking the bank.
FAQs About the Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
What are the ideal things to do in Edinburgh with kids?
There are plenty of fun things to do in Edinburgh for families. The Edinburgh Zoo has been around since 1909 and is host to more than 1,100 animals that will amaze both you and the little ones, from giant pandas to koalas.
There are also tonnes of family activities at Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood. This museum offers interactive exhibitions and collections of toys from the 19th century to the present day (with free entry!).
There are also many family-friendly festivals to enjoy in the city, like the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. It runs every May for just over a week, and many entertainment centres and venues in the city centre host events and activities for children, from face painting to fun games during this time.
What are some things to do in Edinburgh at night?
There are plenty of night-time activities and things to do in Edinburgh for young adults. You’ll be happy to know that the streets of the city centre come alive when the sun goes down!
If you feel like catching a show, Edinburgh is home to some incredible theatres. The King’s Theatre, which has been around for over a century, offers some fantastic dramatic entertainment, stand-up comedy routines, and even a few ballet shows.
The city centre is also home to many themed bars and beer gardens if you’re looking for a fun night out with friends. George Street in New Town is an especially vibrant nightlife choice.
What are romantic things to do in Edinburgh for couples?
If you’re exploring Edinburgh attractions with your partner, you’ll be happy to know the city has plenty of magical activities in store. Holyrood Palace is a great quick stop on your romantic journey. Aside from the fantastic historical significance residing in its walls, you can also grab a glass of champagne with your partner in the Mews Courtyard. Sip on your bubbly, try some delectable pastries, and enjoy the perfect view of Arthur’s seat!
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, why not try a cèilidh? A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish dance and social event that is full of energy and friendly Scots! The Edinburgh Cèilidhh Club hosts one every Tuesday and one Friday a month at Summerhall and the Assembly Roxy, respectively, just make sure you book online so you don’t miss out!
