Exploring Edinburgh's Charm: A First-Time Visitor's Perspective

Scotland is host to so many vacation ideas. There are plenty of castles to visit, hikes to do and, Lochs to tour around. But the best place to start your Scottish holiday is in Edinburgh. This remarkable city is a blend of history and medieval architecture with a modern and diverse culture that will surely entice the most curious traveler. Here are some of the best things to do in Edinburgh for your first time.

When you first arrive in this medieval city, you are bombarded with options for things to do and places to see. It often becomes difficult to plan what you actually want to see. Perhaps a walking tour would interest you. You are automatically drawn to Edinburgh Castle but there is so much more.

Edinburgh Castle

Getting There –

Edinburgh’s growing popularity has helped make it accessible to everyone. If you are arriving from overseas or elsewhere in Europe, flights to Edinburgh are easy to obtain. Depending on your location, you may be able to get a low-cost flight for just a few dollars. International flights will, of course, be more expensive but there are many options. Most flights will likely transfer through one of the London’s airports.

From within the UK or Europe, rail travel is ideal and highly recommended. From London, it is approximately a four-hour trip to Edinburgh. Just sit back and enjoy the scenery!

Nelson Monument

In and Around the City

One of the best ways to see the city is through a Hop-On / hop-off tour. The tour in Edinburgh offers 14 stops and 26 points of interest. Some of these stops are the most well-know such as Edinburgh castle, the Royal Mile and St. Giles Cathedral while others are more subdued. This is one of the things you must do in Edinburgh if you are only here for a short visit.

This tour is the perfect way to hear commentary on city sights and get a panoramic overview. This City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh lets you hop on and off at several strategically placed stops as many times as you like.

Highlights include:

• Waverly Bridge

• Royal Botanic Garden

• Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre

• Queen’s Gallery

• Royal Mile

• Edinburgh Castle

• The Edinburgh Dungeon

• Palace of Holyroodhouse

• The Royal Yacht Britannia

• National Museum of Scotland

Once you have seen an overview of the many activities in Edinburgh, you can walk to them to visit at your leisure. Many are walking distance within the old town area and can all be visited during a 3-day itinerary. A walking tour is a great way to take in the history of this beautiful city. Remember to take in some of the local pubs and see the liveliness of the Scottish people.

Local entertainers on the Royal Mile

Best Time to Go to Edinburgh

Edinburgh can be visited year-round but as it is quite north, January and February are the coldest months. With crisp air and a bit of snow, Edinburgh can be transformed into a magical city. Shorter days allow for the evenings to be lit up for a romantic atmosphere. Popping into a pub to warm up or have a wee dram is even more special in the winter months.

During the summer, which is the busiest season, the city comes alive with many artistic talents in outdoor venues. Edinburgh is also home to several festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Edinburgh International Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Be sure to get tickets early as they can sell out.

Sample Day Trips

If you so desire, you can hire a car to go further out of the city to explore the surrounding countryside. A short drive away to the north, lies the town of Roslyn. Here you will find the Roslyn Chapel made famous by the book, “The DaVinci Code”. This attraction can also be visited by the Edinburgh bus transit system.

To the west, lies the town of Linlithgow where Linlithgow Palace makes for a great day trip if you have children. Little ones can explore the ancient halls and passageways of the palace or play out side on the castle grounds. Picnic tables are provided in you bring your lunch. Linlithgow Palace is within walking distance from the local train station in Linlithgow.

There are so many things to do in the Edinburgh area but if you want to go further inland or up the coast, Edinburgh is a great place to start. During my first trip to Edinburgh, I only touched the surface of this medieval town. I can’t wait to return for another round.

Cheers!

You might be interested in this 3 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary.

Are you ready to explore Edinburgh?

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If you are thinking or staying longer than three days, you might want to consider creating a custom itinerary. Here are some tips in this article:

Exploring Scotland: How to Create a Unique Travel Itinerary

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