Weekend Guide to Edinburgh - Things to do
Earth scorched in the wind, stone moors and dark clouds from the north. Surrounded by the right amount of myths and legends, those Scottish characteristics perfectly set the scene for Edinburgh’s mysterious aura. Each street is willing to disclose its secrets to adventurous minds. Edinburgh’s charisma briefly carries you to another time, in which we live to the rhythm of the rains and the sun and believes in lake monsters.
But don’t get fooled. Edinburgh is also a lively city embracing the right amount of modernity while conserving its deeply historical setting. Surrounded by its buzzing atmosphere, Edinburgh has enough to please those looking for soul-resting or venturesome minds.
How to get there?
| Adult Single Ticket | Child Single Ticket | Time |
Bus | £ 4.50 | £2 | 40-45 minutes |
Tram | £6 | 3.50 | 30 minutes |
Uber/Taxi | £20-25 | - | 25-30 minutes |
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Winter
Winter is arguably the most affordable time of the year to visit Scotland, largely due to its freezing weather and short days. On the plus side, Edinburgh’s Christmas decorations and activities are well worth seeing and if you get to see the country covered in snow, it’ll truly feel like magic. For those who aren’t scared to layer up and confront the cold, December-January is actually a good time to visit Scotland. January also hosts Burns night which guarantees you a proper Scottish experience!
Spring
The blooming season might be the best time for you to visit the city as it is statistically the driest time of the year. As the end of May marks the start of tourist season, March-April-May is much quieter offering you a better choice in accommodation and smaller crowds.
Summer
Scotland is a year-round destination but the warmer months (June-August), attract the most visitors. This coincides with better weather, extended daylight hours, and plenty of seasonal activities such as festivals and fairs. It is also the most expensive time of the year to visit the city as it is high season.
Fall
The vibrant orange tones surrounding the city might be my favourite thing ever. I am definitely biased as I am an October baby but to me, it is simply the best time to visit Scotland. The weather is still good (although it gets pretty cold already!) and you get to soak in the most Scottish atmosphere ever. Nevertheless, I would avoid visiting Edinburgh in September as it is the period during which student return to the city and accommodation get pretty expensive as the demand is incredibly high.
Is a weekend enough to visit Edinburgh?
2 days is enough to visit the best city spots and major tourist attractions however I would recommend 3 days if you want to visit a couple of museums and experience the Scottish culture on a deeper level.
DAY ONE - City Centre & Old Town
The Royal Mile
Tron Kirk Market
Edinburgh City Council
St. Giles Cathedral
J.K. Rowling’s Handprints
Advocate’s Close
David Hume Statue
Lawnmarket & Castle Hill
Grassmarket Square & Victoria Street
Pubs/Food
Victoria Street
Harry Potter Museum in Context
George IV Bridge
Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Kirk
DAY TWO - Holyrood & Parks
The Royal Mile #2
People’s Story Museum
Museum of Edinburgh
Scottish Parliament
White Horse Close
Holyrood Park and Arthur Seat (40mins-1hr walk)
South Side
The Meadows
George Square Gardens and UoE’s main campus
McEwan Hall
DAY THREE - New Town & Stockbridge
Princes Street
Cockburn Street
Scott Monument
Princes Garden
Ross Fountain
New Town
Dean Village
Stockbridge Market (Sundays only)
Cirus Lane
Circus Place
George Street
St. Andrews Square
Melville Monument
St. James Quarters Mall
Carlton Hill
In this article, you will find all the links to the bookable and paying activities, please note that some of those activities offer student discounts and that most museums are free. Here I've listed some of Edinburgh's most popular attractions but the city has many more hidden gems.
Edinburgh is known as the birthplace of the Harry Potter Book Series and counts many hidden bits embedded in the history of JK Rowling's wizarding world.
Moreover, the city is famous for its ghost stories and haunted tours are a common favourite for tourists.
Feel free to head to my Instagram for further recommendations in Edinburgh.
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