Make Sure You Check Out these Gems When You Visit Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland, located in the Central Belt region, Edinburgh offers an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, which has been efficiently segmented into the Old Town and the Georgian New City. A destination full of entertainment and festivals as well as education, there are so many amazing places to see in Edinburgh that you will be spoilt for choice.

Best Places to Go to in Edinburgh

There is no lack of things to do in Edinburgh, from exploring the old alleyways of the Old Town or the Edinburgh Castle to checking out the Georgian Splendour of New Town You can enjoy amazing dishes made using the finest of Scottish ingredients or you can visit the many cultural and historical destinations that the city houses. If you are planning a trip to the capital city, here is a list of the top places to go in Edinburgh, Scotland, that you must add to your itinerary.

1. Edinburgh Castle
2. The Royal Mile
3. Holyrood Palace
4. The National Museum of Scotland
5. St Giles Cathedral
6. Arthur’s Seat
7. Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions
8. Mary King’s Close
9. Calton Hill
10. Dean Village

1. Edinburgh Castle

One of the most well-known places of interest in Edinburgh and the most recognisable site in Scotland, the Edinburgh Castle is an integral part of the country’s national identity. It is one of the best places to see in Edinburgh for a taste of local culture and history. Today, the fort has mostly been restored and little remains of its original structure. It houses the “Treasures of Scotland”, which are the symbols of sovereignty – the royal jewellery, the crown of the kingdom, the sceptre, and the swords – and serves as a museum today. Visitors can see the large hall, underground stone vaults where prisoners of war used to be held, the “stone of faith”, military memorials, the Witches’ Well where around 300 alleged witches were burned, St Margarets Chapel, and much more when they add the Edinburgh castle to their list of best places to go in Edinburgh.

2. The Royal Mile

One of the popular tourist attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Royal Mile is a long and wide street that has been home to pleasant as well as unpleasant events over the years. Across this street, the royalty once rode in carriages, making their way towards Holyrood Palace, while the raising of women for the witch hunt also happened on this street. This is one of top the places to see in Edinburgh for the simple reason that since the 12th century, when the Edinburgh Castle came into existence, to the 18th century, the Royal Mile was the only street in the city. The street is full of cafés, museums, souvenir shops, restaurants, and many more tourist attractions. Edinburgh, Scotland also has a number of festivals and events at the Royal Mile.

3. Holyrood Palace

Another one of the top sightseeing places in Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace is the home of the British Royalty when they visit Scotland. The palace is mostly used for state events today. Visitors can go to the Holyrood Palace and see the guest rooms and the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots. Known to be one of the most interesting places to go in Edinburgh, Scotland, the palace boasts of beautiful plasterwork ceilings, antique furniture, and valuable paintings. If you are making your list of the best places to see in Edinburgh city, the Holyrood Palace should definitely be included. It allows you to take a peek inside the grandeur of royalty in Scotland.

4. The National Museum of Scotland

Another one of the must-visit places to see in Edibnburgh city is the National Museum of Scotland. Housed across two connected buildings, this is one of the four national museums in the country. Both buildings that house the museum are very different from each other, as one is a typical 19^th-century building and the other is a completely modern one. While the buildings themselves are worth counting among the top places of interest in Edinburgh, the museum also showcases a collection of around eight thousand objects ranging from the prehistoric period to the present day. All exhibits are in chronological order, which makes it easier for visitors to keep track. This is one of the best sightseeing places in Edinburgh for those who wish to understand the “Story of Scotland”.

5. St Giles’ Cathedral

Another one of the top places to go in Edinburgh is St Giles’ Cathedral. The church originally was used for several centuries and was rededicated in 1243. The church showcases gothic-style architecture that can be dated to the 15th century. One of the best sightseeing places in Edinburgh, the cathedral has more than two hundred memorials that are dedicated to the greats of Scotland. Here, you will also find mesmerising stained-glass windows that were made sometime around 1870. Another popular name in the places of interest in Edinburgh within St Giles’ Cathedral is the Thistle Chapel, which is a chapel dedicated to the Scottish noble order, the Thistle.

6. Arthur’s Seat

Next on the list of the best places to go in Edinburgh is Arthur’s Seat. This tourist attraction is one of the seven hills in Edinburgh. The summit looms over the entire city and offers the best views of Edinburgh Castle, New Town, and Old Town. Aurthur’s seat is the main peak among the hills in the city and is located right at the centre. Sitting at 250 metres above the city, Arthur’s seat is not very difficult to climb. This is one of the most preferred sites to visit in Edinburgh for easy hikes. It is a dormant volcano that erupted almost 300 million years ago and is definitely one of the tourist spots in Edinburgh that you should include in your itinerary.

7. Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions

Established in 1835, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions should be on your list of places to go in Edinburgh. A six-story tower, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions has numerous exhibits of the most amazing optical illusions. This is also one of the best sites to visit in Edinburgh for a 360° view of the entire city. Camera Obscura has more than a hundred optical illusions for you to enjoy. If the weather is poor or if the sun has gone down, Camera Obscura offers amusing projection shows of the picturesque views recorded off the rooftop of the tower, so you don’t have to miss out.

8. Mary King’s Close

The Old Town of Edinburgh is one of the top tourist spots in Edinburgh and is known for the many alleys and courtyards, some of them underground. The most mysterious of the alleys is Mary King’s Close, upon which the foundations of the Edinburgh City Hall were laid in 1753. Believed to be haunted by many, Mary King’s Close was reopened for the public in 2002 and is one of the places to see in Edinburgh city that you simply cannot miss.

9. Calton Hill

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calton Hill is another one of the greatest places to go in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city observatory and the National Monument of Scotland, which is a Greek-style temple, is also located at the top of the hill. Just like Arthur’s Seat, Calton Hill is also located in the city centre and offers the most amazing panoramic views of the city. The Scottish Government is also based at St Andrew’s House on Calton Hill. On the last day of April, the Beltane Fire Festival is also celebrated here.

10. Dean Village

Sitting on the waters of Edinburgh’s largest river, Dean Village is another great addition for your list of places to see in Edinburgh. The lush greenery of the village and its proximity to the city centre has added to the popularity of the area and there are plans in the working for developing it. The small village has its own charm, with pretty stone houses from the 17th century dotting the landscape. The village also has numerous tourist attractions, like the National Gallery of Scottish Modern Art, Dean Cemetery, and the Water of Leith.

When you book your Edinburgh tour package, make sure that your itinerary covers all of the amazing tourist spots and places to see in the capital city of Scotland.