Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of the premier tourist destinations in Europe. The city’s many historical and cultural attractions have made it the second most popular tourist destination in the UK with over 2 million overseas visitors each year. The city has a wide range of facilities and visitor attractions; here we provide a few ideas to help with planning your visit.

Visitor Guides to the City

The official guide to Edinburgh https://edinburgh.org/

Visit Scotland https://www.visitscotland.com/info/services/edinburgh-icentre-p234441

Guide to Edinburgh festivals https://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/

Historical Sites

Edinburgh Castle https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

Holyrood Palace (The Queen’s residence in Edinburgh) https://www.rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse

Scottish Parliament https://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/24228.aspx

The New Town https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Town,_Edinburgh

The Old Town https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Town,_Edinburgh

Royal Mile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Mile

Leith (former maritime centre of Edinburgh) https://edinburgh.org/discover/explore-areas/leith/

Royal Yacht Britannia https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

Parks and Green Spaces in the City

All free entry:

Holyrood Park https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/holyrood-park/

Royal Botanic Gardens https://www.rbge.org.uk/

The Meadows http://themeadowsofedinburgh.co.uk/

Calton Hill https://ewh.org.uk/world-heritage-sites/calton-hill/

Museums and Galleries

All free entry:

National Museum of Scotland https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-gallery-modern-art

Scottish National Gallery https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-gallery

Scottish Portrait Gallery https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/scottish-national-portrait-gallery