10 Things to Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a must-see for most travellers to Scotland and offers plenty of things to do.
September 16, 2026
7 minute read
Looking for the best things to do in Edinburgh? From historic landmarks and legendary stories to local food and whisky experiences, there's plenty to explore.
Edinburgh is probably one of the most atmospheric cities I’ve ever visited. Edinburgh Castle looms over you as you climb the Royal Mile, and on a drizzly day, it’s the perfect backdrop for Scottish stories and legends. But castles and storytelling aren’t the only things to do in Edinburgh.
Read on for our list of 10 things to do in Edinburgh, drawn from Collette's guided Scotland tours with helpful insights from our Tour Designers.
Key Takeaways
Edinburgh offers a mix of history, culture, food, and outdoor experiences, from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle to Arthur's Seat.
Historic attractions bring Scotland's stories to life, including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, underground vaults, and Rosslyn Chapel.
Food and whisky are an important part of experiencing Edinburgh, with local dishes, cooking experiences, pubs, and Scotch whisky tours to explore.
Edinburgh makes a great base for exploring beyond the city, with nearby destinations like Stirling Castle and The Kelpies.
A guided Scotland tour can make it easier to experience Edinburgh's highlights whilst also exploring more of Scotland.
1. Walk the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the spine of Old Town Edinburgh, running between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s a challenging walk uphill over cobblestones, so plan to take your time and consider hiring a local guide who can regale you with local stories whilst you catch your breath.
Travel Tip: If you're really into history and legendary stories, check out Collette’s Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend tour. It includes Edinburgh and other legendary sites across Scotland.
2. Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock above Old Town, so you see it before you reach it. As you walk up the Royal Mile, the city narrows as the castle comes into view. At the top, you can look back over Edinburgh and see why travellers consider it worth the walk.
Inside the castle, you can see the Great Hall, St. Margaret’s Chapel, Half Moon Battery, and Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Guided tours are highly recommended here. Tour guides give you context that can transform stone rooms into living history.
Travel Tip: Tickets to enter the castle sell out far in advance. Buy your tickets to Edinburgh Castle and book guides early, or choose a guided tour with Collette and let us handle those details.
3. See the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a world-famous event that turns Edinburgh Castle into a backdrop for music, pageantry, and Scottish traditions. Celebrating the skills and talents of military bands and cultural performers from around the globe, pipes, drums, military drill displays, dancers, singers, cultural celebrations, and fireworks take over the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade for a brief time each August.
Every year brings a new theme, and every performance is impressive.
"The Royal Military Tattoo was absolutely fantastic! Everyone should have the pleasure of attending this event!" Diane C., Traveller on Exploring Scotland and Ireland featuring The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place for three weeks in August, with weekday performances at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday shows at 6:15 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets sell out months in advance, making guided tours that include the Military Tattoo a popular way to enjoy the experience without the stress of trying to get tickets.
Travel Tip: Be prepared to enjoy the performance rain or shine. Wear warm layers and bring a raincoat — umbrellas are not allowed.
4. Explore Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults
Take a tour of Edinburgh’s underground vaults and venture below the streets into rooms and passageways that reveal a darker side of the city’s past.
The vaults under South Bridge are one of the top things to do in Edinburgh for history buffs who like a spooky atmosphere. Expect tales of murder, witch hunts, and paranormal activity.
Travel Tip: Take your time choosing a tour of the underground vaults. You'll find tours that range from very spooky ghost stories to more history-focused options.
5. Visit Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel became especially well known after The Da Vinci Code, but its carvings and stories were drawing visitors long before that. The 13th-century chapel sits on the outskirts of the city and offers a mix of history, mystery, and a little pop-culture connection.
On select Collette tours, travellers get to explore Rosslyn Chapel after hours on a private evening tour. The tour includes photo opportunities (which are not normally allowed during the day) and a three-course dinner.
Travel Tip: The stairs down to the crypt in Rosslyn Chapel are steep.
6. Try Scottish Cooking and Local Food
Start your day with a full Scottish breakfast and try porridge or kippers (small, cold-smoked herring). Later in the day, look for favorites like fish and chips, steak and ale pie, black pudding, haggis, bridie, Scotch pie, and stovies. For something sweet, look for cranachan, tablet, shortbread, clootie dumpling, or Atholl Brose.
For a deeper dive into Scottish flavours, schedule a cooking lesson. We frequently include cooking lessons and demonstrations on Collette tours as a fun way to get to know local people and try new foods. Learn more about what makes Collette tours different.
"The dinner at the Edinburgh Cookery school was our best meal." Allison D., Traveller on Discover Scotland featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Travel Tip: Try a mix of fine-dining restaurants and cosy pubs.
7. Take a Scotch Distillery Tour
A Scotch whisky tour is a worthwhile experience even if you aren’t a whisky fan. It’s hard not to appreciate the pride that goes into the country’s “water of life.”
Learning about the process and how to notice the flavours and aromas is interesting, and you can choose to enjoy or skip tasting a wee dram.
Travel Tip: You can find distillery tours and bars in Edinburgh, making it easy to pair a distillery tour with other experiences.
8. Climb Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano that rises above Edinburgh. From there you can see Edinburgh Castle, the Firth of Forth coastline, and the distant Pentland Hills.
The climb can be steep, so this recommendation is for travellers who like hiking and a physical challenge.
Travel Tip: If you want the view without as much of a climb, check out Salisbury Crags instead.
9. Visit Stirling Castle
Whilst not in Edinburgh, Stirling Castle makes a good day trip. This iconic landmark has its own epic stories of kings and Jacobite history and great views over the surrounding mountains.
Travel Tip: You can take a train or bus from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle.
10. See The Kelpies
The Kelpies in Falkirk are another great day trip to consider whilst you're in Edinburgh. Towering 98 feet high, these steel horse heads are the world’s largest equine sculptures.
Whilst they are named after the mythical Kelpies, sculptor Andy Scott was inspired by the Clydesdale horses and draught horses that are part of Scotland's cultural heritage.
Travel Tip: Time your trip so that you can see the Kelpies light up at dusk.
Edinburgh Travel FAQs
How do you pronounce Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is pronounced ED-in-bruh — not “Edin-burg.” The ending is soft and quick, closer to “bruh” than “borough.”
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Late spring through early fall is a popular time to visit Edinburgh, with longer days for sightseeing and August events like the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Are there enough things to do in Edinburgh for a multi-day trip?
Yes, Edinburgh has enough things to do for several days, especially if you want to enjoy Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, local food, whisky experiences, the underground vaults, and nearby day trips.
What else should I see and do in Scotland?
There are many more places to see in Scotland beyond Edinburgh, including lochs, islands, and the Highlands. For more trip ideas, check out our post on the best places to visit in Scotland.
Plan Your Trip to Scotland
Edinburgh is just one of the many places in Scotland to visit. To see more of the country or even add England, Ireland, and Wales to your trip, consider a guided tour.
Collette’s tours are designed and led by people who call these countries home and love showing travellers the highlights and hidden gems. What’s more, Collette has over 100 years of experience designing tours. We listen to our travellers and craft tours that consistently get high ratings.
Download our Ireland and UK travel brochure to learn more about Collette’s Ireland, Scotland, and UK tours.
