Edinburgh itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Edinburgh, day by day: Edinburgh Castle and the climb up Arthur's Seat first, then the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile's closes and St Giles', and the New Town, Calton Hill, galleries and the Royal Yacht Britannia as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Edinburgh in 1 day
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Edinburgh in 2 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Edinburgh in 3 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Nelson Monument, Edinburgh
A telescope-shaped tower on Calton Hill honouring Admiral Nelson, with a time ball and a viewing gallery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Mary King's Close
A buried 17th-century street beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, shown on guided tours.
Edinburgh Vaults
Chambers in the arches of South Bridge, once workshops and slums, now seen on guided tours.
Day 3
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Grassmarket
An old market place below the castle, now lined with pubs and shops, with a market on Saturdays.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Edinburgh in 4 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Nelson Monument, Edinburgh
A telescope-shaped tower on Calton Hill honouring Admiral Nelson, with a time ball and a viewing gallery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Mary King's Close
A buried 17th-century street beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, shown on guided tours.
Edinburgh Vaults
Chambers in the arches of South Bridge, once workshops and slums, now seen on guided tours.
Day 3
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Grassmarket
An old market place below the castle, now lined with pubs and shops, with a market on Saturdays.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Day 4
George Street, Edinburgh
The central street of the Georgian New Town, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Scott Monument
A Victorian Gothic spire in Princes Street Gardens honouring Sir Walter Scott, with narrow stairs to the top.
HMY Britannia
The former Royal Yacht, now a museum ship moored at Leith, showing royal apartments and crew quarters.
Calton Hill
A hill at the east end of Princes Street with monuments and one of the classic views along the city.
Edinburgh in 5 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh
A gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse showing changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Day 3
Edinburgh Vaults
Chambers in the arches of South Bridge, once workshops and slums, now seen on guided tours.
Mary King's Close
A buried 17th-century street beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, shown on guided tours.
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Gladstone's Land
A restored 17th-century tenement on the Royal Mile, showing how merchants lived in the Old Town.
Camera Obscura, Edinburgh
A Victorian rooftop camera obscura at the top of the Royal Mile, with a live panorama of the city and floors of optical illusions.
Day 4
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Scotch Whisky Experience
A whisky visitor attraction beside the castle esplanade, with a tour, tasting and a large collection of bottles.
Princes Street
The main shopping street of the New Town, with gardens on one side and views up to the castle.
George Street, Edinburgh
The central street of the Georgian New Town, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Dean Village
A former milling hamlet in a wooded gorge, reached by the Water of Leith Walkway, with old granary buildings and a quiet, village feel near the West End.
Day 5
Scott Monument
A Victorian Gothic spire in Princes Street Gardens honouring Sir Walter Scott, with narrow stairs to the top.
The Mound
An artificial slope linking the Old and New Towns, home to the Scottish National Gallery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Scottish National Gallery
Scotland's national art gallery on The Mound, with European and Scottish paintings; free entry.
Edinburgh in 6 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh
A gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse showing changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Day 3
Edinburgh Vaults
Chambers in the arches of South Bridge, once workshops and slums, now seen on guided tours.
Mary King's Close
A buried 17th-century street beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, shown on guided tours.
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Gladstone's Land
A restored 17th-century tenement on the Royal Mile, showing how merchants lived in the Old Town.
Camera Obscura, Edinburgh
A Victorian rooftop camera obscura at the top of the Royal Mile, with a live panorama of the city and floors of optical illusions.
Day 4
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Scotch Whisky Experience
A whisky visitor attraction beside the castle esplanade, with a tour, tasting and a large collection of bottles.
Princes Street
The main shopping street of the New Town, with gardens on one side and views up to the castle.
George Street, Edinburgh
The central street of the Georgian New Town, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Dean Village
A former milling hamlet in a wooded gorge, reached by the Water of Leith Walkway, with old granary buildings and a quiet, village feel near the West End.
Day 5
Scott Monument
A Victorian Gothic spire in Princes Street Gardens honouring Sir Walter Scott, with narrow stairs to the top.
The Mound
An artificial slope linking the Old and New Towns, home to the Scottish National Gallery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Scottish National Gallery
Scotland's national art gallery on The Mound, with European and Scottish paintings; free entry.
Day 6
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
A large botanic garden north of the centre, with glasshouses, a rock garden and a Chinese hillside, plus a view of the skyline.
Stockbridge, Edinburgh
A village-like district by the Water of Leith with independent shops, cafés, a Sunday market and the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
Nelson Monument, Edinburgh
A telescope-shaped tower on Calton Hill honouring Admiral Nelson, with a time ball and a viewing gallery.
National Monument of Scotland
An unfinished copy of the Parthenon on Calton Hill, a memorial to Scots who died in the Napoleonic Wars.
Calton Hill
A hill at the east end of Princes Street with monuments and one of the classic views along the city.
Edinburgh in 7 days
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
Royal Mile
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyrood, with narrow closes, historic pubs and shops on either side.
Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, a steep walk to a summit with views over the whole city and the sea.
Day 2
Scottish Parliament Building
The modern home of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of the Royal Mile, open to visitors with free tours.
Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh
A gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse showing changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.
Holyrood Palace
The King's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers.
Day 3
Edinburgh Vaults
Chambers in the arches of South Bridge, once workshops and slums, now seen on guided tours.
Mary King's Close
A buried 17th-century street beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, shown on guided tours.
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh on the Royal Mile, with its crown spire and the carved Thistle Chapel.
Gladstone's Land
A restored 17th-century tenement on the Royal Mile, showing how merchants lived in the Old Town.
Camera Obscura, Edinburgh
A Victorian rooftop camera obscura at the top of the Royal Mile, with a live panorama of the city and floors of optical illusions.
Day 4
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
A curving street of colourful shopfronts that drops from George IV Bridge to the Grassmarket, said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Scotch Whisky Experience
A whisky visitor attraction beside the castle esplanade, with a tour, tasting and a large collection of bottles.
Princes Street
The main shopping street of the New Town, with gardens on one side and views up to the castle.
George Street, Edinburgh
The central street of the Georgian New Town, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Dean Village
A former milling hamlet in a wooded gorge, reached by the Water of Leith Walkway, with old granary buildings and a quiet, village feel near the West End.
Day 5
Scott Monument
A Victorian Gothic spire in Princes Street Gardens honouring Sir Walter Scott, with narrow stairs to the top.
The Mound
An artificial slope linking the Old and New Towns, home to the Scottish National Gallery.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A historic graveyard by Greyfriars Kirk, linked to the story of the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby.
National Museum of Scotland
A free museum covering Scottish history, natural history, science and world cultures; go up to the roof terrace for a view of the Castle.
Scottish National Gallery
Scotland's national art gallery on The Mound, with European and Scottish paintings; free entry.
Day 6
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
A large botanic garden north of the centre, with glasshouses, a rock garden and a Chinese hillside, plus a view of the skyline.
Stockbridge, Edinburgh
A village-like district by the Water of Leith with independent shops, cafés, a Sunday market and the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
Nelson Monument, Edinburgh
A telescope-shaped tower on Calton Hill honouring Admiral Nelson, with a time ball and a viewing gallery.
National Monument of Scotland
An unfinished copy of the Parthenon on Calton Hill, a memorial to Scots who died in the Napoleonic Wars.
Calton Hill
A hill at the east end of Princes Street with monuments and one of the classic views along the city.
Day 7
HMY Britannia
The former Royal Yacht, now a museum ship moored at Leith, showing royal apartments and crew quarters.
The Shore, Leith
The old harbour front of Leith, lined with converted warehouses, pubs and seafood restaurants, including Michelin-starred places, beside the Water of Leith.
Portobello Beach
Edinburgh's seaside, a long sandy beach and promenade with cafés, an old Victorian swimming pool and views across the Firth of Forth.
Edinburgh Playhouse
A large theatre at the top of Leith Walk, used for touring musicals and concerts.
Watch: Edinburgh in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Edinburgh
May to September has the mildest weather and longest daylight. August is the busiest month, when the Fringe and the International Festival fill the city and hotel prices rise steeply. Winter is cold, wet and dark early, but the Christmas market runs from late November and Hogmanay brings large New Year's Eve celebrations.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Edinburgh on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Edinburgh on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Edinburgh on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Edinburgh with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United Kingdom from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Edinburgh with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Edinburgh
- Book Edinburgh Castle and the Real Mary King's Close ahead; the castle uses timed tickets and the Close is seen only on guided tours.
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse closes when the royal family is in residence; check the dates before planning that day.
- Wear sturdy shoes for Arthur's Seat and bring a layer: the summit is exposed and often windy.
- In August the festivals fill the city; book rooms and popular sights well in advance.
- The Old Town is steep, with stairs and closes linking streets at different levels; allow extra time between stops.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Arthur's Seat: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Calton Hill: Saffron Blaze, CC BY 3.0
- Dean Village: Gary Campbell-Hall from Edinburgh, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Edinburgh Castle: Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0
- Edinburgh Playhouse: kim traynor, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Edinburgh Vaults: Kjetil Bjørnsrud, CC BY 2.5
- George Street, Edinburgh: Thomas Hosmer Shepherd, Public domain
- Gladstone's Land: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Grassmarket: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greyfriars Kirkyard: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- HMY Britannia: Ben Salter from Wales, CC BY 2.0
- Holyrood Palace: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mary King's Close: The Real Mary King's Close at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- National Monument of Scotland: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Museum of Scotland: No machine-readable author provided. Maccoinnich~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nelson Monument, Edinburgh: Godot13, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Portobello Beach: Danieljksn, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Princes Street: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Queen's Gallery, Edinburgh: Bernt Rostad uploaded and derivative work: MrPanyGoff, CC BY 2.0
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh: Ham, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Royal Mile: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Scotch Whisky Experience: Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Scott Monument: Saffron Blaze, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Scottish National Gallery: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Scottish Parliament Building: G Laird, CC BY-SA 2.0
- St Giles' Cathedral: Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Stockbridge, Edinburgh: wfmillar, CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Mound: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0
- The Shore, Leith: alljengi from Edinburgh, CC BY-SA 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
