EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - TOURISTIC SITES, DAY TRIPS, ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
I had the opportunity to visit Edinburgh twice and I was impressed both times, discovering each time, a different city. I can say that I really discovered the beauty of this place on the second visit, because I focused more on outdoors: walking on the streets, through parks and gardens. On my first visit, as it was winter, I chose to visit museums and other places away from the cold and the specific wind of city and although I liked it a lot then, I didn't manage to enjoy much of what it really offers.
It is a place that emanates history "through all the pores", every building and every place having a story to tell. Many of these buildings are part of the UNESCO heritage. Certainly, a visit to this city will not bore you. Besides the fact that there is at least one tourist attraction on almost every important street, there is enough diversity of tourist activities: whiskey tasting, tours of the places where Harry Potter was filmed or that inspired the author of the books, hiking and many others.
HOW TO GET TO EDINBURGH:
Edinburgh is served by its own airport, which operates international flights. There are direct flights from most European destinations. There is also the option of domestic flights from big cities, such as London, Oxford, or Birmingham. From the airport to the city, there is public transport, so we have the following options:
the Airport Express bus, which runs every 15 minutes. It makes several stops until it reaches the center, and the ticket costs just under £5;
the 100 Airlink bus, which runs every 10 minutes, reservations here;
tram, which runs every 10 minutes, to Edinburgh Park Station, where there are connections with other means of public transport to the city center;
private transfer, details here;
If you live in the United Kingdom, you can consider your personal car to get to Edinburgh.
As transport around the city, I recommend either walking, it is the way you can best enjoy each street, or Hop-on, Hop-off buses (the ticket can be used 24 hours on any route), details here.
WHERE ARE YOU STAYING IN EDINBURGH:
As accommodation, I chose the Novotel hotel, booked through Booking. The quality-price ratio was more than good. I can say that it was one of the best accommodations I found in the United Kingdom at a good price. The hotel is renovated, the cleanliness is exemplary, the breakfast is fresh and varied. The SPA area is equipped with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, wet sauna and fitness room, to which you have access at no additional cost. The only minuses I found are the fact that it is a little outside the city (but there is public transport in the area) and that it is a bit cold in the room (I noticed that the Scots have this problem, they don't really turn on the heat), so put in the luggage and some thicker pajamas.
Other accommodation options with good ratings on Booking:
The Haymarket Hotel - accommodation unit rated at 3 stars, with double, single, family or quadruple rooms. It has a bar and a laundry, and breakfast is offered on request;
Destiny Scotland Market Street Apartments - accommodation unit, which has apartments that can accommodate 2 or 4 people. Each apartment has a private kitchen;
Murrayfield Hotel - accommodation unit rated at 4 stars, which has double, twin, triple or family rooms. It has a bar, restaurant, room service, and internet and parking are included in the reservation price;
Motel One Edinburgh-Princes - accommodation unit, which has double rooms. It has a bar and reception open non-stop.
ACTIVITIES AND PLACES TO VISIT IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Castle, the most famous tourist attraction of the city, which represents only one of the almost 3000 castles of Scotland.
It was built for military purposes on an extinct volcano and its conquest or destruction was attempted many times, mostly being attacked by the English. The last attempt to destroy came from the Germans, in the second world war, when a bomb missed it by only a few meters.
The location is quite complex, being a courtyard with several rooms that can be visited, and its position offers a panoramic view over the city. Tickets can be purchased both online and at the castle. I recommend purchasing online because places are limited and you risk not finding tickets available for the day you want to go and also, those bought online are cheaper. You need about 2 hours to visit this tourist attraction.
Camera Obscura, which is a kind of museum of optical illusions. It is located near the castle and has a terrace on the roof of the building, from where you can admire the city from above. I don't particularly recommend it, but if you have children, this place might entertain them. Tickets can be purchased online or at the counter, depending on availability.
The Scotch Whiskey Experience, located opposite the Camera Obscura, is the place where you can learn the story behind the production of Whiskey and taste various varieties of this drink. The location also has a shop where you can buy a "souvenir" with over 40 degrees. Details and bookings here.
The Scott Monument, which is the largest monument dedicated to a writer, having 61 meters and being dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. It was built in the Victorian era and belongs to the Gothic style. It is one of the buildings with which I associate the city of Edinburgh. At the moment, the location cannot be visited inside, being temporarily closed, but you can admire it in all its beauty from the outside.
The Scottish National Gallery is one of the locations with free access, which is worth visiting if you have time and especially if you are an art lover. Here you can admire the works of art of some famous painters, including Van Gogh.
Edinburgh Museum is located in a historic house of the city, built in the 16th century. Here you can admire various iconic objects that belonged to the city and you can learn fascinating stories and facts about Edinburgh. The entry is free.
Calton Hill is the ideal place to enjoy a panoramic view over the city and its most iconic buildings and landmarks, such as Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles Cathedral, as well as famous monuments such as the National Monument and Nelson's Monument.
The Britannia ship is one of the most famous ships in the world. It belongs to the royal family and was used between 1954 and 1997 for official visits. It can be visited in the port of the city, and as a means of transport to get there, you can opt for bus 35 or a taxi.
The Princess Street Garden, which is an attraction that can be visited for free. It is not very big and I recommend it for the small house at the entrance and for the artesian fountain. The area where the fountain is located is one of the most photogenic in the city, offering a superb view to the castle.
A walk on the streets of the city must definitely be put on the list. Edinburgh is an open-air museum, and the buildings and architectural details are amazing. Don't miss: Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Knox House and in the immediate vicinity of this house is the oldest fountain in Edinburgh. Also, the Vennel Steps are one of the most photogenic locations in Edinburgh.
Queen's Gallery
The location was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth and is the place where you can admire royal works of art, unique furniture and other collection items. The ticket price is £8.5/person.
The Royal Botanic Garden, which has both outdoor plants and a sere where you can admire over 2400 types of plants from various corners of the world. Entrance is paid only to visit the sere. If you arrive here at the end of May - beginning of June, you have the opportunity to admire the garden brightly coloured by the azalea flowers.
Below, some links with organized excursions in Scotland, departing from Edinburgh:
Gleffian viaduct, Fort William and Glencoe - details and bookings;
A 3 day trip to Isle of Skye - details and bookings;
Loch Ness and Highlands, tour with cruise included, details and bookings;
Loch Ness and Glencoe - details and bookings;
CONCLUSION ABOUT EDINBURGH:
Edinburgh is definitely one of the most beautiful cities, if not the most beautiful city in the United Kingdom. I would return here with pleasure, knowing that depending on the season, I will discover a different side of this place each time. It is the place that has a little bit of everything, so as to satisfy any type of tourist. However, I would not revisit it in winter, the wind is quite aggressive and does not make peace with my desire to explore and walk on its beautiful streets.
You can choose to visit this city as part of a city break of several days, I would say a maximum of 3, or as a one-day trip (which, organized well, could be enough), if you visit several places in Scotland. I wrote a separate article about how I would organize a week in this country, which you can find in the following link: the 7-day itinerary from Scotland.
My last experience in Edinburgh was filmed and you can find it on the YouTube channel.
Read also about other wonderful places in Great Britain: Howard Castle, Holy Island, 3 locations to visit in Wales and Farne Islands in England, located an hour and a half from Edinburgh.
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