Mentioned by Full Suitcase Family Travel Blog
17 Best Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Edinburgh (+ Map!)
"Edinburgh's Camera Obscura (meaning "dark room") is a fascinating and delightful way to take advantage of the wonderful views of the city from Castle Hill. Located immediately beside Edinburgh Castle, this intriguing attraction is housed in a Victorian rooftop chamber at the apex of the Outlook Tower. Inside this mysterious room, you can see moving images of Edinburgh's panorama projected onto the walls by the giant periscope."
"Opened in 1835, Camera Obscura is Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attraction. The gallery focusses on visual illusions, featuring a number of experiences and hands-on activities to explore and enjoy. On site, you will find a mirror maze, an Ames room which will appear to shrink around you, and a vortex tunnel which will provoke a sense of imbalance even though you are completely stable!"
"Capture five floors full of optical experiences through the mirror maze, giant kaleidoscope, giant vortex tunnel, magic gallery, horrogram and lots more, here in a world that blends reality and illusion. Distance from Hotel:300 m4 mins4 mins2 mins"
"Located on the end of Princes Street, Calton Hill offers one of the best panoramic views of Edinburgh. Best-seen at sunset or sunrise when candy colours dance across the sky, highlights of Calton Hill include plenty of monuments and follies which commemorate various achievements of former residents from over the years. On a warm summer’s day, this green space is the ideal place not only to snap photos, but to enjoy a picnic among friends!"
"Not only is Princes Street Gardens a World Heritage Site and ‘an area of botanic and geological scientific interest’, but it is also conveniently central and a popular destination for when the sun is shining down on Edinburgh. A wonderful place to find some calm and quiet away from the thrum of the city surrounding it. Think of it as Central Park lite."
"These beautiful gardens lie in a valley that was once occupied by the Nor’ Loch (North Loch), a boggy depression that was drained in the early 19th century. At the gate beside The Mound is the Floral Clock, a..."
"Princes Street Gardens is the most important public park in the heart of Edinburgh. Created in the 1820s after draining the Nor Loch."
"In the city centre, seek out the Heart of Midlothian for a uniquely Scottish piece of history. The Heart of Midlothian is set in the pavement on the Royal Mile, constructed from coloured granite blocks that form the shape of a heart and cross. This landmark records the position of the 15th century ‘heart’ of the town, the Old Tolbooth."
"With incredible views onto Edinburgh and beyond (as well as a great, yet fun, workout) I highly recommend a hike up Arthur’s Seat for any first time visitor to the city. Although legends of King Arthur are never far away when it comes to Gaelic and Celtic countries, in this case, the extinct volcano that is Arthur’s Seat won its name in a different way."
"Each Sunday in Jubilee Gardens the Stockbridge Sunday market is a favourite for Edinburgh’s residents and visitors. Bread, cheese, smoked fish and handmade gifts and crafts will entice you as you take a walk through the Gardens with the smell of homemade crepes and freshly brewed coffee around you."
"A firm favourite with locals and people from further afield, Stockbridge Market gets busy. A mixture of street food and stands that sell food, ingredients or treats to take away, this is a fun and vibrant market. It takes over the square at Saunders Street and makes every Sunday a party."
"Located at the east end of Princes Street, you’ll find the newest edition to Edinburgh’s shopping centres – St James Quarter. From beauty to clothing, electronics to footwear, this 4-storey centre covers 1.7 million square feet and includes restaurants, cafés, bars, shops, public spaces and leisure venues. A Roomzzz aparthotel where guests can stay for one night, one week, or even up to a year, as well as Edinburgh’s first boutique Everyman cinema will open during future phases."
"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."
"Head to one of my favorite Edinburgh points of interest, the Real Mary King’s Close. Truly one of the most amazing and historically accurate tours I have ever been."
"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."
"Fourth on our list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh has to be family run business, Hendersons Salad Table. Here, you will find beautiful organic, local vegetarian food including soups, hot dishes and over a dozen salads to choose from. Up and running since the 1960s, Hendersons of Edinburgh was ahead of its time and has since gained an ‘institutional’ reputation for serving fine free-from food."
"A post shared by Taste Edinburgh (@edinburghtaste) on Feb 20, 2018 at 1:27pm PST. Hendersons is known and respected for establishing Britain’s longest running Vegetarian restaurant. Since 1962 Hendersons has led the way in introducing the pleasures of vegetarian and vegan dining to the people of Edinburgh."
"Make it a point to visit Hendersons of Edinburgh, a pleasant vegan restaurant, which you can find on Thistle Street and two other locations. Here, you get to taste healthy and tasty food preparations made using organic ingredients. This vegan food establishment is opened since July 2015."
"Image SourceThe market is an ideal place in Edinburgh to explore shops from leading-edge designers to fashion origins. The market is filled with designers, artists, and individuals selling crafts and classy clothes. Take a look for designer hats at Fabhatrix and Mr. Wood’s Fossils and if what you are looking for are old trend hats then Armstrong’s is the place to be."