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."
"A fascinating must-visit place for kids and elders which uses science optical principles into play is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located on the Royal Mile next to the Edinburgh Castle, is a perfect stop for fun. Camera Obscura originates from a Latin word meaning ‘dark room’."
"Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions Camera Obscura is located one block down the Royal Mile from the Edinburgh Castle. If you are visiting Edinburgh with kids, this is an awesome spot to visit. Six floors are filled with illusions, puzzles, and optical tricks."
"***If you’re a morning person, grab a blanket, a thermos of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, and enjoy the sunrise from Calton Hill. One of the most enchanting and TOTALLY free things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland. Obviously, if you hate mornings, you can watch the sunset instead, (just make sure you have clear skies, which are something of a rarity) but you’ll just have a bit more company."
"The unfinished acropolis is completely unmistakable - referred to historically as “Edinburgh’s shame”, but any notion of that is wholly absent should you take the journey up the stairs and experience the joy to be found at the summit. Panoramic views of the city, the undulating buildings contoured to the cities foundations. Rugged and beautiful, and uniquely Edinburgh."
"Calton hill is situated beyond the east end of Princes Street and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Scottish Government’s headquarter base is at St. Andrew’s House on the steep southern slope of the hill. The Scottish Parliament building and many other notable buildings are located at the hill."
"This one might not run all year round but we couldn't write a piece on Edinburgh's markets and fail to mention it. The European festive market is a huge hit with visitors to the city and has become something of a tradition for many of those living in the capital."
"Not only do the gardens offer excellent viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle but there are a few Edinburgh landmarks located within it. Other monuments in the park include both the Ross Fountain and Wojtek the Bear."
"Located between Princes Street and the Old Town, these gardens are a beautiful place to enjoy, and easily accessible from the city centre."
"The unconventional design has long been a topic of much debate and discussion. Some people think it's the best place to house our government, others think it's quite frankly ridiculous and would prefer a more traditional looking government building. The design has won awards in the past, but we don't think we're wide of the mark in saying it's something of a marmite structure, having featured in many lists of this nature in years gone by."
"The Scottish Parliament Building is one of Edinburgh's most talked-about architectural feats and has stirred its fair share of controversy since construction. Built in 2004 by Spanish architect Enric Miralle, this post-modern complex appears a striking contrast to the surrounding architecture of Edinburgh. The edifice has been described as both ultra-modern and futuristic, with an abstract and evocative geometric style."
"The Scottish parliament is housed in a modern building of unique architecture at the east end of The Royal Mile. Taxi, public bus or tour bus is the easiest way to reach the venue which is a 15 minute walk from Waverley Station. There is some car parking nearby for the Holyrood area, including disabled blue badge parking but it is limited."
"Address: East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BL, Scotland, UK Mansfield Place Church is to be found within the New Town area, standing close to the bus depot and the King George V Park. Built in 1872 by Robert Rowand Anderson, this old church has had many uses over the years and once even functioned as a nightclub. Today, it is owned by the Mansfield Traquair Trust, a conservation group who have actively restored the building over a number of years."
"With its mercat cross, cobbled streets, tolbooth, and narrow wynds (alleys), seaside Culross is a picturesque little town. It's also…"
"Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is the second-oldest institution of its kind in Britain (after Oxford), and one of the most respected in the world. Founded near Holyrood in 1670 and moved to its present location in 1823, its 70 beautifully landscaped acres include splendid Victorian glasshouses (admission £6.50), colourful swaths of rhododendrons and azaleas, and a world-famous rock garden. There's a second entrance to the gardens at 20a Inverleith Row."
"Explore Britain's largest rhododendron and azalea gardens at this beautiful 70-acre botanical garden. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden,…"
"Edinburgh Waverley is the perfect blend of old and new, with areas dating back to the 1800s and other sections being constantly expanded, developed and changed. Travellers are welcomed to Scotland’s capital with stunning arches, and can walk out straight onto Princes Street beneath a glass ceiling which offers a perfect view of the Edinburgh sky. As well as being the primary link between Edinburgh and the rest of the UK, the station is also one of several links between the Old Town and the New Town — bringing people together in many different ways."
"Located under North Bridge, between the Old and New Towns, the zigzagging rooftop of Waverley Station – Edinburgh’s main railway station – is another iconic feature of the city’s architecture. Its vast glass roof makes the interior light and open (provided the weather cooperates) making the first impression of Edinburgh a pleasant one."
"Lush have made a name for themselves with unique, handmade, ethically sourced health and beauty products. Now they have taken the next step an offer spa treatments from their Edinburgh store. Like their products, the treatments are unconventional and fresh and more specifically tailored to the individual than is the norm."
"If you love Lush or want to experience something different from your usual spa experience, Lush Spa is a must-try!. Each treatment therapist is highly knowledgeable and professional from the moment you meet them and will have a consultation with you before selecting the products for your treatment!"
"One Spa is part of the luxurious Sheraton Grand Hotel located just off Lothian Road in the center of Edinburgh. As well as a delightful rooftop hydro pool, nineteen meter infinity swimming pool, rainforest showers, and rock and bio saunas, the Spa includes a unique thermal suite which features treatments inspired by the ancient Celts and Romans – such as the Laconium (dry heat treatment room) and Tepidarium (warm room) and the deliciously scented Aroma Grotto. They have a well-equipped gym with a selection of classes including Yoga, Zumba, Boxing, LiveStrong Cycling and high intensity circuit training."
"One Spa is part of the luxurious Sheraton Grand Hotel located just off Lothian Road on Festival Square. Escape the busy city life, throw your worries and cares aside for the day to contrate purely on yourself, and enjoy Scotland’s most renowned urban thermal spa experience. Their facilities are second to none and have everything you need to re-energise your body and soul."
"Unwind in a stylish and modern setting with the Sheraton Hotel’s One Spa. There are 5 different steam rooms, a 19m swimming pool as well as the Ultimate hydro rooftop pool offering the most luxurious hotel spa experience in the heart of Edinburgh. There's also an amazing selection of sauna and thermal rooms, all stimulating the senses with scent, sight, heat and steam."
"The Physicians' Gallery is a free public exhibition space which is part of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Our exhibitions are based on the wealth of historical medical material which the College has collected over the last 300 years. ‘Moonstruck: 500 years of mental health’ is our new free exhibition– opening on 14 June 2019 and running until Spring 2020"
"A stylish contemporary building appended to the 15th-century home of Protestant reformer John Knox, housing materials relating to Scotland’s rich oral culture.43–45 High Street, 556 9579, scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (also Sun noon–6pm during Aug only). Free entry to SSC; John Knox House £4.25 (£3.75; children £1; under 7s free)."
"This cosy café in Edinburgh’s Southside boasts a wealth of vegan-friendly hot drinks and treats. In fact, most of the menu is vegan, apart from the odd bake here and there, and they do still offer cow’s milk as an option for your tea or coffee. Walk in the door and you will be greeted with a huge display of vegan cakes such as fudge cake, apple tarts, cinnamon rolls, bakewell bakes and much more."