Mentioned by Full Suitcase Family Travel Blog
17 Best Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Edinburgh (+ Map!)
"Camera Obscura and World of Illusions - where seeing is not believing!. Welcome to the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, delighting visitors since 1835. Don't miss this Aladdin's cave filled with illusions, tricks, puzzles, hands-on experiences and unbelievable effects to experience and interact with."
"Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze. Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel."
"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!"
"Climb Calton HIll Towards the end of the day, I’d suggest you head up Calton Hill. This is a wonderful spot for a view of the city and can be found at the east end of Princes Street. This hill is home to a series of monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Parthenon in Greece."
"The hill overlooks the entire town, including Princess Street, which is the direction of the castle. Within that view is the Dugald Stewart monument, which makes for a wonderful shot. Calton Hill is particularly breathtaking at sunset."
"In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, and at the very centre of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Princess Street Gardens is another of Edinburgh’s important parks. Here you will see the world-famous Floral Clock and an array of public monuments such as the David Livingstone Statue and the Scott Monument, to name a couple. Please note this is a gated park and the gates are opened and closed according to the opening times."
"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."
"The Edinburgh's park that lies nestled between the Old and New Towns is Princes Street Gardens, where you should definitely stop by to roam its grounds."
"Linlithgow Palace: Used as a royal residence throughout the ages, Linlithgow Palace is located in a town of the same name and was one of the most important seats of the monarchy during the 15th and 16th-centuries. In fact, it was even the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots!"
"The interior is large as original except for the modern stained glass window by Christian Shaw. Barnton StreetStirling FK8 1HFTel: +44(0)1786 471400Sunday service: 11.00. Website - Viewfield Church"
"A popular walk from town is to the Bracklinn Falls. We learned here from Ross that the idiom “armed to the teeth” is said (at least by some) to have originated in medieval Scotland when Highlanders were asked to surrender their weapons before crossing the River Teith in order to sell and trade peacefully with the Lowlanders."
"The grand seat of local government was built in the 1880s at the high point of Glasgow's wealth. The interior is even more extravagant than the exterior, and the chambers have sometimes been used as a movie location to represent the Kremlin or the Vatican. You can have a look at the opulent ground floor during opening hours. To see more, free guided tours are held at 10.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday; it's worth popping in earlier that day to prebook."
"Dominating the east side of George Square, this exuberant expression of Victorian confidence, built by William Young in Italian Renaissance…"
"This category A listed church dates from 1875/6, it was designed by one of Scotlands most prolific architects of the time, Sir Robert Rowan Anderson. In 1920 Sir Robert Lorimer was commissioned to convert the east end of the north chapel. This chapel has many interiors of note, in particular, fine examples of stained glass windows mostly from the twentieth century, but some that were transferred from the church's original building in Barnton Street Stirling."
"Bites and Leaves is a cosy café that opened during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in October 2020. Angela is a passionate cook and freshly makes cakes, salads and other goodies for breakfast and lunch. The full breakfast features a rice-flour and sweet potato “egg” along with rice paper “bacon”."
"This restaurant is kid-friendly with a blend of different dishes to fit you and your kids. Customers are approached like a family here, making it a special moment even for the slightest meal. They are also pet-friendly — a plus side for pet lovers."
"A beautiful boutique hotel located in the stylish village of Stockbridge, Nira Caledonia is dedicated to celebrating life’s pleasures, through individually styled rooms with unique soft furnishings, including goose feather beds and goose down pillows, 42-inch plasma televisions, and slate bathrooms. Some rooms offer delightful views from floor-to-ceiling windows or an exquisite spa bath for the ultimate in relaxation. In the bar, guests can choose from over 25 Scotch whiskies, while fresh dishes crafted from organic Scottish ingredients can be enjoyed in the restaurant."
"Surrounded by the cobbled streets and Georgian elegance of New Town, a short stroll from Princes Street, Nira Caledonia is a central yet peaceful Edinburgh retreat. Amid the plush pelmets, rich textures and original cornices you'll find flat-screen televisions, Nespresso coffee machines, complimentary Wi-Fi and iPod docking stations. You'll find warm, heartfelt service and a cool, quirky style."
"This pretty lane is home to my favourite pub in Edinburgh – Auld Hundred. This cosy pub has an upstairs restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including pasta and burgers. The salmon here is delicious!"
"Explore Britain's largest rhododendron and azalea gardens at this beautiful 70-acre botanical garden. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden,…"
"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."
"A quiet suburban sanctuary just off Leith Walk, this elegant four-storey Georgian townhouse is a hidden secret behind Calton Hill. Appealingly simple, its snug doubles and suites are the place to whisper sweet nothings; in particular, the two Georgian Suites, with fit-for-two roll-top baths, feature wallpaper and four-poster beds that cry out for pillow talk. The ground-level Brasserie offers a classic Scottish tasting menu, but another close-at-hand option is Roberta Hall’s the Little Chartroom, where the cooking will have passions running high."
"Located in Edinburgh’s trendy East End, No 11 Brasserie has created a space that celebrates fresh Scottish produce and ingredients with an ever-changing seasonal menu. Their current autumn menu includes Fillet of Sole Meuniere and Butternut Squash with local foraged woodland mushrooms and many more. The brasserie’s interior also reflects the heritage of the city’s Georgian architecture."