Mentioned by Edinburgh 2 days itinerary
2 Days in Edinburgh: The Perfect Itinerary for Your First Visit
"A combination of Edinburgh history, city views from a new perspective, and experience with optical illusions, the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an attraction that certainly appeals to all ages. The centerpiece, set in a Victorian rooftop room, is a pinhole camera that projects live moving images of Edinburgh onto a viewing table. The panorama is created by a combination of mirror and lenses, and it has been entertaining people here since 1853."
"Getting to Camera Obscura : Located on Castlehill, the museum is a 6 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. Right at the top of the Royal Mile, just a few seconds walk from Edinburgh Castle, is the most fun, interactive museum on this list."
"Don’t miss the Camera Obscura show on the top floor. PRO TIP: The presentation also gives you a nice overview of Edinburgh and its history, which is great if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Plan to spend about an hour here (or more, depending on your interests)."
"***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."
"0 km from city center 2 out of 11 places to visit in Edinburgh. Situated on the east end of the Princes Street, the Calton Hill in Edinburgh is included in the city's UNESCO world heritage site. The National Monument of Scotland is situated on the Calton Hill."
"Did you know Edinburgh is often referred to as the Athens of the North?. The reason for this is Calton Hill and its monuments. In fact, Calton Hill is also known as Edinburgh Acropolis."
"Something of an institution, Paco’s keeps Perthers coming back over and over, perhaps because it would take dozens of visits to try even half the menu. There’s something for everyone: steak, seafood, pizza, pasta..."
"As you would expect, all our food at Paco's Restaurant is freshly prepared daily and cooked to order. From pasta to pizzas, burgers to steaks, we have an ex ..."
"The Palace of Holyroodhouse — usually simply referred to as Holyrood Palace — is the Queen's official Edinburgh residence and has frequently been at the center of Scottish history. Built in 1678, it was where James II and James IV were each married, where James V and Charles I were crowned, and where "Bonnie Prince Charlie" held court in 1745. When the Queen is away (which is typically 51 weeks of the year, as she's only here for "Royal Week" each summer), public access is permitted to the stunning Historic Apartments (former home of Mary Queen of Scots) and the State Apartments, famous for their fine furnishings, tapestries, and plasterwork."
"Adjacent to Holyrood Palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey which are an important part of the Edinburgh landmarks list. The history of this church dates back to the 12th century. You gain access to the abbey with your Holyrood Palace ticket."
"Whatever you do, don’t touch the nose of Greyfriar’s Bobby! ***Before you leave, be sure to visit Greyfriar’s Bobby, a statue that commemorates the Skye Terrier that became famous for allegedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, until the dog died on 14 January 1872. Whatever you do though, do NOT rub Greyfriar’s Bobby’s nose. Shockingly enough, rubbing the statue’s nose will not inundate you with good luck and will piss off locals since you are inadvertently rubbing off the statue’s paint, an act that leads to the corrosion of the statue."
"If you don’t know the story of the best wee dug in Scotland, then ask while you’re getting your round in this traditional Celtic pub. It’s one of the most historic and best Edinburgh pubs and an excellent stop on any stag night. Greyfriars specialises in cask ales, gins, and whiskies, but also offers hearty pub food."
"Snap a photo of Greyfriars Bobby. This dog became known in the 19th century for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he passed away himself in 1872."
"The Palace of Holyroodhouse — usually simply referred to as Holyrood Palace — is the Queen's official Edinburgh residence and has frequently been at the center of Scottish history. Built in 1678, it was where James II and James IV were each married, where James V and Charles I were crowned, and where "Bonnie Prince Charlie" held court in 1745. When the Queen is away (which is typically 51 weeks of the year, as she's only here for "Royal Week" each summer), public access is permitted to the stunning Historic Apartments (former home of Mary Queen of Scots) and the State Apartments, famous for their fine furnishings, tapestries, and plasterwork."
"Adjacent to Holyrood Palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey which are an important part of the Edinburgh landmarks list. The history of this church dates back to the 12th century. You gain access to the abbey with your Holyrood Palace ticket."
"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."
"The John Knox House dates back to 1470, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, as well as the oldest on the Royal Mile. Today, it’s a beautifully maintained museum that showcases the house and those who lived here, with special attention paid to the Scottish Reformation. Although it’s not on every tourist’s trail, those who do their research will be well rewarded with a fascinating trip back through time."
"Formerly the home of Scotland’s national daily newspaper, The Scotsman, this imposing Edwardian building – which straddles North Bridge – offers sweeping vistas of Edinburgh’s skyline. Any hint of ink and hot-metal printing presses have long been banished, replaced by a city-centre hotel that combines the charm of a bygone era with the best of 21st-century living. However, there are occasional reminders of the hotel’s former incarnation – check in to a spacious Editor Room or a compact Reporter Room."
"Once the austere press HQ of The Scotsman newspaper, this Baroque-era building sits above Waverley Station – no lugging suitcases around the capital here. Inside, rooms offer a greatest hits of Edinburgh views from the get-go, with the Mound, Calton Hill and Princes Street Gardens all framed at the far end of the bed. Decor is as two-tone as the paper that used to be produced here – soft beiges and porridgy creams."
"The Balmoral Hotel in Princes Street has a long-established commitment to whisky-drinking from the days when it was known as the North British Hotel. Today, just to the right of reception there is a tall, gracious whisky bar known as Scotch, where “whisky ambassadors” kitted out in the hotel's own tartan will not only serve you whisky but provide a personal introduction to whisky. These hour length sessions consist of four individually chosen drams per person, a few nibbles and a lot of history."
"Teuchter’s Landing has one of Edinburgh’s best beer gardens, a wide array of whiskies and some incredibly hearty meals served in mugs. Cup-a-Soup and Lemsip once fought over the right to use the slogan “hug in a mug” – if either party had visited Teuchtar’s Landing in Leith, they’d hand over the slogan after any one of their comforting mugs. Tuck into a mug of Cullen Skink, Haggis Stovies, Haggis Neeps and Tatties, Mac and Cheese or some chunky chips."
"This bar is located in the Shore area of Leith and its outdoor seating area is always popular in summer. However, the warm and homely inside area of this bar is an even bigger draw in winter. A formal restaurant (A Room In Leith) lays adjacent, but it's the mug menu of Teuchters Landing which is an absolute steal."