Mentioned by The Planet D: Adventure Travel Blog
21 Best Things to do in Edinburgh Scotland (That You Should Not Miss)
"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!"
"On Castle Hill, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions offers five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Tickets are £12.15 for children and £15.75 for adults."
"Calton Hill is another fantastic place for kids to let off steam and as a bonus you’ll get some of the ultimate best views of the city!. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views to the Firth of Forth, Arthurs Seat, the port of Leith, the Pentland hills and of course right down Princes street towards the castle. Calton Hill is also home to several unusual monuments including the national monument which looks like it was built by the Romans."
"This hill at the east end of Princes Street provides the ideal perch for viewing Edinburgh's loveliest sights, including the Castle, New Town, Holyrood and Arthur's Seat. At 100 feet, you'll be surprised at how extensive the view is from the crest, and it's a great place for a picnic lunch. At the top of the hill, you'll find Nelson's monument, offering added lift for an increased perspective of the city."
"It’s location in the middle of Endinburgh makes it a very convenient destination. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hill offers fabulous views of Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat and the sea reaching over to Fife."
"Recently nominated for the Spirited Awards, the most prestigious competition in the global drinks industry calendar, The Bon Vivant (Thistle St) is the FIRST Scottish restaurant bar to ever be nominated for an award in the competition's seven year history. With an ever-changing cocktail list, a broad and accessible champagne list, a comprehensive wine list and a gantry stocked full of classic and rare spirits, it's easy to see why. The Bon Vivant takes a unique approach to its wine list by offering all 44 wines by the 175ml glass, 500ml carafe or by the bottle."
"The haggis bon bons are among the ‘must- try’ bites on The Bon Vivant restaurant’s menu. Wash them down with an exciting choice from its wine list, with everything available by the glass, carafe or bottle. Then head next door on Thistle Street to The Bon Vivant’s Companion bottle shop or to one of the group’s other bars, including the new Lady Libertine and The Register Club, both inside the swanky Edinburgh Grand apartment-hotel nearby."
"Bon Vivant has previously won the ‘Best Restaurant Bar in the World’ as their bar menu changes daily. Take your pick from the ‘bites’ section, where you can try tasters of haggis bonbon, pork belly, smoked haddock arancini and mushroom, truffle and feta rolls for £2 a plate. bonvivantedinburgh.co.uk/"
"Best for Exploring Leith and its food scene In a nutshell Leith is Edinburgh’s most exciting neighbourhood, having transformed in the last decade from a rough-round-the-edges port district to a buzzing going out destination. Malmaison Edinburgh (not to be confused with the newly opened, Malmaison Edinburgh City in St Andrew’s Square) is in a converted Seaman’s mission dating back to 1883. Perched right on the docks this was in fact the chain’s first hotel and set the tone for its glamorous cool vibe.Don’t miss Malmaison Edinburgh is perfectly located to discover Leith’s food and drink scene."
"Sitting on the banks of the Firth of Forth in the fashionable district of Leith, Malmaison Edinburgh is a chic boutique hotel which boasts a modern gym, spacious rooms, and bar. There is free parking for guests and, with the city centre easily reachable by bus, there’s little need to rely on the car during a stay. Rooms are comfortable, with stylish soft furnishings; all have complimentary WiFi and satellite television, and many enjoy pleasant views of the port."
"With a striking castle-façade and a gorgeous Georgian waterfront location, Malmaison is set within this former Seaman’s Mission in dockside Leith. It’s an on-fire foodie fave, with nearby pedigree provided by Edinburgh’s two most fabulous restaurants – Michelin-starred darlings The Kitchin and Martin Wishart are a brisk walk away. For crustacean lovers, there are also bumper-to-bumper restaurants where you can pick over the day’s catch."
"It was established during the seventeenth century and was the main parish church in Edinburgh from 1648 until 1952. It was named “Tron Church” because the temple was located beside a weighing beam (tron in Scots), which was normally used in the town's marketplaces, one of which was on the Royal Mile. In 1824 a great fire destroyed the bell tower, but it was reconstructed so well that visitors will hardly notice that it was built two hundred years later."
"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."
"Dean Cemetery was inaugurated in 1846 and belongs to a beautiful hamlet located very near the city centre called Dean Village. It is one of the most remarkable cemeteries in Edinburgh and if it weren’t for the gravestones it could pass as a tranquil park full of trees."
"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."
"The Water of Leith is a great bistro style cafe which has gained a huge local following and become one of the most popular eateries in the Cannonmills area. The cafe has a relaxed and extremely welcoming ambiance and the French style food is both delectable and reasonably priced. Great Cullen Skink sits happily alongside French classics such as Croque Madame and the specials board is always brimming with tempting treats."