Mentioned by 10Best
10 Best Historic Sites in Edinburgh: Step Back in Time and Explore the Past
"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!"
"Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND. Things to do at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions review. Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions is located on the Castlehill section of Edinburgh, Scotland, close to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh castle."
"Start at the end Princes Street and climb the staircase up the hill for some of the best views over the city – from here you can see out to the castle and over to Arthur’s Seat. Home to the National Monument, designed to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens but never finished, it’s also where you’ll find the huge Nelson monument. At 1pm, the time ball here drops – designed to be seen by ships far our at sea, the castle’s One O’Clock gun was added as bad weather meant the ball couldn’t always be seen."
"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."
"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."
"Take your children to Her Majesty’s floating residence and take a trip to The Royal Yacht Britannia!. Before you step aboard, view the 11 foot LEGO replica model of Britannia and learn about the history of Royal Yachts. Your kids will love walking on this stunning ship, listening to their own personalised audio guide, while seeing all fantastic five decks, the State Apartments, Crew’s Quarters and The Engine Room!"
"Why not walk in the footsteps of royalty with a visit to Ocean Terminal in Leith for a tour around the Royal Yacht Britannia. This palace on the sea was a home away from home for the Royal family, touring the world for over 40 years. The Royal Apartments on board hosted world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Rajiv Gandhi."
"Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering marvel, a rotating boat lift that raises vessels 115ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. Boat trips depart from the lower basin (eight daily March to October, three daily in winter) and travel into the wheel, which delivers you to the Union Canal high above. Boats then go through Roughcastle Tunnel before the return descent on the wheel."
"The only rotating boat lift in the world, the Falkirk Wheel links two major waterways, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal,…"
"Address: Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2HSWebsite: The Grassmarket. The Grassmarket in Edinburgh is a bustling collection of pubs and restaurants which sit around a large open square at the southern edge of Edinburgh Castle. Because the district is so centrally located within the city you can easily find it by either walking west from the Cowgate or walking south from the Castle Esplanade."
"This area of town is often bustling with people so there's always a buzz about this weekly market. It's widely regarded as a top place to be for those looking to get their hands on some stunning jewellery, crafts and artwork. Paella and hot Latin foods are regularly served up by the stall holders along with treats like cupcakes and macarons."
"Fun fact: Back in 1477, the Grassmarket was a huge market in Edinburgh with most of it trading cattle and horses. This is apparently where the name Grassmarket originated as the western end of it was where the animals’ grass was kept."
"For a small fee, you can go up the Scott Monument and get a gorgeous view of the Old Town from the other side. However, it was sadly closed for renovations when I was there, so I didn’t get a chance to go up."
"After your visit, consider a stroll through the Princes Street Gardens or climb the Scott Monument for another bird’s eye view of Edinburgh. Royal Yacht Britannia"
"Greyfriar’s Kirk has possibly the most famous kirkyard in Edinburgh thanks to Greyfriar’s Bobby and the many Harry Potter references. However, this church is notable for other reasons too: it is the site of a pre-Reformation Franciscan monastery while the National Covenant was signed here in 1638. Nowadays Greyfriar’s Kirk hosts free music concerts, art exhibitions, ceilidhs and also offers a recording space recording space."
"Another popular tourist site for thrill and adrenaline seekers is the Greyfriars graveyard. This picturesque Scottish cemetery is said to be the most haunted cemetery in the world... So go there at your own risks 😋 (preferably at night)!"
"Greyfriars Kirk is one of the most famous churches in Edinburgh where JK Rowling found inspiration and you'll find the famous Greyfriars Bobby."
"Whether you are looking for fine dining in Edinburgh or the latest pop-up restaurants and the coolest bars, you will find something to suit your style in our comprehensive directory of Edinburgh restaurants. Scotland's Capital and the country's second biggest city is home to some of the most fantastic restaurants - if you are looking for cheap eats and fantastic food on a budget then the Old Town's array on small independant eateries will suit you. Or for some style and sophistication, Leith offers gourmet dining at its best."
"Originally opened as a Fringe pop-up, Checkpoint is now a permanent and popular restaurant (Photo: Checkpoint). Checkpoint’s daytime menu offers a range of delicious dishes for less than a tenner, with options like the crispy halloumi burger, mac and three cheese toastie, and fish bouillabaisse stew on offer. The evening menu is slightly pricier (with most mains around £15), but the relaxed restaurant still offers affordable dining without compromising on taste or portion size."
"Checkpoint is a trendy restaurant around the corner from the National Museum of Scotland. It is close enough to the Old Town centre of Edinburgh, to be convenient for lunch or dinner on a city trip, but also far enough from the Royal Mile to have a more local feel to it. They offer a full vegan breakfast and several vegan options on their day time menu, but since I went there for dinner, I’ll tell you more about that."
"Bite Me is bright and airy inside, the food is wholesome and tasty. Bite Me plays to its strengths, it has a large interior serving and dining space with simple decor and original modern art enhancing the traditional features … Read More. Category:Budget Eats, Cafe Culture, Foodie, Update, West EndTags:Breakfast, Coffee, Soup"
"With the Royal Lyceum Theatre and the Usher Hall nearby, not to mention the busy Lothian Road area, Jasmine is a popular Chinese restaurant. Visitors enjoy dining here before or after shows and it caters for groups of all sizes. Menu selections include beautifully presented seafood dishes."