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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Lucy Gillmore

The brooding castle looming over the city is the iconic image of the Scottish capital and notches up more than a million visitors each year. Tick it off for the views alone: to the north the Firth of Forth and the Kingdom of Fife, to the south the Pentland Hills. The fortress and royal palace, with dungeons and a 12th-century chapel, forms a sprawling complex that also includes the National War Museum.

If you can, time your visit to coincide with the one o’clock gun, which has been fired almost every day since 1861 – apart from Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas Day.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price from: £17.50
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Buy tickets online to avoid the queues at the ticket office, and to guarantee entry.

The website has a helpful section on the castle’s history and another one on its historical characters – both worth a read before you go. They also have several suggested itineraries, varying from 1-3 hours–again, worth having a look before you come and deciding what you want to see.

You can also download a castle map. If you’d rather wander around the warren of buildings at your own pace, you can plug into an audio guide for an extra fee, available on arrival.

When to do it

It offers the same all-year round.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English

Edinburgh Castle Tour: Fast-Track Guided Tour in English

Edinburgh

Our Castle Tour enables you to skip the line into Scotland's most iconic fortification.  The 1h30 long tour will cover the 3000 year history...

£33 | Rating 4.90 / 5 [999 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

The Witchery by the Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.3 miles]

A flamboyant, historic bijoux bolthole in the shadow of the castle, its sumptuous suites the most romantic in Edinburgh. For lovers and history lovers who want to step back in time.

Official star rating:

Eden Locke

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]

A hip aparthotel in Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town, with shops and restaurants on the doorstep.

Official star rating:

Cheval Old Town Chambers

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]

Chic, contemporary design and a family and pet-friendly ethos come as standard in these luxury apartments in Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town.

Official star rating:

Market Street Hotel

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]

A cool, central upside-down design hotel with a rooftop terrace and champagne lounge. Perfect for those who love cool design and champagne sundowners.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Region, United Kingdom (UK)

Capital treats abound, from mighty castles and royal palaces to gourmet restaurants and arguably the world’s best performing arts festival.

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Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

National Museum of Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]

Scotland’s history, culture, art and design, science and technology – under one state-of-the-art roof. Special exhibits include the story of Mary Queen of Scots and Dolly the sheep.

Best for ages: 4+ | Free

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

A photograph displaying medals awarded to Sean Bell in the National War Museum at Edinburgh with museum goes in the background
Experience

National War Museum

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]

Housed inside Edinburgh Castle, this free museum gives an insight into the Scots’ warring relationship with the English, the difference between Highland and Lowland soldiers and an overview of 300 years of military history.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Overview >
market stalls on the street with blue and white striped awnings
Experience

Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

Edinburgh , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.3 miles]

In the shadow of the castle, the original farmer’s market has jauntily striped stalls stocked with sauerkraut, smoked salmon and Arbroath Smokies. Held every Saturday from 9am-2pm, 3 mins walk from Edinburgh Castle.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >
Camera Obscura - two people inside a mirrored room
Experience

Camera Obscura

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.3 miles]

The city’s oldest purpose-built tourist attraction, at the top of the Royal Mile, is topped with a periscope that transfers images of Edinburgh’s skyline onto a table-top.

Best for ages: 4+ | £16 | Around 1 hour 45 min

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Overview >
Writers’ Museum
Experience

Writers’ Museum

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.4 miles]

This hidden gem in the medieval Old Town is a treasure trove of artifacts and manuscripts belonging to three of Scotland’s most famous writers; Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Overview >