Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
Edinburgh’s impressive hilltop castle, with bags of history and a bird’s-eye view over the capital.
Best for ages: 4+ | £1,750
Best places to stay:
If you’re after an intimate and luxurious guesthouse vibe, this boutique hotel, a 10-minute stroll from the West End, is the answer.
Family-run and friendly, it’s peppered with personal touches, such as the old photos of island life hung by its Orkney-born owners.
Two hotels in one, there are 35 rooms split between this William Playfair-designed mansion and Hampton House across the road.
The open-plan lounge and bar has deep velvet sofas and a scattering of tables where you can grab a light bite or settle in with a dram.
It’s a bit like staying with wealthy Edinburgh friends – a home-from-home with benefits – and free parking. Not to be sniffed at in Edinburgh.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[1.8 miles]
Edinburgh’s impressive hilltop castle, with bags of history and a bird’s-eye view over the capital.
Best for ages: 4+ | £1,750
Edinburgh , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[2.1 miles]
Disneyland-style mock distillery tour, with a glimpse of the world’s largest Scotch whisky collection.
Best for ages: 18+ | £17
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[2.4 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
Edinburgh , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[2.4 miles]
A military band and thundering cannon spectacular, set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Best for ages: 6+ | £25 | 90 minutes
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]
Grand, neoclassical Modern One, and Modern Two opposite – once a 19th-century orphanage – showcase an impressive permanent collection, changing exhibitions and Moore and Hepworth-studded sculpture park.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Edinburgh , Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[1.6 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
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[1.7 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
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK)[2.1 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
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
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.