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How to Spend Your Time in Edinburgh
1 day: The essential highlights
2 days: Old Town + New Town + views
3 days: A relaxed, complete city experience
Use the itineraries to match your pace and interests.
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Best for: First-time visitors, short stays, or a pre-road-trip taster.
Morning – Castle & Old Town
Edinburgh Castle (arrive early for Crown Jewels & views)
Walk the Royal Mile: St Giles’ Cathedral, closes and wynds
Optional: Camera Obscura or Scotch Whisky Experience
Afternoon – Museums & Streets
National Museum of Scotland (or Grassmarket instead)
Victoria Street & Grassmarket for shops, cafés and photos
Evening – Skyline Views
Calton Hill for sunset views over the city
Or Princes Street Gardens and a relaxed evening meal
Upgrade option: Swap Calton Hill for Arthur’s Seat if you want a more dramatic (but longer) walk.
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Best for: A balanced city experience with history, culture and views.
Day 1 – The Historic Core
Edinburgh Castle
Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, closes and hidden courts
National Museum of Scotland or Grassmarket
Evening: pub, whisky bar or ghost tour
Day 2 – The Georgian City & Views
Princes Street Gardens & Scott Monument
New Town walk: George Street & surrounding streets
Scottish National Gallery or Portrait Gallery
Calton Hill for classic skyline views
Evening: Stockbridge or Leith for food and atmosphere
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Best for: A relaxed, fuller experience before heading out on the road.
Day 1 – Old Town & Castle
Edinburgh Castle (time it for the One O’Clock Gun)
Royal Mile & key attractions
Museum, whisky experience or themed walking tour
Evening: music, pubs or ghost tour
Day 2 – New Town, Dean Village & Leith
Princes Street & galleries
Walk to Dean Village along the Water of Leith
Head to Leith and visit the Royal Yacht Britannia
Dinner at The Shore or waterfront restaurants
Day 3 – Holyrood & Arthur’s Seat
Palace of Holyroodhouse & Abbey ruins
Walk in Holyrood Park
Climb Arthur’s Seat or walk the Salisbury Crags
Evening: theatre, comedy, or (in August) the Festival Fringe
How to Get There
Edinburgh offers a variety of convenient ways to reach its historic centre, whether you’re driving, taking advantage of park-and-ride facilities, or using local trains and buses. Parking in the city itself can be costly and limited, so many visitors prefer to leave their car on the outskirts and hop on a quick bus or tram. Depending on your travel style and budget, each option offers a stress-free approach to experiencing Edinburgh’s vibrant streets, cultural highlights, and iconic skyline.
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On-Street Parking
Pay-and-Display Zones: Central Edinburgh streets have limited short-stay parking; charges vary by zone and time of day.
Restrictions: Many areas operate a resident-permit system, so always check signs to avoid fines.
Car Parks
The following have no height restrictions: Newcraighall Park & Ride (EH21 8RX) with 565 spaces, Straiton Park & Ride height restriction of 2.05m (EH20 9NP) with 600 spaces, Ingliston Park & Ride (EH28 8LS) with 1085 spaces, Wallyford Park & Ride (EH21 8JX) with 300 spaces, and St Leonard's (EH8 9RF) with 90 spaces.
NCP and Q-Park: Several multi-storey car parks are located around the city centre (e.g., Castle Terrace, Omni Centre). Rates can be high in peak periods.
Shopping Centres: Facilities like St James Quarter and John Lewis Car Park can be a good option, with sometimes cheaper rates than pure city-centre car parks.
Car Parks:
Congestion & Traffic
Busy Periods: Rush hours (weekdays ~7–9am and 4–6pm) and festival season (August) can mean heavy traffic. Plan extra time if driving into the heart of the city.
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Ingliston Park & Ride (West of City)
Location: Near Edinburgh Airport, off the A8.
Services: Regular buses and trams to the city centre (Tram ~30 mins, Bus ~25 mins).
Parking: Free to leave your car; just pay for public transport fares.
Hermiston Park & Ride (Southwest of City)
Location: Off the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass at Hermiston Gait.
Services: Lothian Buses run frequently into the centre.
Parking: Free.
Newcraighall Park & Ride (Southeast of City)
Location: Near the A1, also adjacent to Newcraighall railway station.
Services: ScotRail trains or local buses into Waverley.
Parking: Free, great for those arriving from the south via the A1 corridor.
Sheriffhall Park & Ride (Southeast)
Location: Just off the A720 near the A7/A68.
Services: Lothian Buses to central Edinburgh.
Parking: Free; a good option for those coming from the Borders.
Tip: All park-and-ride facilities are free to use, but you’ll pay standard fares for buses or trams into the centre.
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Waverley Station
Location: Right in the heart of the city, between the Old Town and New Town.
Lines: Connect with most major Scottish rail routes (Glasgow, Stirling, Dundee, Aberdeen) and cross-border lines from England (LNER, Avanti, CrossCountry).
Parking: Limited drop-off/pick-up at the station; some short-stay parking at nearby Waverley Bridge or NCPs.
Haymarket Station
Location: West End of the city, within walking distance of Princes Street and the Financial District.
Connections: Frequent trains from Glasgow and services to/from Edinburgh Waverley.
Tram Link: Haymarket Station is also on the Edinburgh Trams route, handy for the Airport or city centre.
Suburban Stations
Newcraighall, Brunstane, Slateford, Kingsknowe, etc.: Commuter stations on the edges of Edinburgh, good for park-and-ride style travel.
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Lothian Buses
Extensive Network: Buses serve all parts of Edinburgh, with main routes converging in the city centre around Princes Street and Waverley Bridge.
Fares: Pay contactless or exact cash. Day tickets (Dayticket or Ridacard) can be cost-effective if making multiple journeys.
Airlink 100: Offers direct service from Edinburgh Airport to Waverley Bridge (~25–30 minutes).
Edinburgh Trams
Route: Runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place via Princes Street, stopping at Haymarket Station, Murrayfield Stadium, and other key points.
Fares: Separate airport zone fare; contactless options available on board (validators at stops).
Park & Ride: Trams connect directly with Ingliston Park & Ride.
First Bus & Stagecoach
Operate services into Edinburgh from surrounding regions (Fife, West Lothian, East Lothian).
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Driving into the Centre: Only ideal if you have accommodation with parking or are comfortable with higher costs. Expect city congestion.
Park & Ride: Ideal for stress-free and economical parking. Frequent bus or tram links get you into the centre quickly.
Local Trains: Great if you’re approaching from outside Edinburgh, with Waverley or Haymarket offering immediate city-centre access.
Buses & Trams: Excellent for shorter journeys or from the airport. The tram is reliable and avoids traffic, while Lothian Buses have extensive routes across the city.
Edinburgh: Scotland’s Capital of Castles, Culture & Hills
Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most dramatic capitals — a city of volcanic hills, medieval streets, grand Georgian avenues and a castle that dominates the skyline. It’s compact, easy to explore on foot, and packed with history, galleries, green spaces and great food.
It also makes a perfect base: you can spend 1–3 days in the city itself, then head out into the Scottish Borders, the coast and the hills on some of the best scenic drives in southern Scotland.
What to See & Do in Edinburgh
History & Heritage
Edinburgh’s story is written in stone, from its volcanic castle rock to the royal palace at Holyrood.
Highlights include:
Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile
Palace of Holyroodhouse & Abbey ruins
Old Town closes & wynds
Grassmarket & historic marketplaces
Galleries & Museums
For a city of its size, Edinburgh has an exceptional cultural offering.
Don’t miss:
Outdoor Spaces, Hills & Walks
Few capitals combine urban life with such easy access to big views and wild-feeling landscapes.
Top outdoor experiences:
Calton Hill viewpoints
Princes Street Gardens
Myths, Legends & Underground Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a well-earned reputation for dark stories and hidden streets.
Popular experiences include:
Evening ghost tours & history walks
Shopping, Food & Neighbourhoods
Edinburgh is also a great city to browse, eat and linger.
Good areas to explore:
Royal Mile & Victoria Street (independent shops & souvenirs)
George Street & New Town (smart shopping & dining)
Stockbridge (local, relaxed, village feel)
Leith Shore (restaurants, bars & waterfront walks)
For Longer Stays & Slower Travel
If you have more time, or want to pace things gently:
Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith
More time in historic Dean Village & along the Water of Leith
Extended walks in Holyrood Park
Extra galleries and neighbourhood wandering
Day trips out to the coast or Borders (which this guide covers next)
Edinburgh’s Myths, Legends, and Folklore
Edinburgh, steeped in history and mystery, is filled with myths, legends, and folklore that have captivated locals and visitors alike for centuries. Take a look at some of the most intriguing stories:
Greyfriars Bobby: One of Edinburgh's most beloved tales is that of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye Terrier who reportedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, John Gray, in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Bobby's loyalty and devotion have made him a symbol of fidelity and love.
The Haunting of Mary King's Close: Mary King's Close, a network of underground streets and dwellings dating back to the 17th century, is said to be haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants. Visitors and staff have reported eerie encounters and unexplained phenomena, making it a popular spot for ghost tours.
The Mackenzie Poltergeist: In Greyfriars Kirkyard, the mausoleum of Sir George Mackenzie, a notorious 17th-century judge, is said to be haunted by his vengeful spirit. The Mackenzie Poltergeist is believed to be responsible for numerous paranormal occurrences and has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh.
The Underground Vaults: Beneath the streets of Edinburgh lies a network of underground vaults that once housed taverns, workshops, and storage spaces. These vaults are rumoured to be haunted by the spirits of those who lived and died there, and they feature prominently in Edinburgh's ghost stories and urban legends.
The Witches of Edinburgh: During the 16th and 17th centuries, Edinburgh was gripped by a fear of witchcraft, leading to numerous trials and executions. The story of the North Berwick Witches, who were accused of conspiring to harm King James VI, is one of the most infamous chapters in Edinburgh's history of witch hunts.
The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan: Although not directly associated with Edinburgh, the Fairy Flag of Dunvegan, located on the Isle of Skye, is said to have originated from Edinburgh Castle. According to legend, the flag possesses magical powers and has been used to protect the MacLeod clan in times of need.
These are just a few examples of the myths, legends, and folklore that abound in Edinburgh, adding to the city's allure and mystique. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these stories offer a fascinating glimpse into Edinburgh's rich and often dark history.
Scottish Heritage Golf Last updated: 07 January 2026
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