Photo walks
Edinburgh Castle above Old Town buildings and a stone staircase
Explore Edinburgh

Things to do in Edinburgh

The essentials and the hidden ones. Local guides, honest tips and the best times to go.

By Updated

Photo: Ross Findlay / Unsplash

In short

The essentials in Edinburgh are Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and its closes, and the views from Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. Locals would add a walk along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge, dinner on the Shore in Leith and an afternoon in the free National Museum of Scotland.

Edinburgh Castle above Old Town buildings and a stone staircaseEssentials

Cover story

The best things to do in Edinburgh: 30 picks from a local

The best things to do in Edinburgh, from the Castle and Arthur's Seat to Dean Village, Leith and Portobello, with a local's tips on when to go and what to skip.

Read the guide
An Edinburgh street covered in snowSeasonal
Things to do in Edinburgh in winterWhat to do in Edinburgh in winter, from sunrise on Calton Hill to free museums and cosy pubs, plus what the weather's like and what to pack.4 min readUpdated 4 November 2026

Where to go

Places worth the trip

All photo spots
The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill overlooking the Edinburgh skyline at golden hour01Calton HillEast EndBest: sunriseDean Village and the Water of Leith at sunrise02Dean VillageWest EndBest: early morningHouses and greenery on Circus Lane, Stockbridge03Circus LaneStockbridgeBest: grey daysColourful shopfronts on Victoria Street in the Old Town04Victoria StreetOld TownBest: before 8amLooking out over Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat05Arthur's SeatHolyrood ParkBest: golden hourA carved dog on a gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard06Greyfriars KirkyardOld TownBest: misty daysStone buildings beside the Water of Leith07The Shore, LeithLeithBest: blue hourPortobello Beach and the promenade at night08Portobello BeachPortobelloBest: sunrise

Good to know

Things to do questions

What is the number one thing to do in Edinburgh?

For most first-time visitors it’s Edinburgh Castle, followed by a walk down the Royal Mile. Book Castle tickets online in advance and go early to avoid the busiest times.

What can you do in Edinburgh for free?

Climb Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill, visit the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery, walk the Water of Leith walkway and explore the Royal Botanic Garden. See our free things to do guide.

Is Edinburgh walkable?

Yes. The Old Town, New Town, Stockbridge and Dean Village are all within walking distance of each other, though there are hills and steps. Trams and Lothian buses cover Leith and Portobello.

More guides

All guides
The Balmoral clock tower and Scott Monument at golden hourPlanning
The best time to visit Edinburgh: a month-by-month guideWhen to visit Edinburgh, month by month, with the weather, daylight, crowds and the festivals and events worth planning around, from a local.3 min readUpdated 4 November 2026
The red Forth Bridge under a clear blue skyDay trips
The best day trips from EdinburghEasy day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus, including the Forth Bridges, North Berwick, Stirling, Linlithgow and Glasgow.3 min readUpdated 4 November 2026
People crossing Princes Street by the Scott Monument and the Christmas big wheelChristmas
Edinburgh at Christmas: the 2026 guideEdinburgh's Christmas 2026 runs 14 November to 3 January. Market dates, where everything is, Hogmanay and local tips on beating the crowds.4 min readUpdated 4 November 2026

Explore

More of the city

The Greyfriars Bobby pub in the Old Town, with outdoor seatingFood & drinkBrunch to whiskyA piper in Highland dress playing the bagpipes below Edinburgh CastleWhat’s onFestivals, markets and eventsThe Balmoral clock tower and Scott Monument at golden hourPlan a tripItineraries and practical tipsThe red Forth Bridge under a clear blue skyDay tripsBy train and busVisitors inside a museum gallery in EdinburghRainy daysWhich you’ll getLooking out over Edinburgh from Arthur’s SeatFree thingsNo ticket needed
A walker on Circus Lane in Stockbridge

Only Edinburgh Photo Walks

Get photographed in Edinburgh

Small, relaxed photo walks with a local photographer, at the spots in this guide. Holiday portraits, couples and proposals, or learn to shoot the city yourself.

See photo walks