Overview

With a rich and historic heritage, Edinburgh offers an abundance of cultural attractions to see. There are numerous museums and galleries to view including the National Museum of Scotland, which is one of the finest in the United Kingdom with a vast collection of ancient relics. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is a great place to visit with works from famous artists as Picasso, Vuillard and Matisse. The Royal Botanic Gardens are also popular, with a vast range of flowers and fauna from around the world.

National Museum of Scotland

Centrally located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland is home to extensive collections of art, history and culture. Some of the exhibits include Viking brooches, royal memorabilia and medieval oak carvings. There are also modern marvels to see like Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal. Guided tours are offered and are recommended to get the most out of your visit.

Edinburgh Castle

Situated on top of the dramatic Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is a significant part of the city as well as a dominating feature of the skyline. Parts of the castle were built from the 11th century but signs of human habitation from as early as 850 BC have been found. There are a host of interesting buildings and attractions at the castle including Saint Margaret's Chapel, Mons Meg and the One O'clock Gun, which is fired every day except for Sundays at exactly 13:00. There is an education centre located at the historic site with a wealth of information, historical displays and re-enactors portraying significant characters from centuries past. With a café and restaurant on site an entire day can be enjoyed learning of the interesting history.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Dean G

The National Gallery of Modern Art is home to an outstanding collection of contemporary artworks as well as some of the most significant pieces in recent history. Some of the extensive collection includes works by Picasso, Vuillard, Bonnard, Matisse, Kirchner and Dix. The Dean Gallery houses numerous local artists' works and also special exhibitions throughout the year. The two galleries are set in spectacular gardens that have outdoor sculptures, shops and cafés. Guided tours are offered as well as audio guides.

Royal Botanic Garden

Just a short distance from the centre of the city, Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden has an extensive collection of native and exotic plants from around the world. A sea of colour can be enjoyed through the numerous meandering pathways. The best time to visit is during the spring and summer months when the majority of flowers are in bloom. With free admission the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the city's best attractions. With a picnic lunch a fantastic afternoon can be enjoyed in the superb gardens.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Situated at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of HM the Queen when in Scotland. The spectacular building dates back to the 15th century and has ornate stonework, which has been carried out over centuries past. The magnificent gardens surrounding the palace are lush and green. Also of interest and positioned next to the palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, which was built in 1128. The palace is open to the public with a small admission charge, which includes an audio guide.

Overview

Edinburgh is home to numerous sports and outdoor activities to enjoy whilst visiting the city. With beautiful waterways, you can go fishing on the riverbanks, sail around the lochs or carve up the water on a wakeboard. The rolling green landscape provides the perfect terrain walking and hiking with a host of trails and pathways. Cycling is also popular with some challenging downhill runs as well as paved inner city pathways. For an exciting adventure and a great way to see the city from above, there are numerous companies providing hot air ballooning.

Cycling

The vast and varied terrain of Edinburgh's landscape provides some serene and challenging opportunities for bicycle riding. There is an extensive network of pathways that lead through the picturesque countryside with historic sites along the way. Edinburgh is considered one of the best cycling cities in the United Kingdom. Bicycle hire is available from a host of local companies as well as guided riding tours that pass popular tourist attractions. For the more adventurous there are some challenging downhill routes, which will test even the most experienced downhill riders.

Fishing

Being located along a large stretch of water with numerous inlets and rivers, Edinburgh offers some great fishing opportunities. Fishing in Edinburgh is akin to what chocolate is to Belgium. There are several popular spots to cast a line near to the city including Portmore Loch, Almond River and the Water of Leith. The usual catch ranges from rainbow trout and grayling to perch and salmon. Boat hire is available, which should increase your chances of catching a big one. All fishing equipment is available for hire from tackle shops along the waterfront.

Hiking and walking

Throughout Edinburgh and the surrounding areas there is an abundance of fantastic parklands with walking trails that lead along waterways and across rolling green hills. Some popular walks include the stretch from Warriston through Stockbridge and on to Dean Village. Also noteworthy is the scenic path along The Water of Leith. You will find local maps and guides at the tourist information centre. There are also guided walking tours, which take you through downtown Edinburgh, stopping off at several tourist attractions.

Water activities

Throughout the rivers, lochs and canals, Edinburgh has a variety of fun and exciting activities to enjoy on the water. Sailing is popular with numerous companies offering private charters providing lunch and all the necessary equipment. Sea kayaks and canoes are available for hire and provide a great way to see the beautiful waterways and green coastline. Windsurfing is another popular activity and there are several schools that provide equipment and lessons for beginners. For a little more action there is the Scottish National Water Ski Centre located just 30 minutes' drive from Edinburgh city. The centre provides waterskiing and wakeboarding for all levels of riders.

Hot air ballooning

Just outside of Edinburgh are several hot air ballooning companies offering exciting rides above the surrounding areas of the city. Hot air ballooning is a fantastic way to see the picturesque countryside of the Lothians and Fife as well as Edinburgh city. Typical flights last for around an hour and champagne and snacks are usually provided. Children will especially love the experience, which will not easily be forgotten.

Overview

The cosmopolitan city of Edinburgh has a great choice of fantastic restaurants coupled with an endless selection of modern and old shops. Award-winning restaurants and charming old style pubs give Edinburgh a great dining scene. The Royal Mile is the perfect place to go shopping for some locally made clothes and souvenirs.

Edinburgh has emerged as one of the better cities to dine in the United Kingdom with a host of new restaurants available. You will find numerous ‘modern contemporary' restaurants that serve fresh local produce in trendy settings. There is also an array of flavours and cuisines from around the globe including Indian, Japanese, French and Italian.

For a large variety of restaurants, bistros and cafés, the Royal Mile is one of the best spots in Edinburgh. Numerous local pubs are located along the Royal Mile and offer classic Scottish dishes such as beef pies and rabbit stew. Local game from the Scottish Highlands is also popular on the menus in Edinburgh, with venison and deer common.

A trip to Edinburgh would be incomplete without visiting a classic old style pub. There are literally hundreds of charming pubs that provide hearty flavoursome food in a friendly atmosphere. Local favourites include smoked haddock, Scottish beef and roast lamb.

For a special dinner, Edinburgh will not disappoint, with a host of fine dining restaurants available. The areas of New Town and Leith are home to some of city's best restaurants with several award-winning establishments serving superb modern European cuisine prepared by world-class chefs. Be sure to make a booking as they are busy most nights.

Shopping in Edinburgh is an enjoyable experience with a host of department stores, brand name boutiques, specialty shops and quirky street markets available. Visitors will love the wide choice of locally made handicraft that is uniquely Scottish.

Within the city of Edinburgh there are several shopping areas to visit. The main area is along Princes Street, with a mixture of large department stores and high street shops. There is also an array of street stalls selling everything from clothing and jewellery to books and souvenirs.

Around the corner from Princes Street you will find George Street, which is home to the designer clothing boutiques and exclusive jewellery shops. You will be sure to find something you like but don't forget the credit card.

A popular shopping area for locals and tourist alike is the Royal Mile, which has a plethora of small shops selling a diverse range of authentic Scottish items. There are numerous antique shops as well as souvenir stores with a wide selection of Scottish heritage including pure wool scarves, classic tartan kilts and knitwear.

The city of Edinburgh is filled with a wide choice of fantastic restaurants serving flavours and cuisines from around the world. You will find everything from modern European to Mexican and Indian. Some truly great restaurants are available with world-class chefs producing fresh and innovative dishes while low-key local favourites serving up traditional Scottish dishes are also on hand.

Overview

Getting to Edinburgh is easiest by air, and Edinburgh International Airport is located just 20 minutes' drive from the city centre. Flights arrive from all over Europe and the east coast of North America. Edinburgh is connected by high-speed rail to other parts of the United Kingdom as well as by numerous highways and motorways. National Express buses provide comfortable coaches that travel on numerous routes from the surrounding region.

Airports

Located just seven miles west of the city centre is Edinburgh International Airport, which handles all international and domestic flights. The single terminal airport is on two levels with the arrivals situated on the ground floor and the departures on the first level. The airport is serviced by a plethora of carriers including British Airways, Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, Jet2 and BMI.

Although the airport is not massive, there is a host of great facilities available for passengers including restaurants, bars, cafés, duty-free shopping, currency exchange, ATMs, post office and newsstands. Also located at the airport are several car hire companies such as Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Alamo, which all offer pick up and drop service of rental cars.

Getting to Edinburgh city from the airport is a breeze, with a fast and efficient bus shuttle service and a plethora of metered taxis. There are double-decker airport express buses that travel to and from the city around the clock with services at least every 20 minutes. Travel time to the city by bus is approximately 30 minutes but depends on traffic. For taxis, there are standard black city cabs as well as private airport cars, which can be more expensive. The trip by taxi generally takes around 20 minutes to the city.

Public transportation

Taking a train to Edinburgh is a popular option, with fantastic high-speed rail links to other cities in the United Kingdom. Travel time for a journey from London to Edinburgh typically takes around four hours and 30 minutes. This is a fun way to see the beautiful countryside through the United Kingdom. Within Edinburgh there are two railway stations - Haymarket and Waverly. They are both located within the city centre.

Travelling to Edinburgh by long distance bus is a viable option with several services arriving daily from other cities in the region. National Express is the main bus company and the station is located in Saint Andrews Square. Hiring a car and self-driving to Edinburgh is a great option which allows you to travel at your own pace. The surrounding countryside has a plethora of attractions and things to see along the way. The A7 highway travels all the way from England and from within Scotland the M8 and M9 motorways are the best routes.

Within Edinburgh city, getting around is easy with a fast and efficient bus service available. There are two companies that provide services for the city, Lothian and First. Between the two operators routes are offered to all parts of the city, although tickets are not interchangeable with the two companies. Tickets can be purchased at automated machines at bus stops before boarding the bus.

There are also tourist bus services, which pass all the major attractions in the city. These services run from early morning to early evening and tickets can be used for a 24-hour period. If you plan on seeing the sights, this bus service is the best option.

Metered taxis are also readily available in the city and offer the most convenient mode of transport. The black taxis are the best and can be found driving the streets or at designated taxi stands throughout the city. Private mini cabs are also available and prices are agreed to set destinations.