Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? 10 Things To Do & Reasons To Visit [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 23rd November 2023 | Updated: 29th November 2024

Is Edinburgh worth visiting? Well, we are here to tell you that it most definitely is, all the local delicacies, tartan, and bagpipes galore!

Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com

Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com

Travel Insurance: We recommend World Nomads

Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com

Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide

Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?

Edinburgh is most definitely worth visiting. If not for the historic architecture and wonderful food, but for the Scottish traditions that you will encounter such as bagpipe playing, tartan weaving, and of course haggis! There is more to Edinburgh than meets the eye however with countless museums and art galleries to enjoy as well as beautiful parks and gardens throughout the city too.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in spring?

Spring in Edinburgh is often the driest time of the year and the perfect time to visit the city parks and gardens with them springing to life with blossoming trees and swathes of daffodils and snowdrops. The Royal Botanic Garden is a great place to visit in the spring just for this. If the weather isn’t quite playing ball, then spring is also a great time to venture to one of the numerous galleries that Edinburgh has. Average high of 14°C / 57.2°F and low average of 2°C / 35.6°F.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in summer?

Summer in Edinburgh is the warmest time of the year and often the busiest with the summer holidays and multiple festivals being held across the city. Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival are the most famous ones, and ones you should most certainly try and visit. Average high of 19°C / 66.2°F and low average of 9°C / 48.2°F.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in autumn?

Autumn is a great time to visit Edinburgh, with long warm days and the trees turning the city into a golden crispy carpet making the Royal Botanic Garden or Princes Street Gardens are great to visit this time of year. Autumn in Edinburgh is also the time for the city’s Doors Open Day Festival, offering you the chance to see inside some of the city buildings that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise, and the International Storytelling Festival. Average high of 16°C / 60.8°F and low average of 3°C / 37.4°F.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in winter?

Edinburgh in winter is generally the coldest time of the year, with snow often falling in January and February, but December is the month that draws in the crowds. With wonderful Christmas Markets in the city as well as the traditional Hogmanay held over New Year, winter in Edinburgh is like no other city! Average high of 7°C / 44.6°F and low average of 1°C / 33.8°F.

What To Do In Edinburgh: Top 10 Things To Do In Edinburgh

1 – Try haggis

It may not be for everyone, but boy was it for us! We would highly recommend you try it with an afternoon tea, talking of which…

2 – Have afternoon tea overlooking the castle

Contini Cannonball has, in our opinion, the best view and best afternoon tea going! Using incredible local delicacies such as salmon and haggis, alongside the views of Edinburgh Castle, you just can’t go wrong!

3 – Take in the sights from the Camera Obscura

Even on a rainy grey day, the view from the Camera Obscura is wonderful. With lots of floors of family entertainment, from the floor of illusions to the spinning light tunnel, you can easily spend a few fun hours in here.

4 – Walk to the top of Calton Hill for sunset or sunrise

If you want the best views over Edinburgh and beyond then without a doubt you must head up to the top of Calton Hill. We trundled up there not long after sunrise and were completely taken aback with the view.

5 – Wander up Victoria Street

Quite possibly the most colourful and famous street in Edinburgh, Victoria Street is the place to go for a bite to eat and a wander around a certain boy wizards fan shop or two…

6 – West Princes Street Gardens

A wander through these gardens with views up to the Castle is enough to make you forget you are in the middle of a city! Often the location for music and arts festivals and events, this public park at the heart of Edinburgh is loved by all.

7 – Listen to all the Bagpipes

To be honest, you can’t get away from the wonderful sound of bagpipes playing in the streets, but you are in Scotland and the music is incredible, especially when you can sit and watch the bagpiper piping with all they’ve got!

Planning your own trip to Edinburgh? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

8 – Find your family name in all the Tartan

Little did we know that there are hundreds, and I mean HUNDREDS, of different tartans!

Having an Italian surname, we couldn’t quite find our family name, however, with links to Stewart, we found plenty of tartans in all different patterns and colours. Seriously there are so many…

9 – Visit one of the many museums/art galleries

Often on a visit to Scotland, you may be met with a particularly rainy or windy day, but luckily there are numerous exquisite museums and art galleries that you can pop into for an hour or two. We can highly recommend the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

10 – Walk along the Royal Mile

Last but not least, you should walk along part of or all of the Royal Mile. This famous road is often brimming with life from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Fun fact, its length of 1.81km is one Scots mile, longer than an English mile but hasn’t been used since the 18^th century!

Where to stay in Edinburgh

We would suggest staying near the centre of Edinburgh, but not along any of the main roads as they can get quite loud in the evening and overnight. We stayed a little out of the centre as it was a last-minute trip and all of the best accommodation options had been taken, however, if you check out Booking.com or Expedia UK they have the best rates and some incredible accommodation options right in the heart of the Old Town.

Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting FAQs

Best time to visit Edinburgh?

During our visit in early summer, the weather seemed quite unpredictable. Weather in the UK tends to be rather unpredictable throughout the year, but even more so in Scotland! Edinburgh is wonderful to visit in the spring and autumn, with fewer crowds than in the summer but the possibility of more unstable weather. Winter is another great season to visit with potential snowfall, Christmas Markets, and the renowned Hogmanay celebration during the new year.

How to get to Edinburgh

By air – Arrive at Edinburgh Airport then take a taxi or the airport tram directly into the city centre.

By train – If you want to arrive by train, then you can catch a connection to Edinburgh Waverley railway station, which is located conveniently in the centre of the city.

By car – If travelling from London or anywhere south of Edinburgh), take the M6 or M1 north for around 8 hours. It’s a long journey but there a plenty of locations you can stop along the way including the Lake District, Peak District, and Yorkshire.

How to get around Edinburgh

The most convenient way to explore Edinburgh is on foot. Not only does it give you the chance to discover charming local cafes and bakeries known only to the locals, but the city’s hills might also encourage you to take advantage of its excellent public transport when your legs need a break!

How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

We would suggest you spend at least 2 days in Edinburgh, but of course, if you have time to spend longer you should. Edinburgh is a great place to take day trips from as well as just exploring the city.

Is Edinburgh expensive?

Edinburgh is one of the most expensive places you can visit in Scotland, with it being the capital of the country it is to be expected. The prices are similar to that of London.

What language do they speak in Edinburgh?

In Edinburgh, both English and Gaelic are spoken.

Is Edinburgh safe?

As with any capital city, there are always locations that feel a little less safe than elsewhere, but Edinburgh is considered one of the safest cities to visit in the UK. With a low crime rate and friendly locals, you shouldn’t feel unsafe in Edinburgh. Just be sure to pay attention to your surroundings.

How do I spend a day in Edinburgh?

The best way to spend a day in Edinburgh is to explore the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town all whilst eating your way around the city. Check out our Edinburgh itinerary post for exactly where to go.

How do you get from Edinburgh airport to the city centre?

The easiest way to get to and from Edinburgh Airport and the city centre is via tram. They depart every 7 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm, between St Andrew Square and the airport. Outside of these times, they are every 30 minutes but do stop running between 11 pm and 5 am.

What is the most popular sight in Edinburgh?

There are a number of incredible sights to see in Edinburgh, but by far the most popular is Edinburgh Castle. If you want to visit be sure to book tickets in advance as they often sell out.

What street in Edinburgh is famous?

The most famous street in Edinburgh is the Royal Mile in the Old Town, which connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Another street that is fast becoming just as famous is Victoria Street, which is believed to have been the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books.

Where to eat in Edinburgh

Edinburgh may not be known as a foodie city, but boy are the food options available some of the best we’ve had. From Afternoon Tea overlooking the castle to breakfast on Victoria Street here are the top place to eat.

Scotts Kitchen, Victoria Street – Breakfast

Twelve Triangles – Breakfast

Contini Cannonball – Afternoon tea or dinner

The Dome – Lunch or evening drinks

Contini George Street – Dinner

What are the best shopping areas in Edinburgh?

To get your shopping fix in Edinburgh head into the New Town and for Princes Street or just along the Royal Mile in the Old Town, where you will find shops of every kind, including lots of Scottish specialty shops such as tartan and haggis.

Edinburgh Tours

If you are after a tour in and around Edinburgh and the neighbouring areas of Scotland then check out these tours from Get Your Guide:

Conclusion: Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?

So is Edinburgh worth visiting? We would say that even for a long weekend Edinburgh is 100% worth visiting. With numerous places to visit, things to see and eateries to try Edinburgh is a great city break.

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.