All it takes is 2 days in Edinburgh for this charming city to capture your heart. I have been to Edinburgh twice, and always feel the pull to go back when I think of my time spent there. Magical Edinburgh awaits…
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There is something about the old world charm, gothic architecture, often moody skies, and dark academic atmosphere that will draw you in. Walking through Edinburgh’s narrow streets and rich history feels like stepping into a novel. It’s exactly why famous authors and novels have come out of Edinburgh for decades (think Harry Potter, Sir Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes).
If you have 2 days in Edinburgh to explore all this lovely city has to offer, this is your best itinerary for the full experience. Get ready to taste real Scotch, go back in time in Edinburgh Castle, and be transported into Scottish history and lore of Auld Reekie.
If you’re planning to explore more of Scotland after your time in Edinburgh, check out my full one week Scotland itinerary.
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How Many Days Do You Need in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a charming city, and I guarantee you that you’ll really never want to leave. However, I feel that 2-3 days is the ideal amount of time to experience Edinburgh if you are only in Scotland for a week or so.
Of course, you could stay longer and certainly enjoy yourself, but in order to really hit the must see spots in Edinburgh, 2 days should be good.
How to Get Around in Edinburgh
Much of what you’ll want to see in Edinburgh can either be reached by foot or public transportation. While you might be considering renting a car during your time in Scotland, especially if you plan to head north, a car is not necessary in Edinburgh. In fact, having a car in Edinburgh may prove to be more of an inconvenience than anything.
The best way to get around Edinburgh, in my opinion, is to walk! This way you get to really experience just how magical it feels to walk the streets of Edinburgh.
For activities that are outside of the city center and a bit harder to walk to, or if you’re staying slightly outside of town, the bus system is best.
How to Get Around in Edinburgh
The buses in and around Edinburgh are quite easy to use. Lothian Buses operates the city buses with Edinburgh and the surrounding neighborhoods.
You can either pay by cash or card, and Lothian has recently implemented contactless payments to make it very convenient.
If you use the same card to pay for all of your trips on Lothian Buses, they will automatically charge you the next day for the appropriate ticket type. The maximum daily ticket price is £4.80 per day.
Lothian Buses also offer airport buses, country buses, and night buses. You can find a full list of Lothian Buses services and timetables on their website.
If you prefer to rent a car because you plan on exploring more of Scotland, great idea! You can pick up your rental car from the airport, or from a location in town.
2 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary
This 2 day Edinburgh itinerary is designed to be flexible. Take these activity recommendations and order them however you see fit to make the most of your time and meet your travel needs.
Day 1: 2 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary
Your first day in Edinburgh, I recommend you do a good amount of walking around town to get the vibe of this wonderful city.
A few things to keep in mind:
– Edinburgh Castle tickets are often difficult if not impossible to get the day of, so plan ahead.
– Weather can change quickly in Edinburgh, so I recommend layering and having rain gear with you if the weather report suggests rain at all (and even if it doesn’t).
– Walking around the Old Town and New Town areas is fairly easy, but do be aware that there are many hills and lots of uneven cobblestones and old streets.
Edinburgh Castle
An absolute must-do in Edinburgh is exploring Edinburgh Castle that stands over the city. You’ll be unable to miss it, as it sits up high above the rest of Edinburgh.
Inside the castle grounds, you’ll find many interesting spots including Mons Meg, the National War Museum, the Great Hall, Honours of Scotland, and more!
Tickets for the castle are limited each day and can often sell out ahead of time. Be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance to make sure you are able to visit on the ideal day of your trip.
You can purchase tickets to Edinburgh Castle online here.
Prince’s Street Gardens
Just below Edinburgh Castle are the Prince’s Street Gardens. Not only are the gardens a lovely place to wander around, you’ll also get amazing views of the castle from here! My favorite view is from right beside Ross Fountain.
One of my favorite places to visit is the Gardener’s Cottage, located within the gardens. Though you cannot go inside, it’s such a cute little cottage to see. I like to imagine I live in the cottage and work in the gardens. What a quaint life!
Still inside the gardens and a short walk from the Gardener’s Cottage is Scott Monument. This iconic gothic fixture is a must see in Edinburgh. The Monument is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish historian and author well loved by his countrymen.
You are actually able to climb to the third floor viewing platform in Scott Monument for £8 and learn more about Sir Walter Scott and his impact on Scotland.
Tickets can be purchased at the Scott Monument kiosk, and are not available online.
Royal Mile
Though not actually a full mile, the Royal Mile is the street that runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood House on the other end. While you’re in Edinburgh, you’ll likely spend a lot of time here as many of the main sites to see are either on the Royal Mile or right off of it.
High Street, which makes up the majority of the mile, has played a significant role in Edinburgh life throughout the years. As you walk along, you’ll likely hear bagpipes as you pop in and out of little trinket shops and pubs. Here, you’ll also find a few red telephone booths that are perfect for a photo op as you walk!
As you walk be sure to note St. Giles Cathedral, and pop inside to view the beautiful design and architecture featuring an iconic blue ceiling.
If you’re a bookworm, Edinburgh is well known for its quaint bookstores with impressively curated book selections. Armchair Books is highly rated, as well as McNaughton’s & Transreal Fiction.
Victoria Street
Just off of High Street, you’ll find many beautiful streets lined with cute shops and stunning architecture. Victoria Street is the most colorful, fun little street in Edinburgh and has loads of adorable shops as well. While you’re here be sure to stop into Oink Victoria Street for one of their famous hog roasts (a pulled pork sandwich).
If you continue down Victoria Street to Grassmarket, you’ll find even more great shops, bookstores, and pubs. Just around the corner, there is a fantastic photo spot with great views of the castle. You’ll want to walk across Grassmarket and turn onto Vennel, where you’ll see a set of stairs. On these stairs, you’ll have a great view of Edinburgh Castle!
Calton Hill
For some of the most iconic views of Edinburgh, be sure to walk up to Calton Hill. You probably recognize the National Monument of Scotland with the view of Edinburgh behind it. This spot is very popular for pictures and to take in the entirety of the city!
Afternoon Tea
If a fancy afternoon tea interests you, there are a few spots in town to get the experience. For a more luxury, high end afternoon tea, try The Balmoral Hotel. If you’re looking for something a little more casual that offers a memorable experience, try The Witchery. And for something extra fun and kid friendly, try Wizards Tea at The Cauldron.
Day 2: 2 Days in Edinburgh Itinerary
Palace of Holyroodhouse
On the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This 16th century palace is associated with The Stuarts and figures like Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. These days, the palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
Holyroodhouse is open 7 days a week in July, August, and September, and operates on a more limited schedule the rest of the year. You can find the current and updated opening times on the official Holyroodhouse Palace website.
Tours of Holyroodhouse start at £20 per adult if purchased in advance, and are £22 if purchased day of.
You can purchase your Holyroodhouse Palace tour tickets here.
Arthur’s Seat
For the most fantastic views of Edinburgh and to get your heartrate up a bit, be sure to climb Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is the highest point of what is actually an ancient volcano right in the heart of Edinburgh. It’s located within Holyrood Park behind Holyroodhouse Palace.
The walk takes around 30 minutes to an hour and has multiple options to reach the top. You can take one route that is less strenuous and one that is a little bit harder with more dramatic views.
To take the easier route, start at Salisbury Crags and stay left on the trail all the way to the top.
If you’re looking for a little more challenging path, turn right at the beginning of the trail at Salisbury Crags and follow the steeper path up to Arthur’s Seat.
The Real Mary King’s Close
Many people don’t know that there is a whole other world below the streets of Edinburgh. There is a network of streets and tunnels below the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, located at Mary King’s Close. Between the 17th and 19th century, these streets actually home to people who lived and worked below the main streets of Edinburgh.
Today, you can explore with a guide and learn about the people who worked and lived down below. On top of that, there are a few spooky ghost stories in the tour as well! For that reason, I think the tour is fun to do later in the day or at night.
I recommend this tour of Real Mary King’s Close Tour tickets here.
Dean Village
An incredibly beautiful neighborhood in Edinburgh that has become a great place to see while in the city is Dean Village. While the village is a residential area, the architecture is what draws people. It’s located on the Water of Leith and features 17th century architecture that begs to be photographed!
You don’t need much time to visit Dean Village, maybe about an hour or so to enjoy the views and get a feel for the quaint area. It is a short walk from Prince’s Street or George Street. It only takes about 30 minutes walking from the center of the Royal Mile.
You can alternatively opt to take a taxi or public transportation to Dean Village if 30 minutes of walking isn’t in your schedule for the day!
Dean Village is a residential area, so please be respectful and refrain from crossing onto private property.
Scotch Whisky Experience
To dive into the world of Scotch Whisky, visit the Scotch Whisky Experience just outside of Edinburgh Castle. Here, you’ll get the chance to learn about the cultural significance of Scotch and taste the drams.
There are five tour options, ranging from a tour with a single whisky tasting all the way up to a full whisky and Scottish culinary experience. The tours are likely to sell out, so be sure to plan ahead and book your tickets in advance!
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
If you’re able to stay in the central part of Edinburgh, it will likely be the most convenient. We did stay slightly outside of town to save a bit of money, and we took the bus in and out of town. This ended up working out fine for us and we would recommend this method if you’re on a budget.
If you’re spending 2 days in Edinburgh, you’ll ideally want to stay as close to Old Town or New Town as possible to make getting around time efficient.
Luxury: The Balmoral Hotel
Mid-Range: ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile
Budget: CoDe Pod – The CoURT
What to Eat in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a fun place to try some of Scotland’s most traditional and iconic foods! Haggis, anyone?
Haggis
Possibly the most well known traditional Scottish food is haggis. But there is often a lot of confusion about just what exactly Haggis is made of. Haggis is the national dish of Scotland and a must try while in the bonnie country. It’s a type of pudding made from the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep, or other animal. The ingredients are boiled inside the stomach of the sheep.
People often turn their noses up to haggis, but frankly I love it! Some of the best places in Edinburgh to try Haggis in Edinburgh are Arcade Bar, The Haggis Box, and Halfway House.
Smoked Salmon
Maybe you’ve tried smoked salmon before and know it as lox. But you haven’t had Scottish smoked salmon! Wild salmon swims up into the rivers of Scotland and makes for the freshest and most delicious salmon you’ll ever taste! It can also be enjoyed in other ways than smoked, though I love the flavor!
The best places in Edinburgh to try delicious Scottish salmon are Mussel Inn Seafood Restaurant and Howies.
Black Pudding
Here is another Scottish food that is often overlooked or looked down upon: black pudding, also called blood sausage. While it’s made from similar ingredients as haggis, it’s pork blood that binds the ingredients together. It’s often enjoyed as part of a full Scottish breakfast and is popular all over the UK!
Where to eat Black Pudding in Edinburgh: Makars Mash Bar
Bangers & Mash
A popular comfort dish in the United Kingdom is Bangers & Mash, a dish of mashed potatoes topped with sausage and an onion gravy.
This is one you’ll love, as it’s a familiar mix of items in a tasty and cozy combination.
We really enjoyed our Bangers & Mash at George IV Bar a short walk off the Royal Mile near St. Giles Cathedral.
Cullen Skink
This fish soup surprised me and quickly became one of my favorite cozy Scottish meals. It’s a soup made of haddock, potato, and onions. It’s a wonderful meal to warm you up on a cold day.
One of the best places to eat Cullen Skin in Edinburgh is The Magnum Restaurant
Fish & Chips
Though not uniquely Scottish, fish & chips is a staple meal that you should be sure to try while in Edinburgh. Battered and fried cod with a side of chips, and topped with malt vinegar (that’s how I like it!)
2 Day Edinburgh Itinerary Thoughts
There are many ways you can spend 2 days in Edinburgh. I feel this itinerary is one of the most well-rounded ways to see the city!
Leave any questions or comments below about this 2 day Edinburgh itinerary, and enjoy your time in Scotland!
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