Old world meets new in Edinburgh with historic architecture and sights paired with an up-and-coming food scene and young crowd. It’s the perfect pocket-sized city that’s ideal for exploring in a weekend.
Getting to Edinburgh has never been easier. Flights from New York City during the peak summer season are under $600 and under 7 hours. Or, you can book a train ticket from London to take the scenic route. Regardless of how you arrive, Edinburgh welcomes you with open arms.
For this itinerary, we’ll assume you arrive in Edinburgh early on Friday and depart early Monday morning for three full days of adventuring. (This is obviously flexible. I arrived mid-afternoon Friday and departed mid-afternoon Monday.)
This itinerary divides your time between New Town and Old Town in the heart of the city. On the third and final day, you’ll explore the countryside on a guided tour.
You can’t visit Scotland in a long weekend, but you can get a taste of it in Edinburgh. So, whether you’re passing through Edinburgh as a stop on your Scotland road trip or just stamping your passport in Edinburgh, this itinerary will make sure you have the best time.
Day 1: New Town
Brunch in Stockbridge
While it’s not technically in New Town, Stockbridge is a newer part of town. It has a cool, yet laid-back feel with fashionable boutiques, good bakeries, and even better brunch spots.
Start your day at Pantry, a brunch spot in Stockbridge, for a full English breakfast to fuel you for a full day of exploring.
Shop around Raeburn Place
After brunch, bop around Raeburn Place, the main street of Stockbridge. It’s my favorite area in Edinburgh to wander around. It has a local feel, free from the crowds in the city center.
Stop at Circus Lane
On your way to or from Stockbridge, make a pit stop at Circus Lane. This picturesque street is curved with row houses, making for a nice photo opportunity.
Deans Village
Transport yourself to the quaint countryside at Deans Village. This historic milling village was once abandoned but has become a destination for tourists for its charming 19th-century architecture.
National Galleries of Scotland: The Portrait Gallery
A hidden gem in New Town is the National Galleries of Scotland Portrait Gallery. It’s located in a beautiful neo-Gothic palace. The ornate architecture alone is worth a stop in the museum.
All the National Galleries of Scotland are free to the public, but make sure to visit before they close at 5 p.m.
Calton Hill
The best view of Edinburgh is from the top of Calton Hill. This hill in New Town is easy to access from Waterloo Place (the street leading up to it). Just walk up a few stairs to reach the top.
At the top of the hill, you’ll find the National Monument of Scotland, the Monument to the Scottish Parliament, and more governmental monuments, but the real magic is the view. There’s also a small art gallery at the top.
Scott Monument
On the edge of New Town is the Scotts Monument. The Victorian tower is a memorial to a writer, Sir Walter Scott. You can climb up its 287 steps for another view of the city.
Princes Street Gardens
The Scott Monument serves as the unofficial gateway to Princes Street Gardens. These royal gardens are the dividing line between New Town and Old Town.
The gardens are well manicured with their own sights to see within the grounds, like the Ross Fountain and the best view of Edinburgh Castle.
Rose Street
For a pint, a lively crowd, and live music, go to Rose Street. Rose Street is the going-out street of Edinburgh. It has a young energy and doesn’t really come alive until later, but any pub will welcome you in past 5.
Dinner at Maki & Ramen
Ramen? In Scotland? Yes. I have a theory that college towns have the best ramen shops. Maki & Ramen proves that theory right. It’s a very casual ramen bar that hits the spot with bowls of warm ramen, especially on a rainy night.
Day 2: Old Town
Edinburgh Farmers Market
In the shadows of the towering Edinburgh Castle is the humble Edinburgh Farmers Market. Local purveyors sell baked goods and snacks for a simple breakfast on the go.
This itinerary assumes you’ll be exploring Old Town on a Saturday. The Edinburgh Farmers Market only happens on Saturdays until 2 p.m.
The Royal Mile: Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace
The walk from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House is known as the Royal Mile. It’s the #1 thing to do in Edinburgh. While it’s not quite a mile (it’s 1.13 miles), it’s a great way to see Old Town.
As you walk down the mile, you’ll stop at different sights and streets. The journey begins at Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle
Every travel book, guide, and blog tells its readers to start their morning at Edinburgh Castle and walk down the Royal Mile. Why? Because it’s an easy downhill walk down the Royal Mile.
The consequence of this being publicized everywhere is that the morning slots to the Edinburgh Castle sell out weeks in advance, especially during the summer high season.
The good news is that visiting the Edinburgh Castle isn’t really worth your time or the £21 entrance fee. The exterior is much more impressive than its interior. If you’ve never been in a medieval castle and really want to see it, you should go. You just need to book your tickets well in advance. The rest of us will sleep in and start the walk down the Royal Mile outside the castle doors.
Victoria Street
Tucked away behind the Royal Mile is Victoria Street, the colorful street that inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter Series. It’s an iconic Instagrammable location that begs you to take a photo.
Greyfriars Kirk
The next pit stop off the Royal Mile is Greyfriars Kirk. It’s a cemetery and church with a pretty garden, but it is most famous for a memorial to a dog named Bobby who visited his owner’s grave in the cemetery every day for 14 years until he passed away. Cue the “Awwwws.”
Cockburn Street
Cockburn Street is another charming side street that’s less colorful than Victoria Street but just as charming. It curves like a snake connecting Old Town with New Town.
Grassmarket
Neither grassy nor a market, Grassmarket is a public square or plaza in Old Town. It’s home to shops, cafes, and bars to pop into.
A great place for secondhand shopping is Armstrong’s Vintage. There are a few Armstrongs around Edinburgh, but the Grassmarket location is the best one.
Lunch at White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar
Enjoy a seafood feast for lunch at White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar. Scotland is known for great seafood, so get a plate of oysters or salmon straight from the North Sea.
Holyrood Park + Arthur’s Seat
A hike up Arthur’s Seat is the perfect victory lap after walking the Royal Mile. Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park. You can hike up to the top of it in just 30 minutes.
At its peak, you’ll see stunning views of the North Sea and Edinburgh in the distance. After your hike, hang out in Holyrood Park and get yourself a well-earned ice cream.
Dinner at The Piper’s Rest
For local Scottish cuisine and a laid-back vibe, go to The Piper’s Rest in Grassmarket for dinner. The Piper’s Rest serves some of the best Scottish food, like haggis, pot pie, and Scottish eggs, at a reasonable price. It’s a popular spot, so you’ll need to make a reservation or wait at the bar for a while (like we did!).
Day 3: Get out of town
A day trip to Scotland’s countryside is an essential part of a trip to Edinburgh. You can’t visit Scotland without venturing out into the country’s green rolling hills.
We went on a Scottish Highlands tour with Discover Scotland to see Loch Ness (yes, like the lake monster), Glencoe, and other charming parts of the countryside. After much research, we found that Discover Scotland is the best bang for your buck at £64 for a full-day tour. They have tours closer to Edinburgh that don’t go as far north to visit Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond.
If you’re already road tripping around Scotland and spending plenty of time in its green rolling hills, there’s no need to take a day trip from the city. Luckily, there is still plenty to do on a third day in Edinburgh.
I recommend taking this itinerary slower, maybe plan a morning hike of Arthur’s Seat instead of doing it after the Royal Mile, or walk along the Water of Leith to Edinburgh’s port.
For a comprehensive guide to planning a trip to Scotland, read “The Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh, Scotland.”
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