“Auld Reekie” – Edinburgh had this dubious nickname in the days of industrialization. Hundreds of smoking factory chimneys polluted the air back then. Today, nothing reminds us of that. On the contrary, the former working-class city has developed into a center of attraction for artists and tourists from all over the world. Many trekking enthusiasts also combine their tours in the Highlands with a sightseeing program in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is built on seven hills, similar to Rome. These are small hills of up to 250 meters, which give the city its unique character. The first thing you notice is Castle Rock, on which the world-famous Edinburgh Castle is enthroned.
The best way to get a bird’s-eye view of the city is to climb one of the many hills before you start sightseeing. To do this, climb one of the seven city hills, preferably Arthur’s Seat.
Hiking Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park
In the middle of the city lies the large Holyrood Park, as the highlight of which rises the mountain Arthur’s Seat with 251 meters. After about an hour of climbing, you can enjoy a spectacular view. On one side is the sea with the Firth of Forth and to the west you can see the city center with the striking Edinburgh Castle. At the edge of the park you can see Holyrood Palace. This is where the British royal family resides during their stays in Scotland. If the weather cooperates, you can even catch a glimpse of the southern Highlands.
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How to get there? As the crow flies, Edinburgh Castle is about two kilometers from the park. If you don’t want to walk, there are also many buses from the city center to the park. A good starting point is Holyrood near the Scottish Parliament or Holyrood Palace. From there, one of the footpaths leads to the top.
Top 4 attractions in Edinburgh
Tourist Edinburgh is divided into two areas: Old Town and New Town. Both parts of the city have a lot of sights to offer. Our suggestion: Start your tour in the Old Town at Edinburgh Castle.
1. Edinburgh Castle
No city trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the old castle complex on Castle Rock. By the way, the site is not only highly interesting because of its history, but also provides the backdrop for the Military Tattoo, which takes place annually in August. This music festival is part of the Edinburgh Festival and attracts thousands of fans of military music. In Scotland, this naturally includes bagpipers. An impressive spectacle!
2. Walk on the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile starts right at the castle and ends at the 17th century Holyrood Palace. The street leads through the middle of the old town and you will automatically pass numerous sights such as St. Giles Cathedral. But much more exciting are small detours into the narrow side streets, the so-called “closes”. There you will feel like in Edinburgh 200 years ago.
3. New Town with Calton Hill
Princes Street in the New Town is the shopping mile in Edinburgh, but it also has a lot to offer. If you follow it to the east, you will pass the Scott Monument, the Victorian 5-star hotel The Balmoral and Calton Hill. There you will find several sights such as the National Monument and the Observatory.
4. The Meadows
As you stroll through the city, you’ll be surprised at how many parks and green spaces invite you to take short breaks. One example is The Meadows. This spacious city park is very popular with students from the neighboring university. The National Museum of Scotland is also just a stone’s throw away.
Edinburgh is just waiting to be explored on foot. All the sights are relatively close to each other and it is the small, hidden corners that make the charm of this city. Therefore, do not forget to pack a pair of comfortable shoes. You can find a comfortable daypack or luggage for your city trip to Edinburgh in our online store.
