Things To Do

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with no shortage of exciting and captivating things to do if you are visiting. 

You can walk the Royal Mile, which runs from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace. Along the way, you’ll pass courtyards, back alleys and buildings that have barely changed in centuries.

Visit St Giles’ Cathedral, take a tour of Mary King’s Close, enjoy a drink in a historic pub, or climb Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in the middle of the city. The walk is steep in places, but the views are absolutely worth it. 

There are some great museums in Edinburgh and a lot of them are free to enter. The National Museum of Scotland has exhibitions covering everything from natural history to space travel. The National Galleries of Scotland have four different galleries across the city: National, Modern and Portrait, where you can explore thousands of works by renowned artists. 

And, last but most definitely not least, the Edinburgh Festivals run throughout the year, with 11 individual festivals taking place featuring thousands of performances and events.

Whether you're an art lover, a comedy enthusiast, or just someone looking to soak up the festive atmosphere, Edinburgh Festivals have something for everyone. Here's a guide to the must-do activities at these iconic events.

Stay up to date with all the festivals and activities going on with our latest articles and guides.