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Even in the rain, Edinburgh is just downright beautiful. Just ask anyone who’s been there. From the ruggedness of the Edinburgh Castle, and the mannered Georgian mansions of New Town, to the emphatic Scottishness of the capital, Edinburgh is a city that welcomes tourists.

This city is built not just on hills, but on history, romance and culture. From the medieval look of the old town to the clubs and galleries of the New Town, every building, every corner has a story – or ghost story – to tell. Find out the stories and you’ll fall in love with the city. The city’s atmosphere makes it genuinely Scotland, genuinely Edinburgh.

Spring is lush and beautiful in Edinburgh, and not too crowded with tourists. Summertime is festival time. Winter is pretty cold and windy, but the sights are stunning – and, of course, there is the Hogmanay Festival around New Year’s.

Edinburgh Pictures

Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh abounds with history. The city is ancient, and honors its past with museums and castles and monuments, from its hills and its cobble-stoned streets to the Georgian architecture in the New Town, to its pubs and clubs and festivals throughout the city.

Feel like sailing? Firth of Forth has a number of nice spots to sail from. Port Edgar, near South Queensferry, has a great marina, and Cramond, at the mouth of the River Almond, is a popular location with sailing enthusiasts. If you’re feeling extravagant, check out Granton Harbour, home of the Royal Forth Yacht Club. Want to ski? Year-round skiing is available at Hillend Park, just a short distance south of Fairmilehead crossroads.

Gardens and parks make this lovely old city green and lush. You have your choice from the romantic Royal Botanic Gardens, the Princes St. Gardens as a respite from the shops, or even the Edinburgh Zoo (which lies just outside the city) for a visit with penguins – and that’s just to name a few.

Nightlife in Edinburgh

A plethora of pubs, clubs, discos and bars await. Edinburgh’s bars are open late into the night, and range from traditional Scottish–complete with fiddlers and ale, to artsy techno establishments with imported vodka. On Leith Walk and Broughton Street, and on George Street and under the arches of the Cowgate, there are more places to hangout than you can count. The waterfront district has lots of jazz clubs and restaurants, which really rock in summer, and of course around Grassmarket, there are the pubs where you can hear rock, folk, and traditional Scottish music. You can find discos and clubs around High and Princes Streets.

Dining in Edinburgh

There’s more to eat in Edinburgh than the traditional Haggis, and everything from traditional Scottish food to Asian cuisine is available. City prices tend to be on the expensive side, but you can find great food without breaking the bank by going to smaller cafes or even shopping for groceries.

Shopping in Edinburgh

Shopping in Edinburgh is not all Scottie dogs, shortbread, and tartans. There are high-end boutiques, souvenir shacks, and department stores with a whole host of goods to buy. Called one of the world’s prettiest streets, Princes Street, part of the Royal Mile, has quaint shops galore with the Scottish hills as a backdrop. And, despite the elevated UK prices, there is great stuff that won’t clean you out. Visit Jenners Department Store – even if you are not a compulsive shopper this store will fascinate you. It’s a tourist attraction in its own right.

Edinburgh travel tips

• If traveling during the main festival periods of high summer (August to early September) and Hogmanay (around New Year’s Day) make sure to plan far in advance and be prepared for large crowds.
• Edinburgh is a walking city–most of the main attractions are located in Old Town and New Town and are no further than a 15 minute walk apart.
• Consider purchasing the Edinburgh Pass. It offers a maximum of £155 worth of entry to 27 of Edinburgh’s top attractions, a 90-page guidebook, retail and restaurant offers and discounts, as well as free public transport around the city.