Edinburgh in 2-3 days
Edinburgh is the perfect sized city to explore in a long weekend. That’s not to say there’s not plenty to do, but it’s all so centrally located that seeing a number of things in one day isn’t a challenge.
Day 1
Start the day with an invigorating walk up Arthur’s Seat. It’s certainly not mountain climbing but it will certainly get the lungs working for those who haven’t seen a gym in a while. Remember your camera because you’ll get a great panoramic view of the city. Be careful with your footing at the top, because it gets extremely windy.
Once you’ve wound your way down a couple of hours later, stop off at the Scottish Parliament which is near Holyrood Park. Go for a wander up the Royal Mile which is lined with shops and eateries. Head to the top where you can visit Edinburgh Castle. It’s a great place to learn about the history of Scotland and take in
views of the city. Entry costs £12, £9.50 for concession and $6 for
children. In the evening find a cosy pub at the Grassmarket for a couple of pints and a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties.
Day 2
Start the day with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland. Not only is admission free but it has a heap of treasurers from Scotland’s past, it also has a strong focus on science with plenty of interactive elements. After spending a few hours there, grab lunch on the run and take it to West Princes Street Garden. It’s a beautiful green spot to lie and gaze up at Edinburgh Castle.
Once your batteries are recharged hit Princes Street for some top notch shopping. In the evening go on a ghost walk where you can visit the vaults beneath the South
Bridge and discover the story behind the city’s body snatchers. You’ll find plenty of advertisements for the walks along the Royal Mile.
Day 3
It’s worth spending at least a morning wandering Edinburgh’s alleys. Walking up the Royal Mile, cobbled lanes dart off in myriad directions which help you to soak up how the city once was. Art buffs might also be interested in taking in the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
In one week +
You don’t really need much more than a few days to tick off the major tourist attractions in Edinburgh. But if you’re keen to maintain Edinburgh as a base you can do day trips to places like St Andrews (the home of golf), Perth, Glasgow and even Loch Lomond. Although if you have a week it might be easier and better to hire a car and hit the roads for a few days.
