Things to do in Edinburgh

Activities, attractions and tours

Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most popular experiences in Edinburgh

Tours & day trips

See all 643 activities
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

Activity duration is 12 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 1993 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$839 per adult
Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 250 activities
Edinburgh Airport: Bus Transfer

Edinburgh Airport: Bus Transfer

9.6 out of 10 with 2584 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$63 per adult
Edinburgh Airport: Bus TransferOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 99 activities
The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 412 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$338 per adult
The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in EdinburghOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 32 activities
Edinburgh: Hike Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

Edinburgh: Hike Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill

Activity duration is 3 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 14 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$274 per adult
Edinburgh: Hike Arthur's Seat & Calton HillOpens in new tab

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 21 activities
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

Activity duration is 1 hour and 15 minutes
9.0 out of 10 with 1635 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is HK$200 per adult
The World Famous Underground Ghost TourOpens in new tab

What to do in Edinburgh

Popular places to visit

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

Fortress, palace and repository of the crown jewels, this landmark overlooking the city has played a crucial role in Scottish history.

Edinburgh Castle
Walter Scott Monument in the Rainy Day, Edinburgh, Scotland

Princes Street

You can search for that perfect souvenir when you visit Princes Street, a favourite shopping spot in Edinburgh. Experience the fascinating museums and lively festivals in this walkable area.

Princes Street
Royal Mile

Royal Mile

Explore this area in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town to find ancient buildings, historic relics, shops, museums and range of dining options.

Royal Mile
University of Edinburgh

University of Edinburgh

The campus of Edinburgh's venerable educational institution is spread seamlessly around the architecture of the city and opens to the public during year-round events.

University of Edinburgh
Scenic sight in Edinburgh with the Castle in the background. Scotland.

Grassmarket

You can browse for souvenirs when you visit Grassmarket, a popular shopping spot in Edinburgh. Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this family-friendly area.

Grassmarket
Aerial view of Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Roseburn St, Edinburgh, VK

Murrayfield Stadium

Catch an event at Murrayfield Stadium and enjoy other activities in Edinburgh such as golfing.Discover the lively festivals and shops in this walkable area.

Murrayfield Stadium
street view of George street at Edinburgh, scotland

George Street

During your trip to Edinburgh, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at George Street. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

George Street
Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo

See rare and endangered species and learn about the efforts to conserve them at Edinburgh’s largest wildlife attraction.

Edinburgh Zoo
St. Andrew Square

St. Andrew Square

You can find out about the history of Edinburgh with a stop at St. Andrew Square. Experience the area's entertainment choices and fascinating museums.

St. Andrew Square

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Find the best Edinburgh areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Edinburgh
Learn more about Edinburgh

Old Town Edinburgh

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Edinburgh Castle to Royal Mile – discover Old Town Edinburgh, a destination also famous for its shopping.

New Town

Travellers love New Town for its popular shops, and you can see more of Edinburgh by jumping on the metro at Princes Street Tram Stop or St Andrew Square Tram Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Princes Street and George Street.

Leith waterfront in the sun. Image shot 2008. Exact date unknown.

Leith

Known for its abundant dining options and seaside views, there's plenty to explore in Leith. Top attractions like Edinburgh Port and Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre are major draws, and you can catch the metro at The Shore Tram Stop or Port of Leith Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Photo by scott marsland
Open Photo by scott marsland

West End

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Princes Street to Dean Village – discover West End, a destination also famous for its shopping.

C2CW46 The view along Circus Lane looking towards St Stephen's Church in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh's New Town.

Stockbridge

Historical sites, museums and art galleries highlight some of the noteworthy features of Stockbridge. Make a stop by St. Stephens Centre or St Bernard's Well while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Aerial view of the iconic Forth Bridge near Edinburgh. Scotland, UK

South Queensferry

Livingston Kirk, West Lothian.

Livingston

Oyster catcher on Elie's beach, Fife, Scotland

Dunfermline

Falkirk

Falkirk

Aerial view of a reservoir's tranquil waters reflect the sky, embraced by the rugged hillsides and vibrant autumn foliage, Haddington, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Haddington

Palace in the morning

Linlithgow

Linlithgow Palace is located in the Scottish town of Linlithgow, in the county of West Lothian, 24 kilometers northwest of Edinburgh.

Bathgate

Aerial view of a picturesque coastal town at sunset with serene water and rocky cliffs, Dunbar, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Dunbar

Frequently asked questions

Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Providing a mix of festivals and history, there's no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh. While you're here, visit Edinburgh Castle, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Edinburgh?
Kick your day off with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo. Then, explore different areas of Edinburgh for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Edinburgh?
Three days will give you plenty of time to tick off many city attractions, like Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and Grassmarket. The average stay in Edinburgh is three days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, Newbridge isn't far away.
Is Edinburgh a walkable city?
It all depends on what you plan to do and see in Edinburgh. Several top sights, such as Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Edinburgh's neighbourhoods, Edinburgh City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away from downtown, while Old Town Edinburgh is 0.64 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Edinburgh with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all ages, here are some terrific ideas for what to do in Edinburgh with kids.

What to do in Edinburgh for adults?
Scotch Whisky Experience and Edinburgh Gin Distillery are just two of the things to do in Edinburgh. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Edinburgh?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Edinburgh is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other major attractions you can experience without opening your wallet. Grassmarket is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia