Edinburgh
Edinburgh Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
Edinburgh, the medieval Old Town, will enchant you with its quaint bars and pubs, winding narrow lanes, and centuries old structures still towering like giants. Then you'll see quite another side: the New Town, filled with a humming atmosphere, many shopping centers, great restaurants, gorgeous Georgian townhomes, and fine museums.
Explore Edinburgh Castle that's built on a volcano, the Royal Mile, many wonderful parks, and see where JK Rowling was inspired to start drafting the Harry Potter series.
To ensure that you won't miss anything important, use my Edinburgh travel guide to find the 9 most famous must-see top tourist attractions in Edinburgh. I have left the very best for last.
1. The Palace of Holyroodhouse
As the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, the palace has often been at the heart of Scottish history. Constructed in 1678, the palace saw both James ll and James lV married, James V and Charles crowned, and "Bonnie Prince Charlie held court.
Since the queen is generally absent most of the year except during "Royal Week" every summer, public access is allowed and visitors can see the striking Historic Apartments as well as the State Apartments, renowned for their superb plasterwork, tapestries, and furnishings.
The Queen's Gallery which showcases portraits of both legendary and real Scottish kings, opened back in 2002 to mark the start of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, hosting changing displays that originate from the Royal Collection.
Another worthy highlight is the nearby Holyrood Abbey which King David l found in the 12th century.
2. The Royal Mile
What exactly is The Royal Mile? It refers to all the streets connecting the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. Take a slow walk along this excellent thoroughfare and take in the lovely churches, historic landmarks, kiltmaking shops, museums, inns, restaurants, and cafes.
Several of the structures are high, varying from 6 up to 15 floors. Narrow small alleys, or commonly called "winds," weave in and circle around them.
Attractions, anyone? You'll find most popular attractions waiting for you at the Royal Mile's upper end, ranging from Outlook Tower, the Camera Obscura to the notable Tolbooth boasting the highest church tower and housing the fascinating People's Story Museum as well as Gladstone's Land, which is a six-floored merchant's home with charming ceiling paintings and more.
3. National Museum of Scotland
After opening its doors in 2011, this museum has turned into one of the most popular attractions in Scotland, and you can't possibly go wrong exploring here for free!
Receiving more than two million visitors every year, it's home to collections from Edinburgh's older museums and today hosts medieval artifacts, national archaeological collections, and exhibits highlighting from art, natural history, science, geology to technology.
The total of 16 galleries contains over 8,000 artifacts, including Dolly the Sheep and Elton John's more fancy stage costumes. But the museum also showcases remnants from Ancient Egypt as well as the notorious Maiden, an earlier type of guillotine.
With so much to see, expect to invest around 3 or 4 hours here. There are guided tours and two restaurants.
4. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Established back in 1670, the botanic garden is not only Britain's second oldest but also the biggest with an incredible 13,200 various plant species.
The superb 70 acres is home to an herbarium hosting more than three million specimens, a vast palm house, and even a tropical home with exotic orchids. Other highlights include a terraced moorland garden, an alpine home, a heather garden, and an expansive arboretum boasting rare enormous trees from all over the world.
Other highlights you may want to see are an aquatic home with tropical water plants and the woodland garden displaying bright camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas.
5. The Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
The Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is an attraction that won't disappoint.
The centerpiece, established in a quaint rooftop room, is an interesting pinhole camera which projects real-time moving visuals of Edinburgh on a viewing table. The lenses and mirror which create the panorama, have been delighting visitors since 1853.
The remainder of the experience will test the faith in one's own vision through a combination of a vertigo-inspiring turning vortex, 3-D holograms, a hall of mirrors, and an entire variety of optical experiences.
6. Scottish National Gallery
If you want to see in one single place Scottish historical leaders from the 16th century onwards, visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, a major art gallery in Edinburgh.
Out of the colossal gallery's 65,000+ pieces you'll find such highlights as Bonnie Prince Charlie, Mary Stuart, Robbie Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Sean Connery, and Sir Walter Scott. The gallery also houses the Scottish National Photography Collection.
Set up in 1859, the national gallery has become the nation's second most notable art collection that showcases Scotland's largest selection of European sculptures and paintings. Its collection includes artworks ranging from the Renaissance era to the Post-Impressionists.
7. St. Giles Cathedral
Erected in 1243, the cathedral which is the main church in Edinburgh, draws around a million visitors every year.
The present building was constructed during the 1300s, boasting its stunning soaring central tower of 161 feet together with eight arched buttresses, forming a large crown that has gained recently so much popularity as a great background for selfies and photos.
Inside, check out the WWl memorials, charming stained-glass windows, and a fine statue of John Knox, who led the Protestant Reformation.
Do not dare overlook the Thistle Chapel. It's famous for its seals of the Knights of the Thistle, heraldic emblems, and oak carvings. The chapel, designed by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1911, is an excellent sample of the modern Gothic style. While here, you can join a rooftop tour and enjoy a choir concert in the afternoon.
8. Museum of Edinburgh
If you want to learn a little more about the city's rich and intriguing history, stop by the Museum of Edinburgh. Its building itself justifies a tour since it was built in the 1500s.
Its fascinating displays reveal Edinburgh's origins via artifacts and genuine documents, along with stories of its legendary champions and daily life. Take a look at its significant collection showcasing decorative art pieces such as 18th-century porcelain, finely crafted silverware and glassware.
If you are an Outlander fan, you definitely must visit. The museum and nearby Bakehouse Close were filmed in the show's 3rd series, plus make an incredible selfie opportunity you can share with family and friends right away!
9. Edinburgh Castle
As Scotland's most famous attraction drawing millions of visitors each year, you'll soon discover why all the rage. Highlights include listening to the renowned One O'clock Salute coming from Half Moon Battery, the stunning Scottish National War Memorial, National War Museum, and the sensational collection of Crown Jewels that the Royal Palace contains.
Do not dare overlook the Stone of Destiny, notoriously robbed by Edward l and put beneath the English throne, which was given back to Scotland after 700 years in 1996.
Today, you have the option to skip the long line so you then could use your time touring the castle.
