What to do in Edinburgh?

herman2811

We're off to Edinburgh for a few days in a couple of weeks...

Can someone please recommend some touristy things to do while there? ie, sights/attractions etc

Thanks in advance

cazziebo

Loads to do in Edinburgh - but first get the train to Glasgow! :T

Just kidding! What ages/interests etc?

Castle is good, walk up the Royal Mile is a must do, Dynamic Earth is great for kids and adults, the Dungeon is pretty good, lunch at Valvona and Crolla, fab museums and galleries, camera obscura is good fun...

Gina

We went to the zoo and it was quite good, just a short bus ride from Princes street. We also went on a ghost tour which was quite scary, but we had fun. It's not suitable for kids though.

sandiep

There is an underground street somewhere under the royal mile. It will be in the guides. Dynamic earth is also good too, for the family. There's loads of museums and galleries, and they're pretty much free. The castle is a really good trip too.

A good day trip, if the weather is good, is to get the train/bus to North Berwick and go see the RSPB centre, which has live webcam links to the Bass Rock which is bird sanctury. It's really good.

And then, get on the bus, or if you fancy a 2 mile walk down the coast, go the Yellowcraig beach. It's one of the best, Sandy, clean, dunes everything. A real bucket and spade beach.

Only thing is, if its not a perfect sunny day, then take your woolies, as east coast beaches can get a wee bit chilly.

Oh, and if you're into surfing, then Aberlady bay is brilliant, one of the best in Scotland. And if you like golf, get a couple of days in Gullane, there's something like 20odd golf courses in a 5 mile radius including the qualifiers for Muirfield ('cos you're never going to get onto Muirfield!!)

And you've got to make sure that you get some Lucas Ice Cream!!!

looneyleo

You lucky weeeee things! Edinburgh is fantastic. I would definately suggest the Camera Obscura. Really unusual way of looking at this fantastic city and learning some of it's history in a fun way. Lots to see and do there as well. I think the underground street is called St Mary's Walk which is good. Of course, you have to sample a wee dram and there is a whisky heritage centre along the Royal Mile (I think). Enjoy your stay...you won't be disappointed!

lilac_lee_2

Hollyrood Palace is nice to see when the public are allowed in also a walk up arthur's seat is lovely which is just next door to the palace. another place is the royal yacht brittania at the ocean terminal, and lastly you should check out what is on at the Edinburgh Play House. I would also recommend all the place mentioned above.

If you are looking for places to drink the grassmarket has a casual lively feel to it or if you prefer more wine bar type places head to George Street. Also Edinburgh has some great shops.

Have fun i work in Edinburgh so get to see it beaty every day.

Although you are going in the next few weeks, for anybody going in August the Edinburg Festival is a must.

misterh

What do you fancy?
History - Do an open-top bus tour. Visit the castle. Walk down the Royal Mile. Do a ghost tour. Visit Mary King's Close. Gladstones land. The National Trust new town house in Charlotte Square.
Art and museums - Art galleries (National, Modern and Portrait). Museums (National, Childhood)
Food - Some top restaurants. Any cuisine, any budget. There's a food festival at the end of May:
http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/T/taste2008/events/edinburgh/index.html
Shopping.
Good pubs.
Etc
http://www.edinburgh.org/ is a good place to start.

u2nick79

Camera Obscura opposite the castle gets my votes!

marjoreemarjora

A few other sggestions:-

Get a Day Saver bus ticket £2.50 travel on all LRT Buses for the day. Parking in town bit of a nightmare

Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens are one of the best in the world and are free. On bus route so very easy to get to.

Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the road that leads from the castle to Holyrood Palace has some very nice free places to visit. St Giles Cathedral a must see, then further down on the next block, the Museum of Childhood which is full of toys from years gone by, then further down on the next block the Peoples Story and Huntley House Museum which tell the story of Old Edinburgh.

The largest Museum,the National museum, is in Chambers Street which on a rainy day is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Harry Potter fans usually then get there picture taken outside the Elephant House a cafe in george 1V Bridge where JK Rowling first wrote her book.

If you have a car and like a relaxing walk head down to Cramond (again you can get there on the daily bus ticket)lovely walk (flat) along the coast and if the tide is out you can head over the walkway to Cramond Island.

Lastly a trip to Queensferry on the First 43 Bus, see both the rail and car bridges. You can walk accross the car bridge.

enjoy your trip and try 5pm.co.uk for discounted meal in the evening if you have internet access.

hope this is of some help

sleepless_saver

Climb up Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano near the centre of town (start from Holyrood Palace). Completely free, fantastic views and great exercise . Visit the Sheep Heid pub at Duddingston on your way down, one of Scotland's oldest, good beer, and real skittles.

sleepless_saver

Also great for a walk is the Water of Leith walkway which runs from the Firth of Forth right through Edinburgh for many miles. The short stretch from Stockbridge (which has great charity shops) to the modern art gallery (free, and nice cafe) in Belford Road is my favourite.