By rail
Edinburgh Waverley, ~4.5 h from London
United Kingdom
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
A castle on a rock and a festival city
Getting there
By air
Edinburgh (EDI), ~13 km
Best time to visit
May to September; August for the festivals
Don't miss
Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Mile
Holyrood Palace
Arthur's Seat
Things to do
Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Mile
Climbing Arthur's Seat
The Fringe in August
Where to eat
What to pack
Layers, waterproofs
A quieter corner
Dean Village beside the Water of Leith
Questions travellers ask
What's the best month for Edinburgh?
May to September, or August if you want the festivals, the Fringe included. Pack layers and waterproofs.
What are Edinburgh's essential sights?
Edinburgh Castle on its rock, the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace — then climb Arthur's Seat.
Where's a quieter corner of Edinburgh?
Dean Village, beside the Water of Leith. Afterwards, try haggis, Scottish salmon or a dram of whisky.
Should I take the train or fly to Edinburgh?
Either works. The train into Edinburgh Waverley takes about 4.5 h from London, while Edinburgh (EDI) airport is about 13 km out.
About Edinburgh
- Hills
- Coastal
Where it is
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, built over a landscape of old volcanic hills, with Edinburgh Castle on its rock and Arthur's Seat rising above the city.
History
Edinburgh grew along the ridge that runs from the Castle Rock down to Holyrood, the line of today's Royal Mile, and it has been recognised as Scotland's capital since at least the 15th century. In the 18th century the Georgian New Town was built and the city became a centre of the Scottish Enlightenment, home to thinkers such as David Hume and Adam Smith; since 1999 it has been the seat of the Scottish Parliament.
People
Edinburgh's people speak English, with Scots heard in everyday speech and Scottish Gaelic taught in some schools. The city's festivals turn it into a vast stage every August, and Burns Night, Hogmanay and haggis are part of its traditions.
Known for
- Edinburgh Castle
- The Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse
- The Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Climbing Arthur's Seat
- The Georgian New Town
Did you know?
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe began in 1947 as a handful of uninvited acts alongside the official festival, and it has become the largest performing arts festival in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.