For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least two or three days in Edinburgh, which will give you enough time to explore the city centre and see the main sites.
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3 days in Edinburgh should give you enough time to almost everything in the city and maybe a few places beyond too. It's a tight schedule, so if you're wondering how many days in Edinburgh you'll need, three is the absolute minimum. One thing you should do before you go is to purchase an Edinburgh City Pass.
The majority of Edinburgh is a UNESCO Heritage site, and 4 days in this historical city is an adequate amount of time to get to know Scotland's capital very well.
Edinburgh Castle is a place I just HAD to visit with my friends and I was not disappointed. The castle has amazing views and is full of history and re-enactments of life as it has been in the castle over several centuries. Going to the castle is one of the most amazing and satisfying experiences I have had.
You should set aside at least 2 hours to see the main attractions at Edinburgh Castle. Opening times for the independent museums at the castle may vary. The castle is closed on 25 and 26 December.
While most people leave London for smaller cities, Edinburgh offers the chance to head out into nature and explore parts of the Scottish Highlands. Truthfully, I'd say that both cities are well situated for day trips, but if I had to choose I'd give the edge to London.
West End: the best area to stay in Edinburgh for the main attractions. The West End is a very popular and affluent area of the capital, located to the west of the city centre. It is home to many of the main tourist attractions from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens to the Scottish National Gallery.
As you will see from our attractions map, the majority of Edinburgh is easy enough to get around on foot. You will want good sensible footwear though, as many of the streets are steep and uneven, and there are lots of hills and steps to navigate. The furthest attraction is the Royal Yacht Britannia.
There is no specific dress code to visit Edinburgh Castle. However, it is advisable to dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear as the castle grounds involve some walking on uneven surfaces.
As a historical site, the castle complex can be difficult to access and navigate, especially for those with mobility difficulties - the whole site is on a steep hill, rising to a summit, and there are staircases around both the interior and exterior spaces, with uneven surfaces throughout.
Once there, you can hop on the city's tram system or explore the city via bus or black cabs, which can be found on high streets (main thoroughfares) and other points of interests throughout town. Edinburgh's intimate size makes walking the best way to get around.
Edinburgh has been named among the '25 Most Beautiful Cities in the World' by a renowned US travel magazine. New York-based Travel + Leisure, which has nearly five million monthly readers, included Scotland's capital in its 'by-no-means exhaustive list' of the world's most beautiful cities.
Edinburgh's intimate size makes walking the best way to get around. Plus, many of the top attractions are huddled close together in New Town and Old Town. When you want to explore the farther-flung neighborhoods, you can rely on Edinburgh's efficient bus or tram system.
Edinburgh is an expensive city by UK standards but not when we compare it to the capital London. Average rents for a 1 bedroom apartment stand at around $810pcm. For a large 3 bedroom apartment expect to pay around $1,240 a month. If you decide to live outside of the city center prices are much more reasonable.