Edinburgh Travel Guide

A guide to Edinburgh's attractions

Edinburgh Zoo

Everyone loves a trip to the zoo! Edinburgh Zoo is home to a huge community of animals – including the UK's only Giant Pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang. Pay them a visit along with a colony of koalas that live in a eucalyptus garden, and a waddle of penguins that like to play, paddle and slide around in their aquatic enclosure.

The zoo isn't just home to exotic animals either. It boasts a large garden filled with more than 120 different species of tree, and various displays of flowers, ferns and plants that change with the seasons.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortifications in Europe, with the original fortress dating all the way back to the iron age. Little of that original hill fort remains but the castle has been there in some form ever since.

It's been home to the kings and queens of Scotland, a prison of war, and even a military hospital. And it houses the Scottish crown jewels, or Honours of Scotland, which are the oldest crown jewels in Britain. You can also see the Stone of Destiny, traditionally used in the coronation ceremonies of the Scottish monarchs, and later those of the monarchs of the UK – including for Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The castle is also famously perched upon an extinct volcano, or rather a volcanic plug, giving it a dramatic and iconic appearance looming over the skyline of the city.

Museum of Scotland

The fascinating Museum of Scotland has a ton of interesting galleries, covering a vast range of subjects including the country's history through the ages, natural history, art and design, and even fashion.

The museum also boasts one of the UK's finest collections of artefacts from Ancient Egypt and East Asia, with dedicated galleries for both. In the Ancient Egypt Rediscovered gallery learn about daily life in that mysterious age, see a collection of ornate coffins and a beautiful gold ring thought to have belonged to Queen Nefertiti.

The Exploring East Asia exhibit has one of the largest collections from China, Japan and Korea, including ceramics from the Ming Dynasty, artwork and earthenware.

Royal Mile

The Royal mile runs through the heart of Old Town and links Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace – the king's official residence in Scotland. It's made up of the four streets that run almost exactly one mile between these two royal locations.

As you probably guessed, it's filled with historical attractions and buildings, including the 19th century tenements that tower over it, which were built after the original buildings burnt down in the Great Fire of Edinburgh. See the 14th-century St Giles' Cathedral and contrast it with the more modern Scottish Parliament building.

While you're here you can also visit the Grassmarket, which began life as a medieval marketplace where public executions would also take place. These days you won't be able to catch a beheading, but you can pay a visit to the fashion boutiques and old pubs, some of which were visited by historical figures like Robert Burns.

Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse as it's properly known, is the official residence of King Charles III when he visits Scotland – His Majesty spends a week here every year to carry out a number of royal engagements.

It has links to many historical figures from Scotland's past, including Mary Queen of Scots, who inherited the Scottish crown at just six days old! She would later be caught up in a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I and beheaded! You can visit her chambers which are in the oldest part of the palace.

You can also see the throne room and privy chamber, where the King has audiences with the Scottish first minister.

Arthur's Seat

One of the seven hills of Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat is part of an ancient, extinct volcano along with Castle Rock and Calton Hill. Its imposing, craggy appearance is an iconic feature of Edinburgh, and the views from the top make it worth the climb – you can see the city, across to Edinburgh Castle and the waters of the Firth of Forth.

According to legend, Arthur's seat is (possibly) the location of Camelot, the court of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

The hill is located within Holyrood Park and there's a popular walking trail which takes you past Salisbury Crags – the rugged cliff faces of the hill – and up the slopes, making the most of the stupendous views. Be sure to visit the well-preserved hill fort here too, it dates from around 2,000 years ago.

Loch Lomond

Part of the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond is in what's known as the Highlands in Miniature because of the incredible combination of mountain peaks, rural villages, castles, ruins and the loch itself.

Pay a visit to the quaint village of Luss, which dates from medieval times. Admire the unique slate cottages, head to the 19th century parish church to see the lovely stained glass windows, or simply take in the stunning views over Loch Lomond.

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