Edinburgh City Breaks: Why travel to Scotland's Capital in 2022?

Discover staggering architecture and inspirational attractions at one of the UK's best locations!

Edinburgh is world-famous for its breathtaking beauty and with an abundance of history, exciting attractions, mesmerising architecture, UNESCO heritage and bustling night-life, it's one of the best destinations for a city break in the UK. The Medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town sit side by side in Scotland's capital and are waiting to be explored. Whether you're after a weekend break in Edinburgh or planning on a longer stay, with world-class festivals, a variety of unique boutiques and mouth-watering dining for a romantic getaway as a couple it's hard not to see why Edinburgh ticks all the boxes for the perfect city break. At Holiday Extras lets share with you what you can expect from this incredible short break destination so that you can book your next staycation of 2022 with less hassle and only holiday in mind!

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Top 10 Things To Do on an Edinburgh City Break

1. Visit Edinburgh Castle

   
   - Situated at the top of Castle Rock on top of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh's renowned medieval castle dominates the buildings of the Royal Mile. The most iconic building in Edinburgh, this magnificent Castle and its Esplanade offers some of the best views across the city. With parts dating right back to the 11th century, when it was a royal palace, discover the Castle's history and explore its many unique exhibitions and museums, including the fascinating Prisons of War exhibition. See the magnificent Grand Hall in all its splendour and admire Scotland's Crown Jewels (including the famous Stone of Destiny). Browse for a souvenir in the Crown Gift Shop or Whiskey and Finest Food Shop, and top it all off with a bite to eat at the Queen Anne Tea Room.




2. Tour the Real Mary King's Close

   
   - Voted Scotland's Best Heritage Tourism Experience, this extraordinary one hour character-guided tour is an excellent way of learning about the captivating real stories of Edinburgh's past residents. Discover over 400 years of history with a myriad of tales waiting to be told about Scotland's intriguing Capital. Take a trip through time and uncover why the Close, once open air and bustling with trade, came to be underground. Experience a unique look at Edinburgh's layered past and walk through the city's uniquely preserved streets under the Royal Mile. It's advisable you pre-book tickets in advance via the website.




3. Explore Edinburgh Zoo

   
   - If you're spending your city break staying in a countryside cottage nearby, you may already feel a little closer to nature but the experience doesn't have to stop there. Just a short bus ride from Edinburgh's city centre, Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 1000 amazing and exotic animals, including the UK's only giant pandas. An ideal family break destination, children will love the fabulous flamingos and mischievous monkeys. Watch the world famous penguin parade where some of the many Rockhopper, Gentoo and even King Penguins leave their enclosure to enjoy a waddle about during lunchtime. Also, grab a snack at the Jungle Food Court, Grasslands Restaurant or Penguins Café, and there is even a Zoo Gift Shop to discover.




4. Appreciate Art in Edinburgh

   
   - With several art galleries to visit on your Edinburgh city break, including the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (which is housed in two impressive neoclassical buildings) immerse yourself in the city's culture. This Gallery includes an expansive car park full of modern sculptures and is a must-see for any contemporary art enthusiast. The Scottish Gallery of Modern Art can be found in the heart of Edinburgh and boasts some of the world's finest paintings including Rembrant, Monet and Raphael. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, set in a beautiful red sandstone building, can be found in the New Town and is home to over 3,000 portraits of men, women and children from Scotland and beyond. Great if you're keen to save money on a cheap city break, these galleries are all FREE admission!




5. Marvel over Sir Walter Scott

   
   - Take a trip to the largest commemorative monument to a writer in the world. Celebrating the Scottish Novelist Sir Walter Scott, and built in the 19th Century, this is one of Edinburgh's most exciting landmarks. Part of the challenge comes from the ascent up the 287 steps to the top enabling you to enjoy unprecedented views across the stunning city of Edinburgh and its breath-taking surrounding countryside. Guided Tours are available.




6. Learn how the Scottish Government works

   
   - Potty about politics? Housed in a contemporary building in Edinburgh's Old Town, the modern Scottish Parliament Building is a great destination to visit on your Edinburgh short break. Open Monday-Saturday you can take a free Tour of the Debating Chamber, the Garden Lobby and the private office of a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). View proceedings from the public gallery, in the debating chamber when Parliament is in session and discover its history, work and modern architecture. There's even a Gift Shop where you can purchase a keepsake to remember your trip.




7. Buy yourself a treat

   
   - Whether you fancy Tartan or Whiskey to take home after your short break, delight in Edinburgh's interesting and unusual shops that run along Princes Street. Similarly, stroll along Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile that leads up to the Castle and be welcomed by an eclectic range of souvenir shops, selling anything and everything a tourist would want. There's also an abundance of cafés, bars and award-winning restaurants to enjoy.




8. Relive your Childhood

   
   - Visit the Museum of Childhood and release your inner child. Take a short break from adult life with a joyous wander down memory lane. An ideal attraction for a family break, children can learn about the children of the past and discover a terrific range of toys and even play the games of the past; including hands-on activities like puppet theatre and dressing up.




9. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

   
   - This needs no introduction. Take respite from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life to leisurely walk through outstanding botanical gardens and discover the warmth of exotic plants within the Glasshouses. Located just a short 20 minutes' walk from Edinburgh's city centre, encounter an enchanting collection of approximately 100,000 plants and explore 72 acres of glorious green space. Learn about the garden's flourishing and diverse history, dating back an amazing 350 years, in this haven of relaxation. Enjoy a bite to eat at the Gateway Restaurant, Terrace Café or the East Gate Coffee Bar and spoil yourself in the Botanics Gift Shop and Garden Shop. Witness the changing sights, sounds and scents throughout Edinburgh's varied seasons and take the opportunity to appreciate this awe-inspiring location at any time of the year.




10. Take a selfie at the Greyfriars Bobby Statue

    
    - Edinburgh is certainly a dog-friendly city and an ideal place to enjoy a holiday with your pooch. This monument will melt the heart strings of any pet lover, especially if you're accompanied by your four-legged friend. Potentially the most photographed Landmark in Edinburgh, discover the famous Statue in Greyfriars Kirkyard. This is the heartwarming story from the late 19th Century, still admired in Scotland and shared through many books and films around the world, of a little Skye terrier called Bobby. The tale is that he kept a graveside vigil of 15 years when his police officer owner died - he truly was his man's best friend. It's recommended you book a tour in advance to not be disappointed. This excursion is ideal for couples, families, groups or solo travellers (with or without a canine companion).

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What to Eat and Drink in Edinburgh

Traditional Scottish food on your short break is far more important than just finding something to eat. Each dish you savour is steeped in the country's culture and history, so give a few of these dishes a wee try and learn more about Edinburgh than you expected by dining out in Edinburgh - the Scottish way!

• Haggis - The most popular and adventurous dish to try in Edinburgh is haggis. A meaty dish containing a combination of the heart, lungs and liver of a sheep or lamb. This is traditionally mixed with fat or suet, and some oats and onions. Seasoned, the mixture is then stuffed into a casing, similarly to a sausage and steamed or baked. You could enjoy this with a dram of Scotch for good measure - which leads us on to our next choice for you...
• Scotch Whiskey - Whether you call this scotch whiskey or simply scotch, Edinburgh is the ideal location for you to sample a dram or two of this aged alcohol on your city break. A true scotch has one shared characteristic - that it has been aged for at least 3 years or more in an oak barrel. There are also single or double malt to choose, blended grain varieties or a combination of the two. This world-renowned peaty delight is a heady brew with a minimum of at least 40% alcohol by volume, as dictated by the Scotch Whisky Regulations.
• Neeps and Tatties - These mouth-watering two side dishes are traditional food in Scotland and are often served accompanying haggis. A neep, similar to a turnip, in Edinburgh is boiled and mashed. Tatties are simply boiled potatoes and are a scrumptious familiar comfort food. When you indulge in a plate of haggis with neeps and tatties this is often referred to as a Burns supper (dedicated to the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns).
• Cullen Skink - This hearty Scottish dish hails from the northeastern part of the country and is a popular dish in Edinburgh too. The silky and creamy smoked fish soup will suit anyone that's a fan of clam chowder, as cream and potatoes are added to smoked haddock to make this indulgent dish.
• Cock-a-leekie Soup - Following on from Cullen Skink, is another delicious soup that will be comforting as the cool coastal weather sweeps in. Composed of chicken stock, leeks and onions this is the perfect classic soup when on a short break away to cure you of all troubles that ail you. This appetizing meal originated way back in the 16th century and is famous for being Scotland's National Soup.
• Cranachan - Now something for your sweet tooth. This luscious dessert is a great way of completing your journey through delicious traditional Scottish food. Scotch whiskey is combined with raspberries and toasted oats (that have been soaked overnight in a dram of whiskey). This dish is topped off with honey and freshly whipped cream to make the perfect sumptuous sweet treat. The fun part is when you order a cranachan you are served all the ingredients separately for you to compile. This means you can layer together each ingredient in the quantity you desire and savour the memory of creating your own delectable Scottish dish. If you're enjoying a romantic weekend away as a couple then this is a great way to end your evening meal.

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For the latest travel advice for your Edinburgh city break in 2022, please visit our Edinburgh Travel Guide for further information.