Ultimate 3-Day Edinburgh Itinerary: Best Things to Do & See
Edinburgh enchants visitors with its dramatic skyline, storied castles, winding cobbled streets, and vibrant Scottish culture blending ancient tradition and modern creativity.
Day 1: Old Town Icons & Royal Mile Wonders
Morning
Start your Edinburgh journey at the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock with sweeping views and centuries of Scottish history to explore.
Edinburgh Castle
Afternoon
Stroll down the Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral, the spiritual heart of Edinburgh with stunning stained glass and centuries-old architecture.
St Giles' Cathedral
Duck into the hidden gem The Writers' Museum to discover the literary legacy of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Writers' Museum
Evening
Dine at the atmospheric The Witchery by the Castle, a lavish restaurant famed for its Scottish cuisine in a Gothic setting.
The Witchery by the Castle
Finish your evening with a spooky and entertaining Mercat Tours ghost walk, exploring the haunted closes and vaults beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Mercat Tours
Day 2: Arthur’s Seat, Hidden Closes & Local Flavours
Morning
Begin your day with a scenic hike up Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano offering panoramic vistas over the city and the Firth of Forth.
Arthur's Seat
Afternoon
Recharge with lunch at The Holyrood 9A, a beloved local gastropub famous for gourmet burgers and Scottish ales.
The Holyrood 9A
Venture underground at The Real Mary King’s Close, where costumed guides share tales of Edinburgh’s mysterious and plague-ridden past.
The Real Mary King’s Close
Evening
Experience authentic Scottish fare with a creative twist at The Gardener’s Cottage, a cozy restaurant set in a historic 1836 cottage surrounded by edible gardens.
The Gardener’s Cottage
Wrap up your night with a dram at Whiski Rooms, one of Edinburgh’s best whisky bars with tastings and live Scottish music.
Whiski Rooms
Day 3: New Town Elegance & Local Arts
Morning
Start with a tranquil stroll and coffee at Dean Village, a picturesque riverside enclave with 19th-century mill houses and lush greenery.
Dean Village
Afternoon
Admire masterpieces from Botticelli to Monet at the Scottish National Gallery, located on the Mound between Old and New Town.
Scottish National Gallery
Enjoy a refined lunch at The Dome, a grand New Town landmark lauded for its elegant Georgian interiors and afternoon teas.
The Dome
Evening
Catch a show or concert at the historic Usher Hall, renowned for its acoustics and diverse performances from classical to contemporary.
Usher Hall
Unwind with late-night cocktails at Bramble Bar, a hidden speakeasy ranked among the world's best for innovative mixology.
Bramble Bar
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