Points of Interest & Landmarks in Edinburgh

THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Points of Interest & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks in Edinburgh

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119 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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Showing results 1-30 of 119

What travellers are saying

  • Nitasha
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our tour guide Zelda was amazing! I went into the tour last minute and it was so worth it. Learned a lot of cool history! 100% worth it!
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pakabay
    Adelaide, Australia2,141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Yes, there are tartan, whisky and assorted souvenir shops side by side for much of the Royal Mile but they go nowhere near telling the story of this historic thoroughfare.

    The so-called Royal Mile which in face is just over a mile long, connects Edinburgh Castle at one end and the Royal Palace of Hollyrood at the other.

    Passing through the middle of historic Edinburgh, there are countless magnificent buildings along its entire length. And the further you head away from the castle, the less tacky souvenir shops there are.

    The Edinburgh Old Town is particularly hilly in places, but the Mile is an easy walk from on end to the other. Generally, it heads downhill from the castle towards the palace.

    Well worth exploring the mile itself, but also the lanes & alleys that lead off it for its entire length.
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • shackleston
    Redcar, UK814 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit even if you don't buy a ticket. Impressive gates and towers. Not far from city centre. You can also see the Scottish Parliament and Arthur's Seat.
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kaiya R
    37 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of little things to see and read about up here, a few different monuments and also provides pretty views over the rooftops of Edinburgh!
    Written 13 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pakabay
    Adelaide, Australia2,141 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mid-March is not the best time to be visiting a Scottish garden, but despite that, our visit to these Botanical Gardens was well worthwhile.

    We tend to visit gardens wherever we are in the world and these Edinburgh gardens, just north of the New Town were extensive, very well maintained and contained a surprisingly wide selection of well established trees & plants. Of particular note are the significant Chinese gardens.

    Like most of Edinburgh, the gardens have significant elevation changes which just adds to the visual depth of large area.

    Like most major botanical garden admission is free and you could easily spend half a day here - even longer in late spring & summer.

    And it’s on the blue route of the hop-on hop-off bus, with a stop right at the gates
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rantin rover
    Biggar, UK8,673 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Substantial historic ruined medieval castle in the suburbs of Edinburgh and within distant view of it’s more famous attraction in the city centre. Both are maintained by Historic Scotland and are subject to entrance fees. I’ve got Historic Scotland membership which covers our grandchildren so only had to pay £7.50 for my wife to join us on this particular exploration which was aimed largely at keeping the kids occupied for a while!

    Unlike the famous Edinburgh Castle this site doesn’t attract large numbers of visitors at any one time and there are only parking places for a dozen or so vehicles. However it’s likely to be on a bus route if you’re based in town. No café facilities on site either although the small ticket office/shop does sell a limited number of “treats”.

    There are sometimes quizzes at Historic Scotland sites aimed at focusing younger visitors minds on the search for information however on this occasion it wasn’t the case. There were some games set up in a vaulted section which kept us entertained for a while - skittles and a version of darts (of the sticky variety rather than the sharp type). The main attraction of course was to explore the hidden nooks and crannies which children and adults often enjoy on such sites. A little imagination is required to transport yourself back through the years but some interpretation boards help set the scene. I’d recommend taking a torch if you want to look up the chimneys or venture into the vaulted stores - lighting is provided most places but a torch helps where it is not.

    I had visited solo previously and had obtained the guidebook so I had a rough idea of the layout to try and see all the areas of interest. The fact that Mary Queen of Scots had stayed at the castle at some stage was lost on our young visitors who didn’t have a clue who she was!

    An element of caution is required to supervise small children as there are plenty of uneven surfaces, large drops from battlements and steep spiral stairways - thankfully our 4 and 10 year old grandkids managed fine. The most hazardous part of the trip for their grandparents was the post trip visit to McDonalds at Cameron Toll where we were re-introduced to a dining experience of a different variety.

    Craigmillar is well worth a visit with children or if you enjoy exploring castle ruins for an understanding of our history.
    Written 5 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • alibatty🦇
    Dundee, UK5,031 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This Victorian Gothic monument of over 200 ft is an honorary memorial to one of Scotland’s best-known writers, Sir Walter Scott , and it dominates Princes Street Gardens. It’s the largest memorial in the world to a writer, and is decorated by 68 carved figures in niches , of characters from Scott’s novels. The designer was George Meikle Kemp , whose design was selected by judges in a competition , and it opened in 1848. There are 4 platforms from the base to the top, with 287 narrow steps. It appeared to be barricaded off when we were there ( but I had no intention of climbing it again anyway, having done it as a teenager.) At the base of the monument is a statue of Walter Scott with his dog Maida, sculpted by Sir John Steele from Carrara marble. You simply couldn’t miss it as a visitor to Edinburgh.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas G
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,688 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just outside the graveyard is the most famous statue of Edinburgh; Greyfriars Bobby. You can touch his nose for luck, but do it gentle. The pub behind the statue paid the government to move the statue around, so they are on all the pictures of the statue.
    Written 29 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Buddapies
    Bedfordshire, UK152 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We specifically searched out Bobby, the dedication to Bobby was nicely presented. It was a wet and windy day so did not stay (thanks storm Babet), would have liked to explore the church yard more.
    Written 30 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Malcolm and S
    Stroud, UK1,153 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We booked tickets (free), to go to 1st Minister's Questions, and it was well worth doing so, even though the First Minister was away at Cop 28! Arriving in good time we went through 'heavy' security and had a chance to look at the small exhibition before gaining access to the chamber itself. The architecture and layout is flamboyant in style, and a high quality finish throughout. The level of debate that we saw did not, however, match the quality of the surroundings, and the following day's report in The Times was excoriating in its criticisms! It was good to see the number of visitors in the public gallery, and we noted the casual use of mobile phones by members in the chamber, not setting a great example to the school children present, even whilst one question addressed the issue of banning of phones on school premises!!
    Written 4 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jim D
    187 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Parked at the Southern End of the 1960's road bridge. Free car parking and good access to the footpath and cycle way that takes you across the Forth. A great experiance as you end up being about 200ft above the River with fantastic views.
    Written 24 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jake B
    2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    When I arrived, reception mentioned "this is the best Hostel..!"

    It's nice to see expectations, exceeded.!!

    Thanks for your hospitality- the best..!
    Written 29 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hilary d
    London, UK819 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were visiting Edinburgh as part of our five night break with Rail Discoveries.

    We walked along Princes Street on our first evening,lots of touristy shops,nothing more!
    Written 8 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • matthew p
    Edinburgh, UK102 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    so this place can be a hit or a miss as if you walk to the island always remember to check when the tide comes in as if you don't you will be left stranded on the island for ever!! only joking the RNLI will come out, but best to check the times so you can walk too what are ruins of buildings from the second world war and walk back too the beach. other then that there's not much else too see imho. oh, and the beach is nice as well.
    Written 2 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • johnhouston2
    Knaresborough, UK5,258 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Feeling more like an elevated street than a bridge this impressive structure, which is over 300 yards long, was completed in 1832. It was designed by architect Thomas Hamilton in order to connect the South Side district of Edinburgh to the Old Town (Royal Mile) and then use exiting streets on the north to connect to the New Town.

    Nowadays the bridge is a busy thoroughfare with several restaurants, bars etc., as well as some famous buildings such as the National Museum of Scotland and the National Library. Just as important however is the fact that at the southern end of the street, at the junction with Candlemaker Row, you can find the iconic and much loved little statue of Greyfriars Bobby.
    Written 16 November 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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