Edinburgh is the perfect city for a weekend break. There is undeniably something very romantic about the city – it may be the gothic buildings or the dark and moody atmosphere. Whatever it is, there is no doubt you will find yourself falling in love with Edinburgh and giving in to its charm. Whether you fancy visiting museums or strolling through the streets and romanticising your life at Edinburgh castle, this itinerary will show you how to spend a weekend in Edinburgh and not miss the main sights.
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How to get there
Edinburgh is very easy to get to, as the options are varied.
✈️ The quickest way is to fly to Edinburgh. Flights from London can be as cheap as £30 when booked in advance.
🚆 If you do not fancy flying, you can take a train from London which takes approximately 5 hours. This does seem long but when you eliminate the time of getting to/from the airport it may be worth it! Prices are around £100 per person.
How to get around
Edinburgh is a very walkable city and most main sights are within a walking distance to each other. Try to opt for a hotel that is located close to Princess Street and you will be approximately 10 minutes away from all main sights. However, if you prefer to take the bus, you can do so easily by paying with card or contactless.
Is a weekend in Edinburgh enough?
Edinburgh is a great city to visit on a short weekend break. It is not very big, so you can see all the main sights in 2 or 3 days. Edinburgh is often a starting point of the road trip along the Scottish Highlands, so many people spend a short time here. I believe that if you plan it well, you can fit a lot into a weekend.
Where to stay
High end
The best hotel to stay at in Edinburgh is the Waldorf Astoria – The Caledonian. Located walking distance from all the main attractions, including the Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, this hotel is the perfect place to stay, especially for first time visitors.
With rooms overlooking the Edinburgh Castle, staying here is a bucket list experience. Indulge in a spa with a fitness centre and an indoor pool. Make sure not to miss their immaculate afternoon tea and breakfast room, where you are greeted with live music every morning. The Grazing by Mark Greenway restaurant in the hotel is also not one to be missed, as it is one of the best in the city.
You can book your stay here by clicking at the link below.
Mid range
Located within Edinburgh’s Old Town, Hotel Du Vin Edinburgh is the perfect affordable option if you are looking for a central location within walking distance to most attractions. With cosy rooms and a luxury feel, this hotel is the perfect pick if you fancy staying somewhere with a hint of luxury and in the heart of the city.
The hotel has the perfect boutique hotel feel and also offers a great breakfast.
Budget
The EasyHotel Edinburgh is the best value for money hotel in the city. Prices start from £70 and some rooms even offer views over the Edinburgh Castle!
Make sure to book in advance for the best price and request the room with a view as not every room offers it.
The hotel is only a 15 minute walk from the Royal Mile and less than a 10 minute walk from the rest of the main attractions.
The ultimate Edinburgh weekend itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday
Morning
Start by walking around and discovering the hidden corners of the city. Start your walk by going towards the Royal Mile. Along the way, you can stop by the Edinburgh Castle viewpoint, which is the famous spot with the stairs. From here, you can see the castle perfectly and can take a few iconic shots! To find it on Google Maps, type in “The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle”.
Continue towards Victoria Street, which will remind you very much of the Diagon Alley from the Harry Potter films. In fact, you will find here many shops that sell Harry Potter merchandise, fully immersing you into the world of the films and books.
This street did, in fact, inspire J.K. Rowling and it is easy to see why!
You can do a little bit of souvenir shopping here, as the shops here sell the best quality cashmere you will find almost anywhere. A nice jumper is definitely a great souvenir to keep for your trip.
If you want to find the most famous coffee in Edinburgh, look for “The Milkman” cafe. With views of the typical Edinburgh buildings, having a coffee here will really make you feel like you are inside a movie. However, be aware that the cafe is very small inside so you may not be able to get a seat.
Afternoon
Start the afternoon by having lunch at L’Escargot Bleu, a unique French restaurant where all the produce is Scottish. With floor to ceiling windows and a bustling vibe with a cosy feel, this restaurant is the perfect mid-day stop to fuel your energy levels. You will enjoy a unique meal before exploring for the rest of the day.
Having rested a little bit, you will now have the energy for the second half of your day. Take a lengthy walk towards Circus Lane, a residential area which has become popular among photographers. And for a good reason – this mews not only feels like you have stepped into a magical world, but it is also the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. You can take a stroll here and admire the beautiful houses. If you are into photography, this is also an ideal place to take some postcard shots of Edinburgh as you will find it empty most of the time.
From here, take a nice walk through Edinburgh’s new town and head towards Dean Village. This stunning fairytale village is really a must see in Edinburgh. With the iconic postcard perfect view made up of colourful and historic buildings, this spot will really make you feel like you are transported into the 19th century. If you fancy discovering more of Edinburgh’s art and have time on your hands, you can check out Dean Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Otherwise, this area is very nice and peaceful to walk around in.
Evening
In the evening, walk to Calton Hill to see the best sunset views in the city. This spot will definitely b one of the highlights of your weekend in Edinburgh! Where Calton Hill Road meets Regent Road, you will find a staircase. It will take only about 5 minutes until you are at the top of the hill watching the most beautiful sunset.
Afterwards, head back to your hotel to freshen up before dinner. At the Waldorf Astoria, you can find a pool and a relaxing spa with a sauna and steam rooms. It is the perfect time to visit before dinner, and relax after a long day of walking.
For dinner, I would suggest Grazing by Mark Greenway even if you are not staying at the Waldorf Astoria. It is one of the most unique restaurants I have been to, and the dishes were absolutely amazing. Get the tasting menu and the friendly and helpful staff will also help you with wine pairings if this is something you fancy. The cuisine consists of fresh Scottish ingredients and is presented in the most beautiful way.
End the day by having a drink at the hotel bar, where live music plays most nights.
Day 2 – Sunday
Morning
Start the day by visiting the famous Edinburgh Castle. Tickets cost about £18 per person and if you fancy a guided tour you can also purchase one from Get Your Guide below.
Situated in the heart of the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is definitely a must see when visiting Edinburgh. With a history dating back more than 3,000 years, the castle is the perfect place to really understand Edinburgh’s role in history.
The Edinburgh Castle sits perched on a hill, making it an ideal location to see the best views of the city. here you can take many panoramic shots and really get a good sense of the city.
Also, bear in mind that each day (excluding Sundays), a traditional cannon is fired from the castle at precisely 1 o’clock, a tradition that dates back to 1861. The One O’clock Gun firing is definitely a very unique experience, not to be missed if you are around in the afternoon.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Scotland. Here you will learn a lot of the Scottish history, art, and discover many exciting exhibitions that take place here. The entry to the museum is free and it is the perfect place to visit, particularly for families.
After the museum, take a short walk to Princes Street Gardens, a beautiful public park that offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. This is where you will find the iconic views of the Edinburgh Castle and the famous fountain which you may have previously seen in pictures. If the weather is nice, you can choose to enjoy a picnic outside. Otherwise, head to the Royal Mile for a bite at one of the many restaurants.
Nearby is also the famous Scott Monument, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Edinburgh. It is a building dedicated to writer Sir Walter Scott, making it one of the largest statues dedicated to a writer anywhere in the world! You can also do a guided tour for £8 to find out the significance of the building and the history behind it.
Evening
Later in the day, take a must-do tour of the Scotch Whisky experience. Take a guided tour of one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch Whisky, where you will discover many different variations of whiskey flavours and learn the histories behind them. Whether you are a whisky drinker or not, this tour is a vital part of visiting Edinburgh. The process has been unchanged for centuries, making it one of the most unique production processes to witness.
The experience is offered in 20 languages, and at the end of it, you of course get to taste the drink in The World’s Largest Whisky Collections. Tickets cost around £20 for an adult.
For an early dinner/late lunch you can try a popular rooftop bar called Cold Town House. With the perfect views over Edinburgh Castle, you can enjoy the outdoor area on a nice day. Otherwise, the indoor space is also nice and cosy. Here you can have a pizza and try some craft beer to finish off the perfect weekend in Edinburgh.
More things to do
Explore the nightlife
Due to the high student population in Edinburgh, the city also offers great nightlife. Not only are there great pubs for beer drinkers, but there is also an abundance of fun bars with live music to dance the night away. Head to Sandy Bells for a guaranteed fun night, or Voodoo Rooms for a more luxury feel.
Hike up Arthur’s Seat
Can you believe that you can hike up an extinct volcano that erupted more than 350 millions years ago in Edinburgh?
That’s right, and the peak of this volcano is called Arthur’s Seat.
To see the best 360 views of the city, there is nothing better to do than to hike up to the top. It is a moderate hike that can be done by people of all ages, and takes about 30-60 minutes to the top. It is also a very scenic walk which I highly recommend if you fancy seeing the best views of the city – you will not get these from a rooftop bar!
Ghost tour
There are many ghost tour buses that you will see while visiting Edinburgh. The city had one of the highest population densities in the world in Medieval times, and many people suffered from The Plague. This caused many ghost stories to emerge, as well as the tales of public executions, murders and more.
Whether you choose a bus tour of a walking tour, there are many spooky corners and facts you will discover.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
The world’s largest arts festival takes place in Edinburgh every August. If you happen to be visiting Edinburgh during this time, make sure to take advantage of the cheap theatre on display here – performers, playwrights, and creative students from all over the country come to Edinburgh to put their work on display. It is definitely an event not to be missed! And some of it goes on to be performed in big theatres around the world.
Museum of Edinburgh
Located on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Edinbugh is a great place to learn about the history of the city. The museum consists of 16th century buildings, where you will get to see some important items and get to learn the tales of the past and the history about the city. It is the perfect place to get a better insight into the city, no matter your age.
All the better, entry to the museum is free.
Royal Yacht Britannia
HMY Britannia is an iconic ship belonging to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was first launched in 1953, and since then accompanied the Royal Family on 968 official voyages. The Queen felt at home when she travelled on the ship, and photos of her and her family still hang inside.
Today, the Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed at Leith Port where it can be visited. You can visit the ship with an audioguide, and get to see the Queen’s Chambers, Crew Quarters, the Engine Room and a lot more. There is a lot of information here regarding where the ship had sailed and who sailed on it alongside the Queen, making this a very interesting place to visit.
Watch the vlog
If you want to see in more detail what Edinbugh is like, this vlog will give you a good idea of each place described in this blog post.
I hope you enjoyed this post on how to spend the perfect weekend in Edinburgh. It really is a magical city with a lot to do. Make sure to share this post if you found it useful!
