Scotland's vibrant and enchanted capital, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. Built on a series of volcanic hills, earning it the nickname of Northern Athens, it is divided in two by Princes Street, the border between Old Town to the south and New Town to the north, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
To discover
- Podcast Elsewhere: Singapore's hidden surprises and treasures
- Edinburgh to Honfleur Editorial Cruise
The Old Town retains its medieval structure and revolves around Royal Mile, the main street, while the New Town is an admirable example of Georgian architecture and urbanism.
See alsoWhere to sleep in Edinburgh for less than 150 euros a night? Our ten favorite hotels
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is the city's iconic landmark. JoannaTkaczuk
In Old Town, you can walk along the Royal Mile until you reach Edinburgh Castle, the city's iconic landmark, perched atop a volcanic hill.
Discover its interiors to admire the Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in the United Kingdom, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the capital from its crenellated ramparts, dating from 850 BC.
GUIDED TOUR OF EDINBURGH CASTLE
Fill up on emotions at the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Inside, we let ourselves be surprised by the effects of fun optics of a hundred interactive experiences. Jon Probert
A few steps away, you can visit the unusual Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh's oldest attraction. In a five-storey building dating from the seventeenth century, you are surprised by the amusing optical effects of a hundred interactive experiences including a labyrinth of mirrors or a periscope recreating the city in miniature.
VISIT EDINBURGH BY TOURIST BUS
Explore Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace is the official Scottish residence of the King of England and the Royal Family. Joan vadellJoan Vadell
We go down the Royal Mile to its other end to discover the Palace of Holyrood, official Scottish residence of the King of England and the royal family.
Explore the historic apartments and the throne room, stroll through the ruins of the abbey, dating from the twelfth century, and enjoy strolling through the sublime royal gardens.
BOOK YOUR ENTRANCE TICKET
Hike to Arthur's Seat to enjoy the view
We climb to the top of Arthur's Seat to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Edinburgh. Drew Johnson
Right in front of the palace, you climb to the top of Arthur's Seat to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Edinburgh and the Lothians. This ancient volcano of 251m altitude is dotted with several hiking trails to discover the medieval chapel of St Anthony, the cliffs of Salisbury Crags and the Duddingston Loch, populated by ducks and swans.
TAKE A FREE TOUR IN EDINBURGH
Discover the National Museum of Scotland
The museum and its six floors are dedicated to the history of Scotland, from its origins to the twentieth century. Rechitan Sorin
Along the elegant Chambers Street, we take the time to visit the National Museum of Scotland, one of the new symbols of the city with its six floors is dedicated to the history of Scotland, from its origins to the twentieth century.
We discover the particularities of the country, its territory and its inhabitants through thousands of everyday objects. The museum also houses prehistoric jewelry, artifacts, and archaeological pieces from ancient Egypt.
Marvel at Saint Gilles Cathedral
We admire its Gothic architecture and colorful stained glass windows of the nineteenth century. nicou2310
Not far away, on the Royal Mile, stands St Giles' Cathedral, the oldest religious building in Edinburgh. We admire its Gothic architecture and visit its interiors to discover magnificent colorful stained glass windows of the nineteenth century as well as the Chapel of the Thistle, seat of the supreme chivalric order of Scotland.
VISIT EDINBURGH BY SIGHTSEEING BUS
Spend an evening at Grassmarket
Around a large cobbled square, there is an array of shops, pubs and restaurants. Spiroview Inc.
Nestled in the heart of Old Town and dominated by Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket is one of the city's liveliest neighbourhoods. Around a large cobbled square, you will discover a range of shops, pubs and restaurants where you can sit down in a friendly atmosphere.
On Saturdays, we walk between the stalls of the weekly market held there before taking an atypical walk between the remarkable graves of the cemetery of Greyfriars Kirk.
WHISKY TOUR
Take an underground experience with The Real Mary King's Close
We continue the discovery of Edinburgh in the depths of the subsoil where The Real Mary King's Close, a perfectly preserved time capsule, is located. We travel through history by walking through a maze of streets hidden under the cobblestones, where inhabitants of the city lived between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries.
THEATRICAL TOUR OF THE UNDERGROUND
Discover Rembrant and Monet at the Scottish National Gallery
Inside this imposing neoclassical building, you can admire masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh. SakhanPhotography
We leave the historic center to head to the New Town district where the green gardens of Princes Street overlook the Scottish National Gallery, one of the most important art galleries in the United Kingdom. Inside this imposing neoclassical building, you can admire masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh, as well as an extensive collection of paintings by Scottish artists.
From here, it's just a few minutes' walk to the elegant Charlotte Square, lined with beautiful houses with Georgian architecture.
HARRY POTTER THEMED GUIDED TOUR
Admire the water mills of Dean Village
Enjoy the authentic charm of the place, accentuated by the pretty stone houses dating from the seventeenth century. E55EVU
West of Charlotte Square, take a walking path along the Water of Leith River to admire the water mills of Dean Village. We immortalize ourselves on a picturesque little bridge spanning the river and we soak up the authentic charm of the place, accentuated by the pretty stone houses dating from the seventeenth century.
WALKING TOUR OF DEAN'S VILLAGE
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/KMEYMJKESBAZBE4MRBAM4TGHIQ.jpg)
