Top 10 Things to Do in Edinburgh (from a locals perspective)

If history, culture, and natural beauty excite you, Edinburgh won’t disappoint. 

The city has been voted among the 50 best cities in the world. It’s cobbled paths, impressive castle and areas of world-class stunning beauty are seen by millions of people every year.

 It’s a book full of interesting chapters, and “… a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” Alexander McCall Smith

One of our writers is a resident in the city, and we’re going to walk through the famous streets of Edinburgh, and provide what we think are the *must* do things in Edinburgh if you’re visiting for a day, week or month – from the perspective of a local. 

1. Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile

First things first – all visitors must go to the Castle.

Located at the head of Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle stands above the city centre. Its past is set in the stones of the 12th century and played its part in wars, the rise of kings, queens and generations of Scots. Among the exhibits inside are the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and military history. If nothing else, standing at the castle offers spectacular views of the city, and the 1 o’clock gun takes place every day. 

People interested in history find the Great Hall and the war museum create images of medieval times. People who love history often remark that you can hear the past shouting at the site. 

From the Castle to Holyroodhouse lies this important stretch of Edinburgh. You never know what you’ll find next as you continue through the Royal Mile – old inns, secret alleys and churches (like St Giles Cathedral). This is the main “tourist drag”, so you’re unlikely to get a great meal here, but there is plenty to do and see. 

2. Visit Holyrood Palace & Gallery

This palace, still used by the British Royal Family, stands at the foot of the Royal Mile – opposite end to the castle. 

When the current King Charles is not in residence, visitors are welcome to walk through the halls and chambers of the Palace. You’ll learn the tales of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her dramatic life and about the Royal Family history in Scotland. With stately rooms and ancient abbey ruins, it offers both political history and personal stories.

Alongside the Palace is the Holyrood Gallery, which is worth the ticket price for those who love art, history and culture. The gallery changes every year, but showcases items from the Royal Family’s collection of art and artefacts. 

3. National Museum of Scotland

This museum is free to enter and full of wonders. It is easy to find from the Royal Mile and is home to everything from prehistoric animals to Scottish history and space-age technology. It’s a favourite of locals as well as visitors. The museum saw over 2.2 million visitors in a single year, making it one of the most visited attractions in the UK.

There is not much more to say about the Museum other than it is worth visiting, so long as you have a full day. The museum is huge, so you’ll need good feet to make it all the way around. 

Close by is the famous Greyfriars Bobby Statue and Pub, plus the Greyfriars Graveyard, famous for being where JK Rowling took inspiration for some of her most iconic characters. While JK is on our lips, the Elephant House (where at least the first book is said to have been written) is close by – sadly, the original building burned down a few years ago, but a new venue along the road. 

4. Climb Arthur’s Seat

For a bit of nature mixed with myth, climb Arthur’s Seat. This extinct volcano offers stunning views across Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Pentland Hills. 

The walk up can be tough for many, but the views are worth it. Plus, it’s something you can boast about to your friends. 

Legend links it to King Arthur (and the round table), and some stories claim it is the home of a once fierce dragon that terrorised the city, until it gorged itself and fell asleep, turning into the hill itself. Maybe to be awakened again? Others say it is where Camelot is based, and possibly where his sword was pulled from the volcanic stone. 

Whether it’s fact or fiction is for debate – what is not for debate is the odd discovery of tiny coffins in 1836. It’s a very interesting place. 

There are several ways to scale the hill. The best and easiest way is from Queens Park behind Holyrood Palace. Once there, you simply need to follow the crowd. The photo below was taken from the western side of the hill, which is the most challenging ways to climb. 

5. Real Mary King’s Close

Beneath the Royal Mile lies a secret world. A world that existed many, many years ago. 

Mary King’s Close is a preserved 17th-century alley, sealed off during the plague. Today, guides in costume lead tours that are laiden with facts and folklore. The preserved streets are now an eerie, dark labyrinth that gives a real sense of how Edinburgh’s poorest once lived. The new city council building is built upon what used to be thriving communities based on the miles of hillsides. It’s educational, but with a shiver. Think of it as the gritty underside of Scotland’s past.

It is one of the few attractions that even locals recommend. 

6. A Day Trip to the Highlands (or Pentland Hills)

Edinburgh is the gateway to Scotland’s rugged and beautiful north. Day trips to places like Glencoe and Loch Ness are hugely popular, with one tour showing over 13,000 bookings last year alone. There are a number of tour companies to join, and there are tours that will suit anybody, from history tours, island, golfing holidays, whiskey tours or outdoor adventures. A great idea for a day trip is a train tour which leaves from Edinburgh Waverley. 

Most of these trips can take a number of hours of travel, and some of the tours require a few days to see the highlands properly. 

There is an option that is very close to Edinburgh and gives the flavour of the Highlands without the need to travel for hours. The pentland hills are located in the south of the city, and open up into 7 peaks standing roughly 600m high (not quite as tall as the mighty Munros in the highlands). 

7. Bike tour to Colinton Tunnel & Robert Louis Stevenson Walk

In the west of the city, is one of the most beautiful walks and cycle rides in the entire city – but many visitors are unaware of it. The historic village of Colinton is now part of Edinburgh, but the village’s history starts as far back as the 11th century, with the original parish church dating back to 1095. Also accessible by bus, the village is a 30-minute bike ride from the town centre, and winds along the Union Canal, Water of Leith, through the Colinton Dell and ends at the Colinton Tunnel and Spylaw Park. The parish Church, where Robert Louis Stevenson’s Grandfather was minister, is a short walk away, where you can grab a coffee or bacon roll, and fuel up for the way back. 

The entire way can be navigated via cycle lanes and is easy to follow. It’s best to get a bike tour company to take you there – that way, you can learn the history of each location as you go. Edinburghbikes.co.uk is who we’d recommend. 

8. Take a Whisky Tour

Scotch whisky is more than a drink – it’s part of our cultural tradition and national identity. Several whisky experiences in Edinburgh walk you through the making, tasting, and cultural role of this golden wonder. Some are better than others, but even the worst are the best whisky tours in the world. 

Whether you’re sipping on a smoky Islay or a rich Speyside, you’ll learn how whisky shaped Scottish trade and traditions. Plus, you’ll be drinking a dram that comes from the land directly under your feet. Fun fact: Scotch exports hit over £6 billion recently – proof of its global power.

A whiskey (or Scottish Gin) tour is a must. 

9. Play a round of Golf On the Brunsfield Links

Scotland is the home of golf – the game was invented here in the 1400s, and Scotland has become one of the most popular golfing holiday destinations on earth. Edinburgh has a number of stunning golf courses, but one of the most famous (and perfect for a day’s entertainment) is the Brunsfield links. 

Opened in 1761, the 36-hole course is designed for what’s referred to as ‘the short game’ – also known as pitch and putt. 

How much to play on the course? It’s completely free when it’s open during the summer months. If you need to rent clubs, the Golf Tavern, a pub a few metres from the first hole, usually has decent clubs for £5. Some are a bit wonky, but for a few pounds, it’s a great deal. 

This is a true local gem that many tourists don’t know about. So, keep it to yourself, and pretend you’re a local! 

10. The Fringe Festival or Edinburgh Christmas Markets

If you’re lucky enough to visit during August, you’ll witness the Fringe and International Festival. These world-famous events turn the city into a stage, with thousands of shows happening all at once. From comedy to Shakespeare, it’s a celebration of global culture in a deeply historic setting. There is a charm that fills the city and most of the pubs are full to the brim with atmosphere. It truly is a special time to be in the city. 

As you can see above, there are random outbursts of people dancing to bands on the streets. 

If you end up coming in the winter months, the Edinburgh Christmas Market is famous – or infamous, depending on your point of view. They usually open at the end of November and close in the new year. For many locals, it is a rip-off and a blight on the city, but it is a lovely place to walk around and feel the festive atmosphere. Most of the stalls are a waste of money, but it’s worth it if you’re in town around Christmas. 

Final thoughts 

Edinburgh is a rare blend of past and present. From royal palaces and haunted closes to green hills and whisky tours, it offers experiences that stay with you. Whether you’re into the raw stories of Mary King’s Close or the sweeping views from Arthur’s Seat, the city welcomes curious minds. 

And if you’re on one of those activity holidays or golf holidays, don’t rush through—let the city breathe its stories to you. Even if the angel of the north is rooted far from here, the spirit of pride and identity it symbolises is very much alive in Edinburgh.