I’ve just completed a new trip to Scotland, a country I’ve visited several times and been all around, and this is My Ultimate Itinerary for 3 Days In Edinburgh, Scotland, a small city packed with experiences!

In the footsteps of inventors, artists, and writers, Edinburgh has plenty of things to see and do. I just spent 3 days in Edinburgh and explored much of the city and the Scottish heritage.

3 days in Edinburgh: Day 1 / 3

One of my favourite places to visit in Edinburgh is the upper end of the Royal Mile – known as Castlehill. Here, you’ll find the Castle, several cultural exhibitions, and a couple of incredible places to try local food and don’t forget about the whiskey, which Scotland is world-famous for!

Visit Edinburgh Castle

Every first visit to Edinburgh should begin with a visit to Edinburgh Castle.
Sitting atop Castle Rock, and dominating the city’s skyline, the settlement of the castle dates back to the 2nd century AD. It has played a big role in almost every Scottish battle and is thought to be the most besieged British fortress in history.

Now there’s no longer any British invasion up there, but instead there’s a small tourist invasion. It doesn’t take away any of the beauty of the place and the view from up there is absolutely stunning!

In the castle you’ll also find St. Margaret’s Chapel, which is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh and the Scottish crown jewels are also on display.

Scotch Whisky Experience

Scotch lovers and anyone that is interested in the national drink of Scotland should pay a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience, a high-tech, interactive galleria of scotch. Tours range from a one-hour introduction to a three-hour experience with dinner.

The Scotch Whisky Experience also includes the Diageo Claive Vidiz Collection, an extensive collection of over 3,380 bottles of whiskey amassed by a Brazilian whiskey collector that was returned to Scotland in 2006.

You can get to taste the whiskey from the tour also.. Be careful in there – Scotch whiskey is surely among the best in the World!

St. Giles Cathedral

St. Giles Cathedral is located on the Royal Mile, just below the castle. Basically it’s positioned right at the heart of the Scottish capital.

St Giles’ was founded in 1124 and it has been a focal point of the Church of Scotland for almost a thousand years. The Cathedral has a warm atmosphere on the inside and is relatively small and compact with interesting features. Beautiful architecture with unique designs!

Walk the Royal Mile

I always walk a lot when I arrive to a new place and it wasn’t exactly planned here, but I I ended up walking the streets of the Royal Mile in the center, which had a cool medieval vibe.

The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s High Street, a bustling series of streets that run downhill from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Located at the heart of the Old Town, the Royal Mile is as old as the city itself.

The stretch, which is just about one mile long, is lined with tourist shops, hotels, pubs and more.. You might even find a few Scots playing on bagpipes – not bad!

Admire the sunset from Calton Hill

Calton Hill is undoubtedly one of the best locations for a sunset in Scotland. A great spot to admire the view over Edinburgh, on one of Edinburgh’s main hills, right in the city centre.

Calton Hill is easily accessed. It takes about five minutes to get to the top of the hill from a staircase at Regent Road on the South side, Royal Terrace on the North side, or you can drive up and park – if you’re the lazy type!

3 days in Edinburgh: Day 2 / 3

Hike Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat is the place where you can get the chance to climb an extinct volcano.

Edinburgh has two volcanic crags. One is Castle Rock, atop which sits Edinburgh Castle, and the other is Arthur’s Seat. Located in the Queen’s Gardens, Arthur’s Seat is a popular hiking and running destination for locals and visitors. There are several hiking routes to the summit.

Don’t pick the long off-road route like me, unless you like to venture off the beaten path! There’s an easier way up there, but once you’re up, it offers lovely views of the city to one side and the Firth of Forth to the other. Sunrise and sunset are great times to head to the top.

Water of Leith Walk

Leith is located in the north of Edinburgh, and during the shipping heyday was a major port town. It has undergone a major revival since the 1980s and is now home to a vibrant dining and shopping scene.

3 days in Edinburgh: Day 3 / 3

If it’s your first time in Scotland, you should take a day trip out of the city on your third day. You can rent a car cheaply and go yourself, or you can go with friends, which will be the cheapest option.

Or you can take a full day tour, offered by Rabbie’s Tours, a local Scottish touring company, that will allow you to see the stunning Scottish countryside, take in a few castles and lochs, and perhaps even taste a little more whiskey. You can pick between some of these tours:

Loch Ness and the Highlands

This tour winds its way through the Rannoch Moor and Glencoe before arriving at the picturesque (and mysterious) Loch Ness. Guests will learn stories of the Scottish Highlands and have the chance to look out for the Loch Ness Monster on an optional boat tour of the loch.

West Highland Lochs and Castles

This tour explores the Western Highlands, stopping at places like Doune Castle, featured in both Monty Python and Outlander, Kilchurn Castle, set on the banks of Loch Awe, the medieval town of Inverary, and the conservation town of Luss. The route takes guests through the Arrochar Alps and along the shores of stunning Loch Lomond.

Or

Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond

If your’re a Braveheart-fan, this is the Tour!

Visit Stirling Castle, home to several great Scottish battles, and the William Wallace monument.  This central region of Linlithgow has important historic significance to the Scots. Leaving Stirling, travel northwest to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and see Scotland in Miniature exhibit at the Trossachs before talking a nature walk along the shores of Loch Lomond.

You can do one of these tours easily yourself or you can go with a tour company like Rabbie’s Tours. It totally depends on which kind of traveler you are!

Stay in Edinburgh?

You can also choose to stay in Edinburgh on the third day as I did this time, as I have been to all the beautiful places mentioned above already and unfortunately for me the weather was pretty bad on my last day here this time, but if it’s your first time in Scotland, you should go to some of these places!
Trust me, it’s great!

If you’re insisting on staying in Edinburgh, you can either visit:

National Museum of Scotland

This place is huge and has something for everyone. The collections of the National Museum of Scotland reveal Scotland’s culture and history up to the present day and has among 12 million objects and specimens in the collection. Pretty awesome and it has a free entrance!

Take a walk

When I asked my Scottish friend about what he thought was the best thing to do in Edinburgh, he said: “Just walk around.”

Edinburgh is such a charming city, small and compact but with so many things to do and see and you just need to walk around. I agree with my Scottish friend, James.. Feel the place, eat the local food, drink the local drinks, get lost, chat to people, soak up the atmosphere!

Edinburgh is an experience you won’t be without and Scottish people are among the friendliest people you’ll find. Such a proud nation and the Scottish accent is just.. I dinnae ken.. Great!

Have fun in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Gustav

gus1thego.com