10 Best Things to do in Edinburgh for a Long Weekend

ByShannon K. Updated on

Last fall I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend in Scotland’s two largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh has always been one of my favorite cities in the United Kingdom.

Between the windy cobblestone roads, yummy pub food and of course Harry Potter inspiration…what’s not to love? Be sure to build in time to your vacation to stop by Glasgow and click here to learn about my top recommendations when you’re in Glasgow.

Let’s get right to it, here are my top 1o things to do in Edinburgh for a long weekend:

10 Best Things to do in Edinburgh

Below you will find my top recommendations for things to do, places to eat and where to stay in Edinburgh.

  1. Walk Through the Royal Mile and Victoria’s Street

The quintessential Edinburgh experience! Both streets are located in the Old Town part of the city. The Royal Mile not only offers plenty of shops and restaurants, there is also a lot of history within the city blocks. There is a church on the Royal Mile that has been repurposed into the Tron Kirk Market, where local artists sell their work.

For all of my Harry Potter friends, walking up and down Victoria’s Street is a must do! While walking on this road, you’ll find the Museum Context, where you can find plenty of souvenirs and photo opportunities.

Victoria's Street with cobblestone curvy walkway, colorful store fronts and people shopping

2. Hike to Arthur’s Seat

If you’re looking for a nice stretch of the legs, the hike to Arthur’s Seat will do the trick. It’s a little under 3 miles round trip. Be sure to check out the AllTrails App for recent data on the trail itself.

Arthur's Seat Cliffs with green brush and blue skies

3. High Tea

My friends and I love having High Tea whenever we are in the UK. There are plenty of options in Edinburgh, including the following.

Edinburgh High Tea with pastries in bright colored dining room with flowers

4. Tour Edinburgh Castle

This is a must do if you are at all interested in history. There are plenty of tour options available throughout the day. 

Shan’s tip: If this experience is high on your list, be sure to book it in advance as getting tickets “day of” can be challenging.

Edinburgh Castle view with people visiting and looking over walls

5. Catch the views at Calton Hill

Great spot for photos and getting a view of the entire city. It’s pretty any time of day, the pathway is lit at night.

Calton Hill with Edinburgh city in the background with pink and purple skies

7. Go on a Walking Tour

One of the best ways to see the city is at night through one of the many guided tours. There are plenty of walking tours available that you can book the day of. Check out my favorite free tour here!

Edinburgh cemetery with fall colors and church

8. Tour St. Gile’s Cathedral

You can tour the Cathedral for free, however they do encourage donations. The stained glass is beautiful and if you’re lucky the choir might be practicing.

Visit St. Gile's Cathedral, stained glass windows with traditional flags hanging

9. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Another great free activity is to check out the Museum of Scotland. The museum offers fantastic exhibits highlighting Scotland’s history.

Visit the National Museum of Scotland with stained glass windows, statues in the courtyard

10. Scotch Whisky Experience

If you’re a fan of drinking and/or Whisky, this is a must do! They offer three different experiences that each include a tasting.

Scotch Whisky Expereince, multiple whiskey bottles

Top Three Harry Potter Sights

The Harry Potter fever is still strong for a lot of folks visiting Edinburgh. Here are my top three places to go when you’re in town. The Department of Magic offers endless amounts of Harry Potter themed experiences.

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard
    • There are several tombstones here that are rumored to have been J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for some of her character names. 
  • Elephant House
    • The coffee shop that J.K. Rowling spent a lot of her time writing. 
  • George Heriot’s School
    • The school that is rumored to be the inspiration for Hogwarts.
Woman sitting in Harry Potter store surrounded by Harry Potter memorabilia

My Top Three Places to Eat in Edinburgh

  • Bonnie and Wild
  • The Outsider
  • The Piper’s Rest

Where Should You Stay in Edinburgh?

I’ve had the privilege of staying in both hostels and hotels while traveling to Edinburgh. Here are my top recommendations for each city.

Hostels

Hotels

5-star Hotels

Final Thoughts

There is so much to see and do in Edinburgh! Whether you’re a literary fan or a huge foodie, there is something for everyone. A long weekend isn’t enough in my opinion, but hopefully you can squeeze in a few activities from my list of 10 best things to do in Edinburgh for a long weekend.

Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!

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