The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary in Edinburgh, Scotland
We’ve visited Edinburgh so many times now and forever finding new amazing things to do! It isn’t a particularly large city, so easy to walk around. However we will warn you, it is hilly, so if you prefer busses or other modes of transport, that is widely available too!
Edinburgh is split into the old town and the new town without a skyscraper in sight! There are rules not allowing skyscrapers in the city, which we love
Looking for things to do in Edinburgh to see as much as possible? Check out my 3-day itinerary below!
Day 1: Edinburgh New Town and Old Town
New Town
Although it’s named the new town, it is most likely not what you're expecting. It’s named the new town when it was built during the Georgian era! (completed in 1850). Therefore, although it's named ‘new’, it still has some really cool old buildings!
This part of the city was designed and built all-around a similar time meaning the roads are very organized with statues in the middle of the crossroads.
The ‘edge’ is at Prince’s street. Now full of modern shops if you need to quickly buy anything you forgot!
The Dome for Afternoon Tea or Edinburgh Dungeon?
Within the New Town, you have some great choices of activities but two of my favourites would be afternoon tea at The Dome (you couldn’t go to Edinburgh and not have afternoon tea at The Dome right?) or Edinburgh dungeon. Explore the history of Edinburgh in a fun theatrical way!
The Dome
If anyone goes to Edinburgh for afternoon tea, you go to the dome. First built in the 1840s and now home to amazing afternoon tea! A range of sandwiches, scones, small bites, and cakes along with tea or can upgrade to champagne.
The staff are all so attentive and welcoming making it so enjoyable! Normal afternoon tea costs £27 but is £32 if you upgrade to champagne
Edinburgh Dungeon
‘Dungeons’ run all over Britain including London and York. They are usually an underground journey through scenes of history with live actors and more.
They’re really good thrilling experiences while learning about the history of the city all at the same time! Edinburgh dungeons often includes Mary Queen of Scots and is literally at the train station!
The Old Town
The Old Town starts when you walk up the hill right next to the Princes Street Gardens.
There are so many original buildings including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the St Giles’ Cathedral.
Although it’s the Old Town, at the bottom of the Royal Mile, is the Scottish Parliament building which is very brand new in comparison!
Edinburgh Castle
Dating all the way back to the 11th century, Edinburgh Castle is jam-packed full of history built on top of a hill (to show dominance overall!)
Due to limited time, we didn’t go into Edinburgh castle but enjoy the ancient architecture and views over Edinburgh from the walls.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is named so as it is the road up to the castle! However, don’t get confused as on google maps as its official names are Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, and High Street.
The Royal Mile still has many old buildings but mostly tourist shops beneath. In one of their shops, I bought a new tartan scarf for only £10! So isn’t as expensive as we expected
Walking down the Royal Mile, you pass bagpipe players which are there every day and the St Giles’ Cathedral until you reach the bottom where you’ll find the Scottish parliament building! A very modern building within the old town.
Deacon Brodies Tavern
Deacon Brodies Tavern is on a corner along the Royal Mile. It was built in the 1800s after William Brodie, who was a businessman, took up a secret life of gambling and mistresses.
He ended up carrying out burglaries to pay off his debts which is why the pub’s hanging signs are different on both sides!
William Brodie was also the inspiration for the novel Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
It can be an extremely busy pub due to the history of it and being a famous Edinburgh pub, but a drink or two is definitely worth it for the atmosphere.
Day 2: Arthur's Seat, Gin, and Museums
Arthur's Seat
Arthurs Seat is a fairly steep hill that takes approximately 2 hours to walk up and back down.
You can view all of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, including all the way to the sea and beyond! Of course, if the weather is good.
We were fortunate to have good weather when we walked up Arthurs Seat as you won’t see too much otherwise.
It is paved for a small part of the way but the rest is gravel, therefore would definitely suggest wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding prams.
It is also very windy at the top so make sure you won’t be too cold with a good coat!
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
Gin is currently one of the most popular drinks of choice, and Edinburgh Gin is a great place to buy some!
On the distillery tour, they show you around the distillery as well as telling you the history of their gin and how gin has come and gone throughout history.
At the end, you receive 2 drinks of their gins and also 10% off their selection of gins which I thoroughly took advantage of!
Due to the absolute boom of gin and Edinburgh Gin especially, you have to book your tickets 2-3 months in advance.
Surgeons Hall Museum or Scotland Museum
Surgeons Hall Museum
The Surgeons Hall Museum is amazing if you’re interested in this sort of stuff. Clearly myself being a medical student I loved it, but Ed didn’t last more than 15 minutes.
It is apart of the Royal College of Surgeons and has hundreds if not thousands of preserved organs with varying medical conditions, old surgical tools, and specimens dating back to the early 1900s and the development of modern surgery!
It is really interesting and would be good to spend 2 hours here.
The best part is that it only cost £4 for students for £7 for adults! If this isn’t your thing though, maybe check out the National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum is literally that! It is only about a 5-minute walk from the castle and contains parts of Scottish history.
It has numerous cafes and lots of interactive exhibits you can enjoy! The even better part is that it is free to enter!
Day 3: The Zoo!
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo is just a little way out of the centre of town. You can get the 26 bus or the X18 both from Princes Street and it is only a 20-minute bus ride.
The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals including Giant Pandas! However, I think it’s a misconception calling the species the Giant Panda because they’re really not that big…
Other Things to Do!
Parliament Building
You can have a tour around the relatively new parliament building which is just at the bottom of the Royal Mile. All the surrounding roads have lampposts with crowns on the top due to the Queen's Gallery too.
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth is just around the corner from the Parliament Building. It is all about the nature and development of our amazing planet!
I’ve often wanted to go here as it sounds so good to learn about the history on the earth in their 360-degree cinemas and more, unfortunately, I’ve never had the chance yet!
Carlton Hill
Carlton Hill is another hill to walk up and see more amazing views over Edinburgh but from a different perspective!
Where to Eat Out in Edinburgh
Makers Gourmet Mash Bar
Mash bar you say? what ways can you eat mash? well let me tell you, a lot! Makers Gourment Mash Bar was the best meal of our time in Edinburgh.
I chose the lamb shank with cheesy mash, Ed chose haggis (trying to eat lots of Scottish food!) with black pudding mash and Ed's mum, who came with us on the trip, also had the duck with bacon mash. All amazing!
We couldn't recommend this place enough. We had a bit of a problem with lots of places being booked but these guys only booked a section of their restaurant.
You can put your name on the list and they give you a little device that buzzes when your table is ready! So you can enjoy a nice drink in some other places first!
A Room in Leith
We spent our second night here and it was so good! Right on the seafront, they serve some amazing seafood!
We shared oysters and scallops to start and I had game pie (I know, not seafood...) which was amazing and Ed had mussels! Also had a decent range of alcohol and good prices too.
Places to Stay in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a large tourist market and therefore has a bucket load of places to stay!
From hotel chains such as Travel Lodges and Premier Inns, there are also smaller independent hotels too.
One thing to bare in mind when travelling around Edinburgh is how far away you are from the city centre. I would always check google maps and transport before booking
It can usually pay off to book a little further away and get a short bus ride into the city. In Edinburgh, we got the bus into the city every day but we needed to exact change. It isn't like that in England as can usually use contactless, but may have changed since the pandemic
We stayed in an Airbnb as they’re just out favourite. Homey, often in the city, and usually beautiful places
Getting Around Edinburgh
Walking
Edinburgh is a very hilly city. When walking down the Royal Mile it can seem rather flat but Edinburgh Castle is on top of a hill!
Walking in between the New Town and the Old Town is up a rather steep hill too!
Most of the city can be walked around as it isn't a very large city
Public Transport
If you're wanting to get anywhere in Edinburgh using public transport, organising your route on google maps is always reliable
By entering your go to place, and your location on, it tells you where the nearest bus or train station is and how many buses you would need etc
It doesn't however tell you the price. Bus being the more cheaper option and Edinburgh isn't a very big city therefore can easily bus
Edinburgh buses usually take the exact cash only. Which we thought weird considering in England you can now use contactless. This may have changed since Covid-19 however
Sight Seeing Buses
If you’re wanting to get public transport, but from one place to another, why not buy a ticket for a sight seeing bus? They give good information of the surrounding sites and are also hop on and off. There is a stand just at the entrance to the park opposite Princes street
Packing for Edinburgh
Scottish weather is all over the place and Edinburgh is no different.
The sun can be shining one minute and pouring down with rain the next! I've listed a few items which I think are essential when travelling to Edinburgh.
The rest of your packing should be easy!
Waterproof Coat
A good waterproof coat can never go a miss. Whenever anywhere in Scotland we always keep our waterproof coats to hand as you never know when it's going to rain
Packing Cubes
I read a lot about these before Ed and I started travelling a few years ago and they changed the way we pack forever.
At first I thought they seemed pointless, but when staying somewhere do you not find you're constantly rummaging through clothing looking for a certain item?
You dont need to do that with packing cubes. I have a different one for different things. 1 for trousers, 1 for tops, 1 for underwear etc, and also one for dirty clothes because it can easily be confusing
For Edinburgh being a fairly small city, it has so much to see and do! We have visited Edinburgh lots of times and have discovered new things every time. Not sure if it’s the good walks, amazing old buildings, or just the amount in a small space but Edinburgh is an amazing city that should be on everybody’s travel list!
