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Roam the world, record the moments, relive the memories!
I recently went on my first trip to Scotland, spending four days in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital truly exceeded my expectations – it sits between two extinct volcanoes, is picturesque with pretty architecture and cobbled streets, and is very compact, making walking between the Old and New Town easy. Continue reading to see the top 10 places I recommend visiting in Edinburgh…
In the heart of Old Town is one of the city’s most photographed locations, Victoria Street. The colourful stone facades and elegant curved nature of the cobbled street makes it Edinburgh’s prettiest spots. It is home to an array of boutique independent shops and even has an upper level terrace, providing the perfect place to take those postcard-like pictures. The street is also the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley!
Dean Village is definitely Edinburgh’s hidden gem, and a must visit if you are after a quiet and beautiful spot, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located about a 20-minute walk away from Princes Street, the Water of Leith runs through this colourful, medieval village.
The world-famous Edinburgh Castle stands on top of an extinct volcano called Castle Rock, and it is the Scottish capital’s most famous sight. It is visible from all parts of the city and has dominated the skyline for centuries.
BOOK: Edinburgh Castle: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
A stones throw away from Edinburgh Castle, is Grassmarket. This quirky area is filled with small shops, restaurants and hotels. It gave me similar vibes to walking around London’s Covent Garden. It is definitely a nice spot to go to for lunch or just for a sit down during your sightseeing day, and has incredible views of Edinburgh Castle.
The view from the top of Calton Hill is probably the most iconic, and one that you may have seen in adverts and websites promoting the city, and even in the title track of BBC News! It is located about a 10-minute walk away from the city centre, and offers a 360 degree view of Edinburgh, from Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park, to Scott Monument and Balmoral Hotel. At the top of the hill is the Dugald Stewart Monument and the National Monument, the latter looking a lot like Athens’ Acropolis.
Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano which sits 251m above sea level, and is situated within Holyrood Park. No visit to Edinburgh is complete without a trip to Arthur’s Seat and a hike to the top is worth it to get some pretty spectacular views of the city.
This 200ft tall gothic structure is situated in the centre of Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens. I only saw Scott Monument from street-level, but if you are keen to climb up it, there are 287 steps taking you to four separate viewing platforms at the top, which are said to offer amazing views of Edinburgh.
Princes Street is the main shopping street in the capital, located in Edinburgh’s New Town. It is a very upbeat and bustling street, with many high-end retail stores, hotels and home to Waverley Station. Princes Street Gardens is the perfect spot to sit and relax during your busy day.
The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s most famous street, connecting Holyrood Palace in the east, to Edinburgh Castle in the west. The street is filled with tartan and boutique shops, attractions including St.Giles Cathedral and Camera Obscura, and many photo-worthy spots! It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk the whole Royal Mile.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse was the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. It is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle. The Queen usually spent a week at the residence during the start of summer each year, from where she carried out a range of engagements.
BOOK: Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket
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