The 15 best attractions in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is the most popular paid-for tourist attraction in Scotland. Your expert guide will take you around the most significant parts of the Castle while sharing the hidden histories of the site using their in-depth knowledge of the main buildings and attractions. The Castle dungeons and military prison will also feature on the tour, as well as St Margret's Chapel and Mons Meg. 

Reopened after an extensive refurbishment in 2011, the National Museum has become an extremely popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with children particularly well catered for. There’s a large, all-ages play area to the rear of the first floor and a more educational play space for older children on the top level, while many exhibits boast a significant degree of interactivity. 

Founded in 1670 near Holyrood Park, the Botanic Garden has since moved to a site near the old Nor Loch, now the location of Waverley Station, and then again to its current home in 1820. A peaceful spot away from the bustle of the city, it’s become a destination for various reasons. There are two dining areas – the Terrace Café in the heart of the Garden, whose lawn has a good view of Edinburgh Castle in the distance, and the Gateway Restaurant, in the new education centre at the west entrance – while Inverleith House is a highly regarded contemporary art gallery and the former site of the city’s Gallery of Modern Art.

Not for nothing is the Royal Yacht Britannia one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions. Whether you’re a royalist or not, as the Queen’s former floating royal residence for more than 40 years, there’s heaps to enjoy here. The State apartments, the crew’s quarters, the honeymoon suite and the engine room prove genuine highlights. Should you fancy a pit stop, you can round things off in style with a pot of tea and scones or sandwiches at the decent-value Royal Deck Tea Room, which offers some lovely waterfront views.

At any time of the year, Arthur’s Seat will provide a perfect moment of respite away from the city-centre bustle. Whether there’s a gentle snowfall or it’s a bright, sunny day, a short walk around Holyrood Park and up to this landmark will make you feel like you’ve landed in a painting. Enjoy views of Edinburgh’s skyline from the Salisbury Crags, visit the medieval St Anthony’s Chapel or do a bit of birdwatching by Duddingston Loch with this private tour in Edinburgh. 

The Scottish Parliament building was not built without controversy, arriving several years late and millions of pounds over budget. However, since its construction it’s proven to be both an efficient seat of government and a popular tourist attraction, noted by many for its architectural features. Outside of Parliamentary recess times the building is accessible to the public, both for those who wish to view the democratic process at work in the debating chamber and for those who simply fancy looking around the building. The guided tours are free. 

A suitably gothic tourist attraction to mirror the feel of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Camera Obscura houses a visual live ‘tour’ of the city, using the famous camera obscura optical illusion to allow visitors to view a panorama of the surrounding area. The building is also home to a range of interactive optical tricks, including the World of Illusions, the Light Fantastic collection of holograms, a light corridor and a display of photographs of Edinburgh stretching back to photography’s earliest days. 

Opened in 1999, Dynamic Earth is a Millennium Commission project and an element of the regeneration process that invigorated the Holyrood area of Edinburgh ahead of the Scottish Parliament Building being built there around the same time. A distinctive landmark in its own right, with a tented roof that mimics the sailmasts of a ship, it’s a world-class science centre whose principal aim is to educate visitors about the geological formation of the Earth.

While the Castle is the more famous of the two landmarks that top and tail the Royal Mile, the Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, enjoys suitable kudos with the droves of visitors who flock here. It’s largely used in its official capacity these days for state ceremonies and official entertaining, including the annual Garden Party (aka Hat Watch for locals). Today, there’s plenty to see here, including 14 historic and State Apartments, as well as the ruins of Holyrood Abbey.

Built to commemorate ‘Ivanhoe’, ‘Waverley’ and ‘Rob Roy’ writer Sir Walter Scott, the Scott Monument is the world’s biggest monument to a writer and remains a rather touching reminder of how proud the city can be of its own. You can simply wonder at it from below or, for just a few pounds, visitors are invited to climb the 287 steps to the top. It’s a bit of a slog, but the sight of Edinburgh Castle, just across the Gardens, and the views over to the Forth of Fife make it more than worth the effort.

The Scottish National Gallery and the adjoining Royal Scottish Academy form a complex in the heart of Edinburgh, just off Princes Street and in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. It consists of two distinct buildings, opened in 1828 and 1859 respectively, both from the designs of the renowned architect William Playfair. While the more (relatively) modest Scottish National Gallery at the rear of this building hosts a permanent collection of classical art and occasional small-scale temporary exhibitions, the RSA is used for large-scale temporary shows of contemporary work.

Opened in 1913 on a large site occupying part of Corstorphine Hill in the west of the city, Edinburgh Zoo has long been established as a major visitor attraction. Many come for the giant pandas who arrived from China in 2011, but the daily penguin parade – where the birds leave their enclosure and wander around – has been going on for more than half a century and still draws a crowd. Elsewhere there are impressive beasts like leopards and lions, cute ones like chimps, koalas and meerkats, and many more besides, from armadillos to zebras.

If you've got a soft spot for all things spooky, then get yourself down to Edinburgh Vaults. This underground attraction is made up of a series of chambers, formed in the nineteen arches of the South Bridge in Edinburgh. Tours of the vaults take many forms, with some taking place at night, some featuring a whisky tasting, and others angled towards its haunted reputation – where you'll hear tales of murder and witchcraft and maybe even spot a ghost if you're lucky (or unlucky...).

Scotland's Highlands have a lot to offer – so to make the most out of your visit to this breathtaking landscape, your best bet is to join a tour with a particularly knowledgeable guide. There are eco-certified all-day trips involving air-conditioned coaches and add-ons including a Loch Ness boat cruise and Urquhart Castle ticket.

Fans of Scottish whisky would do well to know about this boozy tour of one of Scotland's pride and joys. Jonnie Walker HQ can be found in Edinburgh city centre, housing a world of world-class libations that will have you tipsy in no time. Guided tours include quizzes, cocktails and overall a one-of-a-kind experience.