5-Day Scotland Road Trip around Edinburgh to Glasgow and Aberdeen

Your road trip adventure in Scotland begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Edinburgh. You’ll stay in Edinburgh for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Edinburgh has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Royal Mile. This attraction is a street and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 13,359 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Edinburgh, Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh). The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Edinburgh is The Edinburgh Larder. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,804 customers.

Locals recommend The Kitchin as one of the best restaurants in the city of Edinburgh. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,577 customers.

Edinburgh also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Edinburgh is Panda & Sons. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,617 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Edinburgh is Bramble Bar & Lounge. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 743 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Scotland!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Scotland, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Edinburgh. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Glasgow. You’ll stay in Glasgow for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Edinburgh’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Edinburgh, start your day with a visit to the amazing Holyrood Park. This much-appreciated archaeological site and attraction is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 12,034 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. This museum and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 8,597 visitors. As one of the top places to visit in the city, the incredible Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre welcomes 238,542 visitors annually.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Camera Obscura to make the most of your road trip across Scotland. The spectacular Camera Obscura is a visitor centre that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 13,133 visitors.

The lovely Edinburgh Castle is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 88,569 visitors have left this castle average ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Edinburgh has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Glasgow. Glasgow offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Paesano Pizza. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 5,948 reviews.

The remarkable The Anchor Line is another top restaurant in Glasgow we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,659 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous The Citizen Glasgow is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,260 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Glasgow, the fantastic The Piper Whisky Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,323 customers.

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Scotland!

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Scotland. Today, you'll wake up in Glasgow and embark on a scenic drive to Aberdeen, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Glasgow and Edinburgh before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Glasgow. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This attraction is an art museum that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 18,870 visitors. Over 1,037,594 people visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum annually.

You could also stop at the incredible Riverside Museum. This attraction, a beloved museum, has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 16,424 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Glasgow is the stunning George Square. This square and travel destination has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 19,433 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Edinburgh and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Edinburgh has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable National Museum of Scotland. This attraction is a national museum that has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 43,662 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Holyrood Palace. This official residence and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17,156 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated HMY Britannia. This royal yacht and travel destination is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 8,564 visitors.

The lovely Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 20,341 visitors have left this botanical garden an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Edinburgh, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Aberdeen. When you arrive in Aberdeen you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Maggie's Grill. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 587 customers.

Locals also recommend Miller & Carter Aberdeen, another of the best restaurants in Aberdeen. Miller & Carter Aberdeen is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,026 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at COSMO All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant | Aberdeen. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,555 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Prince Of Wales to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Aberdeen, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,166 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The Grill. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. The Grill has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 881 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Scotland, and look forward to more great days to come!

Rise and shine on day 4 of your road trip in Scotland. Today, you'll wake up in Aberdeen and embark on a scenic drive to Edinburgh, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Aberdeen and Stirling before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Aberdeen. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Duthie Park. This attraction is a park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,880 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Hazlehead Park. This attraction, a beloved park, has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,429 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Aberdeen is the stunning Aberdeen Maritime Museum. This maritime museum and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,244 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Stirling Castle. This attraction is a castle that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26,015 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Wallace Monument. This monument and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 10,541 reviews.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Stirling, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Edinburgh. When you arrive in Edinburgh you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Bramble Bar & Lounge. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 743 customers.

Locals also recommend The Dome, another of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. The Dome is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,433 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Dishoom Edinburgh. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,852 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Whiski Bar & Restaurant to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Edinburgh, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,669 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Chaophraya Thai Restaurant. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Chaophraya Thai Restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,238 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Scotland, and look forward to more great days to come!

Day 5 of your road trip in Scotland is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Edinburgh before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Dean Village is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Edinburgh. This village and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 13,065 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Edinburgh and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Scotland.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Edinburgh at Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,950 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend Cafe Andaluz for your last chance at a meal in the city of Edinburgh. The Cafe Andaluz restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,019 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Whiski Bar & Restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,669 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Edinburgh. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Scotland!