Affordable 4-Day Relaxed Scotland Road Trip Vacation in Edinburgh

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Scotland begins when you reach Edinburgh, where you’ll stay for a total of 3 nights.

Edinburgh is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration. The city offers travelers plenty of experiences to look forward to, including the magnificent Royal Mile. Around 13,359 visitors have rated this fascinating best-rated sightseeing destination and travel destination an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

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. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the city.

In the city of Edinburgh, nothing beats the comfort the incredible 21212 provides. This 5-star hotel is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the area and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 199 guests.

The best 4-star hotel we recommend in Edinburgh is Dakota Hotel. This hotel offers many conveniences and is the perfect base for your relaxed road trip activities. Dakota Hotel has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,967 guests.

Budget travelers in Edinburgh can stay cozy at the 3-star Airdenair Guest House. With an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 941 guests, this cheap hotel is the number one budget hotel option in the city.

These excellent hotels ensure guests a safe and relaxing stay in Edinburgh. If these popular options are not available for your time in the city, our system will automatically help you find the best alternatives.

Exploring the food culture in Edinburgh offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

An excellent example is Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh). This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

The Edinburgh Larder serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Edinburgh has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,804 reviews.

The Kitchin is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,577 customers, The Kitchin is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Edinburgh looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at Panda & Sons, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,617 reviews.

Bramble Bar & Lounge offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Edinburgh. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 743 customers.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Scotland! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Scotland!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Scotland, you'll explore the best attractions in Edinburgh at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Edinburgh, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 2 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This incredible botanical garden has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 20,341 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Scotland by seeing another popular site in Edinburgh, the wonderful Edinburgh Castle. This castle is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 20,341 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible National Museum of Scotland. This national museum has received an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 43,662 visitors.

Another stop you might want to add to your self-drive itinerary is the remarkable Holyrood Palace. This official residence is sought after by many travelers from around the world. The popular attraction has received 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17,156 visitors.

If you want to discover more, consider stopping by the famous Holyrood Park. This amazing site is a wonderful archaeological site with more than 12,034 wanderlust-filled travelers rating it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Scotland. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Edinburgh itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Scotland extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Edinburgh. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Bramble Bar & Lounge. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 743 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at The Dome, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. The Dome is rated 4.6 stars out of 5 by 6,433 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Dishoom Edinburgh. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,852 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Edinburgh and unwind at the coolest bars in the city. Drink the night away and celebrate this day of your relaxed road trip at the popular Whiski Bar & Restaurant. This vibrant bar is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,669 customers.

If you want to try a different bar, check out the popular Chaophraya Thai Restaurant. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,238 customers, this bar is a great place to try some excellent liquor.

Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Scotland, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Today is also another excellent opportunity to dine at some of the top-rated restaurants and bars in Scotland.

From your accommodation, or your home for another 1 night, you’ll leisurely drive to your first stop of the day, the remarkable Blackness Castle. The famous Blackness Castle has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,100 visitors.

Another popular attraction worthy of a visit while you’re leisurely touring Falkirk, is the stunning The Kelpies. As one of the most well-known attractions in the area, The Kelpies has earned an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 27,191 travelers' reviews.

Take your time exploring Falkirk and visit another attraction that we highly recommend, the amazing Falkirk Wheel. The amazing Falkirk Wheel has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 15,778 visitors.

There’s still a lot of things to see and experience in Scotland.

Your relaxed road trip across Scotland continues as you discover more popular sites and explore to your heart’s content.

Another way to make your easygoing and relaxed road trip in Scotland more special is by joining unique tours and activities in Scotland. Edinburgh offers a wide selection of experiences for every traveler.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you can drive back to your accommodation in the city of Edinburgh to rest and refresh yourself after your long adventure.

After relaxing at your hotel, you might want to grab a bite at one of the best restaurants in the city, like the Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre. This restaurant is a favorite among locals and is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,950 customers.

We also recommend that you try the different dishes served at Cafe Andaluz. This restaurant has many positive reviews which earned it an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,019 food lovers worldwide.

Another top-rated restaurant in the city of Edinburgh is Whiski Bar & Restaurant. Praised by local and foreign customers for its delicious food, this restaurant is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars in 2,669 customer reviews.

After your meal, it’s time to loosen up and experience the nightlife in Edinburgh. Unwind at the amazing The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh and get a few glasses of their bestselling liquor. The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,314 customers.

Hop on to another top-rated bar in the city and have an amazing night. Visit the Cafe Royal bar and try its wide selection of beverages and liquor. This bar is a favorite among locals and has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,216 customers.

Make the most of your Edinburgh nightlife experience and get a few shots of your favorite drink at the The Bow Bar. This bar is highly recommended, having an outstanding 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,813 customers.

Raise your glass and celebrate another amazing day in Scotland with this fun but relaxed road trip escapade!

Day 4 of your relaxed road trip in Scotland is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Edinburgh.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Edinburgh once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Scotland on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Dean Village is an extraordinary attraction that is perfect for your last day in Edinburgh. This top sight is a popular village, rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 13,065 visitors.

Unwind and look back at the past 4 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Edinburgh or just grab something light to keep you going.

Check out the menu at Chaophraya Thai Restaurant. Dining at Chaophraya Thai Restaurant is one of the best food experiences you can have in Edinburgh. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,238 customers.

Another top recommendation in Edinburgh is The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh. If you go to The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh, you can expect delicious food, a nice ambiance, and great service. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,314 customers.

Alternatively, you could also go to a place like Howies Restaurant. If you haven’t yet, a trip to Howies Restaurant is your opportunity to have a lovely meal before leaving the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,817 customers.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Edinburgh and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 4-day relaxed road trip in Scotland is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.