Edinburgh travel guide

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Introduction to Edinburgh

Edinburgh, known for its incredible Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, is a travel destination everyone should visit once in their lifetime. This capital city of Scotland, UK, has plenty of experiences to offer curious travelers. Home to a variety of natural beauty and architecture, a unique historical background, and a culture as rich as its population of more than 488.1 thousand people, Edinburgh is truly one of the main highlights of Scotland.

Easily accessible from the Edinburgh airport, Edinburgh is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Scotland. Travelers looking to experience the best of Scotland often choose to stay in Edinburgh.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the region of Edinburgh below!

Top services in Edinburgh

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Edinburgh, Scotland. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 350 airlines that fly to Scotland. Browse the 504 top-rated tours available to you in Edinburgh. Compare the rates and services of the 8 types of places to stay in Edinburgh and the 7 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Edinburgh.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Edinburgh, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Edinburgh on your vacation in Scotland.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Edinburgh from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the region of Edinburgh!

Learn more about Scotland

There are many reasons to visit the region of Edinburgh, but a trip to Scotland needs no explanation.

Exploring Scotland, which spans 78,782 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Scotland offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Scotland.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Scotland.

What to see in Edinburgh

Photo of the scenic Dean Village in a sunny afternoon, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Edinburgh has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the region.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the region of Edinburgh.

Top attractions in Edinburgh

Home to plenty of top attractions, Edinburgh is more than just a wonderful region in Scotland. Edinburgh is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Scotland.

One fascinating sight in Edinburgh is the unforgettable Edinburgh Castle. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the region, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Edinburgh. This remarkable attraction is located at Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK and is open for visitors Monday - Friday, between 09:30-17:00.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Scotland, check out our list of top attractions in Edinburgh below. Discover the best places to visit in Edinburgh, including the fascinating Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Edinburgh.

Things to do in Edinburgh

Photo of the Walter Scott Monument in Edinburgh in a beautiful summer day, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Enrich your travel experience in Edinburgh by joining tours and activities. Edinburgh offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the region.

Discover the most popular experiences in Edinburgh below.

Most popular experiences in Edinburgh

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the region of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Bus Tours, and Guided Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Scotland.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Edinburgh by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Edinburgh

Travelers in Edinburgh can choose from 19 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Cultural Tours is the answer.

The most popular tour in Edinburgh is the fantastic Invisible (Edinburgh): Crimes & Punishment Tours (Grassmarket & Royal Mile). By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Edinburgh one of the best travel destinations in Scotland.

Edinburgh also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Romantic Edinburgh True Love Exploration Game is the cheapest tour in the region, and is a popular Archaeology Tour. This experience costs around 8 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Edinburgh. This Archaeology Tour is available in 1 language: English. Around 3 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 2 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Edinburgh and book a top-rated tour in the region. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Edinburgh below.

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Search for things to do in Edinburgh

Discover the best things to do in Edinburgh. Choose from 504 fantastic tours and activities available in the region.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Edinburgh. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Edinburgh

Photo of old town Edinburgh and Edinburgh castle in Scotland UK.

The best and easiest way to visit Edinburgh is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Scotland.

Booking a vacation package to Edinburgh means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Edinburgh to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Edinburgh is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find 201 unique vacation packages to Edinburgh, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the region of Edinburgh.

Popular types of vacations in Edinburgh

The most popular way to experience Edinburgh is by visiting the region as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Scotland. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Edinburgh on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Scotland, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Scotland, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Edinburgh, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Edinburgh below.

Top vacation packages in Edinburgh

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Scotland. In fact, you can choose from as many as 201 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Edinburgh, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Scotland.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the region of Edinburgh.

For an epic vacation, discover Edinburgh and other top destinations in Scotland on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Road Trip to Scotland and England from Edinburgh to Glasgow, Manchester, London, and Ripon. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Edinburgh, but also in other top places to visit in Scotland. If The Royal Mile, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Edinburgh, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Scotland City Break in Edinburgh and spend as little as 354 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Edinburgh, including the fantastic Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and National Museum of Scotland.

Get more Edinburgh vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Scotland that match your needs and budget.

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Find vacation packages in Edinburgh

Discover and compare 201 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful region of Edinburgh.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Edinburgh get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Scotland. Your customized holiday package to Edinburgh is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Edinburgh

To get to the region of Edinburgh the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Scotland can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Edinburgh by booking flights with any of the 70 airlines that offer direct flights to Edinburgh airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Edinburgh airport are United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Ryanair, and Lufthansa. Go to this page to compare all flights to Edinburgh.

To reach the region of Edinburgh, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Edinburgh airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Edinburgh, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Edinburgh airport and Edinburgh below.

Find cheap flights to Edinburgh

Photo of colorful landscape with a footpath through the hill slope covered by violet heather flowers and green valley, river, mountains, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Edinburgh, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Scotland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Edinburgh, Scotland, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Edinburgh costs around 19 EUR and is offered by the airline Ryanair. The flight leaves on May 24 at 2 and departs from Göteborg Landvetter airport in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Edinburgh cost approximately 66 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on January 12 and the return flight is scheduled on January 16. The flight time is around 5 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Inverness.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Scotland and the region of Edinburgh from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Edinburgh

Travelers visiting Edinburgh in Scotland can fly to Edinburgh airport directly from 1997 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Edinburgh airport and the region of Edinburgh in Scotland depart from Edinburgh airport in Edinburgh, Scotland, Albany airport in Albany, Australia, and Greenville–Spartanburg International airport in Greenville, the United States.

Travelers can fly to Scotland by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Edinburgh; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Albany; and from 7 weekly flight(s) from Greenville.

The airline that operates most flights to Scotland is Hong Kong Express Airways. Hong Kong Express Airways offers 109 scheduled flight routes to Scotland.

Discover the most popular flights to Edinburgh below. Click to view flights to Edinburgh, Scotland from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

Photo of St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh , Scotland.

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a region as fantastic as Edinburgh is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Edinburgh usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Edinburgh offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the region allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Edinburgh and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Edinburgh planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Edinburgh, you'll find 8 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Scotland can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Edinburgh. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the region, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Edinburgh.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Edinburgh in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Edinburgh

A trip to the fascinating Edinburgh, Scotland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 8 different types of places to stay in the region. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 999 hotels, 976 vacation rental apartments, 112 cottages, 22 guesthouses, 12 bed & breakfasts, 6 castles and 5 hostels. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Edinburgh provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the region, ibis budget Edinburgh Park is one of the top picks of travelers in Edinburgh.

The hotel is located at Edinburgh Business Park, 6 Lochside View, Edinburgh, Gb and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Bar.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Edinburgh. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Edinburgh, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose The West End Hotel. For approximately 28 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 8 different types of places to stay in Edinburgh. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Edinburgh

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Edinburgh for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the region is home to around 2,133 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Edinburgh provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Edinburgh are created equal, finding the best in the region often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Edinburgh.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Edinburgh. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile, the top 4-star hotel in the region. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Edinburgh, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Edinburgh. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Edinburgh

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the region of Edinburgh on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the region of Edinburgh that match the information provided.

Car rental in Edinburgh

Photo of tourist woman overlooking pink Cherry Blossom trees in a sunny Spring day in the Meadows Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Edinburgh. Edinburgh has 7 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Edinburgh start from 27.2 EUR per day or 190.38 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a Fiat 500E (Electric).

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Edinburgh, starting from 22.66 EUR per day or 158.65 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Fiat 500.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Edinburgh, Scotland, below.

Popular types of car rental in Edinburgh

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the region of Edinburgh to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Edinburgh can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Scotland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Edinburgh is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Edinburgh is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the region of Edinburgh.

Check out all options available in Edinburgh and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Scotland below.

Search for car rental in Edinburgh

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful region of Edinburgh. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Edinburgh, Scotland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Edinburgh

Photo of the shore of water of leith, Edinburgh.

The region of Edinburgh is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Scotland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Scotland has it all.

Scotland is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Scotland that are as magical as the region of Edinburgh. The most popular travel destinations in Scotland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Scotland

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Scotland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Edinburgh

Photo of Edinburgh Castle on a sunny summer day.

A taste of Scotland through a visit to Edinburgh can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Edinburgh to another remarkable destination in Scotland.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the region of Edinburgh to other spectacular locations in Scotland, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Search domestic flights from Edinburgh

Traveling to another city or region in Scotland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Edinburgh to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Scotland on the selected dates.

Popular domestic flights from Edinburgh

Travelers in Scotland can catch flights to domestic airports in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stornoway, Kirkwall, and Shetland Islands. Domestic flights in Scotland are operated by 7 airlines: LoganAir LM, Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. There are around 10 scheduled flight routes operating to Edinburgh on a weekly basis.

From Edinburgh, travelers can book scheduled flights to 7 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Edinburgh depart to many top-rated destinations in Scotland and are offered by LoganAir LM, Ryanair, and British Airways.

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