How to Spend a Weekend in Edinburgh

Spending a weekend in Edinburgh is a fantastic idea. The beautiful city of Edinburgh, located on Scotland’s east coast, is popular with tourists from around the world – but how do you go about planning a two-day city break here?Fear not, here’s our guide to getting the most from a 48-hour stay within Edinburgh’s city boundaries.

Day 1: Exploring Old Town

Given Edinburgh’s conspicuous popularity as a tourist destination, there’s no shortage of attractions to explore and activities to enjoy.For your first day, why not explore Edinburgh’s Old Town? The Old Town is steeped in medieval history and very walkable. You could start at Edinburgh Castle – one of the oldest and most iconic landmarks in Scotland. This defensively-positioned stronghold dominates the skyline and dates back to the 11th century. It was used as a prison until the late 19th century and is today open to visitors. There’s plenty of time to explore the castle, chapel, prison cells, dungeons and Great Hall while admiring sensational views over the city.Then proceed down the vibrant Royal Mile – the road that connects Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace at the other end. The Royal Mile is full of historical attractions, tempting cafes, street performers and colorful shops – all of which are genuinely worth an explore. Don’t miss the historic Old Town buildings either; their grandiose monuments and quaint cobblestone streets offer a captivating glimpse into Scotland’s fascinating history.

Day One Evening: Eating Local Cuisine

The natural activity for an evening spent in the city is to sample some excellence in Edinburgh cuisine. Thankfully, the selection of places eat is exemplary. Just Eat Edinburgh has a comprehensive selection of eateries local to Edinburgh that provide some of Scotland’s tastiest dishes. Whether it’s a traditional full Scottish breakfast, haggis or some freshly caught seafood you’re after, Just Eat restaurants will have something special to suit all tastes. You’ll also find some wonderful fine dining options in this culturally rich city. The Kitchin is one such option; a modern British restaurant serving seasonal dishes sourced locally from Scotland’s fish markets and farms – this place is tasty! And for some delicious French-inspired food, look no further than Le Di-Vin (located close to Quartermile). If you’re tempted by burgers, Steak Edinburgh is the place to go – their half-pound burgers are perfect for tourists looking to snap up a bite between journeys around the city.

Day 2: Shopping and Sightseeing Around New Town

Edinburgh’s New Town is bustling with chic restaurants, trendy stores and art galleries – it’s definitely worth exploring. Within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle lies Princes Street – one of the main thoroughfares along which many major stores congregate. Here’s you’ll find all the big retail outlets, plus plenty of independent shops offering unique gifts or unique items you won’t find anywhere else. There are also plenty of good sightseeing spots in New Town, although some attractions require an entry fee (so take some cash with you). Edinburgh Zoo and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions are two fantastic places to visit if you’ve got a family – the zoo is home to more than 1,000 rare and endangered animals from around the world, while Camera Obscura showcases interactive exhibits that explore perception, light and illusions. The National Museum of Scotland can also be found in this part of town and provides a fascinating insight into Scotland’s culture and history through artefacts ranging from prehistoric times right through to the present day. And if you’re looking for something a bit more offbeat, there’s always Mary King’s Close – a unique subterranean street from the 1600s that was buried beneath the Royal Exchange in 1750!

Day Two Evenings: Drinks and Entertainment

Edinburgh at night is simply majestic; it’s easy to get carried away in its beauty and atmosphere that blends traditional pubs with late-night clubs and chic bars with sensuous restaurants. There are loads of places you could visit when the sun eventually sets over Edinburgh, but here’s our shortlist of suggestions;

• Tigerlily – a chic bar with sophisticated cocktails and tasty snacks.
• Bunnyhops – an interesting troubadour bar.
• The Janey Mac Bar – an intimate pub that’s great for music lovers.
• The Victoria – for real ale fans.
• Bar Sou – for French food lovers.

Even if you’re keen for a night out but don’t have time to visit lots of places throughout the evening, you could always check out what’s going on at The Sunday Night Social at Monkey Barrel Comedy Club. There’s always incredible stand up on show throughout the evening – definitely worth checking out!

Summary

Edinburgh is blessed with an abundance of interesting attractions and activities, so much so that you could easily find yourself spending weeks or even months in this beautiful city! But if time is tight, as it often is when searching for weekends away, our two-day guide should help you make the most of your trip to Edinburgh; from castle exploring to mesmerising nightlife, there’s certainly enough here for everyone!