Things To Do In Edinburgh In November

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its striking skyline, cobblestone streets, and ancient architecture. Home to some of the world’s most iconic sites, Edinburgh is a vibrant city that is steeped in history. From the imposing Edinburgh Castle on its rocky mountain perch, to the mysterious underground closes of the Royal Mile, to the breathtakingly beautiful Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh is the perfect location for a vacation. November is the perfect time to visit this captivating city, when the days are shorter and the nights are colder. This is the ideal time to explore the city’s unique sights and attractions and to indulge in a variety of cultural experiences and activities. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an adventure with friends, there’s plenty to do in Edinburgh during November.

History and Culture

Edinburgh has been a hub of cultural activity for centuries. It is home to some of the continent’s oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Scotland, the National Library of Scotland, and the British Library. For those who are interested in history and culture, a visit to Edinburgh in November is an ideal opportunity to explore all that this city has to offer.

National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland, located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, is an impressive collection of galleries and exhibits that tell the story of Scotland’s rich cultural heritage. The five-story museum houses displays of objects, artifacts, and exhibits from all across Europe, as well as local works from Scotland. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits, such as the popular “Story Teller” audio tour and a variety of interactive displays. The museum also houses some of Scotland’s most precious artifacts, including the Stone of Destiny and the Crown Jewels.

National Library of Scotland

The National Library of Scotland is one of the country’s oldest libraries, boasting an impressive collection of over 4 million books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and other materials. Located at George IV Bridge in Edinburgh’s Old Town, this library offers access to some of the earliest works in Scottish history. Visitors can explore a wide range of topics including literature, philosophy, science, history, and much more.

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic attractions. This mile-long stretch of cobblestone street between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace is a fascinating mix of ancient buildings and hidden passageways leading down to mysterious underground closes. The best way to explore this area is on foot – taking in the sights of St Giles’ Cathedral, John Knox House and The Real Mary King’s Close – an underground network of streets which have been sealed off since the 17th century.

Shopping

Edinburgh is home to some of the best shopping in Europe. With its bustling markets, upscale boutiques, and vibrant high street stores, visitors can find something for everyone in this vibrant city. Whether you’re looking for antiques or designer clothing, traditional crafts or modern electronics, Edinburgh has something for everyone.

Princes Street

Princes Street is Edinburgh’s main shopping thoroughfare. This street is lined with high street stores, designer boutiques, and independent shops selling everything from vintage clothing to books and electronics. With its wide selection of shops and cafes, as well as its beautiful views over Princes Street Gardens across the street, Princes Street is a must-visit for any visitor to Edinburgh.

Grassmarket

The Grassmarket is one of Edinburgh’s oldest markets and a great place to find unique souvenirs and locally made crafts. The market takes place every Saturday from 10am until 5pm and features stalls selling everything from jewelry and art to food and drinks. This market has been around since 1660 and is a great place to explore for those looking for something special to take home from their visit to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Christmas Market

From November until Christmas Eve, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens is a magical place filled with festive cheer. This traditional Christmas market features a huge selection of stalls selling handmade crafts, food and drink, decorations, jewelry, toys and more. There are also live music performances and festive activities for children throughout the day.

Festivals

November is one of the busiest months for festivals in Edinburgh. From the annual Hogmanay celebration on New Year’s Eve to the world-renowned Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival in late November, there’s something for everyone during this festive time of year.

Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival is an annual three-week event held every August since 1947. This festival features an eclectic range of performances from different countries around the world. During November there are a number of events related to the festival that are held in various venues around the city. These include theatre shows, live music performances, lectures, seminars and art exhibitions.

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is an annual event held every November since 1978. This festival showcases a wide range of musical styles and genres from traditional jazz to blues and funk. There are events held all over the city with venues ranging from concert halls to small pubs and clubs. This event attracts some of the biggest names in jazz and blues music from around the world.

Hogmanay Festival

Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year celebration and one of its biggest festivals. This event takes place on December 31st every year with a number of activities taking place all over the city including live music concerts, street parties and bonfires. On New Year’s Day there is also a parade through the streets of Edinburgh featuring traditional Scottish music and dancers as well as marching bands from around the world.

Tours

Edinburgh has plenty to offer visitors when it comes to tours. From unique walking tours to guided city sightseeing tours, visitors can explore this fascinating city in style while learning about its history and culture along the way.

Edinburgh Castle Tour

The Edinburgh Castle Tour gives visitors the chance to explore one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks in depth. This guided tour takes visitors through some of the castle’s most important features including St Margaret’s Chapel, The Great Hall and The Royal Palace as well as offering stunning views over the city from its battlements. The tour also includes access to the castle’s museum where visitors can learn all about its long history as one of Scotland’s most important fortresses. Book an Edinburgh Castle Tour here.

Royal Mile Tour

The Royal Mile is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic attractions and this tour gives visitors an insight into its fascinating history. This guided tour takes visitors on a journey through time as they explore some of its oldest streets and closes while stopping at historic landmarks such as St Giles’ Cathedral and John Knox House along the way. The tour also includes admission to The Real Mary King’s Close – an underground network of streets which have been sealed off since the 17th century – where visitors can learn about life in old Edinburgh. Book a Royal Mile Tour here.

Ghost Tour

The Edinburgh Ghost Tour takes visitors on a spine-tingling journey through some of Edinburgh’s oldest streets in search of its most haunted locations. This tour brings visitors face-to-face with some of Edinburgh’s spookiest attractions including Greyfriars Kirkyard where visitors will learn about its infamous history as one of Scotland’s most haunted locations as well as getting up close to some scarily realistic ghostly figures! Book a Ghost Tour here.

Edinburgh has plenty to offer visitors in November whether they are looking for cultural activities or outdoor adventures. From exploring some of its iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and The Real Mary King’s Close to discovering local markets or attending festive events such as Hogmanay or The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, there is something for everyone in this captivating city at this time of year!