The Perfect Two-Day Itinerary for Edinburgh, Scotland
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Edinburgh will always be one of my favorite cities of all time. You’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time while walking throughout the historic city streets. In fact, the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! People often wonder why I keep booking trips back there year after year…
But those people haven’t visited this magical city yet ;)
In this article, I’m sharing the perfect two-day itinerary for your trip to Edinburgh, including the best things to do in both Old Town and New Town, the best time to visit, how to get to Edinburgh, where to stay, what to pack, and other useful tips for navigating the capital of Scotland.
Intro to Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s located in the southeastern part of Scotland with a population of just about 500,000 people. The entire city is famous for its stunning architecture, rich history and cultural festivals.
Edinburgh has two distinct areas that you’ll come to know well on your trip: Old Town and New Town.
Old Town is the medieval part of the city, dating back over 1,000 years! While New Town is the newer Georgian part of the city, built in stages between 1767 and roughly 1850. Both areas of Edinburgh are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A QUICK SUMMARY – 2 DAYS IN EDINBURGH 🏴
✈️ Use Going for cheap flight alerts & book your flight into Edinburgh.
🚌 From the airport, take the Airlink100 bus into the city center.
🗺 Explore Old Town, New Town, Stockbridge, Dean Village, and Leith.
🏨 Stay at Eden Locke (New Town) or the Grassmarket Hotel (Old Town)
📌 Pro tip: book a walking tour in Old Town!
🚗 For a road trip out of the city, use RentalCars.com to search for the best rates. You won’t need a car while in the city - Edinburgh is very walkable.
The best tours in Edinburgh
Best time of year to visit Edinburgh
The best time to visit Edinburgh is typically from June to August when the weather is mild, and the city is alive with festivals and events.
The most popular yearly festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, takes place in August and is actually the world's largest performance arts festival! However, this is also the busiest time of the year, so accommodation prices tend to skyrocket.
If you prefer a quieter trip, visit Edinburgh in the shoulder seasons of April to May or September through October. Winter in Edinburgh tends to be cold and wet, but the city is stunning with vibrant Christmas markets & festivities.
I’ve visited Scotland in every season, and my personal favorites are October / early November for the fall colors and fewer tourists, as well as early spring when the highlands are beginning to bloom but the summer crowds have yet to arrive.
How to get to Edinburgh
Via plane: Edinburgh has an international airport, and you can fly directly from major cities in Europe and North America. (Side note: grab access to this lounge if you’re flying back out of Edi! It’s an awesome spot to wait for your flight). Upon arrival at Edinburgh airport, you’ll need to take one of these options to reach the city center:
Airlink100 bus (my go-to method) - simply exit the terminal, and you’ll find the bus stops right outside. Purchase a ticket from the driver as you board using contactless card payment or exact cash - super simple! The Airlink 100 takes you straight into the city center. The bus also runs 24/7 for both directions (every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during the middle of the night), so you never have to worry about being stranded without transport.
Tram - similar to the bus, in that the tram has a constant 24/7 schedule and runs between the airport and the city center.
Uber - always a solid option, Uber is readily available in Edinburgh and is quite reliable.
Rental car - Edinburgh Airport has its own rental car section, but I don’t typically recommend this option unless you’re planning to drive out of the city for part of your trip, since a car is not needed in Edinburgh and can be a huge pain to find parking for. Do plenty of research beforehand to find the cheapest fares using RentalCars.com.
Via train: If you are coming from London, you can take a train right into Waverley Station in the heart of the city. Edinburgh is also very well connected by train and bus to other cities in Scotland and the UK.
Looking down onto Victoria Street
Best places to stay in Old Town & New Town
So, where exactly is the best place to stay in Edinburgh?
Luckily, Edinburgh has a verrrrry wide range of accommodation options, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. If you want to stay in Old Town, the Grassmarket area is a great option to be centrally located. There are also many amazing options to stay right on the Royal Mile, which is directly in the heart of the city's main attractions. In New Town, the Princes Street area is a popular choice, being close to many shops, restaurants and pubs.
Budget / Affordable
Mid-range
Luxury
AirBnbs and private rental properties are also plentiful throughout the entire city! But no matter which type of accommodation you choose, be sure to book far in advance - the best options book up quickly.
I’ve stayed in many different hotels while traveling in Edinburgh, but these three are my personal favorites:
Book here: Eden Locke
Book here: Grassmarket Hotel
Book here: Code Pod Hostel
What to pack for a trip to Scotland
The weather in Scotland can be super unpredictable, so it’s a good idea to pack for all seasons. No matter the time of year you visit, make sure to bring some layers, a waterproof jacket and an umbrella. Edinburgh is a very walkable city, so comfortable shoes are a 100% must!
If you plan to do any hiking or outdoor adventures, bring hiking shoes and a backpack.
Gear recommendation: This collapsible hiking daypack with an inflatable camera insert is one of my new favorite travel essentials! It takes up minimal space, but gives you the option of having a lightweight hiking pack with camera gear protection on hand for your trip.
This next thing isn’t exactly a packable item, but if you plan to visit any museums and historic sites, consider buying this pass ahead of time that will get you into various sites by only paying once:
The Historic Scotland ‘Explorer Pass’ is a must if you’re planning to travel around the country and visit various historic sites. The price for an adult is £44.00, and is valid for 7 consecutive days. This one pass includes entry to Edinburgh, Stirling Castle, Urquhart Castle, Skara Brae, and so many more!
Part of the original Canongate Tolbooth, built in 1591
The Best 2 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
Day 1: Exploring the Royal Mile and Old Town
On your first day in Edinburgh, start by exploring the Royal Mile, which is the heart of Old Town. The Royal Mile is a one-mile long street that connects Edinburgh Castle at the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom. The street is full of historic buildings, shops, restaurants and museums. This one street could easily consume your entire day - it’s absolutely stunning and photo-worthy down the entire mile.
Get up early and experience Edinburgh before the hustle & bustle begins. This city is extra enchanting in the early hours of the morning when no one else is on the streets. Grab a coffee at The Milkman or a full breakfast at the Edinburgh Larder, and gear up for a full day of exploring!
First big stop of the day: Edinburgh Castle, which is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks. The castle was built in the 12th century and has been a royal residence, military stronghold and prison throughout its long history.
You can explore the castle yourself with plenty of signage to read along the way. Entry to the castle is timed and needs to be booked in advance. Buy your Edinburgh Castle tickets here.
Or, I recommend booking a guided tour to dive even deeper into the history! This is the current top-booked tour for Edinburgh Castle with skip-the-line entry: Castle Walking Tour via Get Your Guide.
🏴 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to explore multiple historic sites around Scotland, purchase a “7 Day Explorer Pass” before arriving!
This pass gives you access to all open Historic Scotland sites over a 7 day period. That way, you’re not buying individual tickets to each attraction. Visit this link to check out the sites that you can visit with the 7 Day Explorer Pass.
The Vennel Steps overlooking Edinburgh Castle
After visiting Edinburgh Castle, walk down the Royal Mile to the Grassmarket. This is a lively area with tons of restaurants and pubs, situated beneath Edinburgh Castle perched up on its rocky hill. Historic fact: it’s also where Edinburgh’s public executions took place in the past. Lovely spot for wee mosey, right?
While in the Grassmarket area, pop into the White Hart Inn for a drink and bite to eat. This is one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh, dating back to the 16th century! Feeling peckish for something sweet? Mary’s Milk Bar has the best homemade gelato in the city. Be sure to take advantage of a charming castle photo-op at The Vennel Steps.
Victoria Street
After exploring the Grassmarket, wander up colorful Victoria Street. This winding street with multicolored storefronts and restaurants is straight out of a postcard. It’s also rumored to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, though that has never been confirmed.
Speaking of Harry Potter, did you know that Edinburgh is where J.K. Rowling wrote the first books in the series? Fans have to take a Harry Potter walking tour of the city to dive into all of the locations that inspired the books, including the Elephant Cafe (where the first books were written) and the gravestone names in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
In the afternoon, with enough time, visit the National Museum of Scotland. This massive museum explores the natural world, art and design, world cultures, technology, Scottish history and more, all in one building. Bonus, the museum is free to visit!
Afterwards, head down the Royal Mile, stopping at The Writer’s Museum and Dunbars Close Garden along the way, until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is the King's official residence in Scotland. You can tour the palace, including the State Apartments, Mary Queen of Scots' historic chambers, the Throne Room, and more. Purchase your ticket in advance here.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Writer’s Museum
From there, hike up Arthur's Seat - an extinct volcano that offers panoramic views over Edinburgh. Don’t forget to stop along the hike at St. Anthony’s Chapel ruins for an added photo-op. The full hike takes about an hour, and is a perfect way to get some epic sunset photos of the city scenery.
Later that evening, explore Old Town for dinner and nightlife. There are restaurants and pubs around every corner! One of the best places to eat, in my opinion, is the Devil's Advocate which has over 350 whiskies from all over the world, a rotating food menu with locally-sourced ingredients, and a super cozy atmosphere. Afterwards, pop into Sandy Bell’s for traditional live music and drinks!
Old Town Summary:
Best Things to See & Do:
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle & tour
Victoria Street
The Grassmarket
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard & Greyfriar’s Bobby
Arthur’s Seat & St. Anthony’s Chapel ruins
National Museum of Scotland
The Writer’s Museum
Dunbars Close Garden
Catch live music at a local pub
Where to Eat & Drink in Old Town
Mariachi 🌮
Day 2: Exploring New Town and Dean Village
On your second day in Edinburgh, it’s time to explore New Town! New Town is the Georgian part of the city built in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it’s known for elegant architecture, wide streets, and manicured squares. This part of the city, although still filled with charm, has a noticeably different feeling than Old Town - more stylish, sophisticated and city-esque.
Dean Village
First thing in the morning, after a coffee stop at Cairngorm Coffee, make your way over to Dean Village and stroll along the picturesque cobblestone streets. You feel as though you’ve completely left the city while snapping photos in this fairytale corner of Edinburgh on the river Leith.
From there, head up to the Royal Botanic Garden, which is a beautiful garden oasis just one mile north of the city center. It’s home to over 13,000 plant species from around the world, and is free to visit the gardens! Admission to the glass houses is £5.50 for adults.
Afterwards, mosey through Stockbridge and pop over to Circus Lane for a quintessential Edinburgh photo-op. Stockbridge also has a fantastic farmer’s market every Sunday, right around the corner from Circus Lane, if you happen to be in the area on the weekend! This is a great area to grab a bite to eat for a coffee.
On your way into New Town from Stockbridge, visit the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, which is another awesome free admission attraction in the city. Then head to Princes Street for food and shopping! Princes Street Gardens runs parallel to Princes Street, and Ross Fountain within the gardens is the perfect photo-op for another epic Edinburgh Castle view.
In the afternoon, walk over to scenic Calton Hill. This hill is right in the center of Edinburgh and offers panoramic views of the city. There are several monuments to visit, including the National Monument, which is actually a half-finished replica of the Parthenon in Athens.
Calton Hill
That evening, head back into New Town for dinner and nightlife. This area has so many options for every taste and style.
One of the best places to add to your must-visit list is Panda & Sons on Queen Street, which is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar (one of Edinburgh's best!) hidden behind what looks like a vintage barbershop. Or, pop onto the pedestrian-only cobblestone Rose Street for some relaxed pubs and live music.
New Town Summary:
Best Things to See & Do
Calton Hill & the National Monument
Shop on Princes Street & George Street
Royal Botanic Garden
Scottish National Gallery
Princes Street Gardens
Ross Fountain
Scott Monument
Pub hopping on Rose Street
Where to Eat & Drink in New Town & Stockbridge
Other things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland
If you have more time in Edinburgh, there are tons of other things to do and see.
Head out to Leith and visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is the former royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II.
Take a day trip tour to nearby historic sites like Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle & Dunfermline Abbey.
Book an Outlander-themed day trip to various filming locations! This tour hits all of the best sites.
If you want to see the Scottish Highlands but are crunched for time, book a one day guided tour that takes you to all of the big sites! Loch Ness, Glencoe, Urquhart Castle & more. This leaves right from the center of Old Town Edinburgh.
Tips for a successful trip to Edinburgh
Book accommodation in advance, especially if you’re traveling during peak season
Wear comfortable shoes for walking
Bring warm layers, waterproof clothes and an umbrella
Try the local cuisine (especially haggis, neeps & tatties!)
Use public transport or walk everywhere, as driving in Edinburgh can be challenging & unnecessary
Visit museums and galleries early in the day to avoid crowds
Enjoy your 2 day trip to Edinburgh!
This 2 day itinerary is absolutely filled to the brim, so don’t hesitate to break it down further into a slower-paced 3 day or 4 day Edinburgh itinerary. I tend to fill my days with as much as possible while traveling, but if you prefer a more leisurely pace (I don’t blame you!) 3 or 4 days is the perfect amount of time to tackle all of the highlights on this list.
No matter the pace, now you can explore the very best things to do in Edinburgh and make the most of your time in this magical city. I hope this itinerary helps you plan your dream trip to Scotland!
