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How many days in Edinburgh? 3 days in the Old and New Towns, plus the Highlands
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Edinburgh is built on hills and an extinct volcano, with a medieval Old Town along a ridge and a Georgian New Town facing it across a valley of gardens: together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three days covers the Castle and Royal Mile, Holyrood and a climb up Arthur's Seat, the free national museums and the Georgian streets, with a day trip to the Highlands if you can add one. In August, the city hosts the world's largest arts festival and hotel prices triple.
Short answer
Two days covers the Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, Arthur's Seat and the museums. The third adds Dean Village, Leith or the Highlands.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
Morning. Book the first slot at Edinburgh Castle (about £20-25), built on a volcanic rock: the Honours of Scotland (crown jewels) and the Stone of Destiny, St Margaret's Chapel (the city's oldest building, about 1130) and the One O'Clock Gun, fired every day except Sunday.
Afternoon. Walk down the Royal Mile: the Camera Obscura, St Giles' Cathedral with the carved Thistle Chapel (free, donations), and the narrow closes leading off the street. Go underground at The Real Mary King's Close (about £20), streets buried under the city since the 1750s.
Evening. Have dinner in the Grassmarket, where public executions once took place, and walk up the curving, colourful Victoria Street. Join a ghost tour of the vaults under the South Bridge.
Castle tickets are cheaper online and slots sell out in summer; arrive at opening to see the crown jewels without a queue.
Day 2: Holyrood and Arthur's Seat
Morning. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse (about £20), the King's official residence in Scotland, with Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers and the ruined abbey. Opposite is the modern Scottish Parliament building (free tours).
Afternoon. Climb Arthur's Seat (251 m), the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, about 45 minutes to the summit by the main path, for a 360° view of the city and the Firth of Forth. Return via the Salisbury Crags path.
Evening. Walk up Calton Hill at sunset for the unfinished National Monument and the classic view of the Old Town and the castle, then dinner in the New Town.
The summit is windy and slippery when wet; wear proper shoes, not city shoes.
Day 3: Museums, New Town and Dean Village
Morning. The National Museum of Scotland (free) covers everything from the Lewis chessmen to Dolly the sheep; go up to the free roof terrace for the castle view. The Scottish National Gallery (free) on the Mound has Raeburn, Titian and Turner.
Afternoon. Walk the Georgian New Town: Princes Street Gardens, George Street and Charlotte Square, then down to Dean Village, a former milling village on the Water of Leith, and follow the river path to Stockbridge.
Evening. Try a whisky tasting at a specialist bar or the Scotch Whisky Experience by the castle, then dinner in Stockbridge or Leith, the port district known for seafood restaurants.
In Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia (about £20) is one of the city's best-rated attractions.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Day 1 and Day 2, and see the National Museum on the second morning instead of Holyroodhouse.
Got extra days?
Add a day for the Highlands: tours to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Cairngorms take about 12 hours. Closer trips include Stirling Castle, the Kelpies, Rosslyn Chapel and the coastal town of North Berwick.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Leith / Haymarket | Cheaper hotels, trams to the centre and the airport. | £110-170 |
| Mid-range | Old Town | On or near the Royal Mile, walk to the castle. | £170-280 |
| Mid-range | New Town | Elegant Georgian streets, restaurants, Waverley station. | £180-300 |
| Comfort | Princes Street / Calton Hill hotels | Grand hotels with castle views. | £300-700 |
Getting around
Edinburgh's centre is walkable but hilly. Lothian buses (about £2 a single, daily caps with contactless) and the tram (from the airport to the city centre and Leith, about 35 minutes) cover everything else. Waverley station is in the centre, between the Old and New Towns. From July 2026, Edinburgh charges a visitor levy on accommodation (a percentage of the room price).
What to eat in Edinburgh
Scottish food is better than its reputation. Try haggis, neeps and tatties (haggis with turnip and potato), Cullen skink (smoked haddock soup), Scottish salmon, Scotch pie and, for dessert, cranachan (raspberries, cream, honey, oats and whisky). Edinburgh pubs serve real ales and, of course, whisky: try a peaty Islay and a lighter Speyside to see the difference. Pub meals cost £15-22; restaurant dinners £30-50 per person.
Best time to visit
May to September has the longest days (sunset after 22:00 in June) and highs of 16-19°C. August is festival month (the Fringe, the International Festival, the Military Tattoo): spectacular but crowded and expensive. Hogmanay (New Year) has a huge street party. Winter is cold and dark, but cosy.
Month-by-month weather for Edinburgh →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | £60 | £110 | £250 |
| Food & drink | £30 | £55 | £110 |
| Sights & activities | £15 | £40 | £80 |
| Local transport | £4 | £6 | £20 |
| Total per person, per day | about £110 | about £210 | about £460 |
Approximate 2026 prices in pounds sterling. Prices in August can double or triple; add Edinburgh's visitor levy from mid-2026.
Before you go
Common questions
Is Edinburgh worth visiting during the Festival?
Yes, if you like crowds and shows: thousands of performances, many free. Book accommodation months ahead, or stay outside the city.
Can I see the Highlands on a day trip?
Yes, on long guided tours to Loch Ness and Glencoe (about 12 hours). For a real Highlands experience, stay two or three nights.
Is Edinburgh walkable?
Very, but steep. Most sights are within 20-30 minutes on foot; wear comfortable shoes.
Are the museums free?
Yes: the National Museum of Scotland and the national galleries are free. The Castle, Holyroodhouse and Mary King's Close charge entry.
Do I need an ETA to visit the UK?
Many visitors who do not need a visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before travelling. Check the UK government website.
Which Highlands tour should I choose?
A one-day tour usually goes to Glencoe and Loch Ness, about 12 hours with a lot of driving. Smaller-group tours with fewer stops are more relaxed. For the Isle of Skye, choose a three-day tour; a single day is far too long.
Is the Royal Mile worth walking more than once?
Yes, at different times. In the morning it is quiet and you can look into the closes; in the evening, pubs, buskers and ghost tours fill it. The side closes such as Advocate's Close and White Horse Close are worth exploring.
Is Edinburgh good for families?
Yes: the castle, the free National Museum with its hands-on galleries, Camera Obscura's illusions and the climb up Arthur's Seat all suit children well.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, from experience planning UK trips. Prices and the visitor levy start date are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Edinburgh Castle (Historic Environment Scotland), Royal Collection Trust, National Museums Scotland and City of Edinburgh websites before booking.
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