What are the highlights of Edinburgh?
Scotland’s capital is a place full of magic, castles and fascinating, sometimes chilling stories. It is also a city that for centuries has inspired artists – it was in Edinburgh that Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes and JK Rowling wrote most of the Harry Potter books. Edinburgh is a place full of fantastic attractions with something for everyone. Check out what to see in Edinburgh and join our free walking tour with a local guide!
Edinburgh – top attractions
The heart of mediaeval Edinburgh is Old Town, where you will find most of the most famous sights. Here you will find the symbol of Scotland – Edinburgh Castle, which is one of the largest and oldest buildings of its kind in the whole of the UK. In the Old Town you will also find Holyrood Palace, the Scottish residence of the British royal family, as well as St. Giles Cathedral dating from the 14th/15th century, which serves as the main church of the Church of Scotland. The most popular place to visit is the Royal Mile, the main street in the Old Town, which connects the two royal residences: Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle. The statue of Bobby the dog at 34 George IV Bridge is also a popular site. It commemorates the 19th century skye terrier dog who, after his owner’s death, kept vigil at his grave for 14 years – until his own death.
Edinburgh is also home to, as local guides say, the world’s most haunted cemetery. We are talking about Greyfriars Kirkyard with the tomb of George MacKenzie, who was famous for torturing convicts and whose ghost is said to still haunt visitors to the necropolis until today. If you enjoy visiting museums be sure to head to the National Museum of Scotland, which has among its exhibits the famous Dolly the sheep. A treat for literature lovers is the Writers’ Museum, dedicated to the lives and works of three great Scottish authors: Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott. If you’re keen to relax in nature, take a stroll to Princess Gardens, which is located at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, perched on a volcanic rock. As you stroll through the park, look out for the statue of Wojtek the bear marching with a Polish soldier. The monument symbolises the journey of Polish soldiers fighting under General Anders during the Second World War. It was in Edinburgh Zoo that Corporal Wojtek completed his service and ‘retired’.
Free walking tour – discover Edinburgh with a local guide!
Not keen on sightseeing with a map in hand? Neither are we! For those looking for a passionate local guide, we invite you to take a free walking tour of Edinburgh. When you choose a free walking tour with Walkative!, you decide how much you pay for the tour, the commitment and the knowledge of your guide. Tours of this type do not have a predetermined price. Our free walking tour is the best way to explore Edinburgh and discover the secrets of this fascinating city. Such a tour is a perfect option for individual tourists as well as small groups of friends, families and couples. With Walkative! guides you will also visit other European capitals such as Berlin, Warsaw, Brussels, Madrid and Lisbon.