Edinburgh is a walking city! But what do you do here for 24 hours? Here are our ideas of the perfect day in Edinburgh.
In the morning
Pop into Valvona & Crolla for breakfast to get you going. The staff behind the counter will help you to select ingredients for an al fresco breakfast, or assist you with any other needs that you may have.
Edinburgh Castle has to be on your list of things to do, and there is plenty to see on the way there. Princes Street is one of the places that you can explore on your way to the castle. This street is only built up on one side, which allows you to see the Princes Street Gardens and the castle. Another great thing to do is to do some window-shopping and do not forget to get a copy of The List (Edinburgh’s entertainment guide).
You do not need to take half the day exploring Edinburgh Castle. You can go see the tiny St Margaret’s Chapel, the Great Hall and the Scottish National War Memorial. Stop in at The Edinburgh Woolen Mills for some traditional Arran knits on your way back down the Mile, or go check out Ness for some brightly coloured tweed fun.
In the afternoon
The National Museum of Scotland is only a five-minute walk down the George IV Bridge which is something that you must see. If you get hungry then you should stop in the affordable Assembly Bar. Here you will get great food at very reasonable prices.
When you are in Edinburgh you absolutely must go to see Greyfriars Bobby. This is a statue that honors the memory of the faithful Skye terrier who kept watch over his master’s grave for a period of 14 years. This statue can be found near the Greyfriars Kirkyard.
New Town is easy to navigate and still has its Georgian glamour. When you are here, remember to take a long look at all the beautifull buildings. When you have had the chance to see all the amazing buildings, it is time to take the path next to the Dean Bridge and walk next to the Waters of Leith. If you continue walking you will eventually reach the Royal Botanic Garden, which was officially established in 1670. Continue on to the stone, iron and glass Victorian Palm Houses – absolutely amazing to see! If you want to get away from the crowds, continue walking along the Waters of Leith and see the Antony Gormley statues on your way to visit the National Gallery of Modern Art. After all that walking, it is time to stop in at the Terrace Café in the gardens for a cup of hot coffee and a snack before you continue on your journey.
If you want to see the city and have a laugh at the same time, then look no further than a treasure hunt in Edinburgh. See the famous sights such as Edinburgh castle, Greyfriar’s Bobby and the Wallace Monument whilst using GPS to find ‘hotspots’, and taking on challenges at the same time. There are many themed hunts such as sports, a pub finder, a black taxi hunt and even a business related one – check out Huntthegoose; a treasure hunt company who run treasure hunts and provide the GPS for you.
And then there is the evening
By the time the sun goes down, you must already be thinking about supper. Book a table at Bells Diner where you can get great burgers and fabulous milkshakes to end the night off with. L’Alba D’Oro is the place to go for fish & chips and one of the places where you can enjoy the chip sauce that Edinburgh is famous for. After supper, you need to make your way to The Cumberland Bar for a relaxing drink or two or you can pop into the beer garden if the weather is nice.
