Whether you are a fan of scotch whisky, castles, and/or Harry Potter, Edinburgh is a delightful city perfect for a weekend of exploring. This was our final weekend trip during our 5 month stay in Paris, and though we traveled in January, we bundled up for the cold and had an absolute blast.
Trip Itinerary
Approximate Trip Cost
Flying from Paris, our flight costs were minimal by comparison to flying across the Atlantic from Canada or the US. Also, by staying a bit outside the typical touristy area, we saved big on our AirBnB. Flight and accommodation for 2: approximately $700.
Destination Map
Edinburgh is incredibly walkable, and exploring the streets and small alleys as we came across them yielded some unexpected bars and restaurants that were very unique.
We decided to stay in the vicinity of Edinburgh University, which is near Holyrood Park and the end of the Royal Mile (the opposite end of Edinburgh Castle). Though we may have been a bit out of the main touristy area, we were not so far that we couldn't walk to all the places we wanted to go. The Royal Mile is really the heart of Old Town, and if you choose to head to the other side of Waverley Station, Rose Street is the main pedestrian street.
If its poor weather outside, or you just want to be warm and cozy, we loved the National Museum of Scotland. Not only are there some unique historical exhibits, but there are many unique inventions by Scots that I never knew of- like Dolly the cloned sheep.
Since Scotland is home to scotch whisky, we would highly recommend visiting the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to learn more about the spirit, it's history, and the many regions and representations in Scotland. The tasting room provides a friendly and unpretentious way to learn and enjoy. If you book this experience towards the beginning of your trip, you will be able to walk into the many small intimate bars and order a flight of scotch with confidence (and get something you like!).
Download our Google Map of Edinburgh to access all of our favorite restaurants and bars from our trip!
Salisbury Crags, next to Holyrood Park, is a local landmark of Edinburgh, and you can hike up to Arthur's Seat for an impressive view of Edinburgh and the surrounding area. The hike is fairly easy, and will take you around 2 hours round trip. The Crags also provide open space for lots of different activities- we saw plenty of cyclists, dog walkers, and horse riders enjoying the morning.
We also took a day trip to Stirling Castle, a quick hour by train outside of Edinburgh. You can catch the train directly from Waverley Station. This is an easy day trip that is a great way to learn about Scotland's history and see more of the countryside. It was very frosty the morning we went, but we didn't let that deter us! Edinburgh castle is also worth the visit, and don't forget to see the Crown Jewels!
Helpful Links
Hand Luggage Only's blog post on Essential Edinburg is visually stunning and informed many of the activities that we did. Their post on bars also provided some great recommendations, like our two favorites: BrewDog and the Devil's Advocate.
Budget Traveller's many posts on Edinburgh are very comprehensive- he used to live in Edinburgh after all! His 48 hour guide to Edinburg is a great trip planning resource to start with. There is also his self-guided walking tour, which provides some excellent food recommendations, and Harry Potter locations too.
Independent Travel Cats breaks down all the Harry Potter locations and their utilization in J.K.Rowling's famous series. Since you will see these locations on your walks throughout the city, it's fun to know how they inspired different locations and characters in the books.
Scotch Malt Whisky Society book a tasting experience and be prepared to be amazed by scotch and its history in Scotland. We recommend doing the organized tasting first, and then you can sample further in the bar after. Book ahead as they do fill up!
Edinburgh Castle visit this incredible old town monument to learn more about Edinburgh's history and influence in Scotland. There are several ticket options, but make sure you can access the crown jewels on your ticket.
Stirling Castle visit this beautifully restored castle in the countryside and learn about the Scottish Jacobian wars. This is also the set location for the Outlander book and now TV series.
National Museum of Scotland entry is by donation, and you can easily spend an entire day in here. Make sure you find the rooftop deck to enjoy a beautiful view of the city.
Happy Adventures!
Stephanie