Stockbridge Market
Market · Stockbridge
A Sunday food and craft market in a leafy neighbourhood.
Best for: a weekend food wander
Best time: Sunday
Where to actually go in Edinburgh
Where to eat, drink and go out in Edinburgh: 20 picks for study-abroad students, with student-vetted picks marked and prices in dollars.
Eat & drink in Edinburgh
Oink
Restaurant · Victoria Street and Canongate
Hog roast rolls carved from a whole roast pig in the window.
Best for: a cheap, filling lunch
Best time: lunch
Mums Great Comfort Food
Restaurant · Forrest Road
A cosy café for sausage and mash, pies and British comfort food.
Best for: a cheap warm dinner
Best time: lunch or dinner
Sights & days out in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
Sight · Old Town
The fortress on an extinct volcano above the city, home to the Scottish crown jewels.
Best for: the must-see, history
Price: $ — roughly $31 booked online
Booking: Book online for a cheaper, timed ticket.
Best time: morning
Royal Mile
Walk · Old Town
The cobbled spine of the Old Town from the castle down to Holyrood, lined with closes and pubs.
Best for: a first walk
Best time: any time
Arthur's Seat
Walk · Holyrood Park
An extinct volcano in the middle of the city; a 45-minute climb for a view over everything.
Best for: the best free view
Price: free
Best time: sunrise or sunset
Heads up: Windy and slippery on top in bad weather.
Calton Hill
Viewpoint · east end of Princes Street
A short climb to monuments and the classic view down Princes Street and to the castle.
Best for: an easy sunset
Price: free
Best time: sunset
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Sight · bottom of the Royal Mile
The King's official residence in Scotland, with the ruined abbey behind it.
Best for: royal history
Best time: afternoon
National Museum of Scotland
Museum · Chambers Street
A huge free museum, from Dolly the sheep to Scottish history, with a rooftop terrace view.
Best for: a free rainy-day visit
Price: free
Best time: midday
Scottish National Gallery
Museum · The Mound
A free gallery of old masters and Scottish painting.
Best for: free art
Price: free
Best time: afternoon
Victoria Street
Walk · Old Town
A curved street of brightly painted shopfronts down to the Grassmarket.
Best for: photos, shops
Best time: morning
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Sight · Old Town
An atmospheric old graveyard famous for the loyal dog Greyfriars Bobby and Harry Potter-ish names on graves.
Best for: a quirky free stop
Price: free
Best time: afternoon
Dean Village and the Water of Leith
Walk · Dean Village to Stockbridge
A storybook former mill village on a river, with a riverside path to Stockbridge.
Best for: a quiet walk, photos
Price: free
Best time: morning
Princes Street Gardens
Garden · New Town
Gardens in the valley under the castle; a Christmas market in winter.
Best for: a sit in the sun, the castle view
Price: free
Best time: any time
The Real Mary King's Close
Activity · Royal Mile
A guided tour of 17th-century streets buried under the Royal Mile.
Best for: a spooky history tour
Booking: Book ahead; tours sell out.
Best time: afternoon
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Activity · top of the Royal Mile
Five floors of optical illusions and a rooftop camera obscura.
Best for: a fun group hour
Best time: afternoon
Portobello beach
Beach · Portobello (about 20 minutes by bus)
A long sandy city beach with a promenade.
Best for: a breezy beach walk
Best time: afternoon
Nights out in Edinburgh
Grassmarket pubs
Area · Grassmarket
An old market square under the castle lined with historic pubs.
Best for: a pub crawl
Best time: evening
Sandy Bell's
Live music · Forrest Road
A small pub with traditional folk music sessions most nights.
Best for: live trad music
Best time: evening
The Bow Bar
Pub · Victoria Street
A traditional pub with a long wall of whiskies and cask ales.
Best for: trying Scotch whisky
Best time: evening