Edinburgh Fringe fever: The Royal Mile is a mobile circus come festival season. Photo / Getty
Edinburgh Fringe fever: The Royal Mile is a mobile circus come festival season. Photo / Getty
Edinburgh is packed with things to see and do, so any whirlwind visit will need to be carefully planned. From the city's most famous landmarks to its hidden history via some of Edinburgh's best pubs and restaurants, here's a concise guide as compiled by the Daily Mail Online to 24 hours in the Scottish capital:
Marvel at the Gothic grandeur of the Scott Monument, by Waverly Station. Photo / Getty
10:00 Princes Street Gardens and Scott Monument
Whether you've travelled to Edinburgh by train or plane, you will almost certainly arrive in the city centre at or close to Waverley station, which stands between Edinburgh's Old and New Towns. Stretch your legs on arrival with a stroll through the colourful displays of Princes Street Gardens and marvel at the Gothic grandeur of the Scott Monument, built in honour of the great writer Sir Walter Scott and decorated with numerous scenes from his books. If you're feeling fit, climb the 287 steps to the top.
The spectacular neoclassical building that stands between Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument is the Scottish National Gallery, home to a fine collection of artworks from some of the biggest names in art history. Morning is one of the best times to explore these hallowed halls as it is often quieter, and you can contemplate the works of Raphael and Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh, and fine Scottish painters such as Wilkie, Raeburn and Ramsey in comparative peace. As well as the permanent exhibition, the Scottish National Gallery has a programme of temporary shows and events, so check the website for what's on during your visit.
1300: Lunch at the National Gallery
Depending on whether you are ready for a full meal or just a snack, there are two great lunch options at the Scottish National Gallery. The award-winning Scottish Café & Restaurant is right in the heart of Princes Street Gardens, and is devoted to contemporary Scottish cuisine using locally and regionally sourced ingredients. The Garden Café has a menu of sandwiches and light lunches which can also be bought to take away for a picnic in the gardens if the weather is on your side.
14.00: Edinburgh Castle
The most popular tourist attraction in the city is Edinburgh Castle, and for good reason. Standing on top of Castle Rock, this was a royal residence from the 12th century until 1633, and its prominent position dominates the city skyline and offers visitors fantastic views across Edinburgh and beyond. It's worth taking some time to step inside its walls where there's plenty to discover, including the Stone of and the Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in the UK. St Mary's Chapel inside the castle is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, and the exhibition spaces throughout help tell the story of this famous fortress.
Edinburgh Fringe fever: The Royal Mile is a mobile circus come festival season. Photo / Getty
1530: The Royal Mile
After exploring Edinburgh Castle, it's time for a wander along Edinburgh's most famous street. The Royal Mile links the castle at the top end with Holyrood Palace at the bottom, and as well as numerous shops, cafés and pubs along the route, you'll also be passing by some of the city's most famous buildings and attractions. Camera Obscura has been delighting visitors for over 150 years with its illusions, holograms and other visual effects that let you see the city in another light. Elsewhere on the Royal Mile, you can explore the grandeur of St Giles' Cathedral, the history of Scottish storytelling at John Knox House, and the abstract modernist architecture of the Scottish Parliament building.
The historic Holyrood Palace faces down Scottish parliament buildings at the easter end of Edinburgh. Photo / Getty
1630: Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Queen when she's in Edinburgh. You can explore the treasures to be found within the State Apartments, the dramatic ruins of Holyrood Abbey and the beautiful Palace Gardens. Other highlights of the Palace include the chambers of Mary Queen of Scots, probably the most famous of the Palace's historic residents, and the Great Gallery, lined with portraits of 95 kings and one queen, beginning with Fergus I, who founded Scotland in around about 330BCE. The wardens offer various tours including the State Apartments, gardens and abbey, so check the website for times.
1800: Dinner in the New Town
The elegant houses and planned streets of Edinburgh's New Town offer a contrast to the medieval Old Town on the opposite side of the station, and both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take a stroll before settling down for dinner at one of the many restaurants in the neighbourhood. The Café Royal is housed in a beautiful old Victorian bar, and its menu featuring seafood, steak and venison makes the best of fine Scottish produce. A little further to the north, The Ox has built a solid reputation as one of the top gastropubs in the city.
Crossing the Dean towards Edinburgh's New Town and splendid Georgian town houses. Photo / Getty
2000: Hidden history at The Real Mary King's Close
Edinburgh is famous for its tours focusing on the hidden history of the city, from macabre body snatchers to haunted places. One of the best is the guided tour through The Real Mary King's Close , a 17th-century lane that was bricked up and hidden for years until it was brought back to life as one of Edinburgh's most popular attractions. The tour will take you along the narrow close, meeting the characters who once called it home and hearing some of its stories, myths and legends.
Grassmarket is packed with bars and pubs, but beware ghosts! Photo / Getty
2100: Drinks at Grassmarket
Grassmarket is packed with bars and pubs. One of the best is The Last Drop, named after the final hanging to be held in the square and reputed to be haunted by the ghost of a small medieval girl. Beyond the spooky history, this is an atmospheric, traditional pub with a fine range of Scottish ales, a great selection of gins, and whiskies from all over Scotland.
Gateway to the highlands: Waverly Station sits at the heart of the city, alongside princes street. Photo / Getty
0900: Slap-up breakfast before it's time to leave
The timing of this depends on what time you went to bed, or whether you decided to power through and watch the sun come up from the summit of Carlton Hill or Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh's extinct volcano. Carlton Hill is the easier option, with an intriguing jumble of buildings at the top, including "Edinburgh's Folly", the unfinished National Monument of Scotland.
Climbing Arthur's Seat is a more strenuous undertaking, but the views across the city to the Firth of Forth beyond will make the two-hour round trip from Holyrood Palace well worth it, and it's a fine way to bring your trip to Edinburgh to a close.
Before you go, make time for one last culinary treat: a good old Scottish fry-up. The Broughton Deli is a short walk from Carlton Hill and has a number of options, from the classic cooked breakfast with black pudding and bacon, to pancakes, vegan breakfast burritos, granola and porridge. In the Old Town, the Edinburgh Larder is also well-known for its fry-up, as well as their toast and homemade jam.
