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Is it even possible to see the best of Edinburgh in just three days? Absolutely!
And with our epic 3-day Edinburgh itinerary, you won’t just scratch the surface, either. After exploring the city multiple times, we’ve come up with an itinerary that will take all the guesswork out of your trip.
With walkable routes, well-timed tours, and food stops you’ll dream about long after you leave, you’re in for the perfect Edinburgh experience. So whether you’re here for the castles, the kilts, or the cozy cafes, our guide will help you to make the most of every moment. Let’s get into it!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal favorite activity was this guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. Our knowledgeable guide brought centuries of history to life, from Mary Queen of Scots to wartime secrets, and afterward, we had plenty of time to explore the sprawling castle grounds on our own.
- Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
- Day 1
- Day 2
- Breakfast – The Milkman
- Morning – Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard
- Mid-morning – Take a food tour
- Mid-afternoon – St Mary’s Street and the Museum of Edinburgh
- Late afternoon – Discover Edinburgh’s underground history
- Evening – Explore New Town
- Dinner – Dishoom Edinburgh
- After dinner drinks – The Cauldron Edinburgh
- Day 3
- OR
- Dinner – Bertie's Proper Fish & Chips
- Where to Stay in Edinburgh
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Travel Like a Local, Not a Target.
- Travel Like a Local, Not a Target.
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Day 1
Breakfast – MUMS Great Comfort Food
Scotland is famous for its comfort food, so MUMS Great Comfort Food is the clear choice for breakfast this morning. It’s a popular cafe that serves authentic Scottish food, and we highly recommend setting yourself up for the day with their traditional Scottish breakfast. It even includes haggis which, as we all know, is a must-try when in Edinburgh!
MUMS opens at 9 am, and it’s just a 7-minute walk to the meeting point for this morning’s castle tour, which starts at 10 am. I recommend getting there right as they open so you have time to enjoy a hearty breakfast before a big day of exploring the city.
Morning – Visit Edinburgh Castle with a guide
Personally, I think that Edinburgh Castle is one of the best I’ve ever visited. You certainly can’t miss the chance to explore it while you’re in the city. After all, it’s visible from almost everywhere!
I recommend booking this guided tour for 10 am as the castle is less busy in the morning. Having said that, you can always swap the morning and afternoon activities if necessary.
Either way, the tour lasts for about 1.5 hours and includes skip-the-line entry which is a HUGE bonus, as the castle is easily Edinburgh’s most popular attraction. When we went, our guide, Tommy, taught us a ton about the castle’s history, going all the way back to the reign of King David I in the 12th century.
We especially loved visiting the Great Hall, as well as the Chapel of St. Margaret, and the Royal Palace. Meanwhile, the views over the city were absolutely epic. And we’re not the only ones who had a great time—check out 3,400+ glowing reviews here!
We were absolutely rapt throughout our visit, and we didn’t want the tour to end! But when it did, we were free to carry on exploring the castle and grounds by ourselves. In fact, we were still here when the famous 1 o’clock gun went off at (surprise, surprise) 1 pm. It’s definitely worth waiting for!
Book your Edinburgh Castle tour here, before it sells out!
Afternoon – Wander along the Royal Mile
You can’t visit Edinburgh without exploring its famous Royal Mile (or Royal 1.6 km if you’re used to the metric system!). It starts at the base of Edinburgh Castle and stretches all the way down to Holyrood Palace. We’ve lined up some unmissable stops for you here, but of course, feel free to check out whatever catches your eye along the way. There’s a lunch stop, too.
The Writers’ Museum
Just a three-minute walk from the entrance of Edinburgh Castle, the Writers’ Museum is a must-visit for literature fans. It’s a free museum housed in a historic 17th-century house, and it celebrates the three giants of Scottish literature: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
St. Giles Cathedral
This stunning cathedral is definitely worth a stop! It’s a five-minute walk from the castle and admission is free, although donations are recommended. You can even join a guided tour at 10:30 am or 2:30 pm. But if you don’t make either of those times, audio tours are available, too.
The Haggis Box
As I mentioned earlier, you’ve simply got to try haggis while you’re in Edinburgh! We weren’t too sure we’d like it at first but we were actually surprised by how tasty it is. And the Haggis Box is the place to go to try this famous savory pudding—they even have veggie and vegan versions! This super friendly spot is just 5 minutes from St. Giles Cathedral, and we enjoyed some delicious haggis and neeps with an amazing whiskey sauce.
John Knox House
This local history museum was once the home of a famous Protestant reformer. It’s open from 10 am until 6 pm, and costs £7 to enter, which is well worth it if you’re interested in Scottish history. We suggest spending 30–45 minutes here!
Holyrood Palace
Admittedly, Edinburgh Castle is much more impressive than Holyrood Palace, but if you’re interested in the monarchy, then this is a great way to end the afternoon. The palace is a 12-minute walk from John Knox House, and you’ll need about 2–3 hours to explore it fully. Entry costs £21 if you book in advance or £25 on the day.
Dinner – The Devil’s Advocate
The Devil’s Advocate is a lovely gastropub situated inside an old Victorian pump house, right near Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. They serve sophisticated Scottish cuisine here. The menu is small, but everything on it is insanely good, from the roast Scottish salmon to the Venison with new potatoes, heck, even the burgers are incredible. Plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk from our next stop: whisky tasting!
Evening – Scottish whisky tasting
Tasting whisky is an absolute must in Edinburgh, and this 90-minute whisky tasting is one of the finest in the city. You can book it at either 5:30 pm or 8 pm, depending on when you’d like to eat dinner, as it’s very close to the Devil’s Advocate restaurant.
This tasting takes place in an atmospheric underground vault, and you’ll sample four whiskies from different Scottish regions. We loved discovering how each one had its own flavor profile and backstory, and we learned all about the different whisky-producing regions.
Eleanor, our whisky expert guide, was super friendly and we also got to know our fellow travelers as we sipped our way through Scotland. We think that this is the perfect way to cap off a fun first day in Edinburgh, and the hundreds of 5-star reviews seem to agree with us!
Book this whisky tasting here and sip your way through Scotland’s finest!
Day 2
Breakfast – The Milkman
We don’t recommend eating a big breakfast this morning because we’ve got a big food tour coming up, and you don’t want to ruin your appetite! However, this cute and cozy cafe is perfect for a coffee and a pastry. Get here as early as you’d like and remember that it’s just a 9-minute walk over to Greyfriars Kirkyard, our next stop.
Morning – Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard
Get to Greyfriars Kirkyard at around 9:45 am and spend about 1.5 hours exploring this historic graveyard. This renowned site was a gift from Mary Queen of Scots to the people of Edinburgh, and it’s home to some of the finest 17th and 18th-century stone carvings and monuments in Scotland. Plus, it’s said to have been the inspiration for several of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter characters, so fans of the books and movies can see how many names they recognize.
Mid-morning – Take a food tour
Scottish cuisine is famously unique, so booking this food tour is a must while you’re in the city! In fact, this food tour was my favorite thing that we did in Edinburgh. It meets at 12 pm outside St Giles’ Cathedral, which is a 7-minute walk from Greyfriars Kirkyard. Be sure to bring your appetite!
Our guide, Joanne, was incredible and taught us so much about Scottish cuisine. She gave us the full local experience, and we saw so much of the city as we walked around, including the Scott Monument and Arthur’s Seat!
But even more importantly, we had an absolute blast trying local delicacies with Joanne and the rest of our small group. We got to eat haggis, neeps, and tatties, and there was an awesome secret dish, but we won’t spoil that surprise for you! I will say that I loved the Scotch whisky tasting, and having handmade fudge for dessert was a real treat, too.
We also got an incredible afternoon tea with scones, jam, and clotted cream, not to mention the biggest hot chocolate ever. Every restaurant we visited was unique and authentic, and didn’t feel touristy in the slightest. So if you want to eat and drink like a true Scot, this is most definitely the tour for you. I would recommend it to absolutely anyone!
Check out hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this food tour here!
Mid-afternoon – St Mary’s Street and the Museum of Edinburgh
After your food tour ends on St Mary’s Street, take some time to explore this UNESCO-listed gem. It’s packed with charm and history, so it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll between tours. If you’ve got a bit of time to spare, the Museum of Edinburgh is just a 5-minute walk away and absolutely worth a visit. It’s a great spot to dive deeper into the city’s fascinating past before your next adventure!
Late afternoon – Discover Edinburgh’s underground history
This spooky ghost tour of Edinburgh is a super entertaining way to discover more of the city’s fascinating history. You can book it for 4 pm or 5 pm, and it meets at Mercat Cross, which is less than a 10-minute walk from both the Museum of Edinburgh and St Mary Street.
Honestly, this tour is one of the most entertaining things we’ve ever done in the city. We always enjoy ghost tours and have done more than our fair share of them on our travels, but this one really took the biscuit, as the Scots would say!
The stories on this tour were among the darkest and most gruesome we’ve heard—think murder, torture, and body snatching. Our guide, Marie, was nothing short of fantastic, and we really admired her acting and storytelling. She definitely had our spines tingling as we descended into the Blair Street Underground Vaults, which are a must-see Edinburgh attraction.
These hidden chambers were once used for storage by local merchants, but they were quickly abandoned because they were too damp. Once they were abandoned, Edinburgh’s crooks and criminals wasted no time in moving in, and some say that their souls still inhabit these creepy vaults. It was pretty scary down there, but a very cool experience nonetheless!
After the vaults, Marie took us to the Royal Mile, where we explored some of the lesser-known closes and wynds, and heard yet more grim tales from Edinburgh’s past. This tour definitely made us see this usually charming city in a whole new light. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer in the supernatural, I can almost guarantee that it will give you some serious chills.
Grab your spot on this spooky underground tour here, with FREE cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Evening – Explore New Town
Wrap up your day by exploring Edinburgh’s elegant New Town. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, I suggest heading up Calton Hill for a stunning sunset view over the city. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the end of the underground tour and takes about 20 minutes to climb.
After that, take your time wandering through some of the area’s most picturesque spots. Don’t miss Circus Lane, which is a photographer’s dream, and the beautiful riverside oasis that is Dean Village. While you’re here, be sure to visit St. Bernard’s Well and the peaceful Water of Leith Weir. It’s so nice to experience a quieter side of this beautiful city!
Meanwhile, the beautiful Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens is also well worth checking out. This is a lovely public park with lots of statues and monuments to see. We like exploring it on a summer evening!
Dinner – Dishoom Edinburgh
Okay, I know this is Indian food, but after all of the hearty Scottish food yesterday and today’s big food tour, I figured you might need to change things up a little! Plus, Dishoom offers lots of small plates, which are perfect for a lighter dinner.
Dishoom is actually a chain that began in London and has exploded in popularity all over the UK, so it’s definitely worth trying while you’re here. It’s also just a 12-minute walk from the endpoint of the underground tour, and it’s close to all of the top sights in the New Town, so it’s a convenient place to eat tonight, too.
After dinner drinks – The Cauldron Edinburgh
The Harry Potter books were famously born right here in Edinburgh, so get into the magical spirit with this spellbinding cocktail experience! We had so much fun donning wizard robes and using wands to mix bubbling drinks in our very own cauldron. You can just go for magic-themed cocktails if you prefer, but we definitely recommend booking the potion-making experience because it’s such a unique thing to do.
Related Read: Off to Glasgow next? Here are the 7 best things to do in Glasgow to help you plan your trip!
Day 3
Breakfast – Grab on the go!
This morning, I recommend grabbing breakfast near your hotel. We’ve got two early tour options, but both meet by the Edinburgh bus station, so pick up something quick before you go.
Visit Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands
The Scottish Highlands are world-famous for their epic beauty, but it can be difficult to explore them properly from Edinburgh, especially in just one day. Fortunately, this full-day tour makes it super easy and, better still, it offers the chance for you to go and try to spot the Loch Ness Monster for yourself.
The tour meets at the Edinburgh Bus Station at 7:45 am, but trust me, it’s worth the early start. It didn’t feel like a generic shared tour at all. It was a small group experience that really felt like exploring the Highlands with a few friends! Our guide, Swain, was fantastic and made us laugh throughout the day with his dad jokes.
The roads in the highlands are super narrow and windy, so we both remarked how glad we were to have a professional take care of the driving for us. They even made a few surprise stops along the way, including at a filming location for Skyfall and the beautiful Pattack Falls.
We especially loved stopping at Glencoe to admire the mountains and the rugged landscape. We had seen photos of the area previously, but trust me when I say that nothing compares to seeing this place in person! We also passed through Cairngorms National Park, and I swear, every twist and turn of the road revealed yet another postcard-like landscape. It was one of the most epic journeys we have ever made!
Then, we continued on to Fort Augustus, where we took a boat ride across Loch Ness. Sadly, we didn’t manage to spot Nessie herself, but we still loved every moment of cruising across the loch, enjoying the views of the dramatic surrounding scenery. No wonder this tour has over four thousand 5-star reviews!
Honestly, we truly cannot say enough good things about this tour. It was an epic adventure and one of the absolute best things we could possibly have done in Edinburgh! The Scottish Highlands should be on everyone’s bucket list, so don’t miss the chance to tick it off while you’re here.
Book this small-group Highlands tour here and enjoy FREE 24-hour cancellation!
OR
Optional day trip: St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife
If you’re in Edinburgh as part of a big Scotland trip and are planning on visiting the Highlands later on, then don’t worry, because we’ve got the perfect alternative for you. This day trip to St Andrews and Fife is so much fun. It departs from the bus station at 9:45 am, and it’ll have you back in the city around 6:15 pm.
This tour began with a crossing over the famous Forth Bridge and we made our first stop of the day in Anstruther Harbour, a small fishing village where we enjoyed a scenic walk along the waterfront.
Then, it was on to St. Andrews. In case you haven’t heard, Prince William and Princess Kate famously fell in love at the prestigious university in this tiny but very historic town. It’s also home to the world’s oldest golf course! We also had some free time to explore here, which I really appreciated. Definitely check out St. Andrews Cathedral as well.
Then in the afternoon, we drove through the gorgeous Fife countryside towards Falkland, a Scottish village that sits at the foot of the Lomond Hills. We loved exploring the old cottages, winding streets, and visiting the Falkland Palace, although we should note that this is closed during the winter. It’s worth seeing, but no worries if you’re visiting during November and February, because exploring Falkland is still a lovely experience without touring the castle.
This day trip was a truly epic experience, and we loved diving deeper into Scotland’s history and culture. Scotland is such a beautiful country, and we’re so glad that we got to see some more of it on this tour! It’s the ideal alternative to visiting the Highlands.
We were also so impressed by the price. You just can’t go wrong at around £60 for a full-day tour! This is the perfect day trip for budget travelers, although to us, it felt more like a VIP experience.
Check out all the details and book this top-rated tour here!
Dinner – Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips
Of course, fish and chips are a must when visiting the UK! And Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips is a beloved chippy that’s just a 15-minute walk from the bus station, where the tour ends. Stretching your legs will probably be welcome after sitting on a bus for so long, but you could also get the 23, 9, or 27 bus there, or catch a cab or Uber for a quick 6-minute ride to the restaurant.
We love the cod and chips here, and they do amazing Scotch eggs. And if you’ve ever wanted to try one of Scotland’s famous (or should that be notorious?) deep-fried Mars Bars, now’s your chance!
Related Read: If you like this guide, check out our 3-day itinerary for London, a step-by-step guide on what to do in the city!
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
Now that you’ve planned your perfect itinerary for Edinburgh, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! Whether you want castle views, charming historic rooms, or a modern stay, there are a lot of choices.
That’s why we’ve narrowed down our top three options for those looking for a luxury stay, a mid-range hotel, or a budget option!
Luxury – $$$
The Balmoral Hotel is located in Old Town Edinburgh, and while some rooms have castle views, it almost looks like a castle itself! This historic hotel is outfitted in marble, luxury finishes, and ornate details. You can enjoy the spa or fine dining restaurant on site, or you’re steps away from Edinburgh’s top sights.
Rooms are priced starting at £400 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Indigo is another historic hotel, centrally located in Old Edinburgh and conveniently near the top city sights. Some rooms have views of the castle, but all rooms are furnished in a modern and comfortable design. You can choose between a queen room or upgrade to a king suite.
Rooms start around £150 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Point A Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket is a comfortable stay without breaking the budget! Located in the Haymarket area, you are close to the University of Edinburgh and other top sights, and also close to the train to reach the city center. Rooms are all private and cozy, and you have access to shared areas in the hotel. Prices start around £100 per night.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all the hotels in Edinburgh here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Three days might not feel like enough for a city as rich as Edinburgh, but trust us, this itinerary packs in all the best bits (and a few hidden gems we’ve come to love). From castle views to cozy cafes, we designed this plan to make your time in the Scottish capital truly unforgettable.
If this is just the beginning of your UK adventure, we’ve got you covered. Check out our other UK travel blogs here—or scroll down for a few hand-picked favorites to help you plan what’s next!
10 BEST Things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland