24 Hours in Edinburgh: Itinerary Ideas

Edinburgh is a city with a rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you only have 24 hours in Edinburgh, then you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’ll take you through a sample 24-hour itinerary that will allow you to experience some of the best that Edinburgh has to offer.

We are going to plot out the itinerary from morning until night, but of course it may need shuffling depending on when you arrive to and depart from Edinburgh. This itinerary will be especially packed to help you get the most out of your short stay in Edinburgh. And we will also offer some alternative suggestions along the way!

This blog post is accompanied by our YouTube video on itinerary ideas for 24 hours in Edinburgh! Be sure to check it out!

09.00 - Start the day off right with some delicious breakfast. Some places that you can consider include:

• The Edinburgh Larder Cafe (Blackfriars Street)

• The City Cafe (Blair Street)

• Mimi’s Little Bakehouse (Canongate, Royal Mile)

• Deacon’s House Cafe (Brodie’s Close, off the Royal Mile)

10.00 - Walk off your breakfast with a stroll along Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Check out Ramsay Garden, Advocate’s Close, St Giles’ Cathedral, and more. You can check out our blog post featuring the Royal Mile for more ideas on things to see. Be sure also to pop behind some of the wynds and closes, which are basically alleyways, off the Royal Mile!

11.00 - Head to the historic Edinburgh Castle. This iconic landmark sits atop Castle Rock overlooking the city and is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. Be sure also to stay for the shooting of the One o’Clock Gun!

Edinburgh Castle’s website offers several itineraries, depending on how long you’d like to visit for. Because the castle is quite big, to properly explore the different parts, allow from a few hours up to half a day.

As popular an attraction Edinburgh Castle is, we know that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so here are a few alternatives to visiting the castle:

• The Scotch Whisky Experience, an interactive attraction that tells the story of how whisky in Scotland is made

• Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a fun attraction offering over five floors of over 100 illusions, and may be especially fun if travelling with kids

• Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland

• National Museum of Scotland, a free museum featuring collections relating to Scottish history, science and technology, natural history, and more

13.30 - Head down to the Grassmarket via Victoria Street for some lunch. Some suggestions include:

• The White Hart Inn

• The Last Drop

• Maggie Dickson’s

• Cold Town House, which has great views of Edinburgh Castle

With its colourful buildings, Victoria Street is one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh and claims to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

Once you reach Grassmarket, you’ll find a vibrant area with pubs, hotels, and local shops. Historically, Grassmarket was a marketplace as well as a place of public executions.

15.30 - Take a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close. This attraction is not often at the top of people’s list of things to do in Edinburgh, especially if they’re short on time, but we would highly recommend this tour for the history and to help you understand Edinburgh’s Old Town better.

During the 1-hour guided tour, you get to visit, indeed, the real Mary King’s Close, which is now hidden under Edinburgh City Chambers.

17.00 - Head to Calton Hill to catch the sunset over the city. From the top of the hill, you’ll have stunning views to Edinburgh Castle, Old and New Towns, Arthur’s Seat, and the Firth of Forth.

Two areas that offer great views on Calton Hill are:

1. From the Dugald Stewart Monument, the circular temple with nine columns, looking out to Edinburgh Castle and the rest of the city

2. In front of the Nelson Monument, the tall, skinny circular tower that is meant to resemble an upturned telescope, with views out to Princes Street and the Balmoral Hotel in New Town, and which looks exceptional at sunset

18.00 - Now, it’s time for some dinner! You’re spoiled for choice in Edinburgh, with a variety of options to suit all budgets. Some of our suggestions include:

• The Royal Mile Tavern (High Street, Royal Mile) (currently temporarily closed due to a fire)

• Angels with Bagpipes (High Street, Royal Mile)

• The Cellar Door (George IV Bridge)

• The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage (Calton Hill)

20.00 - After dinner, take a ghost tour of the city. Edinburgh is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the world, and a ghost tour is a great way to learn about the city’s spooky history. Many companies offer ghost tours, including:

• Mercat Tours, which offers several different ghost tours

• City Explorers, which offers a free tour, but you will of course be expected to tip at the end of the tour

• The Ghost Bus Tours, which is a comedy-horror theatre experience on wheels

If you’d rather not be scared, there are other evening walking tours that might be of interest. South Bridge in Old Town has a series of chambers that are called the Edinburgh Vaults or South Bridge Vaults. If you are interested in exploring more about the vaults, we can highly recommend the Historic Underground tour by Mercat Tours.

22.00 - End your night with a drink at one of Edinburgh’s many bars or pubs. There is no shortage of bars and pubs in Edinburgh, and here are just a few suggestions:

• The Devil’s Advocate (Advocate’s Close, off the Royal Mile)

• The World’s End (High Street, Royal Mile)

• Sandy Bell’s (Forrest Road)

• Whistlebinkies (South Bridge)

Edinburgh is a city that truly has something for everyone. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene, it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular tourist destination. We hope this gave you some ideas for your trip to Edinburgh, and let us know if you have any questions in the comments!

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