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Edinburgh is a beautiful city, filled to the brim with historical sights and charming buildings. I am lucky enough to have visited a few times now- and I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly every time. It’s a great city to explore, whether you want to dive into the history, or just enjoy the sights and culture. I’ve put together this itinerary with what I think is the perfect 3 days in Edinburgh.
3 Days in Edinburgh: Day 1
On day one, I would advise exploring the area of the Royal Mile- the hub for tourists in Edinburgh.
Stop 1: Edinburgh Castle
The first stop is Edinburgh Castle. Located at the end of the Royal Mile, this is Edinburgh’s most popular attraction. The castle was first built in 1103, and is incredibly well preserved. I would recommend buying tickets in advance– especially if you are visiting in the summer. I visited in June this year, and we arrived at the castle around 11am, to be told it was already sold out for the day! Luckily I had visited on a previous trip to Edinburgh.
Stop 2: The Royal Mile
This isn’t exactly one stop, but after you exit Edinburgh Castle, you will find yourself on the Royal Mile. This street is packed with souvenir shops, restaurants, and historic buildings and monuments (don’t miss St Giles’ Cathedral!). You could easily spend two hours exploring this area. This is also a great spot to grab lunch!
Stop 3: Victoria Street
A very short walk from the Royal Mile (about 2 minutes) is Victoria Street. This stop is for the Harry Potter fans- this street is said to have inspired Diagon Alley! Even if you are not a fan of Harry Potter, you won’t regret getting a glimpse of this absolutely charming street.
Stop 4: Real Mary King’s Close
Real Mary King’s Close is an underground tour that will you some incredible insight into the history of Edinburgh, especially the years of the Bubonic Plague. This tour is also located on the Royal Mile, making it a convenient stop. I would recommend booking tickets in advance for this tour as well.
Stop 5: A Pub
After a long day of sightseeing, you will probably be hungry. Edinburgh has a really cool culture around pubs, and there are so many to choose from! I would recommend spending your evening relaxing at one of the many available.
3 Days in Edinburgh: Day 2
On your second day in Edinburgh, you will explore the New Town.
Stop 1: National Museum of Scotland
The first activity for today is the National Museum of Scotland. This incredible museum is free, and explores natural history, cultural history, and more. And it is housed in an absolutely stunning building! You could easily spend a couple hours here.
Stop 2: Afternoon Tea
Instead of getting a normal lunch, I would recommend going for afternoon tea- an essential experience when visiting the UK. I went to the Georgian Tea Room at The Dome, and I absolutely loved it. The tea was fabulous, and we were served plenty of sandwiches and desserts to go with it. The Dome is about a 15 minute walk from the museum- and I promise you will see lots of beautiful sights along the way.
Stop 3: Explore Princes Street
Right near The Dome is Princes Street- one of the main shopping streets in Edinburgh. This is a great place to spend some time looking around in the shops, and appreciating the architecture.
Stop 4: Scot Monument
One particularly interesting stop on Princes Street is the Scot Monument- you won’t be able to miss its unique form towering over the street. It’s definitely worth finding a good spot to get a good view and some pictures.
Stop 5: Princes Street Gardens
Finally, stop in Princes Street Gardens- a beautiful oasis on Princes Street. Depending on the time of year (AKA how the weather is behaving), this is a great place to sit down and relax for while!
3 Days in Edinburgh: Day 3
Your last day in Edinburgh will take you out into the great outdoors.
Stop 1: Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is a hill overlooking Edinburgh, and a very popular hike. Although somewhat steep, the hike is not too challenging (you should be able to complete a round trip in about 2 hours), and you will be rewarded with stunning views at the top.
Stop 2: Lunch in The Old Town
Although the Royal Mile is located in Old Town, there is so much more of Old Town to see! After climbing Arthur’s seat, I would recommend exploring Old Town and finding a cute pub or restaurant to have lunch.
Stop 3: Dean Village
Next we’re heading to the other side of the city (only about a 20 minutes away by bus) to visit Dean Village. Dean Village is one of the most scenic areas in Edinburgh (in my opinion). This charming village has a stream flowing through it, and it lined with stunning historic buildings. It is a lovely place for a stroll, and to take some beautiful photos.
Stop 4: Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
Nearby Dean Village in Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. This is another great place for a walk, and to learn about a variety of plant species.
Stop 5: Whiskey or Gin Tasting
If you drink, you probably know that whisky is big in Scotland. I was surprised to learn that gin is also very popular in Edinburgh, and there were a few local distilleries- I enjoyed some gin at 56 North. A great way to spend the last evening of your trip is to indulge in a tasting! There are many whisky tours/tastings and gin tastings available!
So there you have it- in my opinion, a perfect 3 days in Edinburgh! If you are planning a long weekend in Edinburgh, I think this would be the perfect itinerary to give you an overview of the city. I hope this helps you plan your next adventure- happy travelling!
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