3-Day Edinburgh Itinerary: Best of Scottish History & The Highlands
Edinburgh has always been high on my bucket list for many reasons, some of which include Harry Potter and those cute furry Scottish cows! My own preferences aside, it is a city full of history and charm, there is no doubt about that. If you only have a few days to explore, this itinerary will show you the best Edinburgh highlights, and a few hidden gems I found by making friends with locals.
Now to be sure, there are many things to do in and around Edinburgh. You’ll find famous sites like Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, as well as lovely walks down the Royal Mile and on Calton Hill on this itinerary. And let’s not forget the Highland cows! Scotland is famous for its furry cows, so I took a day trip up north to Loch Ness and Glen Coe, visiting a “coo” farm along the way – and my heart is now full! (Note: “Coo” is the Scottish term for “cow”.)
3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile & Old Town
MORNING: Start your day with a bang by visiting Edinburgh Castle. Perched atop an extinct volcano, this iconic landmark has been home to Scottish royalty for centuries. I highly recommend doing a Skip the Line Tour of the Castle for this one so you get history upfront.
The tour is nice because we skipped a super long queue at the gate, and the Castle is quite big with many things to visit inside – the tour helped me get the lay of the land, the history and effect of monarchs like Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth on Scotland’s history, and where the best-kept memorabilia of the Highland Militia is kept – full display of highland kilt history, old school guns, and propaganda posters. (I’m not usually into this stuff, but the exhibit was way cooler than I thought it would be!)
LUNCH: After exploring the castle grounds, take a stroll down the Royal Mile into Old Town to grab some lunch, and see some of the city’s most iconic buildings, including St. Giles Cathedral. My favorite little lunch spot was at the family-owned Scottish spot named Howie’s on Victoria Street, where I got the stew and the haggis (their specialty).
DID YOU KNOW: A “haggis” is the national dish of Scotland made using sheep lungs, hearts, and liver. Mixed with seasonings and encased in the sheep’s stomach, it’s stitched up, and boiled for a few hours. Then the little sausage-looking thing is served fresh to you with a side of mashed potatoes. (I thought it tasted a bit like pate, to be honest!)
AFTERNOON: Now I don’t usually recommend back-to-back tours, but I loved this vendor “Little Fish Tours” so much that I went for the Old Town Walking Tour in the afternoon, and learned all about the town of Edinburgh, what the heck is so special about Greyfrier’s Bobby and that little dog everyone pets, where JK Rowling got the inspiration for parts of Harry Potter.
PRO TIP: The Old Town tour also includes tons of local recommendations, like where all the judges in Scotland go and drink before passing laws (not kidding – it’s a hidden gem bar called the Jolly Judge!)
DINNER: Head down to the foodie port town of Leith, put on something nice, and have dinner at Chop House Leith. Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time, and get emotionally ready for the best-butchered meat of your trip. I had my steak with the chimichurri sauce, and a tall glass of wine, and I still have dreams about it.
OPTION: Before dinner, if the energy serves you and you love English royal things, go visit the Royal Yacht Brittania. It’s located in Leith, right where your dinner reservation is if you choose to go to Chop House. This was Her Royal Majesty The Queen’s floating palace and is quite magnificent, I hear. Try not to re-enact the iconic Titanic scene from the bow of the ship, I dare you!
Day 2: Arthur’s Seat, Palace of Holyrood & Whiskey Tasting
MORNING: Today I took it easy and had an early breakfast at The Edinburgh Larder mostly for the scones! I highly recommend making reservations unless you want to wait a few hours in line. Then, it was a museum sort of morning, so I headed over to pay a visit to the National Museum of Scotland (which is totally free by the way!) and review all the history I had learned from my walking tours yesterday.
DID YOU KNOW: The Unicorn is the official animal of Scotland. Yea, the mofo Unicorn! Yet another of a million reasons why I love the Scottish people.
LUNCH: I went a bit fancy because the afternoon was going to be a big walking adventure and headed from the museum to The Grain Store for an authentic Scottish meal. No haggis for me, but yes to the Beef Brisket! I don’t know if it was the chill in the air or the Texan in me, but I was very into the red meat on this trip – and Edinburgh has a lot of good beef.
AFTERNOON: Time to walk off all that cow! Head down the Royal Mile (which is slightly longer than a mile, good job Scotland!) to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If the Queen is not residing there when you visit, you can go in and be a tourist, walk the gardens and play around. Right nearby is the Queen’s Gallery, which I also loved – a good add-on after visiting the palace if you’re into old-school paintings of masters!
And then, my favorite part! Up the Scottish hill, I went into Holyrood Park and the Salisbury Crags. Bring some good walking shoes and plenty of water, the uphill journey will take about 1.5 hours… and it will be so worth it to see Edinburgh from the top! Your destination is Arthur’s Seat, the peak of the mountain.
OPTION: If you can make it to Calton Hill afterward without missing the Whiskey Tour, it’s only a short couple of steps up once you walk over. It’s nothing near as exhausting as Holyrood Park. For extra motivation, get an ice cream cone on the way there.
DINNER: Right after the hike, head back down the Royal Mile for a Whiskey Tour & Storytelling, which should start around 5 pm (remember that 18 and up are welcome to drink in Europe!). It’s ok if you are a bit disheveled from the walk… trust me, nobody cares, and I think this is why I love Edinburgh so much- zero pretension. Once you’re properly sloshed, ie. up to date on all the storytelling, a light dinner at the Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar for a fantastic beer, fries, and pub experience.
PRO TIP: And if you’re keen on some live music, check the lineup at Stramash. Don’t be intimidated by the big Scottish bouncers out front, I stayed at a hostel this night and went with my roommates… it was the most fun dancing I’ve had in a while. Heads up, they have Scottish Highland music Wednesday nights starting around 9 pm.
Day 3: Trip to the Highlands, Loch Ness & Scottish Coos
My last day was the best day – a full day trip to the Highlands. I picked a small group tour for Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and the Highlands because I dislike those big mega busses and I’m so happy I did!
We were a group of about 10 people, our guide was super informative about history and culture, and even played his favorite Scottish songs and bands along the road trip! AND we saw coo’s along the way, which really – was my favorite part outside of the stunning landscapes.
I feel like this was a teaser day for a future road trip I want to take from Edinburgh to the Isle of Sky and all around the Scottish Highlands – this area reminded me of my South Norway Road Trip in the best of ways!
Day Trips from Edinburgh
Malt Whiskey Distillery Day Tour [~ £46]
I love this day trip because it takes you out of Edinburgh to some of the best distilleries – so you get to experience a little bit of the highlands and non-city life. If you only have a couple of hours, go for the Storytelling and Whiskey tour in the city that I recommended as part of Day 2. I loved that one!
St. Andrews & Fife’s Fishing Villages [~ £50]
St. Andrews came recommended to me by many locals, and oddly also golf players. This should not have surprised me because anytime there are stunning views to be had, a gold course is always nearby! Anyway, I didn’t get to personally do this, but it’s on my list for next time. In fact, from the pictures, I might stay in St. Andrews for a few days the next time around.
Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Trip [~ £60]
[HIGHLY RECOMMEND]
This is the exact tour I took, rated one of the best, and I picked this one because it was a small van and group. There are cheaper options but those are on the big mega busses and those can be impersonal and frustrating to manage everyone. I absolutely loved this day trip, our stops, and the Scottish coo sightings!
PRO TIP: If I was to do this tour over again, I would skip the Loch Ness boat tour and just walk around the little city and get a casual lunch – it’s so picturesque. This is likely because I’ve done too many boat tours in my time, oops!
Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour with Accommodation [~ £370]
Quite honestly, if you want to ditch Edinburgh for your 3 days to head into the Scottish Highlands, I don’t blame you. This is likely the best deal when you consider you get a small group van, a guide that tells you all the history you could want, and a driver so you can sit in the back and sip on that wine you secretly poured into your water bottle, PLUS accommodations. Did I mention you’re not the one driving for miles?!
Edinburgh Itinerary: Where to Stay
Old Town (Royal Mile)
A great neighborhood for your first time in the city – this is actually where I stayed. It is a good area because all the main historic monuments are here, as well as most of the meeting points for all the Edinburgh tours.
It’s full of pubs, restaurants, little boutique stores selling Scottish trinkets, cobbled stones, and a whole lot of tourists. Sometimes it felt like everyone had a rolly suitcase with them – I can only imagine what it’s like in peak season when COVID is not a thing!
New Town (Princes Street)
This is a great neighborhood for pub life and nightlife, as it’s the city center. One night, I found myself on Rose Street, which is filled with back-to-back little pubs and dive bars, cafes, and little nooks to enjoy gin cocktails with friends. There are a lot of boutique and big hotels down Princes Street to choose from, and tons of shopping here too.
Leith (The Port)
This is where all the Michelin-rated restaurants are located, where the Queen’s Royal Yacht is parked, and in general, a foodie haven. There are many wonderful cocktail bars and twinkly lights over water in this area. But again, somehow Edinburgh manages luxury without pomp, which I appreciated. I would like to stay in this area the next time I plan a trip to Scotland.
Edinburgh Itinerary: How Many Days are Enough?
Is 1 day enough?
Honestly, no. BUT if you had 24 hours in this wonderful city, and if the weather was cooperating, I would prioritize the Skip the Line Tour of the Castle in the morning so you get history upfront.
Then walk down the Royal Mile towards Holyrood Park, grab lunch (haggis if you’re brave) at Howie’s on Victoria Street, and head for a little hike up to Arthur’s Seat to see Edinburgh from the top of the mountain (and walk off the haggis). Alternatively, if it’s raining, visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a residence of Her Royal Majesty the Queen (it’s as fancy as it sounds!).
For dinner, I would switch it up and make a reservation at The Grain Store for an authentic Scottish meal. If you’re still kicking by that time, do a little pub crawl in Old Town, and don’t forget the live music at Stramash.
Are 2 days enough?
Yes, 2 days is enough to just get a feel for the city and visit all of the major highlights – royal and boozy! Check out Day 1 and Day 2 of my little itinerary for my favorite things in Edinburgh.
Are 3 days enough?
I think 3 days is the sweet spot for sampling the city and the Highlands. Again, it’s a sampler so you know how to plan a week or two later on in life because if you’re like me, you will fall in love with Scotland.
I fell in love with the history of a fighting people, the underdog, a history of scrappy-ness, of hardship but also of immense hospitality. It’s a culture quick to a joke and quick to fight. A light-hearted but deep feeling people. And if you’re like me, these 3 days are enough to have you coming back.
Are 4 days too much?
No. In fact, with 4 or more days, I would consider taking the train from London and renting a car from Edinburgh to head straight into the Scottish Highlands for a couple of days. So if it’s your first time, I would spend a couple of days in Edinburgh enjoying some of the things on this itinerary, and then head north to the Isle of Skye, stopping to see Glen Coe, Ben Nives (the highest peak in Brittain), Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Inverness to name a few stops.
Just for kicks, check out rental cars from Edinburgh for a couple of days. I use Discover Cars to see and compare the best deals.
Compare Prices for Edinburgh at DISCOVER CARS here!
Edinburgh Itinerary: Travel Logistics & Getting There
How do I get to Edinburgh?
My favorite and cheapest way to do this Edinburgh itinerary would be by train. Check Omio and Lummo for the fastest trains. They usually take about 5 hours, and range from about £40-80 depending on how far in advance you purchase. If you don’t reserve a seat, which I never get so no worries, Coach C on the train is unreserved, and if you get there early enough, you can have a choice seat for the duration of your trip!
You can also rent a car and make it a road trip! Check Discover Cars for price compares from London and take it from there. The drive will take you 8 hours, so make sure you have some fun things to do to pass the time on the trip.
PRO TIP: If you’re keen on saving money, try the combo of train and rental car, meaning take the train up to Edinburgh and consider renting a car from there to explore Scotland. Just an idea because I love saving money – almost as much as I love saving time!
Of course, there’s always the option to fly, as it’s only a 1-hour flight. Check Skyscanner for the dates of your trip and see if anything works for you. If you’re flying the budget airlines, watch out for hidden bag fees – I swear, they sometimes charge extra if you need to go to the restroom!
Can you do a day trip from London to Edinburgh?
Technically yes, but consider the time it takes and the cost of each mode of transportation. It’s not something I would recommend for a leisurely visit, as it can take up to half a day just to get up to Edinburgh.
How do I get around Edinburgh?
Walking and those double-decker busses, which are actually the local busses – this is how I did it and it was the BEST! No need to rent a car or get crazy with expensive taxis.
Here is the bus map and website. But essentially, I used Google Maps to see the best walking or bus routes from place to place, then I looked for the right bus. Getting a ticket is as easy as ‘Tap tapping” your way to success. What this means is, that you can use your phone with Apple or Google Pay to just automatically tap and buy a ticket right on the bus – super easy and cheaper than buying a day pass.
Is Edinburgh a walkable city?
Yes, it’s a decently packed and small city, and thus super walkable. Just be mindful that there are a lot of hills and cobblestones – which add to the charm, and help work out the butt as you walk. 🙂
Edinburgh Itinerary: Favorite Spots to Eat & Drink
I’ve already mentioned that Leith near the port is the foodie haven neighborhood to be in. Apart from that, here are a few local gems, starting with the food and ending with the drinking holes.
- Howie’s Restaurant – This family-owned restaurant has a couple of locations, one in Old Town and one in New Town, and is ideal for traditional Scottish cuisine. It’s a local favorite, so I recommend making a reservation.
- The Edinburgh Larder – Fantastic scones and breakfast…. like wow! Reservation is a must.
- Salt Horse Beer Shop – Honestly, I stumbled over this little beer pub by accident and was pleasantly surprised by the staff’s knowledge and a large selection of craft brews.
- The Grain Store – Lovely for a nice Scottish meal, put on something cute and make it a date night.
- Alby’s Sandwich Shop – quirky, great vibes, quick delicious sandwiches
- The Chop House Leith – best steak of my trip here in Scotland. Highly recommend!
- Portabella Tap – Loved this pub, especially the good beer, and pub food.
- Nauticus – an upscale pub that also doubles as a cocktail bar – dreams do come true!
- The Hanging Bat – Great craft ales and microbrews.
- Devils Advocate – A whiskey bar like no other, tucked away in one of Edinburgh’s famous closes (ie. super small alleyways where people would use to dump their poop to flow downhill)
- Bramble– More upscale cocktail bar!
- The Jolly Judge – little, tucked in, great sours!
- The Last Drop – Touristy pub in Grassmarket, but historic because it would be the spot where people would get their last beer before being hung by the neck in the adjacent square. The things you learn on walking tours…
Edinburgh Itinerary: Top 10 Highlights
- My Day Trip to the Highlands, and seeing a Scottish furry coo.
- Edinburgh Castle Tour, and the Scottish Military Museum inside.
- Arthur’s Seat Hike
- The Chop House Restaurant and pub hopping afterward in Leith.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- The Royal Mile, and shopping for postcards and admiring the Scottish trinkets.
- Calton Hill for sunset.
- Stramash for some live music. I did make it for some Scottish bands, every Wednesday night!
- The Museum of Edinburgh because there’s always a rainy day in the forecast
- The local legend of Greyfriars Bobby and the loyalty of a good pupper.
Edinburgh Itinerary: Free Stuff To Do
- Museum of Scotland [Highly Recommend]
- The Writers Museum – contains works from Sir Walter Scott (Ivanhoe, Waverly, Lady of the Lake), Robert Burns (a poet), and Robert Stevenson (Treasure Island, Jekyll & Hyde)
- The Museum on the Mound – It’s “meh” in my opinion, but if you want to see the history of money in Scotland, including its oldest banknote, it’s free!
PRO TIP: To save money, and if you’re keen on visiting all of the Royal stuff like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus ticket, get this 2-Day Royal Edinburgh Pass. It saves you £15 in total on admission tickets.
I didn’t get this because I chose to do the small guided tours which include the admission tickets, and opted out of visiting the Royal Yacht – so it didn’t make as much sense for me. But it might for you!
Edinburgh Itinerary FAQ
Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Get out of here with this question – of course, it’s worth it! Not only is Edinburgh one of the oldest cities in Europe, older than Paris, Rome, and London – ALMOST as old as Athens itself – it’s also one of the more fun cities in Europe.
What is Edinburgh best known for?
The most iconic thing you’ll notice when visiting is the Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the city, sitting high atop an inactive volcano. You’ll also notice that the streets look a little like Diagon Alley from Harry Potter (and that’s because JK Rowling spent time writing her books here). And lastly, it’s known for the party, the festivals, the pubs, and the whiskey!
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Summer months like July and August are the warmest and busiest, but the best time to go. If you don’t mind a bit of chill in the air and you pack appropriately, see if you can swing going in June or September for a better bang for your buck.
August is by far the busiest and most expensive month as the city comes alive with festivals, mainly Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Festival. Check the Festival Schedule here.
What do I pack for this trip?
No matter when you go, there’s no denying that Edinburgh is north on the latitude of this earth. So it’s a bit chilly at all times. Pack some layers, definitely a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes/boots. I went in early June and it was still chilly enough to merit packing the winter wardrobe from my Comfy Outfits to Pack for a Trip.
Is Edinburgh expensive?
I didn’t think so, although the English Pound (£) is strong compared to my American Dollar checking account. I spent about £600 for the 3 days, including transport, tours, accommodations (I stayed in a nice hostel this time), and food.
That said, here are some average prices per person:
- Lunch: £15
- Dinner: £25-60 (depending on the fancy level)
- A Pint of Beer: £4
- Train to Edinburgh: £120 roundtrip
- Accommodation: £30 (Hostel), £100 (Airbnb)
Just for Fun: Movies to watch in prep for your trip!
- Braveheart – Which romanticizes the Highlanders of Scotland (thanks Mel Gibson!) but is completely historically inaccurate. Still a good watch!
- Trainspotting – A surprisingly more accurate movie describing a more modern-day rebelliousness spirit of Edinburgh’s low life and drug culture.
