Edinburgh is Scotland’s breathtaking capital city with stunning architecture, plenty of natural landscapes, wonderful food and of course Scottish whisky! There is no place else like this beautiful city filled with a lot of gems. The place has a great ancient history, rich in culture and traditions. If you plan a visit to Edinburgh for just 2 days then scroll below and add all the major attractions into your Edinburgh itinerary! Check out now!
Blissful UK vacation for nature lovers
Edinburgh Itinerary: Day 1
1. Edinburgh Castle
Let’s start the fun 2-day tour in Edinburgh by visiting Scotland’s most iconic landmark, Edinburgh Castle! The castle sits atop the volcano and welcomes around 1 million visitors every year! Astounding isn’t it? St. Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest building in Scotland with an amazing history. This place is home to a variety of exhibitions and artefacts from Scottish history.
2. Whisky Tasting
Scotland and Whisky are the perfect matches! Scottish whisky is popular amongst many people. Have a whisky tasting tour, visit a shop or restaurant, and have a sensational experience. You will even go through the whisky creation process. You will also get to know why whisky from different parts of Scotland tastes different.
If you are not a fan of whisky then you can head to Edinburgh Chocolatarium. Here, you will know about the history of chocolate and even make some chocolate of your own. Taste different types of chocolates if you have a sweet tooth!
Also read –Culture Corner: The Edinburgh Experience in Scotland-Things to do in Edinburgh!
3. St. Giles’ Cathedral
The St Giles’ Cathedral is situated on the Royal Mile and is famous for its interior and exterior architecture. You can visit here and explore it with your loved ones. It is very much worth taking a little bit of time to see amazing attractions!
4. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura and World of illusions are some of the most fun attractions in the city. You will get to explore the series of interactive exhibits which focuses on optical illusions. To entertain the visitors there are holograms, a mirror maze, a vertigo-inducing tunnel, and all sorts of other optical illusions. Once you arrive here you just won’t want to leave this fun place!
Also read –THINGS TO DO IN STOCKBRIDGE, EDINBURGH: YOUR GUIDE
5. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
Most of the major attractions are along the Royal Mile. The ancient and lovely streets run from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace. It is the major square of the city and is filled with a variety of attractions! Buy some stunning souvenirs, eat tasty and local food, and visit pubs for local drinks. There are many gorgeous buildings, churches and monuments for you to explore! Also, take advantage of the many free museums such as the People’s Story Museum, the Museum of Edinburgh, the Museum of Childhood and the Writers Museum.
6. Calton Hill
By the end of the day, head up to Calton Hill as it offers wonderful views of the city! The hill is also filled with a series of monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland. There is also Nelson’s Monument and the Royal Observatory. The view of the sky becomes breathtaking at the time of sunset. There are ample rewards waiting for you to make climbing efforts worth it!
Also read –BEST VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN RESTAURANTS IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Itinerary: Day 2
1. Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace is on the Royal Mile and a perfect attraction to start the second day. The palace is also used for visiting dignitaries, other members of the royal family to stay. It is no doubt an amazing tourist attraction and is open daily!
2. Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament building is right over the road from Holyrood Palace. It is possible to visit the Scottish Parliament as part of a guided tour. You can even pop in yourself and see how everyone works there. It is free to visit and if you wish to watch a debate in the chamber then you will have to take a free ticket to enter!
3. Dynamic Earth
Want to visit something fun? Then visit Dynamic Earth. The science museum is right next to the Scottish Parliament building. Dynamic Earth tells the story of the history of the Earth and is a perfect place for science lovers. There is an emphasis on interactive and entertaining rides. This place has something for everyone including a time machine ride into the past, spaceship simulation, and so much more! This educational and fun experience is definitely worth checking out when you are in Edinburgh.
Also read –The Ultimate Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh
4. Arthur’s Seat
Climb an extinct volcano and have the best views of the city! Arthur’s Seat is just a few meters away from Holyrood Palace, the Parliament Building and Dynamic Earth. This 251-meter high peak offers spectacular views. Click tons of pictures and create a lifetime memory! The walk is easily manageable and not so tough and it starts right from the city centre.
Day Tours from Edinburgh
If you have a bit more time in Edinburgh or wish to have an entire day tour and explore the Scottish landscapes then there are plenty of day tour options available that you can take. Edinburgh is a pretty good base to explore much of Scotland. Check out the list of day tours given below –
- Alnwick Castle tour – (Harry Potter filming locations in the UK). It also includes the beautiful Scottish border region.
- Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle tour – The major highlights including the Trossachs and the Kelpies.
- St. Andrews tour – Explore the home of golf, and the cute fishing villages of Fife.
- Loch Ness, Glencoe and Whisky tasting.
- Loch Ness and the Highlands
Also read –A Scottish Sojurn – Best day trips from Edinburgh.
Wasn’t everything just amazing! There is a lot to do in Edinburgh so plan a trip to this wonderful Scottish city ASAP! Check out Pickyourtrail for the best deals on Edinburgh travel packages and have a wonderful trip at good prices. Here, you can also customise your United Kingdom itinerary according to your choices and preferences and have a tailor-made itinerary! See you soon!
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