Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland, is a city of stunning architecture,
fascinating history, and vibrant culture. Spending 48 hours in Edinburgh is a great
way to experience the best of what the city has to offer. In this video, we’ll give you some
ideas for a 48-hour itinerary that will help you make the most of your time in this lovely city!
The itinerary will be from morning until night, but of course it may need shuffling depending on
when you arrive to and depart from Edinburgh. And we will also offer some alternative suggestions! Let's go!
On Day 1, after some delicious breakfast, walk it off and get in some exercise by hiking
up to Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano that looms over Edinburgh. From the top,
you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and beyond. The climb is moderate in
difficulty and takes around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your fitness level and pace.
If climbing is not your forte, you could consider instead visiting Princes Street
Gardens, a picturesque green space in the heart of the city, or The Meadows,
another beautiful public park in the south of the city. If you’d like a smaller climb,
head to Calton Hill for lovely views of Edinburgh.
Next, head to the historic Edinburgh Castle, which 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!
As popular an attraction Edinburgh Castle is, and as
much as everyone says that you *must* visit the castle when you’re in Edinburgh,
we know that castles might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so don’t feel
pressured to go if you really don’t want to. A few alternatives to visiting the castle are:
The Scotch Whisky Experience, an interactive attraction that tells
you the story of how whisky in Scotland is made
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a fun attraction with more than five
floors of over 100 illusions, and may be especially fun if travelling with kids
And Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
After, head down to the Grassmarket via Victoria Street for some lunch. Victoria
Street is one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh and for good reason - its colourful
buildings are said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.
Grassmarket was historically a marketplace as well as a place of public executions. Now,
you’ll find a vibrant area with pubs, hotels, and local shops.
Now, go back to and walk along the Royal Mile and check out sites like Ramsay Garden,
St Giles’ Cathedral, and Dunbar’s Close Garden. Make sure you also pop behind
some of the wynds and closes, which are basically alleyways, off the Royal Mile!
After that, take a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close. Although this attraction isn’t always at
the top of people’s list of things to do in Edinburgh, we would highly recommend
this guided tour for the history and to help you understand Edinburgh’s Old Town better.
After some 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 all about it. However,
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, which are very interesting as well.
On Day 2, start your day by enjoying some breakfast in or near Edinburgh’s New Town.
After breakfast, visit the Scott Monument, which is dedicated to the famous Scottish author Sir
Walter Scott. You can climb to the top for breathtaking views of the city.
After, take a stroll through Princes Street Gardens and enjoy the beautiful views of
Edinburgh Castle. Make sure to check out the likes of Gardener’s Cottage,
Wojtek the Soldier Bear Memorial, and Ross Fountain.
If the weather is unfavourable for being outside, you can consider:
Shopping at the new St James Quarter, on George Street, or Multrees Walk
Visiting the Scottish National Gallery on The Mound,
which has a large collection of Scottish and international art
Or visiting the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street,
which showcases portraits of famous Scottish figures through history.
After some lunch in New Town, head to the National Museum of Scotland, which is home
to a vast collection of artefacts that tell the story of Scotland’s history, culture,
and people. Some highlights include the stuffed body of Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal,
and the Millennium Clock, which combines art and science to depict the passage of time.
Other places that you can consider visiting include:
Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which shows the history of medicine, surgery, and pathology
Or the Royal Botanic Garden, one of the finest botanical gardens in the world
and which offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
After dinner, catch a show at one of the city’s iconic theatres, such as Edinburgh
Playhouse or Festival Theatre. Alternatively, get some laughs at The Stand Comedy Club,
which hosts regular comedy nights featuring both up-and-coming and established comedians.
And finally, finish the night by visiting some of Edinburgh’s many pubs and bars.
If you’d like more detailed information on this itinerary and its alternatives,
including a few restaurant and tour recommendations,
then be sure to check out our accompanying blog post, which you’ll find in the description below.
We also have lots of other Edinburgh videos, which you’ll also find in the description below.
We hope this gave you some ideas for your trip to Edinburgh! If you have any questions about
Edinburgh, let us know in the comments below and we’ll be happy to help! Please give this
video a like, subscribe to our channel, and we’ll see you in the next video!
On Day 2, - I can't see it.
- Come closer! - *laughs*
Princes Street Gardens, ugh
I don't wanna film today.
a vast collection of artefacts that tell you the story of hot, Scotland
After some lunch in -
That's it! *laughs*