Recommendations :
For great views of the city from above , I would recommend calton hill where you can see the Nelson monument ,
national monument and cemetery grounds all in one campus on the hilltop. It offers great panoramic views of the city .
Further on lies Arthur’s seat. I would recommend this only for those who can ensure a 2 hour trek up and down.
Certainly Not for children , elderly or those with limitations or special needs as it’s a mountain path and not paved or
stained. Once atop of course you get amazing views of the city on the one side , the ocean on the other and meadows
on the third covered in yellow thistle.
The ocean drive offers great views of the channels , waterways , and there’s also an old lighthouse called new tavern
lighthouse at the end of the road that goes along the coast. An evenings walk around the ocean front is a good idea.
Spring is a great season to visit - a good combination of cloudy and sunny. And not too cold temperatures . However
it could rain at anytime so good to carry appropriate wear or an umbrella. Keep your cameras ready at all times as
sometimes the most beautiful views of the city may be the least expected. Weather in Scotland can change rapidly
so always be prepared for rain and cold winds.
Getting around
Edinburg’s a walkers paradise . Taxis are available although expensive. Use the bus or trams is you need to. I would
recommend the hop on hop off bus which costs about 15 pounds but takes you all major attractions which you can do
at your own pace for the day.
Staying
Hotels within the core areas of the city can be expensive . Instead hotels located on the outskirts can be cheaper but
at the cost of traveling to and fro. Try and find hotels within the city which are more reasonable . Bed and breakfast
type places are generally cheaper than the star hotels.
Eating
Cafe’s are generally expensive. It’s common to spend at least 10 pounds for a decent meal and a non alcoholic drink.
Eat at malls or food courts for cheaper deals and options. Or there are chain restaurants that are typically a bit
cheaper.
Shopping
Edinburgh isn’t one of those places you can really do “on a budget” as rates are pretty standard everywhere in the
city and maybe a bit more expensive at the airport . Shop for souvenirs at Royal mile , high street or old town area.
Tartan shops are available widely and make for a good souvenir.
The hop on hop off tours come highly recommended. There are many operators - some offer live commentary others
offer audio. Either way , they serve as a great mode to get around the city and visit all the important points of interest.
Besides being open top , if the weather permits , you can take great pictures while in transit. Stop at Edinburgh castle
, hollyrood distillery , palace of hollyrood and others. Some attractions are free , others are paid. The national museum
of Scotland is free and offers a fantastic collection where you can spend about an hour. Edinburgh castle is a must do
, for his sheet majesticism and history it has to offer. It takes a minimum of 1.5-2 hours to see the entire castle. It’s preferable
to take an Audio guide so you can listen while you explore. Note the following
Castle tickets need to be bought online in advance , so reserve early. Castle inside is worth exploring if you have 2
hours to spare. There’s an exclusive gift shop within the premises , although a bit pricey . Photography is prohibited in
many areas within the castle
Palace of hollyrood house is closed on certain weekdays
If traveling with family / kids , dynamics earth and the museum of childhood and national museum of Scotland make for
good visits. Get off at Lothian road to see the old town and dean Village , a couple of old areas of the city
The ticket is valid for a day , so start early and plan the attractions you’d like to spend more time at ahead. Most
operators start / end tours at Waterloo pl.
couple of hidden gems off the beaten path are the vennel stairs , dean village , circus lane and worth exploring for good pics
of what is the traditional part of the city . Walk to these areas from the nearest stop of your hop on hop off tour .
A guided tour of the old city comes highly recommended. A guide accompanies you along your walk through old cobbled streets ,
tunnels and canals and tells you the tales of the old city. It’s always way more relatable to walk alongside these points
while you listen rather than read about them separately . Old city tours typically cover the royal mile, grass market ,
lawn market , and Greyfriars . Various cafes and shopping options are available along Victoria street although on the
pricier side as it’s the core tourist spot. Budget at least 2-3 hours for this tour. Get your guides provided good tour
options.
Airlink 100 are a great to get to and from the airport. Distance is about 30-40 mins depending. There are only specific
stops so plan ahead.
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