Edinburgh: top attractions & road trip guide
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, built across a dramatic volcanic landscape and dominated by the castle perched atop its ancient rock. The city is split between the medieval Old Town, with its narrow closes and tall tenements, and the Georgian New Town, whose ordered squares and crescents form a striking architectural contrast.
As the northern terminus of many England-to-Scotland routes, Edinburgh makes a fitting final stop or launch point for exploring the Scottish Highlands. Like the rest of the UK, driving is on the left, and the Old Town's steep, narrow streets are best left to walkers, with parking generally found in structured car parks around the city centre.
Top attractions
Edinburgh Castle
A fortress perched atop an extinct volcanic rock, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used for royal coronations.
Royal Mile
The main thoroughfare of the Old Town, running from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and lined with historic closes, shops, and pubs.
Arthur's Seat
The main peak of an extinct volcano rising above the city in Holyrood Park, popular for hiking and offering sweeping views over Edinburgh.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The official royal residence in Scotland, built beside the ruins of a 12th-century abbey and once home to Mary, Queen of Scots.
National Museum of Scotland
A wide-ranging museum covering Scottish history, world cultures, science, and natural history, housed partly in a Victorian glass-roofed hall.
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