Edinburgh in a Day: What to Do With 24 Hours

Edinburgh is an excellent one-day city. It's compact, the main sights are close together, and the Old Town gives you a strong sense of place very quickly. Whether you're on a day trip from Glasgow, a layover, or a short stop before heading further north, a day here works well.

Getting In and Out

Edinburgh Airport is around 25 to 30 minutes from the city centre by tram, with a direct service to the city centre. Waverley Station, right in the centre of the city, receives trains from London (around 4.5 hours), Glasgow (50 minutes), and other Scottish cities. It's one of the best-placed stations in Britain.

Morning

Edinburgh Castle opens at 9:30am and is the obvious first stop. It sits on a volcanic rock above the city and the views from the esplanade are striking even before you go inside. The Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny are the main draws inside. Allow 90 minutes to two hours.

Walk down the Royal Mile from the castle. The street runs downhill from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is lined with closes (narrow alleyways) leading off to either side. Victoria Street, which branches off near the Grassmarket, is one of Edinburgh's most photogenic streets.

Afternoon

Lunch on Cockburn Street or in the Grassmarket area gives you better value than the tourist-facing restaurants directly on the Royal Mile.

After lunch, walk up to the Scottish National Museum (free, on Chambers Street). It covers Scottish history, culture, and natural history and is one of the best free museums in Britain. Allow 90 minutes for the highlights.

If you have energy, Arthur's Seat, the ancient volcano that looms over the city, is a 45-minute walk to the summit from the palace gates. The views from the top are outstanding.

Evening (if time allows)

The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile does whisky tastings in a more accessible format than a distillery tour. It's well-suited to a short visit.

For dinner and drinks, the Grassmarket and Victoria Street have the liveliest scene in the Old Town. The New Town, just north of the castle, is quieter and has some of Edinburgh's best restaurants on George Street and its side streets.

What to Skip

The Real Mary King's Close is interesting but requires a guided tour that takes 75 minutes. Not the best use of limited time unless you're particularly interested in Edinburgh's subterranean history.

Greyfriars Kirkyard is a 10-minute detour and worth it for the atmosphere and the famous Greyfriars Bobby story. A notable exception to the "skip it" category.

If Edinburgh has hooked you, our Edinburgh guide goes into the full detail of neighbourhoods, day trips, and where to eat and drink beyond the Royal Mile.