Edinburgh is such an easily walkable city and during your 2 days in Edinburgh, you probably won’t even need to take any transport whatsoever! Everything is packed close together, meaning you can see many attractions and sights in a short space of time.
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and home to many historic sights and museums, perfect for history lovers. The architecture is stunning to, with every other building seeming to be a church or old cathedral with an interesting design.
2 days in Edinburgh is a good amount of time to see what the city has to offer. I saw a lot of things during my short trip here but if I had an extra day, that would have been great to take a day trip to one of the nearby coastal towns. If you’re just after a quick city break, then 2 days in Edinburgh is perfect. Here’s what you can get up to in 48 hours.
The Royal Mile
The street gets its name because it takes you from Holyrood Palace, through the main centre, and up to Edinburgh Castle. This covers around a mile- hence the name Royal Mile. Along this stretch, you will find many things to do, much of which is listed below. There are museums, quirky shops, places to eat, cathedrals and many Scottish pubs. Take a wander and see what you discover- don’t forget to cover the quaint little side streets too!
Edinburgh Castle
I was unsure at first whether to pay the pricey entrance fee, but I was very happy with my decision to visit this fascinating place. I though it would be the old castle ruins but it’s much more than that, with lots of museums, displays and set ups of how life used to be like in the past. You can also get some stunning views over Edinburgh city from the castle. I would recommend pre booking tickets online and going either right at opening time or late in the afternoon for fewer crowds.
The Vennel Viewpoint
Perhaps not quite the ‘secret spot’ nowadays but still a great little find (it’s on google maps to make it easy!). This small stairway has awesome views of Edinburgh castle above and will lead you down to the pretty Grassmarket square.
Grassmarket
This square, used to be a marketplace for horses, starting in the 14th century. Nowadays it’s a picturesque place for lunch, surrounded by historic buildings and lined with old Scottish pubs and quirky shops. They have market stalls on the weekend and lively nightlife and entertainment in the evenings.
Scottish Shops
Along the Royal Mile, you will spot many Scottish tartan shops, and you should definitely have a look. You will find all sorts of things in there from tartan jackets, to tartan wallets. Find a uniquely Scottish gift or a souvenir for yourself.
Dean Village
A short walk from the city centre will take you to the beautiful Dean Village. Here you will find old homes, lined up along a scenic stream, winding its way through the pretty houses. You can take a walk along the stream too, under pretty woodland. This is a perfect escape from the crowds and a relaxing way to spend your morning/afternoon.
Greyfriars Bobby Pub
This old pub along the lovely named street, Candlemaker Row, is dedicated to an old little dog named Bobby. The story goes that this small dog was very loyal to his owner John Gray, who died in 1858 of tuberculosis. The dog then lay by his grave for 16 years, refusing to leave. The locals became very attached to this little dog and built a shelter for him by the graveside. There is now a grave for Bobby the dog, situated close to his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard. You may also see sticks by the grave, left by visitors for Bobby to play with! I just love the history and story behind this, and you feel that wandering around Edinburgh too- it really is a fascinating place to visit.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Home to the graves of ‘Greyfriars Bobby’ the dog and his owner, this place, despite being a graveyard is actually very pretty. You can also get some interesting pictures of the castle from here or wander around reading the old gravestones.
Hike to Arthurs Seat
This hike will take you around 30-60 minutes and can be quite strenuous, depending on which route you take. There are several walking trails up to the top, some steeper than others. The views you get over Edinburgh are amazing! Try going for sunset for some scenic photos- just be sure to leave yourself good time. I didn’t realise how long it would take to climb to the top and was left puffing and panting trying to get up in time!
Edinburgh Anatomy Lecture Theatre
I stubbled across this place, which I think is a university building, but they also have shows on in the theatre. From the outside the building is seriously impressive with its intricate carvings and interesting statues.
Princes Street Gardens
These gardens in the centre of the city are a great way to sit and relax in, with awesome views of the castle. There are activities going on, colourful flowers and old statues and monuments. Take a stroll through the park and enjoy the lovely views.
Shopping in Rose Street
Situated in Edinburgh’s New Town, Rose street is predominantly a shopping street, with plenty of pubs to stop off at for lunch. Great for pub crawls in the evening and perfect for that bit of souvenir shopping during the day, this long street is very picturesque and well decorated too.
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Coffee shops in Edinburgh
I was pleasantly surprise at how many quirky independent coffee shops there are in Edinburgh. Most also do a great brunch/lunch menu too, perfect for that morning pick me up before sightseeing. Two great coffee shops I visited were Fortitude (situated right next to the Scottish Gallery) and Cairngorm Coffee (with two shops, one close to Waverley station, the other close to Dean Village).
Try some Scottish whiskey
There are plenty of whiskey shops, whiskey tours and whiskey tastings all over the city. Many of the shops have free tasters and interesting gift ideas too. Take a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience and have a tour of the distillery, as well as a tasting.
Christmas Shops in Edinburgh
Yes, you read right- for those of you who love Christmas (like me) there are year-round festive shops here! I was in Christmas heaven! With hundreds of unique ornaments, nutcrackers and Santa’s decorations! The pretty tree decorations would also make a great gift or souvenir- they have Edinburgh themed ones too.
Climb up Carlton Hill
This is much easier than Arthurs seat, taking around 15 minutes to climb (although pretty steep). You are closer to the city so can get great views from above. Try heading here for sunrise or sunset. Also check out the National Monument of Scotland while your up there too. This would be a great place to bring a picnic on a sunny day.
Listen to the Bagpipes
You will see people playing the traditional Scottish bagpipe all around the city, especially along the Royal Mile. Even though not for some, it’s still a great way to get into the Scottish vibe and experience some local heritage.
Try Haggis
I came across a cool place called the Tolbooth Market, where they have food stalls and live music. There was a guy cooking on a small stall that convinced me to try a traditional Scottish haggis. Although it may not look all that appealing, I was pleasantly surprised, and it was so nice with the mustard cream sauce.
The Scott Monument
This impressive structure is dedicated to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. You can climb to the top for a small fee with views over the city.
Palace of Holyrood House
This is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland and visitors can take a look around themselves. You can see the ruins of Holyrood Abbey (built in the 12th century), see exhibitions in the Queen’s Gallery, walk around some of the historic and fascinating rooms, as well as stroll around the beautiful gardens.
Victoria Street
This pretty and colourful street is lined with quirky shops selling handmade crafts, boutique clothing, handmade perfume and soap and souvenir gift shops. There are also shops for Harry Potter fans!
Deacons House Café
Sitting down a quaintly lit laneway is Deacons House Café, where you can enjoy a lovely cream tea, fresh sandwiches or a traditional Scottish breakfast. A nice place to stop for lunch along the Royal Mile (close to the castle end).
Farmers Markets
There are food and goods markets all over Edinburgh, selling fresh produce and unique clothing and gifts. Each market will be on certain days so be sure to check if that’s your things. I visited this charming little one on Castle street, with gorgeous views of the castle above.
The Smallest Pub in Scotland
At 5.2m by 4.5m, the Wee Pub is so small is only has enough room for 20 people (standing only). This unique pub is a fun way to have an afternoon drink, located at Grassmarket.
For Harry Potter Fans
Visit the Elephant House café to see where J K Rowling was inspired to write some of her early novels. I would try and go early as when I walked past it was very busy.
Edinburgh’s Cathedral’s and Churches
There are many cathedrals and churches in Edinburgh, all with incredible architecture. I love the historic feeling of these places, knowing how much history has been before you. Some of the places to visit are St Giles Cathedral, St Mary’s Cathedral, Church of St John the Evangelist, Canongate Kirk and the Parish Church of St Cuthbert.
Explore Edinburgh’s Art galleries and Museums
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Opened to the public in 1889, this stunning gallery not only has some amazing paintings, but the architecture is incredible too. The high painted ceilings and intricate details in the carvings and railings. This was my favourite art gallery I visited and worth a visit (free entry too!).
Scottish National Gallery
A big gallery situated in the centre of the city. This is perfect for history lovers and displays old paintings by famous artists including Rembrandt, Constable, Turner, Monet and Van Gogh. There are some classic paintings here- be sure to give yourself good time to explore as its big. If art is not your thing, the inside is still very impressive so a quick look couldn’t hurt (it is free after all).
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Part of the National Galleries Scotland, this is the place to find modern art. There are two buildings, situated a short walk apart, Modern One and Modern Two. Both have lovely grounds, with some outdoor sculptures too.
The Writers Museum
This is a small museum, with free entry, situated just off the Royal Mile. This pretty and intricate museum displays rare objects, portraits, writings and personal items of famous established writers such as Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. A visit here won’t take long so its worth to stop by if passing through.
National Museum of Scotland
Explore exhibits from the natural world, Scottish history, art, and over 20,000 artefacts. There is free entry, plus make your way to the top level to see wonderful views over the city.
Museum of Childhood
If you love looking at old toys and games from the past, then you will enjoy a visit here. It’s also a great place to visit with kids, with regular activities taking place. It wasn’t my most favourite of the museums but interesting to see the old toys. A visit here is free, and since it’s located along the Royal Mile, it might be worth a quick look.
Museum of Edinburgh
This small museum houses displays of Edinburgh’s history, old story’s, facts and objects. Learn about the lives of the people of Edinburgh, how the city developed and of course of the famous dog ‘Greyfriars Bobby’.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh?
There are loads of budget options available, with hostels all over the city. Starting from around £8, most are in convenient locations and have good facilities. Check out all the hostels in Edinburgh on Hostelworld.
For those wanting a hotel, there are also plenty to choose from for all budgets. I love to use booking.com as it will tell you the prices for hostels as well as hotels. Sometimes you may find its not that more for a private room, so this site is great for finding the best deals.
There are also fancy hotels like the Balmoral for those who want to splash the cash. Also don’t forget about Airbnb- you can find some fantastic deals this way and get locals advice too.
How to Get to Edinburgh?
Edinburgh By Train
The city is well connected by train from London and a lot of other destinations in the UK. This can be an excellent way to travel into Edinburgh as you see stunning views over the countryside along the way. Train prices in the UK are expensive but if you use the trainline.com and book at least a week in advance, you can get some really cheap deals.
Edinburgh By Bus
Megabus and National Express have buses into Edinburgh from all over the UK (you may have to change depending on your starting destination). It may take longer than the train, but prices can be a lot cheaper.
Flights to Edinburgh
Sometimes the flights can be the same price as the train journey. They may be a little quicker (depending you don’t get hold up at the airport), but you will miss the views if coming via train or bus. If you are short on time though, this is a great option. The airport is around 30 mins drive from the city.
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Hope you enjoyed this mammoth post- I forgot how many things to do there are in Edinburgh in 2 days! Please share along this guide.
