One Day in Edinburgh: The Best 24 Hour Itinerary for Scotland’s Capital
Spending one day in Edinburgh? You’ve come to the right place!
You may think that just one day to visit Edinburgh is not enough time to experience everything that this fantastic city has to offer. But you’ll be surprised at just how much you can actually see and do in the Scottish capital in this short time frame.
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, full of stunning gothic architecture, steeped in history and renowned for being culturally rich and diverse.
I’ve partnered up with my friend Mark from Solo Travel Man to bring you the best itinerary for one day in Edinburgh and ensure you get the most out of your time in this fascinating place!
Let’s jump in!
One Day in Edinburgh
Having a good itinerary is crucial to making the most of your one day in Edinburgh, and this itinerary is exactly that!
Like with any city, there is a lot of walking involved here, and with Edinburgh being a very hilly city be prepared for a good cardio workout.
Here is, in my opinion, the best things to do and see in one day in Edinburgh:
Morning in Edinburgh
Breakfast recommendation: Loudons New Waverley
Before starting to explore Edinburgh, it’s a good idea to have a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day! One of the best options for breakfast is Loudons New Waverley located in the Old Town of Edinburgh.
Situated just behind the Royal Mile and only a five-minute walk from the train station, Loudons offers a lot of options for breakfast, including your typical full breakfast as well as veggie and vegan options.
They also have a full range of French bread and pancakes as well for those with a sweet tooth.
Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is without a doubt the city’s main tourist attraction, with over 2 million visitors each year. England has a lot of wonderful castles, but nothing south of the border compares with Edinburgh Castle.
A visit here is the perfect way to start your day in the Scottish capital and you should plan around 2-3 hours here minimum. The castle dates back to the 12th Century and features the oldest crown jewels on show anywhere in the UK.
It is such a popular attraction that tickets are purchased weeks in advance, so make sure to book yours way in advance to avoid disappointment.
I also recommend booking a guided tour of the castle to really appreciate the history of this amazing place.
Afternoon in Edinburgh
Lunch recommendation: Howies Restaurant
After being wowed by Edinburgh Castle it’s time for lunch, and my recommendation would be Howies Restaurant. Located at the foot of Calton Hill (which is next on my itinerary), Howies is housed in a lovely Georgian building and specialises in traditional Scottish dishes as well as vegan and vegetarian options.
From their popular pan fried Shetland salmon dish to cauliflower steak and Scottish grass fed rib eye steak, Howies has a range of top quality lunch options which feature locally sourced ingredients.
Take in the Views at Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat
After Edinburgh Castle, it’s time for a bit of hiking to appreciate some of the city’s special monuments and views. Just on the outskirts of the city centre is Calton Hill.
This is a world heritage site with some fascinating historical monuments which are definitely worth seeing. There are also some fantastic views of the city here; it’s possible to see the North Sea Ocean on a clear day.
Here are just 3 of the monuments that you can expect to see once climbing to the top of the hill:
- The National Monument: An amazing stone monument that was built in 1822 and commemorates Scottish soldiers who died during the Napoleonic Wars.
- The City Observatory: This was a once-operational astronomical observatory built in 1818 and is considered the birthplace of astronomy and timekeeping in Scotland.
- Robert Burns Monument: Based at the foot of Calton Hill, this is a circular stone building that commemorates Scotland’s most iconic and famous poet.
Not too far away from Calton Hill is Arthur’s Seat; the highest peak in Edinburgh that offers the best views of the city if you fancy the extra hike. It was once an ancient volcano and it is relatively easy to walk up if you’re in good shape.
Evening:
Dinner recommendation: Durbar Indian Kitchen & Bar
Indian restaurants are very popular in Edinburgh, so for dinner I suggest going for a lovely curry at Durbar Indian Kitchen & Bar. Located in the heart of the city, just a few minutes walk from the popular Princes Street, it’s easily reachable.
Durbar restaurant has a really good range of curries to choose from, with several vegetarian curries as well as special grills and biryanis, you’re guaranteed to have an awesome dinner before the final activity in our itinerary.
Go on a spooky ghost tour
Edinburgh has quite a grisly past with plenty of hidden secrets, so it should be no surprise that ghost tours are a popular evening activity in the city.
There are several different types of ghost tours that you can choose from when visiting:
One of the most popular is a ghost bus tour, where you can be driven through the city on a vintage double-decker bus while hearing several haunting tales and facts about the city’s dark history from your guide.
There is also the world famous underground ghost tour you can take, if you’re brave enough! You can experience the Old Town’s ‘wynds’ (alleys), the world’s most haunted graveyard and descend into Edinburgh’s underground vaults and witness its 400-year-old history.
If you’re planning on participating in one of these tours during the colder months of the year, then definitely wrap up warm! Nighttime can be pretty chilly, especially when descending down into the city’s vaults.
Additional Options If You Have More Time in Edinburgh
In case you find yourself with more free time in Edinburgh and are looking for more activities to keep you busy, then here are some more great options to consider:
Go Shopping at Princes Street
Princes Street is undoubtedly Edinburgh’s main shopping area and the perfect place if you want to browse several department stores.
Although Princes Street can get extremely busy at times, you can also visit George Street close by which is a lot less crowded and has a really good choice of stores and boutiques.
Visit one of Edinburgh’s Top Museums
Edinburgh has several top-quality museums which are worth visiting as well if you have the time. The best thing about the majority of Edinburgh’s museums is that they are totally free to enter. Here are my top 3 museums to visit in the city:
National Museum of Scotland: Full of fascinating Scottish history and culture, this is the top recommended museum in Edinburgh and the perfect place to learn all about Scotland’s history. You can easily spend half a day here, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.
Scottish National Gallery: Located in the centre of the city by Princes Street, this is a perfect museum to visit if you have an hour to kill. Based in a beautiful neo-classical building, this gallery houses Scotland’s national collection of fine art, dating back from the Renaissance era in the 1300s all the way up to 1945.
Camera Obscura: Featuring five floors full of over a hundred different illusions, Camera Obscura is one of the most popular museums in all of Edinburgh. This is a fantastic interactive museum and is perfect for youngsters. It’s located in the Outlook Tower right next to Edinburgh Castle and features some of the best views of Edinburgh you can find.
More Tours in Edinburgh
Of course, there are plenty of other fantastic tours to take while in Edinburgh if you have the time.
Food & Drink tours are very popular, and this tour in particular offers you the opportunity to learn all about Edinburgh’s culinary heritage and history, as well as drink tasting.
If you are visiting Edinburgh for more than one day, then a popular tour to take is a visit to Loch Ness, which is easily Scotland’s most famous loch thanks to the mythical Loch Ness monster.
This tour lasts a full day and also takes you to the beautiful Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry as well as Loch Ness.
How to Get to Edinburgh
Getting to Edinburgh is relatively easy and straightforward. The city does have an airport and from there you can catch a tram to the city centre which takes around 30 minutes.
If travelling from England, then I would recommend catching a 4-5 hour train from London. This is a popular choice and a great way to see a lot of the glorious English countryside.
There are bus services to Edinburgh as well, but this is a slower choice although cheaper.
Getting around Edinburgh itself is easy too. It’s possible to walk from one side of the city to the other in quite a short time. There are tram and bus services in the city centre as well which are reliable, affordable and easy to use.
When to visit Edinburgh
The only downside about the wonderful city of Edinburgh is that it is always crowded with tourists, no matter what time of year you decide to visit! It’s such a popular city that you can expect it to be busy pretty much every month of the year.
I suggest visiting anytime during the spring or autumn months, when the weather should be acceptable and the city is less crowded compared to the summer.
Avoid visiting the city during August when Edinburgh Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the world, takes place throughout the whole month.
I would also recommend avoiding Edinburgh during the winter months, as the weather is not going to be the best.
Is One Day in Edinburgh Enough?
Yes, in my opinion it is possible to see the main tourist attractions and a lot of the city in just one day.
Ideally I would recommend 2 days or a long weekend in the city; around 3-4 days would be perfect. But in a 24 hour period you can still explore and get a flavour for what Edinburgh is really like.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
Choosing where to stay in Edinburgh is far from an easy choice as there are so many options. It all depends on your budget to be honest, so here are three great accommodation choices at different prices:
Budget Stay: Elder York Guest House
The Elder York Guest House is a 3 star hotel is based in Edinburgh’s New City and is a decent choice if you’re visiting the city on a budget. It is located only 500 metres from Princess Street (Scotland’s major high street) and is situated in a Grade A listed building, meaning some rooms have period features.
Mid-Range Stay: Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
The Motel One Edinburgh-Royal is another high quality 3 star hotel based in the city centre, just a five minute walk from the train station and only half a mile away from the castle. The rooms are stylish with modern furniture and the hotel also offers family activities and evening entertainment.
Luxury Stay: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay when in Edinburgh then there is no better choice than a stay at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa.
This is an exceptional 5 star hotel that overlooks Edinburgh Castle. It features world class services and a fitness centre that includes a swimming pool, spa treatments and it has a rooftop with amazing views of the city.
Is Edinburgh safe?
Absolutely! Edinburgh is known to be one of the safest cities not only in Scotland but the whole of the UK as well. Having said that, petty crimes happen in Edinburgh just as they do in any popular major city.
Stay vigilant when visiting and practice these travel safety tips during your one day in Edinburgh.
Final thoughts: One Day in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the best cities to visit in the UK; most people would agree that it is prettier than London and it is a culturally rich place to explore for a day.
It is a surprisingly easy city to get around and in my opinion the best city in Scotland, though I would also recommend a visit to Inverness too.
One day is really never enough time to visit any major city, but with the perfect itinerary at hand you can feel confident in making the most of your stay in Edinburgh.
Ready to head to England? Check out these posts!
Author Bio: Mark Jeavons is a travel blogger based in England and began blogging back in August 2022 after deciding to combine his love of writing and travelling.He has visited over 40 countries, mostly as a solo traveller and his aim with his travel blog Solo Travel Man is to give expert, up to date and in depth advice on the places he has visited and build connections with fellow travellers.
Liked what you read? Share it on Pinterest!
My Favorite Travel Tips + Resources
Here is a quick glance at all my go-to travel tips and resources that I use to plan every trip! For more information, check out my travel resources page.
- Booking flights: I use Google Flights to check all routes and find the best flights. Then I compare Skyscanner (for the lowest prices) before I book.
- Accommodations: I love budget-friendly rentals or booking at a hotel where I can earn points.
- For hotels, I go through Booking.com or book directly with Marriott (for points + rewards).
- When I travel internationally, I’ll book through Hostelworld for very budget-friendly stays.
- For vacation rentals, use Vrbo or Marriott Homes & Villas.
- Expedia also has some great bundles for hotels, flights, and car rentals altogether.
- Transportation: Transportation covers car rentals, trains, and buses. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Car Rentals: I love renting cars through Discover Cars. They have been consistent and provide the best customer service.
- Trains in Asia: Trip.com has the best options!
- Trains in Europe: Trainline or Omio.
- Visa Application: For a hassle-free process, apply for your visa from iVisa.
- Travel Credit Card: I book all my travel (flights, hotels, car rentals) through Chase Sapphire.
- Vaccines and Medications: Check the CDC website for updates on necessary vaccines to enter a country, including updates on Covid-19 and recommended places to visit. I recommend getting all the vaccines you need before you go!
- Tours + Experiences: I absolutely love my tours! Everything from eerie walking ghost tours to food tours, I’ll usually book something every trip either through Viator or GetYourGuide.
- Entertainment: Looking for entertainment like sporting events, theater shows, or concerts? Book with Ticket Squeeze!
- Tech: Keep your internet browsing safe, secure, and fast with ExpressVPN
- Language Learning: The best place to learn a new language is through Babbel as you travel to countries you don’t know the language.
- What to Pack: I almost always travel by backpack. For products I like, check out my packing guide page for all the things I take with me on different trips.
