2 Day Edinburgh Guide: How to Spend a Weekend in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an ideal quick weekend break, especially as the city is such an easy flight or train from airports across the UK and Europe.

This gorgeous Scottish city is walk-able, friendly and you can easily visit most, if not all, of the main attractions with 2 days in Edinburgh. If you have more time to explore Edinburgh, you could most certainly use it as a base for day trips to the surrounding area. In fact, many consider Edinburgh as the gateway to the Highlands, but there’s also the Lothians. Here you can go hiking, cycling, play golf, go fishing or enjoy water sports in some of the many country parks.

One can also easily fill a week in Edinburgh too, especially during the city’s world-famous celebration of performing arts, the Fringe Festival, that takes place in the month of August each year. These cultural festivals have also been joined by a slew of Michelin-starred restaurants, fashionable shops and revamping of older areas, all contributing to the emergence of Edinburgh as a world-class destination.

Edinburgh is also Europe’s first literary capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage site – consisting of the Old and New Town. These are two adjacent areas that are easy to explore in one weekend in Edinburgh.

The city is also blessed in the natural wonders department. Volcanoes and the Ice Age have left a unique landscape that Edinburgh has been built around, including its 7th century royal castle, perched high atop one of seven volcanic hills.

So here is my suggested itinerary for 2 days in Edinburgh, including where to eat, where to stay and which attractions to see. Read on and start planning your own weekend in Edinburgh.

Weekend Break to Edinburgh: Essential Info

Where is Edinburgh?

Home to over half a million people, Edinburgh is in fact Scotland’s second-largest city, despite being the capital. Glasgow is by far larger, both in terms of population and area size. Edinburgh is located in southwest Scotland, about an hour and a half from the English border.

Glasgow is on a similar latitude but on the east side of Scotland, and hour away by train. The other key towns and cities in Scotland are all significantly further inland, such as Dundee and Inverness.

When to visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a fantastic city to visit year round, with different experiences and events taking place throughout the year. The summer of course, is hooked around the world-famous Fringe Festival, which spans the month of August. The month of October is a great time to visit for spooky activities. This also includes the Samhuinn Fire Parade which celebrates the Celtic New Year. This marks the end of summer and celebrates the start of winter.

Christmas is of course another fantastic time to visit Edinburgh, with its brilliant Christmas market and a ton of festivities. And of course, the world-famous 4-day New Year’s celebration called Hogmanay draws in thousands each year, especially for the New Year’s Eve street party.

Due to the number of things to do in Edinburgh though, even January, February and March can be great times to visit. Burns Night is celebrated on January 25th, and is a brilliant time to tie in a trip to Edinburgh.

How to get to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is very well connected with a wide array of international flights to destinations across Europe but also much further afield too. Emirates connects Edinburgh with Dubai, Delta with New York JFK, Qatar with Doha and Virgin Atlantic with Orlando, for example. From the airport, there is a very efficient Airlink 100 bus service bring passengers straight into the heart of Edinburgh. This route leaves every 10-20 minutes and takes you to Princes Street in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Within the UK, Edinburgh’s central Waverley Station receives trains from cities such as London, Manchester and Leeds.

How to get around Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a brilliant city to walk around. It is really compact with plenty of attractions all within a couple of square miles. It is a hilly city, with lots of stairs though, so do keep that in mind.

However, Edinburgh’s public transport is really efficient and well connected. The two best modes of transport are tram and bus, and the city runs a great network of well planned routes.

Where to stay in Edinburgh?

On my most recent visits to Edinburgh, I’ve enjoyed fantastic stays at the Cheval Collection properties. These are luxury serviced apartments and each is located in a completely different part of the city, offering unique experiences.

Cheval the Edinburgh Grand (rates start from around £270 per night) is located in New Town, and Cheval Old Town Chambers (rates start from around £225 per night)is right on the Royal Mile in the thick of the action. At the bottom of the Royal Mile is Cheval Abbey Strand (rates start from around £360 per night), perfectly located adjacent to Holyroodhouse Palace and near Arthur’s Seat.

Or why not stay in a luxury castle hotel near Edinburgh! We stayed at the brilliant Dalhousie Castle, and you can read my full review of this luxury Scottish castle stay here.

You can check rates for Dalhousie Castle here (rates start from around £200 per night).

If you want to stay more centrally in the city, there are plenty of hotels to stay in Edinburgh.

A few affordable accommodation options in Edinburgh include:

• voco Edinburgh, Royal Terrace (room rates start from £85 per night)
• Ten Hill Place (room rates start from £135 per night)
• Royal Scots Club (room rates start from £150 per night)

On the luxury end of the scale, some of the best options in Edinburgh include:

• The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton (room rates start from £250 per night)
• The Balmoral Hotel (room rates start from £430 per night)
• The Witchery by the Castle (room rates start from £535 per night)

Where to eat in Edinburgh?

The city is not short on places to eat, that’s for sure. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more independent coffee shops concentrated in an area, other than perhaps in Brighton! There are so many cosy, charming places to eat, as well as excellent restaurants and pubs throughout the city.

Breakfast in Edinburgh

First things first, is breakfast of course. An essential start to any day of exploring. There are plenty of great cafes and brunch spots across Edinburgh. Some of my favourite spots are:

• Cairngorm Coffee Co – really excellent coffee
• Luckenbooths – perfect location on the Royal Mile
• Edinburgh Press Club – on Cockburn Street – a great place for a laptop day too

Dinner in Edinburgh

There are plenty of brilliant restaurants and places to eat in Edinburgh. However, one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh for traditional fare is Deacon Brodie’s Tavern on the Royal Mile. This famous pub is named after a local who was a ‘respectable citizen by day’ and a crook at night, which eventually led to his hanging!

The food is traditional pub grub and the atmosphere is lively filled with friendly Edinburgh locals, making it a fun evening every time.

Some other excellent places include:

• Tattu – for a contemporary, unique dining experience
• Hemingway’s – for ever changing seasonal small plates
• Hawksmoors – for excellent steak
• Luckenbooths – great all-day food
• El Cartel – for the city’s best Mexican
• The Register Club – best afternoon tea around
• The Sheeps Heid Inn – seriously charming pub, with its own old-school bowling alley!

Bars and nightlife in Edinburgh

I love both of these bars and highly recommend:

• Lady Libertine
• The Devil’s Advocate

Best things to Do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site Status in 1995, a result of two unique experiences in one city. The Old Town of Edinburgh dates back to medieval times, and over 75% of the buildings are protected. But there are still further areas to explore in Edinburgh too, such as Stockbridge. So I’ve broken this section down into three main areas: Old Town, New Town and Stockbridge.

Old Town of Edinburgh

The Royal Mile

This route is almost like the central artery through Edinburgh – it is truly the heart of Scotland’s historic capital. Its length is exactly 5900 feet – the equivalent of an old Scottish Mile. At one end is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and at the other, high above the city, sits Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is arguably the heartbeat of the city and is lined with charming pubs, traditional restaurants, independent shops, as well as plenty of must-visit attractions. Along the Royal Mile, you’ll also find dozens of tiny lane ways, secret passages, cobbled closes and narrow staircases, offering a fascinating insight into life in Edinburgh back in the day.

It’s a real labyrinth and one that’s definitely worth getting lost in. It is said that as many as 60,000 people lived crammed into these narrow spaces in the 18th century – the highest population density in Europe at the time!

The Royal Mile is also home to St Giles’ Cathedral, as well as the ultra-modern Scottish Parliment. It also connects to the Grassmarket area via the charming Victoria Street.

Grassmarket and Victoria Street

Once the setting for public executions in this medieval market place, today, Grassmarket is a vibrant bustling area, offering stunning views and excellent shopping. Live music fills the air most evenings, and punters spill out of the pubs, creating a vibrant atmosphere. On Saturdays, the area is home to the popular Grassmarket Market from 10am to 5pm.

Victoria Street is a beautiful curved road that sweeps down from just near the Royal Mile to Grassmarket. Many people believe this street served as inspiration for Diagon Alley! Either way, Victoria Street is a must-visit attraction whilst in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle

A must-visit on any trip to this historic city is Edinburgh Castle. Located at the top end of the Royal Mile, this medieval fortress is perched mightily atop an extinct volcano and beams down across the city.

I recommend booking tickets for Edinburgh Castle online, as there can be queues if you buy on the day.

As of 2025, standard tickets are £21.50 for adults and £13 for children. For just a few £ more though, you can enjoy standard admission and a guided tour (£27 for adults, £18.50 for children).

You can however, pre-book your tickets online in advance through Get Your Guide which will guarantee your entry for £37/$50. The queue for tickets can be really long, so I recommend!

You can easily spend a couple of hours wandering through the castle and all the rooms, there is so much to explore.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

From Edinburgh Castle, walk directly straight down the hill and enjoy the stroll down the entire length of the Royal Mile. This leads towards The Palace of Holyrood House, which is located just near the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

This is the official residence of the Monarchy in Scotland, although was originally founded as monastery in 1128. This Palace is quite incredible to visit. From exploring the ruins of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey, its stunning royal gardens, the State Apartments, as well as The Queen’s Gallery . The Palace is best known is being the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, but it is still used today for official ceremonies and visits. Purchase your tickets for Holyrood House here (£21/$28).

Arthur’s Seat

This is in fact an extinct volcano and the climb to it summit is definitely one of the best things to do in Edinburgh. On a clear day, you can see more than 60 miles in every direction. In one way, you look out over the city and over to Edinburgh castle.  In the other direction, the view stretches endlessly out to the sea and on a clear day, you can even see islands on the horizon!

It’s a bit of a climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat – 823ft. and whilst it is quite rocky, it’s not too challenging. I would definitely recommend wearing some sturdy shoes though.

Most Edinburgh visitor guides seem to estimate 2 to 2.5 hours to climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat and then down again. However, I think it is possible in around 1.5 hours and that’s with lots of photo stops. I’ve done the climb a few times in the winter months and found the cold evening air kept us moving at a reasonable pace.

Carlton Hill

Atop a third extinct volcano in Edinburgh, Carlton Hill is another excellent viewpoint in the city. It is also home to some of the most important monuments in the city, including the National Monument and the City Observatory. It offers one of the most scenic and famous spots to watch the sunset, and draws a crowd every evening.

Walking tours in Edinburgh

The very best way to explore Edinburgh is by doing one of the many walking tours on offer. From ghost tours, to Harry Potter themed tours, to tours that even take visitors deep underground.

The guides are brilliant, and so animated, bringing Edinburgh’s history to life.

Here is my pick of the best:

• Old Town Ghost Tour (£18/$24)
• Underground Vaults Tour (£22/$30)
• Old Town History and Tales Tour (£18/$24)
• Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour (£18/$24)
• Witches Old Town and Underground Vaults (£18/$24)
• Dark History Royal Mile (£15/$20)
• Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour (£20/$27)

Literature and the arts

As you have now gathered, Edinburgh is not short on world class attractions. As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, an impressive list of authors and writers have called Edinburgh home over the past few centuries. Make sure to visit the Writer’s Museum in Lady Stair’s Close (and watch out for ghosts!) to celebrate the works of iconic writers, including of course, Robert Burns. Or perhaps visit the cafe where J.K Rowling is rumoured to have drafted the first few Harry Potter books.

Some of the world’s great art collections are also on offer in Edinburgh – make sure to visit the Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Or why not spend an evening at the Scottish Opera, or see what performances are scheduled at the National Theatre of Scotland or the Edinburgh Playhouse.

New Town

New Town is the other major area in Edinburgh’s city centre that is worth visiting. This neighbourhood consists of stunning neoclassical architecture dating back about 200 years, and offers the city’s main shopping and hotel areas. The New Town is organised around three main streets – George Street, Princes Street and Queen Street, and one large main square area, called St Andrew Square.

At the heart are the Princes Street Gardens, beautiful area of landscapes greenery, with a large fountain, beautiful floral displays and open air cafes. In the summer months, this is home to lively festival events as well as Edinburgh’s Christmas Market in December.

Johnnie Walker Experience

This experience only opened a couple of years ago, but has become extremely popular, so definitely pre-book tickets. The Signature Experience (£30) is well worth it (even as a non-whisky drinker) but you can upgrade to other tours such as the Luxury whisky and Scottish chocolate tasting, or the luxury cask draw tasting. Book the Signature Experience here.

The whole journey through the Johnnie Walker experience is very cool. It’s a completely immersive and innovative tour, with different rooms and spaces that bring to life the history of Johnnie Walker and his whiskies.

Stockbridge and Dean Village

This is a beautiful and affluent suburb of the city, and even with just 2 days in Edinburgh, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

Stockbridge is within easy walking distance of the city centre, or a short bus ride away. This charming, quaint neighbourhood is packed with lovely delis and independent coffee shops and on Sundays, the area hosts a lively farmer’s market.

Just along from Stockbridge is the start of a beautiful walk along the Water of Leith to Dean Village. This area is so quiet and serene – perfect for a slow Sunday morning. It’s hard to believe that the tumbling waters and tree lined pathways are just minutes from the city centre of Edinburgh.

You can also join an excellent walking tour through these charming areas, which I highly recommend.

Distilleries

There are quite a number of these now in Edinburgh (and over 150 across Scotland!), with new ones popping up all the time. One of the best is the Holyrood Distillery, where you can learn how malt whisky and gin are produced. A guided whisky and gin tour here is £27/$36 – book your tickets here!

Other areas to visit in Edinburgh

If it’s your second visit, or you have longer than a weekend in Edinburgh, some other areas well worth visiting include the stunning Royal Botanic Garden, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the beach town of Portobello. Located just 30 minutes from the heart of Edinburgh, this pretty area is a throwback to a traditional Victorian seaside town, with a long promenade and charming cafes and pubs.

Edinburgh 2 Day Itinerary

Two days in Edinburgh makes for a wonderful and pleasant weekend break. The city is fun, cosmopolitan and compact enough to be explored in just a couple of days. From exploring its cafes, bars and coffee shop culture to soaking up the history on a tour, Edinburgh has so much on offer for families, couples and groups of friends, and plenty more ideas off the beaten track.

Do you have plans to go to Edinburgh soon? I hope this post on a suggested itinerary for 2 days in Edinburgh helps in planning your future trips here or at least inspires you to visit this beautiful city!

If you’ve already visited, let me know in the comments if you have any more top tips or any feedback! I’d love to hear from you.

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Disclaimer: This visit to Edinburgh was entirely paid for by myself and there was no involvement from the local tourist board. This is an independent guide. 

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