How To Spend A Weekend in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland is a beautiful city for a weekend break. I have got you sorted with a jam-packed weekend itinerary to make the most of your time in Edinburgh!
Friday
Hopefully, you will arrive in Edinburgh before the sun goes down to get on your first sightseeing stop to Calton Hill. Just a short walk away from Princes St, and maybe a few stairs, is Calton Hill which is a great viewpoint to see across the city. Made even better if you were to be here to watch the sunset.
If you arrive with more time on Friday and are feeling full of energy why not take on the challenge and climb up to Arthurs Seat. Make your way to Holyrood Park, strap on your hiking boots and follow the path up to the top of this extinct volcano for some more awesome views of Edinburgh. Or take a more relaxing stroll around the queen's official residence in Scotland, Holyrood Palace.
In the evening I recommend heading to the area of Grassmarket, hidden just behind the castle. There are plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants to keep you fed and watered. Check out Cold Town House to enjoy the rooftop bar views of the city and castle!
Saturday
Get your walking shoes on today as your definitely getting your 10,000 steps in. Start the day off at Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile (the road running between the Castle and Holyrood Park), if you fancy taking in some of the history head inside the over 900-year-old castle. If you fancy a bit of a different adventure just across the way from the castle is Camara Obscura, with five floors of optical illusions and a great rooftop view of Edinburgh, I highly recommend it!
From there take a stroll down the Royal Mile, taking in all the gorgeous architecture, pop into a souvenir shop or two, appreciate the interiors of St Giles Cathedral. You might get lucky and catch a street performer setting the perfect Scottish scene by playing the bagpipes.
Now after a morning full of exploring you must be feeling peckish and I have the best lunch spot for you. Scran Bistro had a mouthwatering menu of burgers, wraps, loaded fries, insane milkshakes and so much more! Just off the Royal Mile turn off to Cockburn Street, where food heaven awaits you.
After refuelling your next stop is the National Museum of Scotland with free entry, plenty of exhibitions and another great rooftop view of the city its a must-see. After you have increased your Scottish knowledge at the museum head to Victoria Street, the very popular colourful street that also inspired Diagon Alley. The gently curving street is full of shops, bakeries and cafes to explore and the perfect place to get the obligatory I visited Edingburgh snap.
By now you have well and truly earned a rest, so head back to your hotel/apartment and take a break before heading back out into the city.
For dinner, I recommend The Basement Bar, a Mexican serving great times as well as food and drink! The margaritas here were out of this world. We opted for the fajitas for grub and these did not disappoint either, but there were plenty of choices. The service is what made this place stand out, the staff were so fun and super friendly!
Sunday
Spend your Sunday morning exploring the area of Stockbridge, take a look around the shops and stop off for a hot beverage at one of the lovely cafes. I recommend also taking a trip to the Stockbridge Market, it's a foodie heaven, with plenty of stalls offering a wide range of street foods, you won't go home hungry.
Also nearby is the famous Circus Lane, I've never made it here myself but it's a gorgeous residential street that's the perfect place for a quiet walk and some very pretty snaps. If you still have some time to spare I suggest walking along to Dean Village for a very picturesque stroll along the Water of Leith Walk.
Do you have any Edinburgh recommendations? Drop them in the comments below.
