Edinburgh water canal

Things to do

YOUR EDINBURGH BUCKET LIST

  • Our hotel in Edinburgh is perfectly located so you have the best sites at your feet. Explore the city's stunning historical buildings and landmarks that are guaranteed to take your breath away. Here are a few of our favourite things to do and see in Edinburgh. 
Edinburgh city skyline

Princes Street

  • Edinburgh’s main thoroughfare boasts department stores and souvenir shops galore. Keep an eye for the famous Scott Monument dedicated to the writer and poet, Sir Walter Scott. You can also climb up the stairs to enjoy stunning views over New and Old town or visit The Scottish National Gallery free of charge and see paintings dating back to the medieval period.
Edinburgh castle

Edinburgh Castle

  • From YOTEL Edinburgh it’s only a 20-minute walk to the castle. Standing firm on an extinct volcano, the castle has dominated Edinburgh’s skyline since the 12th century. Steeped in centuries of royal and bloody history, the castle has historical and military artefacts spanning back centuries. You can either go on a guided tour or explore the castle and its grounds by yourself.
Visit the castle
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

Arthur's Seat

  • What other city can boast about having an extinct volcano on its doorstep? If you’re ready for a challenge, take the trail up to the summit which gives you a panoramic view over all of Edinburgh and is the perfect selfie spot, making you feel like you’re on top of the world. If you’re not feeling it, you can go halfway up the Salisbury Crags which is the perfect photo op for shots over the city.  
The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

The Royal Mile

  • The Royal Mile runs through the heart of the Old Town, connecting the castle to the Palace of Holyrood. The hidden alleyways and cobbled closes with many steep staircases make you feel like Burke and Hare are lurking around the corner. At the top of The Royal Mile is the 12th century cathedral of St Giles with many shops and local pubs dotted around so you can really get a taste of Edinburgh.
Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Calton Hill

  • To get the best postcard picture of Edinburgh, look no further than the panoramic views atop Calton Hill. Just at the top of Princes Street you will see an odd sight, a half-built Parthenon like the one in Athens. Why half built? Because from the 18th century, Edinburgh was known as the Athens of the north thanks to its medical, philosophical and architectural achievements but funding dried up so was left as you see it today. 
Edinburgh alley

Harry Potter

  • For all you Potterheads out there, Edinburgh is the Holy Grail for all things Potter. The home of J.K Rowling herself, the city was her inspiration for the novels and is the location of the now famous coffee shops in which she wrote. There are guided tours that take you around Edinburgh, showing you the supposed sites for Hogwarts, Gringotts Bank and Diagon Alley.
Palace of Holyrood, Edinburgh

Palace of Holyrood

  • From conspiracies to gruesome murders, the Palace of Holyrood has had monarchs living in it since the 15th century, and is the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. Attached to the palace is The Queen’s Gallery where exhibitions host the rich array of portraits and sketches held by the Royal collection, from Da Vinci drawings to contemporary photographs. 
Visit Holyrood house
Pouring whiskey

The Scottish Whiskey Experience

  • What would a trip to Scotland be without sampling some of the best whisky in the world? Go on a journey through a replica distillery as an expert guide takes you through the history and secrets of whisky distilling. At the end of the tour, you can choose the perfect dram to sample.
Taste the whiskey
Edinburgh clock

The National Museum of Scotland

  • To get an idea of Scotland’s rich history look no further than the wealth of artefacts The National Museum of Scotland has to offer. With multiple exhibits from science and history to fashion and nature, the museum is free of charge and has interactive exhibits that have been designed to appeal to kids.
Visit the museum
On the way towards Dean Village

Dean Village

  • If you want a more tranquil place to visit, Dean Village is only a 5-minute walk away from Queen Street. Take a leisurely stroll along the water of Leith to see the water mills and Dean Bridge; you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another city.