3 Days in Edinburgh
Back in June, Korri and I spent a little over a week visiting Scotland! We stayed in the Glasgow area for a few days with his family and then spent about three days in Edinburgh, which is located to the east of Glasgow. This trip was built around The Eras Tour because we were fortunate to have the opportunity to purchase tickets to a show in the UK. Korri’s cousin and her friend came to the show with us!
Edinburgh is being known for one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and even though I haven’t been to many places in Europe, I can see why it’s at the top of the list! It boasts a number of world-class museums, food- and drink-centered experiences, historical attractions, and more to help you make the most of your stay. Below is my guide on how to spend three lovely days in Edinburgh, Scotland!
READ NEXT: 15 Best Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
3 Days in Edinburgh
Prior to our trip, like any trip we take, I spent a lot of time doing research about things to do in Edinburgh because we were spending a whole weekend there. I’ll be honest: I didn’t get to do a lot of what was on my list because of the concerts and sheer number of Swifties visiting and doing the exact same things, but I wanted to put together this Edinburgh itinerary anyway to help you if you’re planning a trip and to help myself next time we make a proper visit!
Wondering where to stay in Edinburgh? I booked the Old Waverley Hotel for our trip. I loved being centrally located on Princes Street and only a block away from the Edinburgh Waverley train station. We had a corner room with a view of the castle from our bed!!! Plus, it was fun seeing the Swifties out and about on the streets below. I didn’t find it to be loud at all considering our proximity to a heavily-trafficked road (with vehicles, the light rail, and people).
Book via Hotels.com, Booking.com, or Expedia, or browse other hotel options in the map at the end of this post!
Is 3 Days Enough in Edinburgh?
If you’re in Edinburgh over a Taylor Swift concert weekend, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that three days is NOT enough—but that’s only because I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to do! 😆 If you’re visiting Edinburgh at any other time of year, three days is a great amount of time to see the city. I would recommend no fewer than two days and definitely stay longer if you have the time!
Edinburgh is beautiful at any time of year. We visited in early June, and the weather was much colder than I was expecting (though I probably should have expected it, ha). I definitely did not dress warm enough! There is obviously no way to predict how the weather is going to go during your stay, so do check the forecast ahead of time and be prepared for cooler weather than you think, even in the summer months—it’s the northerly wind!
Because Edinburgh is located on the east coast, it stays relatively mild through the winter. It can still get quite cold (like I said, the wind is no joke), but don’t expect much in the way of snow. It’s rainiest in the fall.
What to Do in Edinburgh in 3 Days
Day 1
Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
If you want a quick look at some of the most popular tourist attractions and historical buildings in Edinburgh, jump on a Hop On Hop Off bus tour! This is a great way to get a lay of the land and also avoid walking up and down all the hills. Edinburgh is definitely not a flat city! There are a variety of bus tours offered, including a bus tour that also serves afternoon tea.
Lunch at Oink
There is no shortage of great places to eat in Edinburgh. One place that we managed to get to on our trip was Oink! As the name suggests, Oink serves “the best pulled pork sandwich in Edinburgh” (their words, not mine—though I think Korri would agree with that statement!). It’s a quick grab-and-go type restaurant with limited counter seating, but it’s definitely worth a stop. We got our sandwiches with the sage and onion stuffing and it honestly reminded me so much of Thanksgiving! Oink has three locations in Edinburgh.
National Museum of Scotland
If you want to learn more about Scottish history and culture, head to the National Museum of Scotland. It’s the most popular attraction in the UK outside of London! You can kill a lot of time wandering around the various exhibits on history, nature, arts, sciences, technological advances, etc. across multiple levels of the museum. Entry is free as is an audio guide.
Get directions to the National Museum of Scotland.
Afternoon Tea
You can’t go to the UK and not experience a proper afternoon tea! I booked the Colonnades at Signet Library regular afternoon tea experience. It was on the more expensive side, but it was absolutely lovely and I can see why it’s one of the best afternoon teas in Edinburgh!
During afternoon tea, you’ll be served a pot of tea of your choice (you’ll each choose your own flavors and can try each other’s flavors, of course) along with small savory and sweet bites. Plan for it to take about 2-2.5 hours. We each had two pots of tea during that time. It was a deceivingly large amount of food and filled us up!
Get directions to the Colonnades at Signet Library.
Underground Tour
Did you know there are a series of underground tunnels and streets below the city of Edinburgh? Book a tour to see them for yourself! (This is on my list for next time!) There are multiple tour operators and options for tours, including spooky late night ghost story tours. Real Mary King’s Close is one of the top attractions in Edinburgh, and their underground tours tend to sell out in advance.
Day 2
Edinburgh Castle
Grab a quick coffee and pastry on your way to Edinburgh Castle! I recommend booking an audio tour of the castle ahead of time (they are small groups and will sell out prior to your trip). The tour is short—only about 30 minutes—but the guides are fantastic and extremely knowledgable. Marcus was our guide! You also get to go to an area of the castle that most folks don’t get to visit.
I was surprised by how big Edinburgh Castle is. Once your tour is done, stick around and check out all the buildings and rooms (some of them do not allow photography). There are a ton of places to explore, and you can also get 360° views of Edinburgh by walking to all sides of the castle grounds!
Get directions to Edinburgh Castle.
Royal Mile
After visiting Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile! It’s the straight road that starts at the castle and ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. (If you track your distance, it ends up being just over a mile.) The walk is all downhill from the castle. There are a bunch of stops you can make along the Royal Mile: museums, shops, restaurants, etc. St. Giles’ Cathedral is worth a visit (or at least a photo)!
If you didn’t eat at the castle, step just off the Royal Mile to grab lunch at Makars Mash Bar, a popular restaurant serving traditional Scottish dishes and a mashed potato bar. Be prepared: There might be a line! I’ve heard it’s worth the wait (sadly we didn’t have the time to wait when we visited).
Take your time and explore all the things on your walk. I also recommend taking note of all the closes (narrow walkways) you see in between the buildings. There are a lot! They are so charming.
Get directions to the Royal Mile.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is a gorgeous historic palace located at the east end of the Royal Mile. Book a tour of the reception rooms and antiques within this 16th-century palace. From the grounds, you can walk up Arthur’s Seat, but if you’ve already done Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, your feet might be hurting and I definitely don’t blame you if you hike Arthur’s Seat another day.
Get directions to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Whisky Tasting
If you’re into whisky, you should definitely check out a whisky tasting in Edinburgh! I’m personally not a big fan of whisky, but I was super excited to try the Johnnie Walker Whisky Experience. Unfortunately, this was another thing we didn’t have time to do, but you should do it! We originally learned about it via a Netflix show, and what I like about it is that you take a flavor quiz at the start, and they create three whisky cocktails for you based on your favorite flavors.
If you don’t drink (or don’t want to drink) alcohol, non-alcoholic mocktails are available. After your tasting, head up to the 1820 Bar on the rooftop for more drinks (at a discount) and to chill out with views of the city.
Get directions to Johnnie Walker.
Dinner at Bar Napoli
Soak up your whisky drinks with dinner at Bar Napoli. This Italian restaurant may not be the first place you think of when you come to Scotland, but it came recommended to us by a friend, and it did not disappoint! (It was also one of only a handful places open late after the concert; a large number of fellow concert goers ended up at the restaurant, too, and it was quite busy!)
Korri and I indulged in pasta and pizza, and it was all delicious! Korri loved it so much that he wanted to go back
Day 3
Explore Leith
Leith is a cute port area neighborhood located on the northeast side of Edinburgh at the mouth of the Water of Leith. It’s easily accessible by the light rail. Be sure to check out the water and take part in whisky tasting experiences such as the one at the Port of Leith Distillery. Hungry? Head to the award-winning Roseleaf Bar Cafe for food at (almost) any time of day!
Grab gelato and coffee at Mary’s Milk Bar
Grab a mid-afternoon treat at Mary’s Milk Bar! They are known for their incredible gelato flavors that change (and are made) daily, and they also offer coffee and hot chocolate—a must for those blustery days in Edinburgh (and to offset the chill of the gelato!).
Get directions to Mary’s Milk Bar.
Shop Local Retailers
After enjoying your ice cream, head back to the hotel for a quick nap and/or wander around Edinburgh and shop! There are so many great local retailers. Of course, you have the more tourist spots with trinkets and souvenirs. Just wander and you’re sure to find something!
Step into a shop offering Scottish wool and cashmere products (I was so tempted to buy a cashmere scarf). On the Royal Mile, there is a super cute Christmas store with nutcrackers and ornaments! Princes Street also has a lot of shops, including a huge bookstore. Pie in the Sky on Cockburn Street was filled with Taylor Swift-inspired goodies while we were there (and they sold out quickly)! They have a lot of other pop-culture inspired products!
Want to create your own handbag? Book the Islander Workshop Experience to make your own tweed handbag! This experience sells out, so book it ahead of your trip.
Arthur’s Seat
Want to get your heart rate going? Arthur’s Seat is the peak of an extinct volcano within the hills that make up Holyrood Park. It offers sweeping views of the city below. There are multiple hiking paths to the top, or you can stick with trails around the bottom of the hill. The best times to hike are in the morning or evening when it’s not quite so hot out. Be prepared for breezy conditions at the top!
Get directions to Arthur’s Seat.
Dinner at The Witchery
The Witchery was recommended to me by multiple people! I really wasn’t sure if it was worth it, but folks said to go at least once. Spend your last night in Edinburgh at this popular, award-winning Scottish fine dining restaurant near the castle. Select to dine in either the Secret Garden dining room or the Original dining room.
Reserve your table in advance. Note that you can’t linger after dinner; this place is popular, so they require you to depart your table within a couple of hours for the next party.
