Fortified birthplace of the city on Castle Rock, a royal residence and fort since the 11th century. The one o'clock gun is fired daily, and admission includes a guided tour past the Great Hall, Mary Queen of Scots' apartments, the crown jewels and the Mons Meg cannon.

"Fortified birthplace of the city on Castle Rock, a royal residence and fort since the 11th century. "

Small volcanic mountain rising out of the cityscape, a short hike from the Parliament. Its summit gives sweeping views over Edinburgh.

"Small volcanic mountain rising out of the cityscape, a short hike from the Parliament. Its summit gi"

Edinburgh's medieval core, a dense tangle of historic buildings. It was once famed for its ten-storey 'skyscrapers' and narrow closes branching off the High Street.

"Edinburgh's medieval core, a dense tangle of historic buildings. It was once famed for its ten-store"

Towering neo-Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott that dominates the city centre. It features a statue of Scott with his favourite hound.

"Towering neo-Gothic monument to Sir Walter Scott that dominates the city centre. It features a statu"

Late-18th-century Georgian district laid out on an Enlightenment grid plan. Its streets and squares are named after British royalty and national emblems.

"Late-18th-century Georgian district laid out on an Enlightenment grid plan. Its streets and squares "

The Old Town's main drag, running downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace and described as one of Europe's great walks. It is lined with tall historic tenements and narrow closes.

"The Old Town's main drag, running downhill from the castle to Holyrood Palace and described as one o"

The official royal residence in Edinburgh for 500 years, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Royalty still stays here when in town.

"The official royal residence in Edinburgh for 500 years, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Royalty stil"

Scotland's most important church, with a crown-shaped spire, where John Knox preached during the Reformation. Guides are stationed inside to answer questions, and Knox is buried out back.

"Scotland's most important church, with a crown-shaped spire, where John Knox preached during the Ref"

Park popular with locals, created by draining the Nor Loch. It separates the Old and New Towns.

"Park popular with locals, created by draining the Nor Loch. It separates the Old and New Towns."

A former milling community founded in the 12th century. It has picturesque architecture and the quaint feel of a town preserved in time.

"A former milling community founded in the 12th century. It has picturesque architecture and the quai"

A short five-minute climb from New Town to unobstructed panoramic views of Edinburgh and its volcanic landscape. The vlogger rated it the best viewpoint in the city.

"A short five-minute climb from New Town to unobstructed panoramic views of Edinburgh and its volcani"

A historic graveyard that is a common stop for visitors. Harry Potter fans visit it to see the grave of Thomas Riddell, said to be the inspiration for Tom Riddle.

"A historic graveyard that is a common stop for visitors. Harry Potter fans visit it to see the grave"

Edinburgh's port district, a short bus ride from the centre, where the Royal Yacht Britannia is moored.

"Edinburgh's port district, a short bus ride from the centre, where the Royal Yacht Britannia is moor"

Museum detailing the lives of Scotland's three greatest literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

"Museum detailing the lives of Scotland's three greatest literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter S"

A monument on Calton Hill, one of the hill's landmarks.

"A monument on Calton Hill, one of the hill's landmarks."

The British royal family's yacht, used for over 900 voyages and now permanently moored in Leith. Visitors can tour the bridge, the Queen's sun lounge, the dining room and the drawing room.

"The British royal family's yacht, used for over 900 voyages and now permanently moored in Leith. Vis"

Strikingly modern parliament building opened in 2004, designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. It mixes bold windows, wild angles and organic themes.

"Strikingly modern parliament building opened in 2004, designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. "

A well-maintained 13-mile riverside path offering a peaceful promenade past many points of interest. You can join it at many spots and follow an audio trail guide along the way.

"A well-maintained 13-mile riverside path offering a peaceful promenade past many points of interest."

A historic observatory on top of Calton Hill.

"A historic observatory on top of Calton Hill."

A ticketed tour through Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century street, which endured overcrowding and plague. It's recommended early in a trip to better appreciate the city's history.

"A ticketed tour through Edinburgh's only preserved 17th-century street, which endured overcrowding a"

A monument on Calton Hill famous for its incredible views over the city.

"A monument on Calton Hill famous for its incredible views over the city."

The busiest shopping street in the New Town, running alongside Princes Street Gardens.

"The busiest shopping street in the New Town, running alongside Princes Street Gardens."

A historic stepped lane by the Grassmarket with a classic view of Edinburgh Castle and cute small houses with porches. It's a popular photo spot, so the vlogger came back early the next morning to avoid the crowds.

"A historic stepped lane by the Grassmarket with a classic view of Edinburgh Castle and cute small ho"

Independent bookshop over three levels beneath Calton Hill, with more than 70,000 titles. You climb ladders to reach the top shelves.

"Independent bookshop over three levels beneath Calton Hill, with more than 70,000 titles. You climb "

Intimate, free gallery on the Mound, next to Princes Street Gardens. It holds famous works by painters such as J.M.W. Turner and William McTaggart, which you can see up close.

"Intimate, free gallery on the Mound, next to Princes Street Gardens. It holds famous works by painte"

Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle to Scottish soldiers lost in World War I and later British wars. Each bay is dedicated to a regiment, and its books of remembrance list the fallen.

"Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle to Scottish soldiers lost in World War I and later British wars. Ea"

Museum within the castle walls covering four centuries of Scottish military history. It covers the kilted Highland soldier, bagpipes and two centuries of recruiting posters.

"Museum within the castle walls covering four centuries of Scottish military history. It covers the k"

Rick Steves calls it the best walk through Scottish history anywhere. It holds a huge artifact collection, from the Kingdom of the Scots exhibit and Bonnie Prince Charlie relics to the Industrial Revolution and early golf balls.

"Rick Steves calls it the best walk through Scottish history anywhere. It holds a huge artifact colle"

Visitor centre (formerly the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre) introducing the world of whisky. Its tour includes a wee dram to taste.

"Visitor centre (formerly the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre) introducing the world of whisky. Its tou"

A small but lively Sunday market, open 10:00 to 16:00, with vendors selling meats, cheeses, whisky, baked goods and homemade products.

"A small but lively Sunday market, open 10:00 to 16:00, with vendors selling meats, cheeses, whisky, "

A 70-acre garden that dates back over 350 years and began as a physic garden for medicinal plants. It's a peaceful retreat with hidden benches and an entrance shop selling items like Scottish thistle seeds.

"A 70-acre garden that dates back over 350 years and began as a physic garden for medicinal plants. I"

A very pretty courtyard off the Royal Mile next to the Writers' Museum. The vlogger found it a great spot for photos.

"A very pretty courtyard off the Royal Mile next to the Writers' Museum. The vlogger found it a great"

A popular, tiny coffee shop where the vlogger had breakfast. It was so busy she had to sit outside, and she noted there are two Milkman locations nearby.

"A popular, tiny coffee shop where the vlogger had breakfast. It was so busy she had to sit outside, "

One of the monuments on top of Calton Hill.

"One of the monuments on top of Calton Hill."

Monument to Robert Burns, seen from Calton Hill.

"Monument to Robert Burns, seen from Calton Hill."

Street built between 1829 and 1834, said to have inspired Diagon Alley. It has colourful shopfronts and even a wizard shop.

"Street built between 1829 and 1834, said to have inspired Diagon Alley. It has colourful shopfronts "

Bronze statue of the terrier said to have guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. Rubbing its nose is said to bring good luck.

"Bronze statue of the terrier said to have guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. Rubbing its nose i"

A ceremonial gun fired at the castle at exactly 1pm since 1861, except Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Arrive about 30 minutes early for a good spot.

"A ceremonial gun fired at the castle at exactly 1pm since 1861, except Sundays, Good Friday and Chri"

An immersive whisky experience with personal flavour profiling and multi-sensory storytelling, ending with drinks in the bar. The rooftop restaurant has city views and dishes like cullen skink.

"An immersive whisky experience with personal flavour profiling and multi-sensory storytelling, endin"

Restaurant above the Old Bell pub with a living-room ambience. It serves contemporary Scottish cuisine that blends French technique with local seafood, beef and vegetables.

"Restaurant above the Old Bell pub with a living-room ambience. It serves contemporary Scottish cuisi"

Walking pub tour led by two actors with witty dialogue. They debate whether Scotland's great literature was high art or the work of whisky-fuelled louts.

"Walking pub tour led by two actors with witty dialogue. They debate whether Scotland's great literat"

Victorian neo-Gothic private chapel of the Knights of the Thistle inside St Giles'. It is used about once a year for knighthood ceremonies presided over by the monarch.

"Victorian neo-Gothic private chapel of the Knights of the Thistle inside St Giles'. It is used about"

Whisky shop founded in 1842 that bottles whisky straight from the cask at top distilleries, avoiding mass-production compromises. Staff guide tastings and explain why to add water.

"Whisky shop founded in 1842 that bottles whisky straight from the cask at top distilleries, avoiding"

The New Town's main drag, built extra wide so a four-horse carriage could make a U-turn.

"The New Town's main drag, built extra wide so a four-horse carriage could make a U-turn."

Cliffs rising behind the Parliament building, along the hiking route up to Arthur's Seat.

"Cliffs rising behind the Parliament building, along the hiking route up to Arthur's Seat."

A gastropub in Stockbridge serving Scottish food sourced from local suppliers, such as haggis and seared Orkney scallops. It also offers whisky tastings, and the vlogger called it the perfect introduction to Scotland.

"A gastropub in Stockbridge serving Scottish food sourced from local suppliers, such as haggis and se"

A bustling New Town street lined with pubs and music venues. It's a popular nightlife spot with a mix of ages.

"A bustling New Town street lined with pubs and music venues. It's a popular nightlife spot with a mi"

A bar on Rose Street recommended for its authentic Scottish music.

"A bar on Rose Street recommended for its authentic Scottish music."

An iconic, picturesque lane in Stockbridge, passed on the walk back to the Water of Leith.

"An iconic, picturesque lane in Stockbridge, passed on the walk back to the Water of Leith."

Terraced hillside allotments along the Water of Leith, created for unemployed families during the 1920s depression. The city still rents out plots, and the waiting list is reportedly eight years long.

"Terraced hillside allotments along the Water of Leith, created for unemployed families during the 19"

A casual dining spot next to the Royal Mile with live music, good vibes and tasty burgers.

"A casual dining spot next to the Royal Mile with live music, good vibes and tasty burgers."

Placeholder removed

"Placeholder removed"

Coffee shop on Melville Place, recommended for a hearty breakfast. The menu includes pastries, toasties, hot drinks and takeaway snacks.

"Coffee shop on Melville Place, recommended for a hearty breakfast. The menu includes pastries, toast"

Boutique craft market on the Royal Mile, set inside a former church. It sells all sorts of artisanal goods.

"Boutique craft market on the Royal Mile, set inside a former church. It sells all sorts of artisanal"

Harbour area of Leith and one of its coolest parts; despite the name, it is not on the seafront.

"Harbour area of Leith and one of its coolest parts; despite the name, it is not on the seafront."

Waterfront breakfast spot on the Shore. In warm weather you can eat outside and enjoy the view.

"Waterfront breakfast spot on the Shore. In warm weather you can eat outside and enjoy the view."

Island in the Firth of Forth, visible in the distance from Calton Hill.

"Island in the Firth of Forth, visible in the distance from Calton Hill."

Tiny taproom of Scotland's largest sour beer producer, serving unusual flavours like raspberry roulade and apricot birthday cake. It has under a dozen seats, so book ahead, especially at weekends.

"Tiny taproom of Scotland's largest sour beer producer, serving unusual flavours like raspberry roula"

Upscale food hall in a shopping mall, where everyone orders their own dishes and eats together. It's a little pricey, but the food is delicious and the atmosphere is sophisticated.

"Upscale food hall in a shopping mall, where everyone orders their own dishes and eats together. It's"

Closest seafront to the city centre, easily reached at the end of the tram line. It isn't the most beautiful stretch of coast.

"Closest seafront to the city centre, easily reached at the end of the tram line. It isn't the most b"

A memorial in Princes Street Gardens to Wojtek, a WWII bear mascot. He famously carried ammunition crates at the Battle of Monte Cassino.

"A memorial in Princes Street Gardens to Wojtek, a WWII bear mascot. He famously carried ammunition c"

An ornate cast-iron fountain installed in 1872 and restored in 2018. It frames a great view of the castle and has a playground beside it.

"An ornate cast-iron fountain installed in 1872 and restored in 2018. It frames a great view of the c"

The world's oldest floral clock, installed in 1903 at Princes Street Gardens. It is replanted every year with a new design.

"The world's oldest floral clock, installed in 1903 at Princes Street Gardens. It is replanted every "

Edinburgh's oldest building, dating from around 1130, inside the castle. This tiny chapel still hosts baptisms and weddings.

"Edinburgh's oldest building, dating from around 1130, inside the castle. This tiny chapel still host"

An award-winning spot where you pick a meat, a mash and a sauce, including haggis. The food is simple, fast and very good.

"An award-winning spot where you pick a meat, a mash and a sauce, including haggis. The food is simpl"

A 17th-century church on the Royal Mile that closed in 1952. It now houses a small market that preserves its architecture.

"A 17th-century church on the Royal Mile that closed in 1952. It now houses a small market that prese"

The world's first museum dedicated to childhood, opened in 1955, with over 60,000 toys, dolls, games and vintage bicycles. It is free and full of nostalgia for adults.

"The world's first museum dedicated to childhood, opened in 1955, with over 60,000 toys, dolls, games"

One of the Royal Mile's oldest buildings, dating to around 1470, with exhibits on John Knox and his era. Its highlight is the painted 17th-century Oak Room ceiling.

"One of the Royal Mile's oldest buildings, dating to around 1470, with exhibits on John Knox and his "

A coffee shop serving some of the best cortados of the trip. It is known for the quirky blue man climbing its wall.

"A coffee shop serving some of the best cortados of the trip. It is known for the quirky blue man cli"

A pub named after the loyal dog, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard.

"A pub named after the loyal dog, just outside Greyfriars Kirkyard."

A hugely popular ice cream shop with a near-constant queue. It is worth the wait for a scoop eaten with castle views.

"A hugely popular ice cream shop with a near-constant queue. It is worth the wait for a scoop eaten w"

A doughnut shop in the Grassmarket. Its doughnuts make a fun breakfast in view of the castle.

"A doughnut shop in the Grassmarket. Its doughnuts make a fun breakfast in view of the castle."

A weekly farmers' market in the Grassmarket with various food vendors, set against views of the castle.

"A weekly farmers' market in the Grassmarket with various food vendors, set against views of the cast"

Ruins of a 15th-century chapel reached by a short side path off the Arthur's Seat trail. They overlook St Margaret's Loch.

"Ruins of a 15th-century chapel reached by a short side path off the Arthur's Seat trail. They overlo"

A small hill in Holyrood Park near St Anthony's Chapel.

"A small hill in Holyrood Park near St Anthony's Chapel."

A small building from around the 1560s, associated with Mary, Queen of Scots and possibly her bath house. It can be seen outside the palace without a ticket.

"A small building from around the 1560s, associated with Mary, Queen of Scots and possibly her bath h"

A pulled-pork sandwich shop that began as a farmers' market stall. You can add haggis or a sweet chilli jelly.

"A pulled-pork sandwich shop that began as a farmers' market stall. You can add haggis or a sweet chi"

The cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter, closed after a fire. A Victoria Street outpost is open for drinks and butterscotch beer.

"The cafe where J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter, closed after a fire. A Victoria Street out"

A world-ranked speakeasy entered through a hidden bookcase door, known for science-driven cocktails using freeze distillation. Its coconut daiquiri is the signature drink.

"A world-ranked speakeasy entered through a hidden bookcase door, known for science-driven cocktails "

A combined bookshop and bindery filled with old second-hand books, posters and reused scraps of paper, which made it worth a detour for a book lover.

"A combined bookshop and bindery filled with old second-hand books, posters and reused scraps of pape"

Jewellery shop about five minutes' walk from the Royal Mile. It sells swirly, gemstone-set rings, and the vlogger highly recommends it for its beautiful designs and ethically sourced stones.

"Jewellery shop about five minutes' walk from the Royal Mile. It sells swirly, gemstone-set rings, an"

Witchy shop in the Old Town that the vlogger wanted to revisit because she hadn't spent enough time there.

"Witchy shop in the Old Town that the vlogger wanted to revisit because she hadn't spent enough time "

Small monument honouring the women burned at the stake as witches on that spot. It is easy to miss, and the vlogger found its tiny, overlooked corner sadly underwhelming.

"Small monument honouring the women burned at the stake as witches on that spot. It is easy to miss, "

A shop at the top of the Royal Mile where you can have Scottish tartan woven for you.

"A shop at the top of the Royal Mile where you can have Scottish tartan woven for you."

A fun optical-illusion attraction near the castle. Its rooftop gives views over the entire city.

"A fun optical-illusion attraction near the castle. Its rooftop gives views over the entire city."

A separate gallery a street away from the National Gallery. The host warns that Edinburgh's galleries have confusingly similar names.

"A separate gallery a street away from the National Gallery. The host warns that Edinburgh's gallerie"

A scare attraction where live actors frighten and entertain visitors. It is great fun in a group.

"A scare attraction where live actors frighten and entertain visitors. It is great fun in a group."

Recommended ghost tours through the haunted streets and the underground city, ending in a famous graveyard.

"Recommended ghost tours through the haunted streets and the underground city, ending in a famous gra"

One of Edinburgh's two most famous graveyards, very creepy at night on a ghost tour.

"One of Edinburgh's two most famous graveyards, very creepy at night on a ghost tour."

Home of Hibernian Football Club. A derby against arch-rivals Hearts comes highly recommended.

"Home of Hibernian Football Club. A derby against arch-rivals Hearts comes highly recommended."

Scotland's largest stadium and home of the national rugby union team. You can catch a match or take a stadium tour.

"Scotland's largest stadium and home of the national rugby union team. You can catch a match or take "

A zoo that is home to red pandas and giant pandas, the only zoo in the country with giant pandas.

"A zoo that is home to red pandas and giant pandas, the only zoo in the country with giant pandas."