Discover Edinburgh on a city break
From a luxury long weekend to short budget holiday, a city break is an excellent way to explore a new place and get a feel for what a city is all about.
The vibrant capital of Scotland is brimming with history and culture and has much to offer visitors who come to the area to explore and discover its best attractions.
Whether you want an action-packed adventure or a relaxing getaway at a slower pace, Edinburgh’s historic streets have plenty to entertain even the most seasoned traveller. Between the world-class museums, award-winning restaurants, designer shops, and historic buildings, the only thing you’ll have to worry about on a city break to Edinburgh is what to do next.
Things to see and do
Everywhere you look in Edinburgh there is something new to discover and you don’t need to be there during the busy festival season to see it at its best. It’s a city perfect for strolling through the cobbled streets or relaxing over a drink at one of its many cosy pubs and bars.
Annual festivals like the Fringe in August and the famous Hogmanay celebrations for New Year attract thousands of people to the area every year and offer visitors a diverse blend of culture and entertainment. While it’s a city that’s not known for its fine weather – wind and rain are almost a guarantee during any visit – what it lacks in heat and sunshine it makes up for with stunning architecture, great attractions and friendly people.
If you’re planning your own adventure to Edinburgh, websites like Visit Scotland are a great place to start your research, and this guide to Edinburgh city breaks has a great list of highlights for a flying visit. For further inspiration, the Telegraph has put together its own list of top attractions, restaurants, and places to stay in Edinburgh to help you put together an itinerary that’s all your own. While you’re there, don’t miss:
Edinburgh castle – The castle is the city’s majestic focal point, and inside is no less impressive – you can see the oldest church in Scotland, learn about the history of the fortress and see artefacts like the Stone of Destiny and the Crown Jewels up close and personal.
Holyrood palace – Her Majesty’s official residence when she’s in Scotland, Holyrood palace is open year round to visitors. Inside you can explore the Queen’s reception rooms along with the apartment of the famous Mary Queen of Scots.
The Royal Mile – In the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Royal Mile connects Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood palace and is a hub of great pubs, restaurants and shops with stunning architecture to boot.
The Scott Monument – The towering spire on Edinburgh’s main shopping road – Princes Street – stands in tribute to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. Climb the nearly 300 stairs to the observation deck and the top and enjoy unparalleled views of the city and beyond.
Booking your adventure
These days it’s easy to book your entire holiday from the comfort of your own home through travel websites – the advantage here is that you can find the best deals and compare flight times, hotel rates and everything in between without hassle.
Tourism websites like Visit Scotland are packed with information about different types of accommodation and attractions and make it easy to book through the website.
If you’re interested in comparing deals, websites like lastminute.com and booking.com are also excellent resources – you can search for hotels by area, price, and star rating, as well as read reviews from other travellers who have stayed there before.
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