Photo: Stephencdickson · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Edinburgh
A castle on a volcano, free national museums and the world's biggest arts festival.
Scotland's capital is two cities side by side: a medieval Old Town of closes and stone tenements running down from the castle, and a Georgian New Town of wide streets and gardens. An old volcano, Arthur's Seat, rises at the end of the Royal Mile, and the big national museums are free. In August the festivals fill every stage and every bed.
Places to see
- Edinburgh CastleSight · A fortress on a sheer volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile: gatehouses and…≈ A$45
Royal MileWalk · The Old Town's spine, sloping down from the castle to Holyrood Palace: tall stone…Free
National Museum of ScotlandMuseum · Scotland's history from its rocks to its rock bands, plus world cultures, science and…Free
When to go
- Jan7° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb8° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar10° / 2°Some rainQuiet
- Apr12° / 4°Some rainBusy
- May15° / 6°Some rainBusy
- Jun18° / 9°Some rainBusy
- Jul19° / 11°Some rainVery busy
- Aug19° / 11°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The Old Town. The castle, the Royal Mile, its closes, the Grassmarket and the big museums; lively at night, with many hostels.
The New Town. Georgian streets and gardens north of the valley, by Waverley station, the galleries and Calton Hill, out to Dean Village.
Flying in
Edinburgh (EDI): Airlink bus or tram to the city centre, about 30 min, ≈ A$11. The bus is usually cheaper than the tram; both run to Princes Street and Waverley (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Edinburgh; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The Old and New Towns are compact and best on foot, though steep in places. Buses reach Leith and the beach at Portobello; tap a card or phone to pay (check).
Lothian day ticket (≈ A$11, 1 day): Unlimited city buses and trams (not the airport tram); worth it for three or more rides (check).
Tourist tax
Edinburgh's visitor levy, from July 2026: 5% of the room price for the first 5 nights, about £1–3 a person a night on a budget and more in August (check).
