Is Edinburgh worth visiting? Is Edinburgh expensive? And everything else you need to know

Are you planning a trip to Scotland and want to know is Edinburgh worth visiting? In this article we go through absolutely everything you need to know including is Edinburgh expensive, is Edinburgh safe, and much more, to help you decide if you should go.

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Some background

Before we answer the question is Edinburgh worth visiting, here is some background.

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, located in the northern part of Great Britain. It’s an incredibly historical city, that is said to be one of the most haunted in Europe. Although that is probably no surprise when you consider that the old towns origins can be traced back to the 7th Century AD.

Another interesting fact is that over 75% of the city’s buildings are listed, and only London has more listed buildings in the whole country.

Is Edinburgh expensive?

Edinburgh is one of the more expensive cities in the UK, although you will be pleased to hear it is certainly cheaper than London.

If you are looking for accommodation expect to pay somewhere between £120 – £150 per night for something mid range.

When it comes to spending we would recommend an average budget of around £100 per person per day. This will include entry to tourist attractions, food and drink, and souvenirs. You can obviously spend a lot more or a lot less depending on the kind of vacation you are planning.

Do I need cash in Edinburgh?

You shouldn’t really need cash when visiting Edinburgh. Card payments are accepted in most places. You might want to carry some cash with you as a backup, but really you don’t need this. You can even pay for buses with contactless card payments.

What language do they speak in Edinburgh?

English is an official language in Scotland so you will be fine getting around if you can speak it. You may find some of the accents are a bit stronger in Scotland, and if English isn’t your first language just ask people to repeat themselves slowly. It’s also worth noting that Scots and Scottish Gaelic are minority languages in Scotland.

Is Edinburgh easy to get to?

Edinburgh is relatively easy to get to. It’s a popular tourist spot so you have a few options for getting here.

If you are coming from the Northern part of England, or other parts of Scotland getting the train is probably your easiest option. From Manchester for instance you are looking at a 3 hour train trip. Newcastle and Glasgow will be a lot closer, and a shorter trip. Once in Edinburgh you will arrive at Waverly Station, and from here it is only a 10 minute walk to the Old Town.

If you are coming from another country, or the southern parts of England you are best off flying into Edinburgh. Edinburgh airport is a popular airport with a number European and US carriers flying in to it. From the airport you can either get a taxi into town, or hop on a train. The train will take you to Waverly station in under half an hour and trains leave every 7 minutes.

How long should I spend in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh isn’t a huge city, and a lot of the tourist attractions are relatively close together. We would say that 3 days in Edinburgh is a good amount of time to see everything and get a feel for the city itself. Some people do plan day trips to Edinburgh, and it is possible to see a lot in such a short period of time, but you probably want a little bit longer to explore in depth.

Is Edinburgh safe?

Edinburgh is one of the safer cities in the UK, and tourists shouldn’t have much issue here. Like anywhere there are neighbourhoods that you should avoid, but if you are seeing the tourist attractions and hanging around the Old Town you should be fine.

Serious crimes against tourists are rare. You should take normal precautions, and keep an eye on your belongings as pickpocketing is common, but overall it is pretty safe.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting compared to other British cities?

Edinburgh is very much worth visiting compared to other British cities. For starters it is the capital of Scotland, which is one of the countries that makes up Great Britain. The culture and way of life in Scotland is different to other parts of Britain, and visiting Edinburgh is a great chance to experience this.

It’s also a very historical city with so many incredible buildings to explore. It’s very unique and definitely worth a visit.

Can I use public transport in Edinburgh?

Public transport is easy to use in Edinburgh, although chances are if you are staying around the Royal Mile you won’t have to use it that much. A lot of the main tourist attractions are concentrated in this area, and they are easily accessible on foot.

If you need to use public transport though you have the option of getting a bus or a tram. Buses run 24 hours a day and you can pay for tickets when you board. There are 2 main bus operators First and Lothian, so keep this in mind as you can’t use tickets for one company on another’s buses.

There are also trams, and these connect the new town with the airport. Tickets can be purchased at machines at the tram stops. They don’t give change though so it’s best paying by card.

What is there to do in Edinburgh

If you are wondering is Edinburgh worth visiting for attractions alone, here is our rundown on the best things to do when visiting the city.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Scotch Whisky is a big deal, so doing a tour at the Scotch Whisky Experience is a must. Here you can learn all about making whisky, and understanding the flavours when drinking it. You will be a whisky connoisseur before you know it!

Edinburgh Castle

Of course the dominating feature of the city skyline is Edinburgh Castle. If you want to learn about the castle, and view the Crown Jewels you should definitely do a tour.

Walk the Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is a succession of streets that make up the main part of the Old Town. There are a lot of quirky shops and places to buy souvenirs and  yes we may have bought so much shortbread that our bags couldn’t close. While you are here make sure you check out St Giles’ Cathedral, which is beautiful both outside and in.

Do a ghost tour

A city ghost tour, whilst being slightly gimmicky is actually a really good way to learn about the gory history of the city.

You can book tours on the Royal Mile, and whilst there are a few different tours to choose from, we went with the City of the Dead Haunted Graveyard Tour. This took us to an area of Greyfriars Kirkyard allegedly haunted by the McKenzie Poltergeist.

There are also several Edinburgh ghost tours that you can book via Get Your Guide.

Climb Arthur’s Seat

If you want to get outdoors and do a bit of hiking in Edinburgh then we recommend visiting Arthur’s Seat. Just to clarify though it isn’t actually a seat, but Arthur’s Seat is the name given to one of the hills that towers over Edinburgh.

It’s located in the southeast part of the city, and it worth it if you want some great views over Edinburgh. The hike starts in Holyrood, and it’s a pretty relaxed walk. Within 30 minutes you should reach the top, although we did take longer on account of all the photo taking!

Real Mary King’s Close

The Real Mary King’s Close is honestly one of the best attractions in Edinburgh. You purchase your tickets and you are taken to a deep underground medieval alleyway, which has been preserved to show you what life in Edinburgh was like in the 17th century.

You get a guided tour in a group of about 20 or so and you explore the vaults whilst hearing ghostly tales and historical accounts.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is probably one of the most famous cemeteries in Edinburgh, and it is a beautiful and fascinating place to walk around.

The history here though is quite gruesome. For starters the cemetery had a pit where plague victims were buried by the masses. And of course, there is also the story of Burke and Hare. They were body snatchers who would rob graves to sell the bodies to the local medical school. If you can do a tour of the cemetery do it, because you will learn so much.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill is where you will find some of the best views over Edinburgh including the Castle and Arthur’s Seat.

There are a number of historical monuments here such as the National Monument which was inspired by the Parthenon in Greece. It was supposed to be a memorial for Scottish Servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars although it was never completed.

Nelson Monument is another historical monument you can visit which commemorates the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.

Victoria Street

Victoria Street in Edinburgh is probably one of the most beautiful shopping streets in the city. The street is slightly curved with several colour shopfronts. Take your time walking down and exploring the quirky shops and bars. The street is a great access point from Grassmarket to Lawnmarket, and surprisingly was only built in 1892-34 as part of improvement works to the Old Town to ensure easier access around Edinburgh.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

For something a little different you should visit Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. It’s actually one of the oldest attractions in the city, believe it or not and has been entertaining people since 1853.

There are heaps of optical illusions and interactive exhibits that are fun for the whole family. The highlight though is seeing the 169-year-old Camera Obscura in action.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for solo travellers

Edinburgh is a really good place to visit if you are travelling solo. For starters its such a friendly and welcoming city which is always nice when you are by yourself.

It’s also incredibly safe, and easy to get around, which again is a plus for solo travel. And if you want to interact with other people there are so many incredible tours or pub crawls you can book on to.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for couples

Edinburgh is such a romantic city. It’s filled with cobbled streets and picturesque alleyways which is perfect when travelling as a couple.

If you are doing a couples holiday we recommend staying at the the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel which has a spa in case you are in need of some pampering.

There are also some great food and drink spots in the city which are perfect for date night. Or you could get a rug and have a picnic at places like Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill. And whilst we are on the subject of Calton Hill, it’s the best place in the city to watch the sunset.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for families

Edinburgh is also an excellent family destination. There are so many fun things you can do with the kids, with Camera Obscura and World of Illusions being one of our top recommendations. There are lots of great museums for them to learn all about the fascinating history of the city too.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for foodies?

If you love food Edinburgh is a great place to visit. For starters the city is incredibly multicultural and with that comes a number of international restaurants to explore. You might be interested to know that Chicken Tikka Masala whilst a popular dish in UK Indian style restaurants was actually invented in Scotland (Glasgow to be exact).

The city itself has a number of independent coffee shops and restaurants and even a few Michelin star choices.

Traditional Scottish food, is something we recommend trying. I think most people have heard of (and possible recoiled at) Haggis, but there is so much more to the Edinburgh food scene. Comfort foods like shortbread and pies are a must. As well as your classic meat and vegetable staples that restaurants take pride in sourcing with local produce.

Another Scottish invention is the deep fried Mars Bar. Apparently the thought of deep frying a Mars Bar came about in Stonehaven, Scotland in the Haven Chip Bar. It is now called the Carron in case you ever want to visit. There was some discussion as to whether you could deep fry a Mars Bar. So the only logical thing to do was to test it.

The result was a deliciously crispy on the outside, melted chocolate on the inside, treat. And I’m pretty certain it will clog your arteries. Word spread and the treat is served as most chippers particularly in Edinburgh. Although we would probably recommend that you stick at one as there is no way this is good for you.

I should also emphasise that it tastes way better than it looks!

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for the nightlife?

I probably wouldn’t call Edinburgh a part capital, but it is definitely home to a decent nightlife scene. There is a little bit of something for everyone. If you want cocktails or whisky it has you covered. There are also plenty of cheap and cheerful bars, as well as nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for nature lovers?

Edinburgh itself is a pretty green city and you can visit places like Arthur’s Seat to enjoy a bit of nature. But if you really want to experience the natural beauty of Scotland there are heaps of day tours you can do including to places like Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for history buffs?

Edinburgh is a history lovers dream. It’s filled with medieval architecture, old spooky cemeteries, and hidden underground vaults. History lovers will also be impressed by the amazing museums, in the city.

Some of the historical highlights in the city include Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close, and Greyfriars Kirkyard. There are also some very historical pubs to visit like the White Hart Inn which is the oldest pub in Edinburgh that is said to be haunted.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting for culture lovers?

Edinburgh is one of the top cultural cities in the UK. Each year it is host to the Edinburgh Fringe Festivals which attracts people from all over the world who gather to support the arts.

It’s also filled with historic architecture, museums, and galleries, which all contribute to the rich culture of the city.

Edinburgh is very much a melting pot of nationalities, which is reflected in the cities food scene. This mix of international influence and traditional Scottish culture is something that makes Edinburgh very unique. I mean where else can you listen to someone playing bagpipes one minute then chow down on a curry the next?

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the summer

Summer is quite frankly the best time to visit Edinburgh. The temperatures are mild, averaging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius, and the days are brighter longer.

June or July are the better summer months, because August coincides with school holidays. With school holidays comes expensive accommodation and long lines for attractions. You also have the Edinburgh Fringe festival at this time of year. It’s one of the biggest arts festivals in the world, and honestly you will have no chance of getting accommodation – especially last minute.

If you do want to visit Edinburgh in the summer then make sure you book accommodation well in advance.

Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the winter

You might be wondering is Edinburgh worth visiting in winter. The answer to that depends on what kind of a break you are after.

Winters can be harsh in Edinburgh. And whilst it is rare for temperatures to drop below freezing you are still looking at something between 1 and 7 degrees Celsius. It’s not the time of year to be hiking up Arthur’s Seat for example.

There is quite a bit of rain and fog, which makes it atmospheric, but not ideal for long periods of time outdoors. It’s a good excuse to hit the museums or cosy up in a pub. The Christmas Markets are another good reason to visit Edinburgh in December. They are incredibly atmospheric and probably one of the best Christmas Markets in the UK.

What to pack when visiting Edinburgh?

Apart from your standard packing list here are some suggestions for things to bring when visiting Edinburgh.

• Rainwear – I hate to say it but the weather isn’t always great in Edinburgh so be prepared for rain
• Decent walking shoes – you will need them
• Layered clothing – it does get cold in Edinburgh so layer up
• A decent jacket depending on the season
• Day bag for carrying essentials

What should I know before visiting Edinburgh?

Here are some final tips we think you should know before visiting Edinburgh.

• Book any tours in advance especially in the summer months
• Also book restaurants in advance
• Staying in the Old Town is your best bet as this is where most attractions are
• Double check if there are any festivals on before you plan to go as you really will struggle to get accommodation
• Exploring the city on foot is one of the best ways to find hidden gems

So Is Edinburgh worth visiting?

Still wondering is Edinburgh worth visiting? Our answer is a resounding yes. Edinburgh is beautiful and one of the must visit places in Europe. There is a wealth of history to explore at almost ever corner.

You definitely need to think about the best time to visit Edinburgh as visiting during festival season will see you struggle for accommodation, but if you plan it right it is truly a memorable trip.

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Happy Travels!