Jan
10
Edinburgh Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under United Kingdom
A trip to Edinburgh
The historic and charming capital of Scotland, Edinburgh boasts a rich culture and inheritance combined with stunning surrounding scenery. With the choice of flights that land at Edinburgh Airport, tourists come from all over to discover this city which is home to fascinating architecture, appealing museums and galleries, a vivid cultural scene and fine restaurants and pubs. Apart from its famous castle, Edinburgh offers visitors a variety of other top attractions, including great shopping, an exciting nightlife and the world-known Edinburgh Festival, making the city an outstanding tourist destination.
Flights to Edinburgh
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has numerous direct flights to European destinations including Ireland and other UK cities as well as a number of services to Asia, Africa and the Middle East, but there are no direct flights to North America. The single terminal at Edinburgh Airport is served by plentiful airlines that travel to over 100 worldwide destinations. There are over a dozen daily flights from London’s airports to the Scottish capital. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Edinburgh try Expedia.
The airport is about eight miles from the city centre, which can be reached by train, car or frequent LRT buses within 35 minutes. Edinburgh presents a reliable bus network and excellent roads to close-by towns and cities. Alternatively, travellers can choose to fly into Glasgow International Airport (55 miles from Edinburgh) or Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (80 miles).
Edinburgh
Sightseeing in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is situated amid an inactive volcanic terrain featuring the spectacular cliff side setting of the 1,200-year-old Edinburgh Castle, the city’s major tourist site. Not far from here another loftier vista can be enjoyed by a short climb to Arthur’s Seat, a dormant volcano. Nearby is the Cowsgate area, a unique location where you might get lost among the abundance of alleyways.
The centre of Edinburgh boasts numerous imposing neo-classical buildings and marvellous museums including the National Gallery of Scotland and the superb Museum of Scotland, while the Scottish Parliament building should not be missed. Edinburgh is also famous for its lovely parks and gardens, above all the Royal Botanic Garden, an absolute delight for garden devotees.
Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Gourmet lovers will find a wide range of fine restaurants in Edinburgh offering everything from fast food to epicurean cuisine, as well as traditional Scottish dishes including haggis (stuffed sheep’s stomach) and game.
A great number of Scotland’s top watering holes can be found in Edinburgh and vary from traditional pubs to modern bars and clubs where guests may be spoilt with a wee dram of whisky. An organised whisky tour is a great experience which takes in several famous distilleries in the enclosing region.
Edinburgh boasts an exceptionally rich theatrical tradition, and productions can be watched at numerous brilliant venues such as the Edinburgh Festival Theatre and the Traverse Theatre. The city presents some thrilling nightlife entertainment in various pubs, bars and nightclubs, with many of them providing high-quality live music.
Fun by day – shopping and activities
Edinburgh is a good place for shopping, featuring many specialist shops, department stores and lively markets. Princes street is a well-liked shopping district in the heart of the city, while antique shops are located at Grassmarket and West Bow in the Old Town. Several bustling markets can be found here including the Edinburgh Farmers’ Market and the New Street Indoor Market. Over a dozen golf courses lie within easy driving distance of Edinburgh’s centre.
Daytrips
For a great day out especially with children, the Edinburgh Zoo is situated just outside the city. The large sprawling grounds are home to a plethora of animals from around the world including penguins, monkeys, lions and elephants. There are numerous shows held throughout the day, as well as safari rides which take you through the park in a caged vehicle.
Some great walking and hiking trails are available around the Edinburgh area. The city boasts a plethora of parks with scenic paths along waterways and through dense forest. The coastal route that travels to South Queensferry is particularly special with fantastic views along the way. The walk travels to Dalmeny House, which is a great sight to see.
Fishing enthusiasts will love the opportunities in and around Edinburgh. Along the Almond River there are some fantastic spots for catching all types of fish including salmon and trout. Small boats are available for hire and can make for a fun day out on the water.
Must-see attractions
The Museum of Scotland is an impressive modern building filled with some amazing history from the historic country. There is a great display of medieval pieces and Roman artefacts including clothing, armour and art work. The exhibits are well explained with great multimedia headsets available or if you like a more personal touch, guided tours can be arranged.
Located along the docks is the Royal yacht Britannia, which once served the royal family. The ship has been restored to its former beauty with 1950s décor and furnishings. There is a visitor centre with information and facts about the interesting ship as well as a comfortable café to enjoy the seaside view.
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is one of the country’s best, with an extensive collection of paintings. Numerous Kings and royals from past centuries have their portraits here as well as some famous contemporary figures. The building itself is an amazing neo-Gothic design built with magnificent red-stone. Visitors will enjoy the guided tours that start every hour and explain more details about the artwork.
Best time to go
The summer period between June and August is the best time to visit Edinburgh, with warm temperatures and beautiful sunny days. There are also numerous summer festivals and events held which can attract thousands of visitors, so make sure to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid disappointment. Spring and autumn can also be a pleasant time to visit with lots of colour and mild temperatures.
Rainy day suggestions
With so many great museums and galleries to see in Edinburgh, there is no shortage of attractions if the weather turns sour. The Dean Gallery is home to some brilliant collections from artists such as the Dadaists and Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. The National Gallery of Scotland has a great collection of early Renaissance era pieces. There are numerous Scottish artists’ works kept here as well.
Comments
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
