48 hours in Edinburgh
Day one is the Old Town from the Castle down. Day two starts with a climb up Arthur’s Seat, then Holyrood Palace and a walk west to Dean Village.
- Length: 48 hours
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: £75–£150 pp
- Best for: Old Town history plus a short hill walk
The plan
Day 1 · Castle and Old Town Old Town, Grassmarket
- 09:30–11:45 Edinburgh CastleBook ahead
Arrive at opening. Crown Jewels queue grows by late morning.
- 11:50–12:45 Royal Mile and St Giles’ CathedralIndoors
Cathedral entry is free; donations welcome.
- 12:50–13:50 Lunch around the Grassmarket
Old pubs and cafés below the Castle rock.
- 13:55–14:25 Victoria Street
The curved street of shopfronts.
- 14:30–16:30 National Museum of ScotlandIndoors
Free. Head to the roof terrace before you leave.
- 16:35–17:15 Greyfriars Kirkyard
Atmospheric churchyard.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in the Old Town
Cowgate and Blair Street area.
Day 2 · Arthur’s Seat to Dean Village Holyrood, New Town, Dean Village, Stockbridge
- 09:00–10:45 Arthur’s Seat
About 45 minutes up from Holyrood Park on the main path; steep and rocky at the top.
- 10:55–12:15 Palace of HolyroodhouseBook aheadIndoors
The King’s official residence in Scotland. Closed when the Royal Family is in residence.
- 12:30–13:30 Lunch on the lower Royal Mile
Canongate has quieter cafés.
- 13:45–14:30 Scottish National GalleryIndoors
Free. Small and easy to see in under an hour.
- 14:55–15:45 Dean Village
Old mill village on the Water of Leith, ten minutes from the West End.
- 16:00–17:00 Stockbridge
Independent shops and cafés; Sunday market by the river.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in Stockbridge or the New Town
Rough cost
Per person. Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace tickets, a couple of bus fares, mid-range meals.
Prices checked November 2026 against official and widely published 2026 rates; they change, so confirm before you pay.
Book ahead
- Edinburgh Castle — Timed entry, cheaper online.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse — Advance price is lower; check it is open on your date.
If it rains
- Instead of Arthur’s Seat: Dynamic Earth, next to Holyrood, or a slow morning in the National Museum
- Instead of Dean Village walk: Scottish National Portrait Gallery (free) on Queen Street
Good to know
- Skip Arthur’s Seat in strong wind or heavy rain; the top is exposed.
- Lothian buses take contactless; a day ticket covers unlimited city trips.
Book it
- Tickets and tours in Edinburgh (GetYourGuide)
- Hotels in Edinburgh (Booking.com)
- UK train times and fares (Trainline)
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Want some fresh air after the city? Easy hikes in the Scottish Highlands (Roamglade).
