A long weekend in Edinburgh
The Old Town, a hill walk and a palace, then a day by the water in Leith. Day three heads north to the Botanic Garden and Stockbridge.
- Length: 3 days
- Pace: balanced
- Rough cost: £110–£210 pp
- Best for: A Friday-to-Sunday trip that gets beyond the Royal Mile
The plan
Day 1 · Castle and Old Town Old Town
- 09:30–11:45 Edinburgh CastleBook ahead
See the Honours of Scotland first.
- 11:50–12:45 Royal Mile and St Giles’ CathedralIndoors
- 12:50–13:50 Lunch around Victoria Street
- 14:00–16:00 National Museum of Scotland
Free.
- 16:30–17:30 Calton Hill
Views over the whole city.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in the New Town
Day 2 · Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Holyrood Park, Canongate, Old Town
- 09:00–10:45 Arthur’s Seat
Main path from the Holyrood side, about 45 minutes up.
- 10:55–12:15 Palace of HolyroodhouseBook aheadIndoors
Mary, Queen of Scots’ chambers and the ruined abbey.
- 12:20–13:20 Lunch on the Canongate
- 13:25–14:15 Scottish ParliamentIndoors
Free entry to the public areas; tours on some days.
- 14:30–16:00 Dynamic Earth or the Canongate Kirkyard
Dynamic Earth is ticketed and good with kids; the kirkyard is free and quiet.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner around the Grassmarket
Day 3 · Leith and the Botanics Leith, Inverleith, Stockbridge
- 09:45–10:15 Tram to Ocean Terminal
Trams run from Princes Street to Ocean Terminal and Newhaven in about 25 minutes.
- 10:15–12:00 Royal Yacht BritanniaBook aheadIndoors
Five decks, step-free with lifts, audio guide included.
- 12:15–13:15 Lunch on the Shore, Leith
Seafood and pubs along the old harbour.
- 13:40–15:15 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Free entry to the garden. Good Castle view from the Inverleith House lawn.
- 15:30–16:30 Stockbridge
Coffee and small shops by the Water of Leith.
- 16:40–17:15 Dean Village
Short riverside walk.
- 18:30–20:00 Dinner in the West End
Rough cost
Per person. Castle, Holyrood and Britannia tickets, tram and bus fares, mid-range meals. Dynamic Earth extra.
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 — Closed some days in winter and during royal visits.
- Royal Yacht Britannia — Online booking guarantees entry on busy days.
If it rains
- Instead of Arthur’s Seat: Dynamic Earth, at the foot of the hill
- Instead of Royal Botanic Garden: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, near Dean Village
Good to know
- The Botanic Garden’s big Victorian glasshouses are closed for a long rebuild; the outdoor garden stays open.
- Holyrood closes on some winter weekdays — check before fixing day two.
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? Places to stay in nature in the Highlands (Roamglade).
