12hrs of Scenic Walking through Edinburgh

The best way to explore a historic city, or any city for that matter, is by walking it. Ditch the taxi or car, put on a pair of comfortable shoes and hit the sidewalk. Edinburgh is a very friendly, walkable city. Most of the popular sites and attractions are located a short distance from each other and can easily be covered in 12 hours or less.

How to Get There

Edinburgh Airport via Tram: Airport to West End Princes Street

• Price: £6.50/person
• Duration: 28 minutes

Glasgow via Train: Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh (Waverly)

• Price: £13.10/person
• Duration: 52 minutes

Where to Stay

• Hotel: Hanover 71 Suites
• Address: 71 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1EE, United Kingdom

Blink and you might miss this rare gem of a hotel. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Hanover 71 Suites is a gorgeous hidden hotel close to shops, restaurants and many local attractions.

The reception/check in is at the cafe, located at the forefront of the hotel. There are no elevators to the higher floors, instead a red carpeted staircase winds up throughout the upper levels.

Breakfast is not provided however, the cafe on the main floor offers small treats and refreshments.

Luggage storage is available onsite and free of charge.

Breakfast

• Restaurant: Papii
• Location: 101 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
• Opening hours: 9am-5pm, closed Mondays

Papii is a very popular brunch cafe offering delicious options including bacon waffles, eggs Florentine, fresh baked goods and sandwiches to name a few. Seating fills up quickly, as there are no reservations available.

Edinburgh Castle

• Location: Edinburgh Castle ,The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
• Opening hours: 9:30am-6pm (5pm during winter)
• Admission: £18.00/adult, £11.00/child, £35.50/family (2 adults/1kid)
• Purchase here

Perched on Castle Rock, an extinct volcanic plug, the famous castle towers over Edinburgh. The castle and surrounding grounds can be enjoyed whether you only have 1 hour or an entire day to spare. Audio guides are available for purchase and cost £3.50/adult.

Arthur’s Seat

• Location:  Holyrood Park, Queen’s Dr, Edinburgh EH8 8HG
• Opening hours: 24 hrs
• Admission: free
• Length of trail: ~4-6km, depending on the route

Located in Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat is an easy hilly walk suitable for all ages. There are several routes, each varying in difficulty. Said to be one of the potential sites for King Arthur’s legendary Camelot, Arthur’s Seat stands at over 250m and provides panoramic views of Edinburgh and surround areas.

Lunch

• Restaurant: The Holyrood 9A
• Location: 9a Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AE
• Opening hours: 10am-12am

What better way to recharge after a hike than to devour greasy pub food? This simple restaurant is a perfect stop over and offers beers, burgers and salads.

Calton Hill

• Location: 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA, United Kingdom
• Opening hours: 24 hours
• Admission: free

In addition to providing stunning city views, Calton Hill houses several neoclassical structures including the Parthenon inspired National Monument. An art gallery is also perched on the hill and showcases contemporary art as well as an observatory.

Diagon House

• Location: 40 Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2JW
• Opening hours: 10am-5:30pm
• Admission: free
  

This store is a must for Harry Potter lovers out there. Diagon House is a three story shop/museum showcasing and selling official licensed Harry Potter memorial. The store is located on Victoria Street. This colourful street was the inspiration behind the famous fictional Diagon Alley in the series.

 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

• Location: Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, United Kingdom
• Opening hours: 10am-5:15pm
• Admission: free

If you are looking for a quiet spot to reconnect with nature without leaving the city then the botanical gardens are for you. There are over 70 acres of landscape to explore with plants from all over the world. Highlights include the Rock Garden and Chinese Hillside.

Dinner

• Restaurant: Chez Jules Bistro
• Location: 109 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ Scotland
• Opening hours: 12pm-11pm (10pm from Sunday-Thursday)

This affordable restaurant isn’t much to talk about on from the outside. But look further inside and the atmosphere changes to a quaint French bistro with a varied menu. Several of the main courses can feed two, including le croq au vin and le lapin a la moutarde.

Looking to extend your stay in Scotland? Explore other amazing walking areas including The West Highland Way

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