How to Spend a Weekend in Edinburgh

With the imposing Edinburgh Castle looming over the city centre, and a view of picturesque Arthur’s Seat in the same panorama, it is easy to see why Edinburgh is a mecca for tourists from all over the world. Few cities can claim as splendid an array of attractions as Scotland’s capital city. Planning a weekend break will not be long enough to truly see all Edinburgh has to offer, but it will at least give you a start. Here’s how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decide what time of year you wish to visit. Edinburgh in summer is incredibly busy, particularly around August when the Edimburgh Festival takes place. The largest cultural gathering in Europe, the Festival features arts of all kind in every possible nook of the city. If you wish to see Edinburgh at a less hectic speed, this is a time to avoid.
2. Determine what kind of accommodation you wish to stay in. For a weekend break in the city, your best options will be hotels, bed and breakfasts or hostels. Go to www.edinburgh.org/accom to study your options. For a weekend stay, look for a deal in a city centre hotel. This way you will not be far from the action.
3. Work out how to get there. Edinburgh is accessible by plane via Edinburgh airport, as well as by train and coach. It is advisable not to bring your car. Edinburgh has a horrendous one-way system in the city centre, and parking is notoriously difficult.
4. Take an open top bus tour. This is one of the best ways to see Edinburgh. The tour buses are recognizable by their bright red exterior; Edinburgh’s normal buses are maroon and cream. Catch one from Princes Street.
5. Visit the castle. For over a millennium it has watched over Edinburgh, dominating the skyline of the city. Go to www.edinburghcastle.biz for details about visiting hours and more information about the castle’s history.
6. Listen out for the 1 o’clock gun. Since 1861 the gun has sounded every day form Monday to Sunday. The gunshot originally give an accurate time check to sailors in Leith Harbour; it is now an established part of the city’s soundscape.
7. Shop on Princes Street. This is the premier shopping seat in the centre of Edinburgh. It contains many of the finest boutiques and is accessible from both the bus and train stations.
8. Have a picnic in Princes Street Gardens. On a sunny day, there is nowhere better to eat your lunch than in these city centre gardens. Lying in the shadow of the castle, it is one of the most popular spots in Edinburgh for picnicking, playing and people-watching.
9. Go out for dinner. Edinburgh has many fine restaurants, of many different types and price ranges. Go to www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk, where you will find information about the city’s finest eateries.
10. Climb Arthur’s seat. This is a fairly challenging walk, but is worth it for the outstanding views on a clear day. It stands in the centre of Edinburgh; the easiest way to climb is from Dunsapie Loch in the East.

Tips & Warnings

• Edinburgh has far too much on offer to possibly explain in one article. Buy a guide book for the city and visit the tourist information centre on Princes Street for more detailed info.
• Book everything from concert tickets to accommodation as far in advance as possible during peak months. The city is invariably mobbed with tourists, particularly during the festival.
• Edinburgh in the Spring is a better option than summer if you prefer it not quite so hectic!