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Destination:

Edinburgh

Lokal
temperatur
10°
Lokal
tid
21:39

Edinburgh

Edinburgh effortlessly balances its weighty history with contemporary energy. The Royal Mile’s weathered cobbles lead past medieval closes and modern whisky bars, while the shopfronts of Princes Street mirror the jagged skyline of the Old Town. By day, you can hike up Arthur’s Seat for panoramas that stretch to the Firth of Forth; by evening, join the animated crowds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe or browse the shelves of independent bookshops. Scotland's compact, hilly capital is a city where every alley holds a story waiting to be uncovered.
Looking up the hill at Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill, Edinburgh

Perched atop Castle Rock, overlooking Scotland's capital for over a millennium, the iconic Edinburgh Castle holds a storied past as a military fortress and royal residence. Today, it stands proudly as a museum, showcasing a wealth of historic and precious treasures. Admire the splendour of the Scottish Crown Jewels, marvel at the ancient Stone of Destiny, and witness the medieval bombard known as Mons Meg. After exploring the castle's interior, venture outside to stroll along the charming cobbled promenades and meander through winding stone steps. As you do, take in the breathtaking vistas that stretch across the city, providing a picturesque backdrop to your visit.

St Giles' Cathedral building, Edinburgh
St Giles' Cathedral
High Street, Edinburgh

St Giles' Cathedral, the historic "Mother Kirk of Scotland", has been a focal point of religious and civic life on the Royal Mile since 1124. Its architecture is a tapestry of centuries, but the cathedral is most famous as the epicentre of the Scottish Reformation under firebrand minister John Knox. While the main body of the kirk is imposing, its greatest artistic treasure is the Thistle Chapel, an astonishingly detailed 1911 Gothic space housing Scotland's chivalric order. You can admire the beautiful stained-glass windows, see an original National Covenant, and find the bronze memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson. Just outside the west door, the Heart of Midlothian set into the cobbles is traditionally spat upon for luck. Free tours and audio guides help unravel the complex history within this essential Edinburgh landmark.

View down the historic Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland
Traditional Scottish Souvenirs
Royal Mile, Edinburgh

If you're looking for traditional Scottish artefacts and souvenirs, head to the cobbled streets of the Old Town — the Royal Mile is packed with shops selling Scottish specialities such as luxuriously soft cashmere, the unavoidable kilts, bagpipes, and whisky.

An assortment of colourful Scottish tartan kilts.
Heritage of Scotland
459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

If you want to take a piece of Scotland home with you, then do not miss a visit to Heritage of Scotland, the ultimate store for all things Scottish. They have kilts, bagpipes, rugby shirts, Celtic and Scottish jewellery, suits of armour, and so much more.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is located 11 kilometres west of the city, and connections to the city centre usually take between 25-30 minutes regardless of whether you go by bus, taxi or private car. The Airlink 100, and Service 17 and 18 bus lines provide fantastic connections across the city of Edinburgh. Tickets can be bought in advance online, at the bus stop, or from the driver. You'll find the airport tram stop is right outside the main terminal, next to the plaza and Edinburgh sign. Services are scheduled to run between the airport and Newhaven. An end-to-end journey between the airport and Newhaven takes about an hour, while journeys between the airport and the city centre take 30 minutes. Taxis are located on the first floor of the multi-storey car park opposite the main terminal building.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore Edinburgh is in late spring or summer, when the air is pleasantly warm and you can take full advantage of the long evenings. It's important to note that Edinburgh's weather can be unpredictable, with rain showers occurring throughout the year. Therefore, it's advisable to pack layers and be prepared for changing weather conditions regardless of the season.

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