48 Hours in Edinburgh: Itinerary Ideas

Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland, is a city of stunning architecture, fascinating history, and vibrant culture. Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned traveller, spending 48 hours in Edinburgh is a great way to experience the best of what the city has to offer. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a 48-hour itinerary that will help you make the most of your time in this lovely city!

The itinerary will be from morning until night, but of course it may need shuffling depending on when you arrive to and depart from Edinburgh. And we will also offer some alternative suggestions!

DAY 1

09.00 - Start the day off right with some delicious and filling breakfast. Some places that you can consider include:

• The Edinburgh Larder Cafe (Blackfriars Street)

• The City Cafe (Blair Street)

• Mimi’s Little Bakehouse (Canongate, Royal Mile)

• Deacon’s House Cafe (Brodie’s Close, off the Royal Mile)

10.00 - Walk off your breakfast and get in some (slightly strenuous!) exercise by hiking up to Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano that looms over Edinburgh. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding suburbs. The climb is moderate in difficulty and takes around 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your fitness level and pace.

If climbing up hills is not your forte, consider instead visiting:

• Princes Street Gardens, which offers a picturesque green space in the heart of the city

• The Meadows, another beautiful public park located in the south of the city and spans over 63 acres of green space, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike

• Calton Hill, which is still a hill, but a much shorter climb, for beautiful views of Edinburgh

11.30 - Head to the historic Edinburgh Castle. This iconic landmark sits atop Castle Rock overlooking the city and is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. Be sure also to stay for the shooting of the One o’Clock Gun!

Edinburgh Castle’s website offers several itineraries, depending on how long you’d like to visit for. Because the castle is quite big, to properly explore the different parts, allow from a few hours up to half a day.

As popular an attraction Edinburgh Castle is, we know that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, so here are a few alternatives to visiting the castle:

• The Scotch Whisky Experience, an interactive attraction that tells the story of how whisky in Scotland is made

• Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a fun attraction offering over five floors of over 100 illusions, and may be especially fun if travelling with kids

• Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland

• National Museum of Scotland, a free museum featuring collections relating to Scottish history, science and technology, natural history, and more

13.30 - Head down to the Grassmarket via Victoria Street for some lunch. Some suggestions include:

• The White Hart Inn

• The Last Drop

• Maggie Dickson’s

• Cold Town House, which has great views of Edinburgh Castle

With its colourful buildings, Victoria Street is one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh and claims to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series.

Once you reach Grassmarket, you’ll find a vibrant area with pubs, hotels, and local shops. Historically, Grassmarket was a marketplace as well as a place of public executions.

14.30 - Go back to and walk along the Royal Mile and check out Ramsay Garden, Advocate’s Close, St Giles’ Cathedral, and more. You can check out our blog post featuring the Royal Mile for more ideas on things to see. Be sure also to pop behind some of the wynds and closes, which are basically alleyways, off the Royal Mile!

16.00 - Take a tour of The Real Mary King’s Close. This attraction is not often at the top of people’s list of things to do in Edinburgh, especially if they’re short on time, but we would highly recommend this tour for the history and to help you understand Edinburgh’s Old Town better.

During the 1-hour guided tour, you get to visit, indeed, the real Mary King’s Close, which is now hidden under Edinburgh City Chambers.

17.30 - Now, it’s time for some dinner! You’re spoiled for choice in Edinburgh, with a variety of options to suit all budgets. Some of our suggestions include:

• The Royal Mile Tavern (High Street, Royal Mile) (currently temporarily closed due to a fire)

• Angels with Bagpipes (High Street, Royal Mile)

• The Cellar Door (George IV Bridge)

• The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage (Calton Hill)

19.30 - After dinner, take a ghost tour of the city. Edinburgh is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the world, and a ghost tour is a great way to learn about the city’s spooky history. Many companies offer ghost tours, including:

• Mercat Tours, which offers several different ghost tours

• City Explorers, which offers a free tour, but you will of course be expected to tip at the end of the tour

• The Ghost Bus Tours, which is a comedy-horror theatre experience on wheels

If you’d rather not be scared, there are other evening walking tours that might be of interest. South Bridge in Old Town has a series of chambers that are called the Edinburgh Vaults or South Bridge Vaults. If you are interested in exploring more about the vaults, we can highly recommend the Historic Underground tour by Mercat Tours.

This blog post is accompanied by our YouTube video on itinerary ideas for 48 hours in Edinburgh! Be sure to check it out!

DAY 2

09.00 - Start your day by enjoying breakfast in or near Edinburgh’s New Town. There is no shortage of options but some suggestions include:

• Urban Angel (Hanover Street)

• Papii (Hanover Street)

• Loudons (Sibbald Walk)

• Snax Cafe (West Register Street)

10.00 - Visit the Scott Monument, which is dedicated to the famous Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. Climb to the top of the monument for breathtaking views of the city.

11.30 - Take a stroll through Princes Street Gardens and enjoy the stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and take a moment to relax in this peaceful oasis. Make sure to check out the likes of Gardener’s Cottage, Wojtek the Soldier Bear Memorial, and Ross Fountain.

If the weather is unfavourable for being outside, consider:

• Shopping at the new St James Quarter, on George Street, or Multrees Walk

• Visiting the Scottish National Gallery on The Mound, which has a large collection of Scottish and international art, including works by Botticelli, Van Gogh, and Monet

• Visiting the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street, which showcases portraits of famous Scottish figures through history

13.00 - Now, it’s time to have some lunch in New Town! There are a multitude of options to suit all budgets and cuisines, but some suggestions include:

• The Dome (George Street)

• Contini (George Street)

• Dishoom (St Andrew Square)

• Chaophraya (Castle Street)

14.00 - Head to the National Museum of Scotland, which is home to a vast collection of artefacts that tell the story of Scotland’s history, culture, and people. The museum’s collections span the fields of science, technology, art, and design. Highlights include the stuffed body of Dolly the Sheep, the first cloned mammal, and the Millennium Clock, which combines art and science to depict the passage of time.

Other places that you can consider visiting include:

• Surgeons’ Hall Museums, a unique museum that displays the history of medicine, surgery, and pathology, showcasing various medical specimens and provides insights into the evolution of medical practices and procedures

• Royal Botanic Garden, which is one of the finest botanical gardens in the world, home to over 13,000 plant species and offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle

17.00 - Go for dinner at one of the city’s many restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines. Just a few options include:

• Six By Nico (Hanover Street)

• Forage & Chatter (Alva Street)

• The Bon Vivant (Thistle Street)

• Cafe Andaluz (George Street)

18.30 - For a memorable evening, catch a show at one of the city’s iconic theatres, such as Edinburgh Playhouse or Festival Theatre. Alternatively, get some laughs at The Stand Comedy Club, which hosts regular comedy nights featuring both up-and-coming and established comedians.

21.00 - Finally, explore the city’s nightlife by visiting some of the many pubs and bars. Some places of interest in New Town include:

• Panda & Sons (Queen Street)

• Bramble Bar (Queen Street)

• Hoot The Redeemer (Hanover Street)

• Thistle Street Bar (Thistle Street)

Edinburgh is an incredibly beautiful city with a rich history and culture. While 48 hours is not enough time to see everything, this itinerary should hopefully give you a taste of what the city has to offer. Be sure to take your time and enjoy the stunning architecture and lively atmosphere! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!

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