3 days in Edinburgh: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Edinburgh is compact and hilly, with the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town facing each other across Princes Street Gardens. Day one covers the castle, the gardens below it, the National Gallery and the Royal Mile, day two starts at Holyrood at the foot of the Mile and climbs to Calton Hill, and day three begins at a ruined castle outside the centre before the National Museum, modern art and the Botanic Garden.

Open in Atlazi Read the Edinburgh guide

Day 1

Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and the Royal Mile

5 stops

09:00
Edinburgh Castle
About 1 h 40 min
The castle on its volcanic rock holds the Honours of Scotland and St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in the city. Timed tickets are sold ahead, and the morning slot leaves time for the Crown Room, the Great Hall and the views from the ramparts.
Walk, 4 min
10:45
Princes Street Gardens
About 1 h
The gardens fill the valley of a drained loch right under the castle rock, with lawns, benches and paths that look straight up at the castle walls. Walk east through them at an easy pace toward the Mound and the National Gallery.
Walk, 7 min
11:55
Scottish National Gallery
About 1 h 35 min
Walk down the Mound to the National Gallery, which fits European and Scottish painting from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century into a manageable building. Look for Raeburn's Skating Minister and the Scottish rooms.
Walk, 4 min
13:35
The Scott Monument
About 20 min
The Gothic spire in Princes Street Gardens honours Sir Walter Scott, whose statue sits under its canopy. The short stop suits a look from the gardens; the climb up its narrow spiral stairs to the view needs extra time and is not for anyone uneasy in tight spaces.
Walk, 6 min
14:05
St. Giles' Cathedral
About 45 min
The High Kirk on the Royal Mile is known for its crown spire and the Thistle Chapel, a small, richly carved chapel added in 1911. Outside, look for the Heart of Midlothian set into the cobbles near the west door.

Day 2

Holyrood, Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill

5 stops

09:00
Holyrood Palace
About 1 h 35 min
The monarch's official residence in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, shows its state apartments and the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots. It closes when the royal family is in residence, so check before you go.
Walk, 5 min
10:40
Holyrood Park
About 1 h
The park around Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, begins right behind the palace; an hour gives you a walk along Salisbury Crags or part of the way up, while the full climb to the summit usually takes longer. Wear shoes with good grip.
Walk, 5 min
11:45
Holyrood Abbey
About 30 min
The ruined twelfth-century abbey stands in the palace grounds and is normally seen on the palace visit. If you already walked through it in the morning, use this short slot for a rest before the walk up to Calton Hill.
Walk, 11 min
12:30
National Monument of Scotland
About 20 min
This unfinished copy of the Parthenon on Calton Hill was meant as a memorial to the Napoleonic Wars and was left with twelve columns when the money ran out. The hilltop around it, with the Nelson Monument, gives one of the best views over the city and the Firth of Forth.
Walk, 6 min
13:00
St Mary's Cathedral
About 45 min
The Catholic cathedral at the top of Leith Walk is a quiet, short stop after the hill, on the edge of the New Town. Use the rest of the slot to wander the New Town streets to the west.

Day 3

Craigmillar Castle, the National Museum and the Botanic Garden

5 stops

09:00
Craigmillar Castle
About 1 h 30 min
One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland, three miles from the centre, where Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed. You can climb to the tower roof and explore the ruins at your own pace, with far fewer people than at Edinburgh Castle.
Taxi, 9 min
10:40
National Museum of Scotland
About 1 h 35 min
Scottish history from geology to the present sits alongside world cultures and science, with Dolly the cloned sheep among the exhibits. Take the lift to the roof terrace for a view back to the castle.
Walk, 3 min
12:20
Greyfriars Kirk
About 30 min
The kirk is best known for its kirkyard and for Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier whose statue stands by the gate. The old tombs and the view of the castle from the graveyard are the main reason to come, so a short look inside the church is enough.
Taxi, 5 min
12:55
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
About 1 h 30 min
Two buildings in parkland west of the centre hold modern and contemporary art, with Surrealist work and Scottish artists among the strengths. Outside Modern One, Charles Jencks' landform of stepped grass and curving pools is part of the visit.
Taxi, 5 min
14:30
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
About 1 h
The botanic garden north of the New Town has a large rock garden, a Chinese hillside and a view back to the castle skyline. An hour covers a good loop of the outdoor garden.

Good to know

Book Edinburgh Castle ahead; a timed ticket saves a long queue on the esplanade.
Days one and two are on foot, but the Royal Mile is steep and cobbled, so wear good shoes; day three needs a bus or taxi between the outer stops.
In August the festivals fill the city and accommodation books up early, so plan well ahead if you come then.
Bring a waterproof in any season; the wind on Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat can be strong.
You can open this plan in Atlazi and change it to your pace.

Make this plan yours

Copy it into your trips, then change the days, places and times as you like.

Open in Atlazi

3 days in Edinburgh: a day-by-day sightseeing plan

Edinburgh Castle

Princes Street Gardens

Scottish National Gallery

The Scott Monument

St. Giles' Cathedral

Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Abbey

National Monument of Scotland

St Mary's Cathedral

Craigmillar Castle

National Museum of Scotland

Greyfriars Kirk

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Good to know

Make this plan yours