Must-See Places in Edinburgh

One of the most magical places I have ever been to is Edinburgh, Scotland. As the original place that inspired the story of Harry Potter, Edinburgh has everything from castles, churches, beautiful hikes, unique eats, literary monuments, and free museums! It is a place that I could find myself returning to again and again just to experience the magic one more time!

1) Edinburgh Castle

Our first site on this list is the Edinburgh Castle. Although I do admit that the castle is not the most impressive I've seen, the reason that I love it so much is because of the exhibits and how much it goes through the history of Scotland and how it came to be a part of the United Kingdom. For those who don't know, the United Kingdom is a union of multiple countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The Edinburgh Castle has the most wonderful view of the city that you can see.

2) Real Mary's Close

Mary's Close is an immersive experience where visitors can explore the streets of the Royal Mile how it used to be 400 years ago. It is fun and engaging, where you have actors playing some of the residents that use to reside there. It is a bit pricey, but I highly recommend it for those who love history!

3) St Giles’ Cathedral

St Giles Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral that has been a working church for over 900 years. The architecture inside is quite stunning, and it is a very popular place for royals and others alike to get married.

3) Scott Monument

One of the most iconic landmarks of Edinburgh, the Scott Monument is named after Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish poet/novelist. His work is quite important to the Scottish people. You can also visit the Writers' Museum, which is a short walk from the Scott Monument.

4) Greyfriars Kirkyard

Greyfriars Kirkyard is no ordinary graveyard. This graveyard is rumored to be the graveyard that inspired many of the names of the Harry Potter characters, e.g., Thomas Riddle, Voldemort, McGonagall, Cruikshanks, etc. If you are a fan of the books like me, you will get a kick out of exploring the graveyard and looking for as many names as you can find!

5) National Museum of Scotland

One of my favorite museums is the National Museum of Scotland. It is massive and FREE! This museum has everything from natural history (dinosaurs), fashion, world culture, and science and technology. There is so much to see and do on the six floors of this museum, but it is definitely worth a visit!

6) Calton Hill

Another iconic landmark for this city is Calton Hill. Calton Hill has another gorgeous view of the city and contains a replica of the Parthenon in Athens. Unfortunately, they never completed the work, which is the reason that only 10 columns remain today.

7) Holyrood House

Another remarkable place in Edinburgh is the Palace of Holyrood House. This palace is the official residence of the monarch whenever they are staying in Scotland. It is open year-round and is most famous for its garden parties, which are hosted once a year to celebrate all Scottish people who contributed to society.

8) Try Haggis

One of the most Scottish things to eat in Scotland is haggis. Haggis is a pudding made up of sheep's heart, liver, and lungs minced with spices. If you are a vegetarian, you can also still try Haggis. The place I went to try Haggis was called Makar's Mash Bar, which offers regular and vegetarian options. It was quite delicious. I would recommend going there if it is your first time trying it!

9) Arthur's Seat

My favorite place in Edinburgh was Arthur's Seat. It is a short hike, about 1-2 hours, but it has the most magnificent view of the rocks, with a beautiful view of the city. There is a Celtic legend that says a dragon used to reside there and ate the livestock. It is also associated with King Arthur from Camelot.

10) Wander Victoria St.

Another fun place to visit is Victoria Street. Victoria St is the place that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, and it is also home to one of the most famous Harry Potter stores called the Museum of Context. They sell everything Harry Potter, and it is wonderful to admire all of the cool things there.

11) Dean's Village

A great scenic walk is through Dean's village. You can check out the colorful houses and take great pictures down the river. It's a nice place to chill and relax!

12) Venture on a day trip!

There are so many cool places to see right outside of Edinburgh. Some of these places would include Loch Lomond, the Kelpies, and Stirling Castle. I took an awesome day trip to see all of these sites, and it was definitely worth it!