Edinburgh Castle
Skip-the-line entry to Scotland's most famous fortress.
Scotland#3 Time Out 2026
Edinburgh
Scotland's storybook capital stacks a hilltop castle, medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town between an extinct volcano and the sea. It is ranked #3 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list.
- Metro population
- 900,000
- Country
- Scotland
- Region
- Europe
Overview
Why visit Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Old Town grew around the Royal Mile, the street running from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Beneath the city lies a warren of vaults and closes, and above it rises Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano you can hike for views over the whole city.
The elegant New Town, built from the 1760s, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the medieval Old Town. Princes Street Gardens separates the two, while the Scott Monument and Calton Hill's monuments give Edinburgh its distinctive skyline.
Every August the city becomes the world's biggest arts festival: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe fills hundreds of venues with comedy, theatre and music. The rest of the year, cosy pubs, whisky bars, museums and ghost tours keep visitors busy whatever the weather.
Things to do
Top things to book in Edinburgh
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Scotch Whisky Experience
Taste and learn about Scotland's national drink.
Underground Vaults Tour
Ghost stories in the city's hidden closes and vaults.
Highlands Day Trip
Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highland scenery in one day.
Plan your trip
Compare prices for Edinburgh
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Side by side in Edinburgh
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about Edinburgh
- 01
A Castle On Volcanic Rock
Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock, the plug of a volcano that erupted around 340 million years ago.
- 02
You Can Hike An Extinct Volcano
Arthur's Seat, in Holyrood Park, is an extinct volcano with panoramic views over the city.
- 03
The World'S Largest Arts Festival
Every August the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hosts thousands of shows, making it the biggest arts festival in the world.
- 04
J.k. Rowling Wrote Here
Much of the first Harry Potter book was written in Edinburgh cafes, and local landmarks inspired places in the books.
- 05
A Town Beneath The Town
Below the Royal Mile lies a network of hidden closes and vaults, some of which can be visited on guided ghost tours.
- 06
The World'S First Fire Brigade
Edinburgh formed the world's first municipal fire service in 1824.
- 07
A Dog Who Wouldn'T Leave
Greyfriars Bobby, a terrier, famously guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. His statue sits near the kirkyard.
- 08
The Stone Of Destiny
The ancient coronation stone of Scottish kings was kept at Edinburgh Castle for centuries and was used in King Charles III's coronation.
- 09
New Town Isn'T New
The Georgian-era New Town dates to the 1760s and, with the medieval Old Town, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 10
The One O'Clock Gun
A cannon fires from the castle at 1pm almost every day, a tradition since 1861 that helped ships set their clocks.
Random Edinburgh fact
Tap the button for a random fact about Edinburgh.
FAQ
Quick answers about Edinburgh
Where is Edinburgh located?
Edinburgh is in Scotland, in Europe.
What is the population of Edinburgh?
The greater Edinburgh area is home to about 900,000 people.
What is Edinburgh famous for?
Scotland's storybook capital stacks a hilltop castle, medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town between an extinct volcano and the sea.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Yes — Edinburgh was ranked #3 on Time Out's Best Cities 2026 list. Explore its facts, attractions and top things to book on this page.
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