# Top things to do in Edinburgh

Castle, Royal Mile and an extinct volcano in the middle of town: the Edinburgh highlights from Lonely Planet, Forever Edinburgh and TripAdvisor.

- 35 votes · 14 items
- May 12, 2026 · Abbie Clarke
- https://even.best/en/l/164/top-things-to-do-in-edinburgh

## Top 10

1. **Arthur's Seat** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park whose 251 m summit gives views over the city and the Firth of Forth.
2. **Palace of Holyroodhouse** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — The monarch's official residence in Scotland, linked to Mary, Queen of Scots. <https://www.rct.uk/>
3. **Dean Village** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Former milling village on the Water of Leith, ten minutes' walk from Princes Street.
4. **Edinburgh Castle** (3 · ▲4 ▼1) — Fortress on Castle Rock with the Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny; the One O'Clock Gun fires daily except Sundays. <https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/>
5. **Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Free 70-acre garden founded in 1670, with Victorian glasshouses. <https://www.rbge.org.uk/>
6. **Victoria Street and the Grassmarket** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Curving street of colourful shopfronts said to have inspired Diagon Alley, leading to the Grassmarket pubs.
7. **Camera Obscura and World of Illusions** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Victorian camera obscura on the Royal Mile, open since 1853, with optical illusion floors. <https://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/>
8. **Royal Mile** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — The Old Town's spine from the castle to Holyrood, lined with closes and St Giles' Cathedral.
9. **National Museum of Scotland** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Free museum from Dolly the sheep to the Lewis Chessmen, with a rooftop terrace. <https://www.nms.ac.uk/>
10. **The Real Mary King's Close** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Guided tour of 17th-century streets preserved beneath the City Chambers. <https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/>
11. **Calton Hill** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Hill with the unfinished National Monument and classic views down Princes Street.
12. **Royal Yacht Britannia** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — The royal family's former yacht, moored at Leith and open to visitors. <https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/>
13. **Scottish National Gallery** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Free gallery on The Mound with works by Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt and Scottish painters.
14. **Greyfriars Kirkyard** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Historic graveyard next to the Grassmarket, known for the story of the loyal Skye terrier Greyfriars Bobby.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.