Top things to do in Edinburgh
The top 3 according to 35 votes from people: Arthur's Seat · Palace of Holyroodhouse · Dean Village. (Updated Sep 4, 2026.)
Castle, Royal Mile and an extinct volcano in the middle of town: the Edinburgh highlights from Lonely Planet, Forever Edinburgh and TripAdvisor.
Top 10
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1
Arthur's Seat
Extinct volcano in Holyrood Park whose 251 m summit gives views over the city and the Firth of Forth.
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2
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The monarch's official residence in Scotland, linked to Mary, Queen of Scots.
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3
Dean Village
Former milling village on the Water of Leith, ten minutes' walk from Princes Street.
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4
Edinburgh Castle
Fortress on Castle Rock with the Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny; the One O'Clock Gun fires daily except Sundays.
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5
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Free 70-acre garden founded in 1670, with Victorian glasshouses.
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6
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Curving street of colourful shopfronts said to have inspired Diagon Alley, leading to the Grassmarket pubs.
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7
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Victorian camera obscura on the Royal Mile, open since 1853, with optical illusion floors.
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8
Royal Mile
The Old Town's spine from the castle to Holyrood, lined with closes and St Giles' Cathedral.
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9
National Museum of Scotland
Free museum from Dolly the sheep to the Lewis Chessmen, with a rooftop terrace.
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10
The Real Mary King's Close
Guided tour of 17th-century streets preserved beneath the City Chambers.
Candidates
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11
Calton Hill
Hill with the unfinished National Monument and classic views down Princes Street.
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12
Royal Yacht Britannia
The royal family's former yacht, moored at Leith and open to visitors.
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13
Scottish National Gallery
Free gallery on The Mound with works by Raphael, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt and Scottish painters.
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14
Greyfriars Kirkyard
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.
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Comments (9)
The Real Mary King's Close tour was fascinating, and a bit creepy 👻
Missing the Scottish National Gallery, free and fantastic.
Victoria Street is what Diagon Alley was based on supposedly 🧙
J.K. Rowling has said that's not true though, it's more of a tourist legend.
And Greyfriars Kirkyard and Bobby the dog statue!
Dean Village feels like a fairytale, 10 minutes from Princes Street.
Edinburgh Castle is great but pricey, book online to skip the queue.
During the Fringe in August the whole city is a festival, but book accommodation months ahead
Arthur's Seat at sunrise, worth the early alarm and the wind 🌄