Edinburgh. What can you tell about it? That this is Scottish whiskey, checkered kilts and frantic fun in the local pubs? So, it’s absolutely true. But do you want to discover an another and more interesting side of Edinburgh?
Well, Edinburgh is a majestic ancient city, topped with the castle which towers high over the streets. This is like a beating heart, full of creative energy and mystical secrets of the past.
Exciting history, stunning architecture, charming parks and lots of incredible attractions – this place has everything you need to spend several unforgettable days with your family.
In short, Edinburgh is definitely worth to visit it and of course, you can check the following important issues to make your travel easy, pleasant and safe.
When is the best time to go to Edinburgh?
The period from May to September is the right time to visit Edinburgh. During these months the weather becomes relatively good and warm. The end of the summer is the busiest period (because of the famous Edinburgh Festival) – the city is crowded with lots of tourists at this time. July and August are the most suitable months to explore the city and its attractions.
The off-season in Edinburgh lasts from January to March. It’s usually cold during this period, but this is a great chance to make a budget trip with the whole family, because most hotels and restaurants offer great discounts.
What kind of transport to choose in Edinburgh?
The most common kind of transport in Edinburgh is provided by bus service, but don’t rely on it. Bus schedule is constantly changing, and you can miss your time sitting at the bus stop.
If you want to get more from your trip and save your time, the best choice is a rental car. It gives you lots of advantages:
- You can quickly reach any spot of Edinburgh you want (using GPS navigator) and save your time;
- You can always hide into your car if it’s raining;
- You can save your money;
- It’s much more comfortable to travel using a rental car;
As you can see, rental car is what you really need for your Edinburgh weekend. You can make an advance online reservation at Edinburgh Airport, select any car you want and enjoy your trip.
What sights you shouldn’t miss in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is quite a diverse city, and it is not surprising that here you’ll find a plenty of astounding places to see and things to do. So, check the most major sights of Edinburgh which you must visit for sure:
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is the oldest residence of the Scottish kings which rises majestically over the city.
This is the oldest construction and one of the most popular spots in the whole Scotland. It was created as a fortress and was used by different military forces. The castle is located on top of the famous Royal Mile.
Inside the building you can admire different treasures of the Scottish kings including ancient weapons, ornaments and other historical relics such as a crown of Scotland and Stone of Destiny.
Edinburgh Castle keeps the incredible history of the city and this is the main “must visit” place during your trip.
Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United Kingdom
GPS Position: 55.947811, -3.202965
Price: adults £16, kids £9.60
Hours: daily 9.30am-5pm (to 6pm in the summer)
Edinburgh Zoo
Located on the territory of the hilly park, Edinburgh Zoo covers an area of 32 hectares. By the way, it’s the only place in the UK where you can find koalas. Penguins are the other famous inhabitants of the zoo.
Gardens of the zoo will also hit your eyes with its variety of trees and amazing beauty of the nature.
There are a few notable places in the zoo. For example, “Budongo Trail” – the most popular place of chimpanzees. Looking at the habits of these monkeys, you can find a lot of similarities between them and humans. And another one sight is a “Bird Palace” – a home for such exotic birds as Bali Starling, Violet Turaco and Nicobar pigeons.
Location: 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, United Kingdom
GPS Position: 55.942122, -3.269721
Price: adults £16.50, kids £12
Hours: Oct-Mar 9am-5pm, Apr-Sept 9am-6pm, Nov-Feb 9am-4.30pm
Museum Of Childhood
Have you ever seen the museum of adult or museum of oldster? It’s a little weird name, isn’t it? And in Edinburgh you’ll find a unique Museum of Childhood. It was opened in the middle of the last century by Joseph Murray for a better understanding of human socialization. This is a museum which tells us how we became the ones who we are today. Kids just fall in love with this museum. It’s not a joke!
A plenty of toys, souvenirs, books and entertainment overflows 4 floors of the building. Everything in this museum is impregnated with joy and fun. This place constantly attracts both adults and children, and if you want you can take some toys home.
Location: 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, United Kingdom
GPS Position: 55.950455, -3.185750
Price: free of charge
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Deep Sea World
Deep Sea World Aquarium, located just 20 minutes drive from Edinburgh, is the biggest in the UK and attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually.
The visit card of the aquarium is 112-meter-long transparent underwater tunnel where you can walk along and explore the marine life. This is truly an unforgettable experience!
You can also try an underwater safari and come face to face with the sharks, sea eels, rays and the other fish.
Location: Forthside Terrace, North Queensferry, Fife KY11 1JR, United Kingdom
GPS Position: 56.008693, -3.391791
Price: standard £13, junior (3-12) £9.50
Hours: weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends 10am-5pm
Royal Yacht “Britannia”
This is the famous yacht of the royal family which became a museum in 2011. Here you can walk down the decks, see the photos of the Royal family, look into the kitchen and captain’s cabin.
It’s interesting to know that Prince Charles and his wife Princess Diana spent their honeymoon on this yacht.
“Britannia” is a unique chance to learn more interesting information about the life of the Royal family.
Location: Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, United Kingdom
GPS Position: 55.982035, -3.176818
Price: standard £14, junior (5-17) £8.50
Hours: daily 9.30 am-16 pm
We wish you the most memorable weekend in Edinburgh!
Lily Berns is a travel writer. She uses every chance she gets to travel around the world with her family and friends. Experiencing new places and cultures, meeting new people and learning something new every day – are her life aims.
Leave a Reply