The Scottish capital is not called the Athens of the North for no reason; this is because Edinburgh offers so much to tourists who want to explore and get to know more about the culture. What Edinburgh truly boasts is the fact that it is able to offer people a good balance of allowing them to explore nature by going on different adventures and visiting different structures that will give them a sense of what it is like to live in this city and actually have a taste of their culture. What Edinburgh has to offer is so encompassing and well rounded that it also caters to a wide variety of tourists and visitors.
Fortunately, there are numerous things that can be done once in Edinburgh, and the 10 best activities will be discussed below.
10. Bramble
Bramble is considered as one of the best pubs in the world and it is able to offer a lot from the small space that it provides – only being able to accommodate less than 100 people at a time. But what makes people go back and visit Bramble is the fact that this place offers well-crafted cocktail drinks from its menu; this place bravely explores the most unique concoctions that appeal to the eccentric taste of their hippest customers. First timers can try Mint 500 to get a taste of what this pub has to offer, or even ask their bar staff for recommendations. When visiting this pub, it is also worth mentioning that Fridays and Saturdays are considered as the busiest days of the week, but those who are able to power through definitely find the experience worth the wait.
9. Scottish National Gallery
Art enthusiasts will definitely enjoy visiting the Scottish National Gallery which is beside the Royal Scottish Academy that is located at the heart of Edinburgh. It is made up of two buildings that are very distinct from each other which were opened in 1828 and 1859 respectively. This structure is considered as one of the things to do in Edinburgh because tourists will be able to do various activities there such as visiting the Scottish Cafe and Restaurant. Because of these amenities, it is truly worth it to set aside some time to visit this gallery and get a taste of the types of art has evolved through time in Edinburgh and have a better understanding of where it is now.
8. Martin Wishart
This restaurant opened their flagship branch in Leith in the year 1999 and has gained its first Michelin Start two years after it has opened. What tourists and regulars love about this restaurant is that it offers food that are both elegant and delicious because of he superb ingredients used for them. Lastly, this restaurant is best known for having food that are a combination of modern and traditional touch from French cuisine. Tourists who are looking for some food adventure would really have to try their cuisine to be able to experience a one of kind experience that can rarely be experienced anywhere else.
7. Sneaky Pete’s
The murals that are LCD Soundsytem-inspired say greatly about the kind of pub Sneaky Pete’s is. Every night, it accommodates up to a hundred people but the small crowd should not be an indication of how fun the experience is because even celebrities like Auntie Flo and Leon Vynehall take the night to have a good time at this pub. And these things clearly explains why Sneaky Pete’s should be included in the list of things to do in Edinburgh.
6. Summerhall
Art-enthusiast tourists should definitely include Summerhall in their list of things to do in Edinburgh because this place will definitely satisfy all craving for everything that has to do with art. Whether these are workshops, talks, films, clubs, gigs, theater performances, and art exhibitions, Summerhall has all of these things covered. There are even thought-provoking art festivals that people can participate in; these festivals are special because they welcome all ideas no matter how out of this world they get. Even geeks who are into new technological advancements and developments will be able to enjoy Summerhall because of the addition of TechCube which caters to start-ups in technology, as well as new ideas that can be developed further. What tourists really like about this place is that they even have the option to sip on amazing beer while enjoying a meal because this art hub is beside a microbrewery.
5.Cameo
Movie enthusiasts should definitely add Cameo to their list of things to do in Edinburgh because apparently this is Quentin Tarantino’s favorite movie houses because this place has been running for more than a hundred years now. It was recently renovated to be able to provide moviegoers with comfortable seats when they decide to see a film. On the other hand, for people who are not in the mood to watch any movie, they will have the option to stay at the bar to enjoy a few drinks with friends.
4. Leith
Leith is an area that should definitely be included in the list of things to do in Edinburgh because it is known as the Shore and recently is has been building a reputation into becoming a cosmopolitan and a significant part of the city’s culture. A lot of the locals and tourists alike go to Leith to be able to enjoy theater and music that they don’t normally get on normal places where they can usually enjoy these things; there are also different places where people can enjoy different varieties of food such as burgers, seafood, and even cocktails.
3. Whisky tastings
Edinburgh is a city which is famous for a lot of things and it cannot be denied that whisky is one of these things. Because of this knowledge, it has always been a common knowledge that whisky should be added in the list of things to do in Edinburgh and it would be a waste of opportunity if no time will be made for this experience. There are different experiences available for tourists and even people to join – there are guided bar tours where people will be able to try different types of whisky in various bars, and there are also trips in distilleries where people are able to have a front row seat on the process of producing different types of booze.
2. Edinbrugh Castle
For tourists who would like to be immersed and experience the culture, Edinburgh Castle should definitely be included in the list of things to do in Edinburgh because it is considered as one of the most iconic tourist spots and rightfully so. It is located on top of an extinct volcano and aside from the amazing effect this gives to the castle, this structure also stands as a reminder of the historical roots of Edinburgh. It is recommended that when this place is visited, the tourists choose the schedules where actors perform a historical events that will surely give people more insight on the things that Edinburgh experienced through the years. These performances really light up the walls of the Edinburgh Castle and allow the visitors to experience the history of their culture in a whole different level. Aside from these amazing performances, people will also be able to enjoy their tea rooms where homemade strawberry jam and scones are served for the visitors’ enjoyable experience.
1. Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is included in the list of things to do in Edinburgh because it is so rare to have an extinct volcano as a tourist spot. Those who are on the adventurous side will have the chance to go on a hike on Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the luscious greenery this land formation has to offer. People who are not as experienced in hiking do not need to worry because the hike is easy even for beginners and in exchange of this is the chance to be able to experience and witness a breathtaking scenery that can only be achieved from 250 meters above the ground. The summit will allow hikers to see the beautiful skyline and enjoy what the nature looks like from a higher altitude. Tourists who would love to see the Arthur’s Seat will be able to enjoy a little stroll at Holyrood Park where tourists will also be able to enjoy a closer encounter with nature. In addition to all these attractions, people also do a ritual on May Day where most of the young women voluntarily wash their face with the morning dew of the hill, which is believed to make these women even more beautiful.
All these unique attractions have different things to offer to different tourists and locals alike; these unique qualities are what truly make them qualified to be included on the list of things to do in Edinburgh. The good thing about these attractions is that it really doesn’t matter whether someone is going to see them for the first or the hundredth time, because the level of enjoyment will still stay the same.