The city of Edinburgh is dominated by the huge Edinburgh Castle, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Crown Jewels of Scotland, and the National War Museum of Scotland. There's a good chance you'll hear some bagpipes.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the bottom of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, is the King's official residence when he's in Scotland. Visitors can explore the 14 state rooms in this 16th-century palace, still used during royal ceremonies!
Right on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the Scotch Whisky Experience is an over-18s trip into the world of whisky. This replica distillery will educate you on the tastes of flavors of Scotland's favorite tipple, and probably get you a little tipsy.
The Real Mary King's Close is a walking tour of Old Edinburgh that tells the city's history with all of the grisly truth about the Black Plague, mysterious hauntings, gruesome crimes, and stifled living situations. It is located opposite St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh Old Town.
The John Knox House is located on Edinburgh's Royal Mile - the city's main thoroughfare, running downhill between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
As the heart of Scotland's historic capital it's a great place to start a day of sightseeing. It's also close to a host of great bars for a dram of whiskey (or two) when you're done.
The Blair Street Underground Vaults allows visitors to explore a different, darker side of Edinburgh. They were once used as taverns, cobbler shops, and to store materials such as building supplies or – allegedly – stolen corpses! Whatever the story is, these vaults have a rich and fascinating history.
Inchcolm Island is an island in the Firth of Forth in Scotland covering an area of nine hectares. A defensive outpost for the nearby city of Edinburgh, the island was the scene of multiple English raids and invasions during the Wars of Scottish Independence. It is now a popular tourist destination where visitors can discover the embattled past of Scotland.
The Edinburgh Dungeon offers no less than 360 different sets packed with hilarious, and scary actors, special effects, stages, scenes and even rides. It's an interactive walkthrough experience that will thrill and horrify the whole family!
It's located in the heart of Edinburgh and is easy to reach with public transport.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of Scotland's biggest attractions, which should come as no surprise considering the ship was in service as the Queen's yacht for 43 years, from 1954 until 1997.
After traveling more than a million nautical miles for Queen and country, Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Abbotsford House is the former home of Sir Walter Scott - a poet and novelist who wrote much of his work here. Located on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, this historic mansion is an easy drive from Edinburgh.
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is located on George Street, just a short distance from the famous Edinburgh Castle. It offers classic American fare, along with the chance to see some music memorabilia including a jacket worn by Ringo Starr himself. Other popular destinations nearby include the National Museum of Scotland, Holyrood Park, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.