My first time in Edinburgh was back in 2018 when I was just a new, baby traveler. I remember walking around entranced with the winding alleyways, nods to Harry Potter, Scottish accents, and of course – the lads playing bagpipes. So when I had the chance to visit the city again in 2024 (thank you Taylor Swift), I could hardly contain my excitement. And lucky for me – the city was just as magical as I remembered. This is how I recommend everyone spend 2 days in Edinburgh.
For more on visiting Edinburgh, don’t miss…
How to Get to Edinburgh
The easiest way to arrive to Edinburgh is to fly into the international airport – Edinburgh Airport (EDI). When searching for flights, I like to use a big flight aggregator to compare airlines and prices (and if you’re based in the US, make sure to sign up for Going for cheap flight alerts).
Another common way to get to Edinburgh is by taking the train from London. Generally, train tickets become available 12 weeks before departure, and the further out you book your ticket, the cheaper it will be. If you plan to do this, you can search for trains here!
If you plan to take a train from London, make sure to read…
FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE CITY
If you’re arriving in Edinburgh from the airport, there are many transportation options to get you into the city. You can get a taxi which will get you to the city center in about 30 minutes. You can also choose to take the Airlink 100 Express Bus for £4.50 one-way, which will also get you to town in 30-minutes. Tickets can be purchased from a ticket machine in the airport and you’ll catch the bus at stop D in the bus terminal station. You can also book a private driver to be waiting for you upon arrival into Edinburgh – you can do that here. Lastly, you can choose to take the tram to town. The tram is £7 one-way, a 35-minute drive to the city, and only available from 6:18 am-10:48 pm. The main tram stop is at Haymarket Train Station.
How to Get Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a very walkable city, but depending on where you’re staying, you might also need to take public/private transportation. In Edinburgh, your private options are to grab a taxi off the street or use Uber or Bolt to schedule a ride. Your best public option would be to utilize the tram system around the city. Ticket prices vary depending on what “zone” you’re going to/from and you’ll need to purchase your ticket (this can be done at the station) before boarding.
If you’re planning a Scottish road trip, don’t miss…
- Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Scotland (if You’re an American)
- The Best 10 Day Scotland Itinerary
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
Although I’ve only been to Edinburgh twice, I’ve somehow managed to stay in five different hotels which makes it easy to recommend where to stay! For starters, I think both Old Town and New Town are equally as fun and impressive so I wouldn’t stress so much on what part of the city to stay in. What I will say is, part of the magic of Edinburgh is walking around. For this reason I do recommend basing yourself in an area with the ability to easily walk to the Old Town.
Here are my top hotel recommendations for Edinburgh…
BOOK YOUR STAY IN EDINBURGH HERE!
For more on hotels in Edinburgh, make sure to check out…
Day 1 in Edinburgh
SPENDING THE MORNING IN EDINBURGH
Begin your first day in Edinburgh at the delicious – The Edinburgh Larder. The Edinburgh Larder is located in the heart of Edinburgh and is a great way to taste a traditional Scottish breakfast. The restaurant does take walk-ins, but I recommend booking a table ahead of time.
If you want something a bit quicker, I suggest either LOWDOWN or Mor Bakehouse; both great choices for a quick breakfast and coffee. They both have limited seating, but you can get a coffee and pastry to takeaway.
SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN EDINBURGH
I always like to start my first day in a new city with some sort of tour to get to know the city better. In this case, some quick, informative tours that I recommend include…
- Old Town Walking Tour – History and Tales of Edinburgh
- Underground Vaults Walking Tour (winner of “best experience” in 2022)
After getting your bearings and learning about Edinburgh’s history, make your way to the Royal Mile before touring Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is perhaps Edinburgh’s most popular street running from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the Edinburgh Castle. There are several shops to stop in at or places that claim to be the inspiration behind something or other in the Harry Potter series.
I would also suggest touring the impressive Edinburgh Castle, which you can go at on your own or hire a tour guide to get a bit of history and backstory about the castle.
For lunch, head to Makars Mash Bar around the corner to try one of the most controversial Scottish delicacies – Haggis. I promise you that Makars is the place to try haggis. Even if you aren’t too adventurous of an eater, it’s truly a fantastic place to be brave and try this dish (which I actually quite enjoy).
If you’re someone who likes to experience a city by food, book this Edinburgh Food and Drink Tour!
SPENDING THE EVENING IN EDINBURGH
If you want to experience another side to Edinburgh – the side of ghosts and haunted stories – you’ll definitely want to book a night tour. Two that I recommend are…
- The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour (2022 winner of “best experience”)
- Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murders, Legends (2022 winner of “best experience”)
For dinner I recommend Whiski Rooms for a cozy setting and traditional Scottish dishes.
Day 2 in Edinburgh
SPENDING THE MORNING IN EDINBURGH
On your second day in Edinburgh, grab a takeaway sausage roll and make your way up to Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is an ancient, extinct volcano just east of Edinburgh. This hike brings you to incredible views over Edinburgh and takes around two hours. (By the way, this “hike” is more like an easy walk – just make sure to wear comfortable shoes!)
If you have the time or just want to do a different type of walk, another option is to walk along the Water of Leith Walkway. You can start near Dean’s Village and follow the river northeast from there.
SPENDING THE AFTERNOON IN EDINBURGH
In the afternoon, head for lunch at Cafe Andaluz Old Town – an incredible tapas restaurant in old town Edinburgh. From here, I suggest going to Islander to pick up a tweed purse from a Scottish brand. You can also make your own purse, which is a really fun way to bring home a piece of Scotland. If you want to do this, you need to book ahead of time and you can do that here.
Another tour I recommend while in Edinburgh is a Scott Whisky Tasting “tour”. Even if you aren’t a big whisky drinker, you absolutely cannot visit Scotland and not try Scottish whisky.
SPENDING THE EVENING IN EDINBURGH
For dinner, I recommend The Alchemist or The Devil’s Advocate. Both have great food and fun vibes, but The Devil’s Advocate feels more like an upscale pub if that’s the vibe you’re going for. If you eat at The Alchemist, make sure to stop by Flight Club for darts!
Day Trips from Edinburgh
If you have an extra day to spend, a great way to see more of Scotland is by taking a day trip from Edinburgh. Here are some of my top day trip recommendations…
- St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife (I visited the fishing villages of Fife and absolutely loved it!)
- Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe, & Pitlochry Tour (2023 winner for “best experience” award)
- Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, & the Kelpies Tour
- Hogwarts Express & Scottish Highlands Tour
- Loch Ness & Highlands Day Tour (including cruise)
FAQ
Q: “How many days in Edinburgh is enough?”
- A: I would spend at least two days exploring Edinburgh. However, the sweet spot would be between 2-4 days if you have the time.
Q: “What should you not miss in Edinburgh?”
- A: There are so many great things to see and do in Edinburgh! But my top recommendations are Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Water of Leith Walkway, and Arthur’s Seat.
Q: “Is Edinburgh good for a weekend?”
- A: Yes! Edinburgh is an incredibly fun, lively city. On the weekends it really comes alive with people out at the pubs and live music! Just keep in mind that weekends will be busier than weekdays but if that doesn’t bother you – then great!
Scotland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Scotland
TRAVELING THROUGH SCOTLAND
- The easiest way to book train tickets in Scotland is through Omio
- The easiest way to book bus tickets in Scotland is through Bookaway or Omio
- To book a flight to Scotland, I recommend using Skyscanner or a big search engine to compare options
- For car rentals in Scotland, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want a driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through Scotland – I use and recommend SafetyWing (see why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for 5% off
ACCOMODATION IN SCOTLAND
- To easiest way to book hotels in Scotland is through a booking platform
TOURS IN SCOTLAND
- For tours and activities in Scotland, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO SCOTLAND
- Don’t forget a Scotland guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (Scotland uses type G)
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend a sleep mask for long flights
Not only do I hope you get the chance to visit and experience the magic of Edinburgh for yourself; but I hope that this guide to spending 2 days in Edinburgh helps inspire you and helps plan your trip. If you have any questions about Edinburgh or Scotland in general, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re planning to travel around Scotland, don’t miss…
- Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Scotland
- The Best 2 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
- The Best Things to Do in Oban in 48 Hours
- The Ultimate Scotland Packing List
- 9 Places to Visit in Scotland (that aren’t Edinburgh)
For more information on things to see and do in Scotland, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscotland” or under my highlights for “Scotland”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Scotland” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
