3 Days in Edinburgh, Scotland: Historic Old Town, Highlands Day Trip, and Hidden Gems

A richly layered 3-day Edinburgh itinerary that blends medieval closes, castle views, whisky bars, and a spectacular Scottish Highlands day trip—perfect for first-time visitors and culture lovers.

Scotland’s capital is a study in contrasts—medieval lanes tumble toward Georgian avenues, volcanic crags frame elegant spires, and centuries of royal intrigue mingle with modern culture and comedy. Edinburgh grew around an ancient fortress on Castle Rock, then unfurled down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace, creating one of Europe’s great historic corridors.


Writers from Sir Walter Scott to J.K. Rowling have walked these cobbles, and you’ll feel their echoes in smoky whisky bars, broody kirkyards, and wind-brushed hills like Arthur’s Seat. The city is compact and wildly photogenic: Dean Village looks plucked from a storybook, and Calton Hill’s monuments glow at sunset.

Practicalities: pack layers for swift weather shifts, comfortable shoes for cobbles, and book ahead in August (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) and Hogmanay. Try haggis with “neeps and tatties,” Cullen skink, and cranachan, and bring a contactless card—buses, trams, and many venues prefer tap-to-pay.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is split between the medieval Old Town and the neoclassical New Town. Start with the Royal Mile’s wynds and closes, then drift to Princes Street Gardens and the National Gallery before ducking into New Town’s graceful crescents. For a tranquil pause, meander the Water of Leith to Dean Village and Stockbridge.

Top sights include Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral, the National Museum of Scotland, Calton Hill, and Arthur’s Seat. Food-wise, Old Town excels at hearty Scottish fare and whisky bars; New Town leans contemporary; Leith is a culinary hotspot with Michelin-starred kitchens and creative cocktail dens.

  • Getting to Edinburgh: From London, trains to Waverley take ~4h20m (from ~£30–£120) via Omio. Intra-Europe flights often run 1–3 hours; compare options on Omio. Long-haul flights (non-Europe) compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From EDI Airport, the tram to Princes Street is ~30–35 minutes (about £7.50 one-way); taxis take ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
  • Where to stay: For Old Town atmosphere and easy sightseeing, base near the Royal Mile or Grassmarket. For dining and shopping, pick New Town or Stockbridge. Foodies love Leith’s waterfront.

Day 1: Arrival, Royal Mile, and Edinburgh After Dark

Morning: Travel to Edinburgh. If you arrive early, drop your bags and grab a flat white at The Milkman (quirky, stone-walled coffee shop on Cockburn Street) or Fortitude Coffee (careful roasts, house pastries). Stroll Victoria Street’s rainbow shopfronts—said to inspire Diagon Alley—and peek into St Giles’ Cathedral for its crown spire and Thistle Chapel woodwork.


Afternoon: Kick off with a guided visit to the city’s crown jewel, joining the Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English to skip the line and decode 3,000 years of history—from the Stone of Destiny to Mons Meg.

Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English on Viator

Afterward, wander the Royal Mile’s closes (Lady Stair’s Close for the Writers’ Museum courtyard) and pause at Cranachan & Crowdie to learn about local larder staples. Coffee fans can refuel at Lowdown (New Town basement gem with excellent filter coffee).

Evening: Dinner ideas: - The Devil’s Advocate (on Advocates Close): modern Scottish dishes, exceptional whisky and cocktail list in a candlelit former pump house. - Howies Victoria Street: sustainable Scottish seafood and venison; try Cullen skink and haggis, neeps, and tatties. - The Scran & Scallie (Stockbridge): gastropub by Tom Kitchin—bookable, relaxed, supremely seasonal.

Cap the night with a spine-tingling Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town, exploring eerie chambers beneath South Bridge and the city’s darker tales.

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town on Viator

Nightcap: The Bow Bar (cask ales, single malts) or Bramble Bar (inventive cocktails hidden below Queen Street). If skies are clear, stroll to Calton Hill for city lights and classical silhouettes.


Day 2: Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness (Full-Day Tour)

Leave the city for sweeping glens, mirror-bright lochs, and tales older than clans on the Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise. Travel by luxury mini-coach with a guide through Trossachs and Rannoch Moor to hauntingly beautiful Glencoe, then on to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness where you can opt for a boat cruise to scan for “Nessie.”

Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise on Viator

Expect an early start (~8:00 AM) and a late return (~8:00 PM). Pack layers and a rain shell; weather flips fast in the glens. For breakfast-on-the-go, grab a morning roll at Fortitude or Twelve Triangles. Lunch is usually in a Highland village—look for smoked salmon sandwiches or hearty pies. Back in Edinburgh, late bites near the Grassmarket include The Outsider (castle views, seasonal mains) or Mother India’s Café (small plates of Glasgow-style Indian classics).

Day 3: Arthur’s Seat, Dean Village, New Town Design, and Leith Flavors

Morning: Walk up Arthur’s Seat for sunrise views over the Firth of Forth; allow 1.5–2 hours roundtrip via the moderate green route from Holyrood Park. Breakfast after at Urban Angel (great for eggs and porridge) or Mimi’s Bakehouse (sweet treats; their Leith branch is beloved). If it’s Sunday, swing by Stockbridge Market for local cheeses, pies, and small-batch bakes.

Afternoon: Drift the Water of Leith walkway to Dean Village for postcard-perfect mills and bridges, then loop to the Scottish National Gallery for Titian to Turner. Pop into the National Museum of Scotland to climb the rooftop terrace for skyline views and see Dolly the sheep. Quick lunch ideas: Oink (succulent hog roast rolls with haggis crumb), The Pantry (Stockbridge; bright salads and bacon rolls), or Cairngorm Coffee for toasties.

Evening: Head to Leith for dinner: - The Kitchin (Michelin-starred; “From Nature to Plate” ethos; book well ahead). - Timberyard (warehouse dining room, open hearth, seasonal tasting menus). - Eleanore (intimate sister to The Little Chartroom; inventive small plates).


Before or after dinner, sip Scottish craft at Nauticus (community-minded cocktails with local spirits) or try a guided whisky flight at a specialist bar in Old Town. If you prefer a mellow finale, watch sunset from Calton Hill or the Vennel viewpoint framing the castle.

Practical Bites: Getting Around & Booking

  • Transit: Lothian Buses and the tram system are frequent; tap your contactless card on board. Taxis and ride-hailing are plentiful; the city is very walkable but hilly.
  • Trains & flights: Compare European trains on Omio and flights on Omio. For long-haul tickets, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
  • Reservations: Prime restaurants and tours fill up, especially Aug/Dec. Book the castle tour and Highlands day trip in advance via the Viator links above.
  • What to pack: Waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer, comfortable walking shoes, compact umbrella, and a small daypack for the Highlands tour.

Breakfast & Coffee Shortlist: The Milkman (Old Town, specialty coffee and pastries), Fortitude Coffee (careful roasting, minimal interiors), Cult Espresso (Newington, espresso-forward), Twelve Triangles (pastries, filled doughnuts). Whisky & Cocktails: Bow Bar (single malts), Usquabae (curated flights), Panda & Sons (speakeasy style), Bramble (award-winning cocktails).

In three days, you’ll trace royal footsteps on the Royal Mile, stand atop Castle Rock, chase Highland horizons, and savor modern Scottish cuisine from Stockbridge to Leith. Edinburgh reveals itself in layers—history underfoot, stories in the stones, and a skyline that makes you linger for one more look.

Ready to book your trip?

Search Hotels
Search Homes

Traveling somewhere else?

Generate a custom itinerary