Edinburgh: A Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
Edinburgh is one of those cities that instantly pulls you in. Between the castle towering over the skyline, winding cobbled streets, and cozy pubs tucked into every corner, it’s the kind of place that feels both historic and totally alive. Whether you’re here for the views, the rich history, or the whiskey – Edinburgh delivers. From famous landmarks like the Royal Mile and Arthur’s Seat to hidden gems like Dean Village, this city has something for everyone—whether you’re a first-time visitor or back for more.
Luckily for me, I’ve been a few times now, largely on solo work trips. So in this post, I’ll walk you through some of the best things to see and do while you’re in town. Let’s dive in!
Itinerary Day 1: Edinburgh Old Town
The Vennel, Grassmarket & Victoria Street
Start your visit to Edinburgh nice and early on some of the most beautiful streets in the city, before they get too crowded for the day. Head to the famous Vennel viewpoint, before walking down the steps to Grassmarket and round on to Victoria Street. It really is like something out of a film!
Edinburgh Castle
Without a doubt, Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most famous attraction; that also makes it the busiest. Try to arrive for entry at 9.30am and aim to spend at least 2hrs here if you’re interested in seeing the Crown Jewels of Scotland, touring the prison dungeons and visiting some of the museums on site. If you’re a museum buff, be sure to allocate 3hrs as there is a lot to see.
The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the beating heart of Edinburgh old town. It’s lined with gorgeous sandstone buildings and as you walk along it, you’ll hear the echoing of bagpipes around every corner. Some of the architecture dates back to the 1100s, and it has to be one of the most atmospheric streets in all of Europe.
As you walk along, be sure to divert off and see at least the following:
- The Writer’s Museum – a gorgeous building, home to a museum celebrating the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
- New College – part of Edinburgh University and so beautiful.
- Cockburn Street – a road just off the Royal Mile, home to lots of lovely shops and buildings.
- St Giles’ Cathedral – A gorgeous church founded in 1124 which has seen over 900 years of turbulent Scottish history.
- The Real Mary King’s Close – Hidden beneath the Royal Mile lies a secret warren of hidden ‘closes’ where real people lived, worked and died. You can book on to a tour with a guide to get a true feel for life in those times. This is one of my favourite experiences in the city.
The Writer’s Museum (L) and Cockburn Street (R)
Palace of Holyrood House
Finish off your day at the end of the Royal Mile with a visit to the Palace of Holyrood House, the Monarchy’s home in Scotland. You can tour the state rooms either independently, or with a guide. I went on an after hours tour to see the Palace without the crowds and it was so fascinating to learn a lot more about Scotland’s history.
Itinerary Day 2: Dean Village & Edinburgh New Town
Dean Village
Dean Village is one of Edinburgh’s most picturesque hidden gems—a peaceful, storybook-like place. Despite being just a short 20 minute walk from the city, it feels miles away from the urban bustle. It’s a lovely place to just stroll, and if you want to make a longer walk of it you can follow the Water of Leith Walkway in its entirety.
Stockbridge & Circus Lane
From Dean Village, you can follow the Water of Leith walkway round to Dundas Street and then head up to explore the area of the city known as Edinburgh New Town. It’s characterised by the famous Edinburgh sandstone, making the Georgian buildings and architecture lining the streets both striking and beautiful.
The highlight for me was definitely picturesque Circus Lane, home to lots of flower framed mews houses, perfect for a photo or three.
Shops and Cafes of Edinburgh New Town
This area of the city is packed with lovely independent shops, bars, restaurants and cafes – perfect for brunch, lunch, or just a drink to watch the world go by.
The Dome Bar (L), views from One20 Wine Café (R)
Top Tip: If art is your thing, then The Scottish Gallery and The National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait are both in the New Town area, and are well worth stopping by.
Prince’s Street Gardens
After refuelling, head in to Prince’s Street Gardens, perfect for getting a lovely view back up to the stunning castle where you started your visit! Make sure you don’t miss:
- The beautiful Flower Clock.
- Ross Fountain with its famous views to Edinburgh Castle.
- Scott Monument (can be climbed for a small fee, for Panoramic views across the city).
Calton Hill
After the gardens, it’s time to head up to one of the most famous spots in the city to get the ultimate postcard perfect views. It takes about 15 minutes to walk up from the end of Prince’s Street and is spectacular to walk a full circuit of the hill. I imagine with a pretty sunset it would be even better!
Optional Extra: Museums
If you finish the above activities with time to spare in your day, then Edinburgh has a whole host of amazing museums well worth spending a few hours in. I obviously chose The National Museum of Scotland which is AMAZING (you can easily spend an entire day there), but you can take your pick from:
- The National Museum of Scotland
- Museum of Edinburgh
- The People’s Story Museum
- Museum of Childhood
- Surgeons’ Hall Museums
- World of Illusions
Have a little longer?
Arthur’s Seat
One of Edinburgh’s best hikes for panoramic views around the city is Arthur’s Seat, a short 15 minute walk out of town to the start point, and a c.1 hour climb up and back down. It’s well worth it if you can manage it!
Views along the pathways of the Arthur’s Seat hike
Edinburgh Botanic Garden
Oh how I love a good garden; and Edinburgh’s Botanic Garden is really special. It’s home to so much beauty, including rock gardens, Chinese gardens, and so much more. I easily spent 3hrs visiting!
In the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Gently Mad Bookshop
The Gently Mad Bookshop is an antique book and bookbinding shop right near the entrance to the Botanic Gardens. It’s so lovely inside that I just had to recommend it!
Outside and inside the bookshop
Greyfriar’s Kirkyard Cemetery
One of the most famous graveyards in the world, Greyfriar’s has been in existence since the 1500s. It’s a peaceful place to stroll around, but its key draw now for visitors is its link to Harry Potter. JK Rowling famously found inspiration for many of her characters here – including Tom Riddle, Professor McGonagall and Sirius Black. You can find their graves throughout the churchyard.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
I stayed at the wonderful W Edinburgh, a 5* hotel right next to Calton Hill and perfectly located for exploring the city. Even better, it has the most amazing rooftop bar with awesome views on offer. If you’re looking for a special stay in the city, then look no further!
So there you have it; a complete 2 day itinerary for a visit to Edinburgh (plus a few extra options)! What did you think? Have you visited this amazing city? Or would you like to go? I really enjoyed my time exploring solo, and hope you enjoyed the tour.
