Visit Edinburgh - Short City & Weekend Breaks

A contemporary cultural capital, a city break in Edinburgh provides the opportunity to explore the cities history and heritage, enjoy world-class events and festivals and visit the country’s top museums and galleries.

Edinburgh is a compact, walkable city allowing you to begin to explore the city on a short break. After a morning exploring Edinburgh Castle, Scotland’s top visitor attraction, it’s just a short walk to the modern home of the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, taking in the sights of the historic old town and Royal Mile along the way.

If you prefer the great outdoors to great architecture, Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is an ideal location for a leisurely afternoon stroll. If you fancy something more energetic, a walk up Arthur’s Seat will reward you with stunning views of the city, Fife and the Pentlands.

Princes Street, George Street and Multrees Walk provide the opportunity for some retail therapy. Or you can explore the specialist retailers of Edinburgh's Grassmarket, Old Town and West End districts. Edinburgh's districts of Bruntsfield, Morningside, Southside and Stockbridge also boast a variety of independent shops and boutiques.

There’s a host of top visitor attractions to visit in and around Edinburgh, ranging from 12th to 17th century castles and palaces, Edinburgh Zoo, the Royal Yacht Britannia, The National Galleries of Scotland as well as ghost and literary tours. You can even visit Rosslyn Chapel, featured in the blockbuster movie and novel The Da Vinci Code.

To end the perfect day, Edinburgh has more restaurants per head than any UK city and a wide range of trendy clubs and sophisticated bars in which you can enjoy a traditional Scottish tipple or a freshly mixed cocktail. Alternatively you could catch a play at one of the city’s arts venues, dance the night away at a traditional ceilidh or explore the ghostly ruins of Edinburgh’s old town on a evening tour.