3 days · 25 stops
Edinburgh in 3 days
Three relaxed days in Edinburgh with a mix of Old Town classics, New Town architecture and local food discoveries, without changing location.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- June
Copy this itinerary
Free: pick your dates, Qurayo copies the plan and adapts it.
Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · Edinburgh
Arrival and a stroll through the New Town
Arrival at Edinburgh Airport, check-in at Motel One and a relaxed afternoon through the New Town and Princes Street Gardens, then dinner and a walk along the Water of Leith in Stockbridge.
11:00
11:45
45 min by public transport
12:30
12:50
Stay: Luggage drop-off at Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
You drop your luggage at reception; the room is ready from about 3 pm. Roomzzz Edinburgh City would be an alternative.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royalapprox. 140–£260 / night20 min by public transport
13:10
14:15
Lunch: Lunch at The Scran & Scallie
The Scran & Scallieapprox. 18–£30 pp20 min on foot
14:35
15:35
Hidden gem: Dean Village and Water of Leith Walkway
20 min on foot
15:55
16:40
Sightseeing: Charlotte Square and the Georgian House
Georgian House, Charlotte Squareapprox. 0–£12 pp20 min on foot
17:00
17:15
Stay: Check in to your room at Motel One
The room is ready now. Freshen up and rest for a while. Then continue through the gardens.
8 min on foot
17:23
18:23
Sightseeing: Walk through Princes Street Gardens
25 min by public transport
19:00
20:30
Dinner: Dinner at the Stockbridge Tap
The Stockbridge Tapapprox. 18–£28 pp5 min on foot
20:45
21:30
Activity: Evening walk along the Water of Leith
In June it stays light until late. You stroll along the river past St Bernard's Well, a small neoclassical well temple.
Day 2 · Edinburgh
Medieval Old Town and history
A day in the medieval Old Town: the castle, the Royal Mile, St Giles' and the National Museum, plus detours to local favourites around the Grassmarket and Victoria Street.
08:45
09:45
Breakfast: Breakfast at Söderberg Pavilion
Scandinavian-inspired breakfast with cinnamon buns and good coffee, a calm start near the Old Town. Alternative: Brew Lab Coffee.
Söderberg Pavilionapprox. 9–£15 pp12 min on foot
10:15
13:00
Sightseeing: National Museum of Scotland
Visit the roof terrace straight after entering, for the view of the castle.
5 min on foot
13:10
14:15
Lunch: Lunch at Mums Great Comfort Food
Scottish home cooking such as haggis, sausages with mashed potatoes and pies, close by. Alternative: Oink on Victoria Street.
Mums Great Comfort Foodapprox. 12–£18 pp7 min on foot
14:25
15:00
Shopping: Stroll along Victoria Street
The curved, colourful street with independent shops, and the historic Grassmarket, once a place of execution and a market.
12 min on foot
15:15
17:45
Sightseeing: Edinburgh Castle
The Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and the castle's Great Hall above the city. In June it is open until about 18:00.
Edinburgh Castleapprox. 19–£23 ppBook tickets online in advance with a time slot, otherwise there is a long queue at the entrance.
10 min on foot
18:00
18:45
Sightseeing: St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile
The city's main church with the Thistle Chapel and Crown Spire; walk down the Royal Mile to get there.
St Giles' Cathedralapprox. 0–£5 pp6 min on foot
19:15
20:45
Dinner: Dinner at The Devil's Advocate
Modern Scottish cuisine in a former pump station in a hidden alley. Alternative: Makars Mash Bar.
The Devil's Advocateapprox. 25–£40 pp5 min on foot
21:00
22:00
Drinks: Nightcap at The Jolly Judge
Cosy pub with a beamed ceiling in a courtyard near the Royal Mile, known for Scottish whiskies and ales.
The Jolly Judgeapprox. 8–£14 pp
Day 3 · Edinburgh
Views, Leith and departure
Your departure day begins with breakfast in the New Town, leads up Calton Hill and ends with lunch in Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia, before you head to the airport.
08:30
09:30
Breakfast: Breakfast at Lovecrumbs
Lovecrumbsapprox. 8–£14 pp12 min on foot
09:45
10:00
Stay: Check-out at Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Collect your luggage, check out and leave your suitcases at reception if you don't want to take them with you yet.
12 min on foot
10:15
11:45
Sightseeing: View from Calton Hill
Calton Hillapprox. 0–£6 pp20 min by bus
12:05
12:35
Travel & transfer: Trip to Leith
Take the bus from the Leith Walk stop down to the Shore.
Leith Walk nach Leithapprox. £2 pp5 min on foot
12:45
14:00
Lunch: Lunch at The Kings Wark
Historic pub on the Shore in Leith with Scottish cuisine and fresh fish. Backup: The Ship on the Shore.
The Kings Warkapprox. 16–£28 pp15 min on foot
14:20
16:20
Sightseeing: Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia
The Queen's former yacht lies at Ocean Terminal and, with an audio guide, offers insights into royal life on board.
Royal Yacht Britanniaapprox. 20–£24 ppBook tickets online in advance; in summer, time slots often sell out.
35 min by bus
16:55
17:20
Travel & transfer: Back to the hotel, collect luggage
Take the bus back to the city centre and pick up your luggage.
Motel One Edinburgh-Royalapprox. £2 pp10 min by public transport
17:30
18:15
Travel & transfer: Take the tram to the airport
The tram runs directly from Princes Street to the airport, around 35 minutes. Allow plenty of time for check-in.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI)approx. 7–£8 pp
Planned with AI and checked with OpenStreetMap. Opening hours and prices can change – please double-check on site.
FAQ
How many days do you need for Edinburgh?
Two full days are enough for the Castle, Royal Mile, museum and Arthur's Seat. With three to four days there is time for Leith, the New Town and a day trip, for example to St Andrews or the Highlands.
Where is the best place to stay in Edinburgh?
For first-time visitors, the Old Town and New Town are the most practical, because you can reach almost everything on foot. You'll stay somewhere quieter and often slightly cheaper in Stockbridge or Leith.
Is Edinburgh expensive?
Edinburgh's prices are roughly at German level or slightly higher, and accommodation is expensive, especially in August and at Hogmanay. Free museums, parks and viewpoints help keep the budget down.