Your 1-Day in Edinburgh Itinerary: Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is brimming with history, culture, and unique sights, and I love it! From exploring famous landmarks like Holyrood Palace and the Greyfriars Bobby Statue to wandering the damp cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, in all its witchy mystique, my 1-day itinerary will help you make the most of your short stay in the city.

(Planning a day trip to Edinburgh as part of a longer trip to Scotland? Be sure to look at my 10-day Scotland itinerary too, for more inspiration!)

 

One day in Edinburgh: your itinerary

Stop 1: The Vennel Viewpoint and Greyfriars Bobby Statue
Stop 2: Royal Yacht Britannia
Stop 3: Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament
Stop 4: Edinburgh Castle
Stop 5: Adam Smith statue and St. Giles’ Cathedral

If you’ve read my blog before, you’ll know that I rate Scotland as the best destination in Europe, way higher than France or Spain or anywhere else warmer, where the masses flock to. And though some people either can’t bear the weather in Edinburgh or just think it’s a boring place (or both), it charms me more and more every time I visit.

Captain John (me) is ready to set sail with his crew (you) for a great 1 day in Edinburgh!
 

Not convinced? Read my honest, no-frills, account of my 1 day in Edinburgh to see what I see in this great city!

 

Planning a 1-day trip to Edinburgh: FAQs

First off, here are the answers to some of the most common questions about traveling to Edinburgh...

Is 1 day enough time in Edinburgh?

Yes, one day is enough time to spend in Edinburgh as it’s not exactly a sprawling metropolis. But if you want to hit all the best things to do and see, you can’t afford to dawdle. If you plan your day thoroughly using an itinerary like mine, and stick to this plan, you should have a great time and not feel like you’re missing out.

Alternatively, if you’re considering spending more time in Edinburgh, check out my 3-day itinerary.

 

What’s the best way to get to Edinburgh?

Edinburgh Airport is the busiest airport in Scotland, welcoming lots of flights from all over Europe as well as from major hubs in the UK (i.e. the London airports). This means that if it isn’t possible for you to land in Edinburgh having endured a maximum of one layover, you must live somewhere pretty inaccessible. Like Samoa.

They’re ready for you to spend one day in Edinburgh!

 

Where’s the best place to stay in Edinburgh?

If you need somewhere to stay overnight after your day in Edinburgh, here’s a tip: we stayed at Tynecastle Park Hotel on the west side of the city. What’s cool about this hotel is that it’s actually part of the Heart of Midlothian soccer ground. This was a gimmick I couldn’t resist, especially at a reasonable price: GBP 185 (USD 241) per night.

And the place didn’t disappoint. Large rooms that are unusually luxurious for Scotland, a perfectly soft and comfortable bed allowing for the best night’s sleep, and one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh (read: great breakfast). I'm not so much into soccer, but I’ve decided that I’m a Hearts fan now.

Side note: on the first morning at breakfast, my girlfriend set the toaster on fire. It wasn’t anything major—it didn’t spread and the staff were nice about it. But if you think I’d be the type of partner to embarrass her anyway by teasing her about it for the rest of the trip, and subsequently bringing it up in my blog post, you're absolutely right.

 

My top tips for visiting Edinburgh in 1 day:

• Pack a hat or a jacket with a windproof hood. The wind in Edinburgh is fierce, all year round.
   
• Similarly, make sure you have waterproof clothes. Scotland is one of the rainiest parts of Europe and it only has two seasons: winter and June. I thought the waterproof stuff that I already had was good enough. Not for Scotland, as it turns out!
   
• Tipping is common in bars and restaurants—aim for the 10% mark.
   
• Fun fact: Gaelic-language translations are everywhere on signs, even though just 1% of the population of Edinburgh has at least some understanding of Gaelic, and just 2.5% in the entire of Scotland. I don’t know, it looked like Elvish to me.
   
• Another fun fact: people in other parts of Scotland joke that Edinburgh’s the most northerly city in England because lots of English people live here, including a lot of English students.
   
• Scottish people are incredibly kind. Don’t be alarmed—there's no ulterior motive!
   
• At the same time, a lot of people in Edinburgh clearly enjoy invading others’ personal space.
   
• Scottish people tend to have breakfast late, at around 8 am, and dinner early, at around 6 pm. I found this irritating because I like to be out early and back late to make the most of my time, especially if I only have one day!

 

Planning a 1-day trip to Edinburgh: route map

See the route for your 1-day Edinburgh itinerary on Google Maps  

 

Stop 1: The Vennel Viewpoint and Greyfriars Bobby Statue

The Vennel Viewpoint
 

• Distance from hotel: 2.4 km (1.5 mi), a 35-minute walk
• Time spent here: 30 minutes

If you only have one day in Edinburgh, forget the tourist buses. They’ll only slow you down and they won’t take you down any of the pretty side streets, one of which is where this itinerary begins. The Vennel Viewpoint is a spot that’s more a local treasure than one of the "top 10 must-see attractions." It's a little alleyway that offers one of the best, yet most underrated views of Edinburgh Castle, part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As I climbed each of those worn stone steps, I felt like I was turning back the clock of time, immersing myself in layers of Scottish history. The castle loomed overhead like it was about to start raining medieval battle cries. And the best part? No jostling with a hundred other tourists for the perfect photo, especially if you go at sunrise like we did. It was our own private moment with the castle.

Visiting Greyfriars Bobby

We then went just around the corner to one of Edinburgh’s most beloved landmarks—the Greyfriars Bobby Statue. This small bronze dog has been melting hearts since the 19th century. As the legend goes, after his owner passed away, Bobby the Skye Terrier spent 14 years faithfully guarding his grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetry, the ultimate man’s best friend. If this story doesn’t make you choke up even just a little, I’m sorry, but you’re dead inside.

Greyfriars Bobby Statue
 

Take note: while many tourists rub the statue’s nose for "good luck," locals will simply roll their eyes. It’s not really a thing, and honestly, you’re just helping to polish poor Bobby’s snout to a tacky gold. Instead, pay your respects, take a picture if you must, and take a moment to appreciate the pup's loyalty. Then, head into the cemetery itself for some serious Gothic vibes. Congratulations, you’ve just begun your two-day Edinburgh adventure like a local: steeped in history and just a little off the beaten path.

Fun fact: Just around the corner from the Greyfriars Bobby Statue lies Greyfriars Kirkyard, where, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, you can hunt for gravestones that inspired character names like Tom Riddle—creepy, but cool!

 

Stop 2: Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht that’s not quite a yacht
 

• Distance from last stop: 5.3 km (3.3 mi), a 20-minute taxi ride or 35 minutes on public transport
• Time spent here: 1.5 hours
• Opening hours: 10 am–4 pm, every day
• Price: GBP 19.50 (USD 25.45)
• Official website: https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/

After we left man’s very best friend, we jumped in a taxi. We only had one day in Edinburgh, after all—there was no time to lose! It took us 20 minutes to get to this total beauty. Britannia was the yacht that served the British royal family between 1954 and 1997, traveling a whopping 500,000 miles during that time. It’s now permanently on show to the public in Leith, just north of Edinburgh.

Really, “yacht” doesn’t cut it; when you think of a yacht, you surely don’t think of a boat as huge as this one. We walked around it for at least two hours and covered 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles)!

We ended up leaving the car at the parking lot at Ocean Terminal, the nearby shopping complex. Entry to the yacht costs GBP 19.50 (USD 25.45) and you get given a free audio guide. You can listen to the guide at your own pace in lots of languages. They even had my native Czech! I was half-expecting to hear Czech in a Scottish accent, which would have been too funny. No, it was just a lovely, proper-speaking Prague girl.

The Royal Yacht is my favorite stop on this 1-day itinerary
 

I’ll be honest: this tour was amazing—for me, the best thing on my 1-day itinerary in Edinburgh. It gave me a much better insight into the royal family than anything else I’d experienced, namely, just how expensive it must be to have them. It actually made me proud that my own country is a republic.

The most interesting things I learned and saw on the Royal Not-a-Yacht Britannia:

• The admiral had to change into 12 different outfits every day. He was just as bad as my girlfriend!
• They had a Rolls-Royce onboard for their annual trips to the Western Isles. What a bad choice of car for rugged terrain.
• The rooms on the ship are relatively modest. Is this where most Scottish hotels get their inspiration from?!
• I loved seeing some of their old family photos. Queen Elizabeth had more kids than I thought, and Princess Anne was quite the looker back in the day.

The guide offers many languages. Even our native Czech!
 

• I liked the dining room a lot—I’d love to host a formal dinner of my own there. (I wonder how much it costs to hire...) What particularly impressed my obsessive mind was the precise placement of the crockery, the spaces between everything having been measured with a millimeter ruler.
• The crew’s quarters were very simple—the sailors slept in cramped bunk beds below deck. Seeing this did not better my opinions on the monarchy.
• There’s a whisky distillery next to the boat. It’d be rude not to drop in, so we did. And before you ask, yes, I stayed within the drink-driving limit.

 

Stop 3: Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament on the Royal Mile

The Holyrood Palace, another important Royal gem of Scotland
 

• Distance from last stop: 4 km (2.4 mi), a 15-minute taxi ride or 30 minutes on public transport
• Time spent here: 1.5 hours
• Opening hours (Holyrood Palace): 9:30 am–6 pm, every day (last entry at 4:30 pm)
• Opening hours (Scottish Parliament): 10 am–5 pm, Monday, Friday and Saturday (last entry at 4:30 pm)
• Price (Holyrood Palace): GBP 18.50 (USD 24.14)
• Price (Scottish Parliament): free
• Official website (Holyrood Palace): https://www.rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse
• Official website (Scottish Parliament): https://www.parliament.scot/visit/

After that thorough workout, it was time to see Holyrood Palace, the official royal residence in Scotland. It’s one of the country’s most culturally significant buildings, located at the top of the Royal Mile at the foot of Arthur’s Seat (conveniently).

What to expect at Holyrood Palace

Entry to Holyrood Palace costs GBP 18.50 (USD 24.14), which I hope doesn’t go to the King himself, and you’re given an audio guide. You really need this because there are no signs in the palace, so don’t be too cocky and turn it down thinking you’re some sort of modern-day Christopher Columbus.

Me at Holyrood Palace
 

I was astounded by The King’s Gallery; so many paintings, furniture, and decorative items—the sort that nobody really needs. Mary, Queen of Scots also makes a lot of appearances. And there’s a “throne room”. I thought this must refer to His Majesty’s private bathroom, but no—it’s just a bunch of fancy chairs.

Out back, there’s Holyrood Abbey, or the ruins of, seeing as it doesn’t function anymore. I found it impressively well-preserved, imposing, even haunting. I bet it’d be a great place to go ghost-hunting late at night!

Visiting the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament is just next door to the palace. We only had time for a quick peek, and it’s not really a "parliament", now, is it? (Commiserations to any supporters for Scottish independence, but yeah, you’re still Westminster’s bitch.)

Take some time to wander down the Royal Mile
 

The building itself is some proper modernist eye candy, designed by Catalonian architect Enric Miralles. With its many haphazard shapes, quirky curves and sharp angles, the experience is much like a magic mushroom-induced trip to IKEA.

We spent our short visit wandering through the visitor areas, listening to a debate, and pretending we understood the finer points of devolution. I felt I earned a gold badge that says “You tried” on it.

Tip: the public gallery is free, so you can witness democracy in action without spending a penny!

 

Stop 4: Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh castle
 

• Distance from last stop: 1.6 km (1 mi), a 25-minute walk
• Time spent here: 1.5 hours
• Opening hours: Daily 9:30 am–6 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm)
• Price: GBP 18.50 (USD 24.14)
• Official website: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

Edinburgh Castle is sort of the top dog of any Edinburgh itinerary, so I was eager to get it into my one-day trip plan. It's not just an iconic landmark but also a key part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place where Scottish history comes alive.

Edinburgh Castle tickets

We brisk-walked to the other end of the Royal Mile to join the long line to get in. I’m told that tickets sell out quickly (I guess they have a limit on the number of people they can admit at once), but we managed to get some. A ticket costs GBP 18.50 (USD 24.14) and you have to pay extra for an audio guide.

Tip: go as early as you can. They start closing the castle at 5 pm, and even if you’re in line at 4:30, you might be turned away if you’re not at the front.

What to expect at Edinburgh Castle

The complex is very large—it’s essentially a collection of smaller museums. I have to say, the whole thing isn’t well-organized at all. There’s no map, which would surely be essential for someone who’s never set foot in the place before... (I mean, my sense of direction is good, but my intuition is limited.) But somehow, we made our way through the exhibits and the chaos lessened the further through the castle we went.

The Edinburgh castle complex is huge!
 

Most of what’s on display revolves around Scotland’s military history and comes with gripping, complex stories: tales from the Battle of Waterloo, the Crimean War and both World Wars, to name a few. I’m going to be straight with you: Edinburgh Castle isn’t for pacifists. This place cuts no corners when it comes to glorifying battle, and if you can’t deal with that, skip this stop on the itinerary!

Luckily, I’m no such snowflake. My highlights were a wall of letters and other memoirs from soldiers, the section on the Royal Dragoons—a 300-year-old regiment, and the memorial chapel. It was all very poignant—I even got a little emotional.

Oh, and something less tear-jerking, but equally cool to see was the Stone of Destiny. They wheel out this ungraceful block of sandstone for every coronation. I’m not sure why, but what I do know now is that “the Stone of Destiny” is what I want my gravestone to be known as when I’m dead.

Signpost on the Edinburgh Castle lookout
 

And as proud as the Scots are of their military, past and present, it seems they’re equally proud of their bagpipes as you’ll also see these everywhere. I have mixed opinions on bagpipes. On one hand, they’re a really impressive instrument and whenever I hear them, I immediately think “Oh, great, I’m in Scotland—my favorite country!” However, after about a minute, admittedly, I start to get pissed off by the screeching. Luckily, all the bagpipes at Edinburgh Castle are safely out of reach of any potential passing piper.

Of course, such a rich, extensive display of military history couldn’t not be complemented by a dignified mention of the royal family. Edinburgh Castle is where the Scottish Crown Jewels are kept, and I was stunned by how beautiful they are in real life.

I was also drawn in by a timeline of monarchs. Because I’m orderly, organized, not to mention mildly obsessive, I can’t resist a timeline, and it did make it easier for all the royal history I’d just learned about to slot into place.

The views are remarkable!
 

On the way out, there’s a wonderful audiovisual presentation on the 13^th-century siege of the castle—be sure not to miss it. Remember to donate what you can—no one likes a cheapskate.

And lastly, everyone loves a good view, and I have to say, the views from Edinburgh Castle are remarkable, offering a panoramic view of the city and even a glimpse of the beautiful Princes Street Gardens below. So even if you don’t like learning about war or royalty, take a walk up there anyway to get your blood pumping and some air in your lungs!

Fun fact: From the top of Edinburgh Castle, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city, including a glimpse of the National Monument, often called 'Scotland's Disgrace' for its unfinished appearance.

 

Stop 5: Adam Smith statue and St. Giles’ Cathedral

Adam Smith guarding the St. Giles’ Cathedral
 

• Distance from last stop: 1.1 km (0.7 mi), a 20-minute walk
• Time spent here: 30 minutes
• Opening hours: 10:00 am–6 pm (Monday–Friday), 9 am–5 pm (Saturday), 1 pm–5 pm (Sunday)
• Price: free, donations welcome
• Official website: https://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/

Going back on ourselves down the Royal Mile, we stopped at the statue of Adam Smith, the 18^th-century figure who wrote the book on capitalism (literally: The Wealth of Nations). Now, here he stands, overseeing the hustle and bustle of the street, covered in bird poop like the world’s most unfortunate economic adviser. He’d probably have something to say about how tourism has turned this place into a capitalist haven. But let’s be real—being splattered with excrement, he looks just as silly as some of today’s politicians. Not exactly the look you want when you’re the face of the Scottish Enlightenment, am I right?

Moving on to St. Giles' Cathedral...

Behind him is St. Giles’ Cathedral, a showstopper of a building that’s been around since the 12th century, and the last sight we had to see on our one day in Edinburgh. It’s hard to believe that something this grand has stood here through wars, reformations, and probably more than a few royal blow-ups.

Tip: As you stroll along the Royal Mile, don’t forget to look up—Arthur’s Seat towers in the background, offering an epic contrast to the urban landscape below.

When I went inside, I was immediately struck by how bright and colorful it is—none of that gloomy, Gothic darkness you see from the outside. The ceiling is an entrancingly deep blue, complete with gold embellishments that could easily pass for a royal crown, and turquoise tapestries hang from the columns like regal banners. Then there’s the light filtering through the stained-glass windows, casting the place in a turquoise glow that makes it feel pretty special.

Sadly, though, the serenity was spoiled somewhat by the crowds. It’s hard to feel spiritually uplifted when there are so many of those selfie stick-swinging tourists around.

Tip: you can donate to the cathedral by card. Now you’ve got no excuses for being cheap!

Do you feel like one day in Edinburgh isn’t enough? Check out my 3-day Edinburgh itinerary!

 

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