Background
Trip Planner Logo

A Day in Edinburgh: Exploring History and Gardens

Pablo Castillo

Pablo Castillo

27 Oct 2023

Join me on a thrilling day in Edinburgh, where we'll visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the National Museum of Scotland, and enjoy a delicious lunch at The Boozy Cow. We'll then take a leisurely stroll through Princes Street Gardens and end the day with a visit to the iconic Edinburgh Castle.

Trip to Edinburgh

Day 1
+

$209

·

$ 5

Palace of Holyroodhouse
The 16th-century palace of the Stuarts, with tours of royal reception rooms, antiques & relics.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
•
$50
6 - 8 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Scotland
Bright, modern museum housing Scottish industrial history relics, natural history displays & a cafe.
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

The Boozy Cow
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
•
$46
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Princes Street Gardens
Green Flag park of geological/botanical interest, home to several public monuments and memorials.
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

Edinburgh Castle
An 11th-century castle and barracks housing the Crown Jewels and National War Museum of Scotland.
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
•
$63
8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Mercat Cross
No time set
•
Free
1 - 2 min

~

Directions

Edinburgh City Chambers
Formal environment holding civil wedding ceremonies, plus an on-site catering service.
No time set
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

The Edinburgh Dungeon
A 70-minute tour through 1,000 years of Scottish history via underground rides & live shows.
No time set
•
$50
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Royal Mile
Buzzing street linking Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, lined with quaint eateries & shops.
No time set
•
Free
Day 2
+

$25

The Royal Scottish Academy
A bright, elegant Georgian gallery built in 1826, housing modern art and architecture exhibitions.
No time set
•
Free
5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Gladstone's Land
Family attraction showing how a wealthy merchant would have lived in a house first bought in 1617.
No time set
•
$25
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Museum on the Mound
Museum tracing the design and history of money, with exhibits including Scotland's oldest banknote.
No time set
•
Free
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

National Library of Scotland
Venerable research archive founded in the 17th century offering reading room access & a cafe.
No time set
•
Free
4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Greyfriars Bobby's grave
Life-size statue of a 19th-century Skye terrier said to have sat by his owner's grave for 14 years.
No time set
•
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

Fruitmarket
Bright contemporary art space for local and international exhibitions, with cafe and bookshop.
No time set
•
Free
14 - 21 min

~

Directions

The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle
Landmark sandstone stairway between tenement buildings, with views of Edinburgh Castle at the top.
No time set
•
Free
10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Dovecot Studios
Textile exhibitions, workshops & events in an airy gallery featuring a bright cafe.
No time set
•
Free
4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Scottish Storytelling Centre
Arts venue preserving traditional storytelling, with live performances and interactive displays.
No time set
•
Free
11 - 16 min

~

Directions

Dugald Stewart Monument
Built in 1831, this hilltop monument to Dugald Stewart was modeled after Athens' Tower of the Winds.
No time set
•
Free
3 - 4 min

~

Directions

National Monument of Scotland
Historical hilltop memorial to soldiers & sailors from Scotland who perished in the Napoleonic Wars.
No time set
•
Free
8 - 12 min

~

Directions

The People's Story Museum
The 16th-century Tolbooth houses a social history museum tracing city life since the late 1700s.
No time set
•
Free
2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Dunbars Close
Recreated 17th-century garden against a church wall, with sheltered parterres, shrubbery & trees.
No time set
•
Free

Budget breakdown: $239 In total

Activities & Food:$234
Transport:$5