Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Natalia
Creating the perfect Edinburgh itinerary can be tough at the best of times, but if you’ve only got one day to explore the city then it’s even harder! There are plenty of great places to visit and things to do in Scotland’s capital city, so it can be hard to know what spots to prioritise. If you just have 24 hours in Edinburgh then it’s best to focus on seeing the highlights of the city’s Old Town, such as the famous Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The New Town is worth exploring too, but if you have limited time then the Old Town has more to offer. Find out the best spots to visit in the city with this one day Edinburgh itinerary.
Planning to explore more of Scotland? Check out our 3 day Isle of Skye itinerary which takes you to some of the most beautiful places in Scotland!
One Day in Edinburgh Itinerary
Edinburgh Castle
Kick off your one day Edinburgh itinerary with a visit to the city’s busiest and most famous attraction – Edinburgh Castle. Situated on top of Castle Rock, the castle is an impressive sight as it towers above the city below.
Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, the castle is a focal point of the city. The castle has plenty of history having been used as a military base, royal residence and more, as well as being home to the Honours of Scotland – the oldest crown jewels in Britain.
A visit to Edinburgh Castle allows you to discover the history for yourself, as well as enjoy some brilliant panoramic views of the city. The castle is also home to the National War Museum of Scotland, which is included in the cost of entry.
Highlights of a visit to the castle include St Margaret’s Chapel, Scotland’s crown jewels, the Great Hall and the Half Moon Battery. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of other great spots for you to discover on your visit!
A guided tour of the castle, gives you the chance to get a deeper understanding of its history and ask any questions you may have. Get Your Guide offer a brilliant 1½ hour guided tour of Edinburgh Castle with skip-the-line entry, and prices start at just £33 per person.
Click here to book an amazing tour of the castle through Get Your Guide!
If you just have one day in Edinburgh then it’s definitely worth booking your visit to the castle in advance as tickets can sell out. We recommend spending at least a couple of hours exploring the castle and the National War Museum of Scotland.
The Royal Mile
Next up on your one day in Edinburgh itinerary is the city’s famous Royal Mile. Located in the heart of the city’s Old Town, the Royal Mile is made up of the streets that run from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace.
Traditionally a processional route for kings and queens, the Royal Mile is now lined with a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and bars, as well as several picturesque small alleyways. One of the best things to do in Edinburgh is simply walk the full distance of the mile.
Having just visited Edinburgh Castle, you’re perfectly located to walk from one end of the Royal Mile to the other. There is some beautiful architecture to enjoy as you walk, as well as various quaint passageways for you to discover. Some of the nicest spots along the Royal Mile are its small alleyways and side streets – so take the time to wander off from the main street!
One spot you shouldn’t miss is the beautiful Victoria Street, which is located just off the Royal Mile. Victoria Street is particularly picturesque thanks to the colourful shopfronts that line the curved street. It’s hardly surprising that it’s one of the most photographed places in the city!
Other spots to visit along the Royal Mile include the impressive St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Heart of Midlothian mosaic and the Mercat Cross. There are also a number of museums and whisky tasting experiences located along the mile.
If you want to enjoy a whisky tasting experience on the Royal Mile then we recommend booking online in advance. Get Your Guide offer a top-rated Whisky Tasting and Storytelling activity, with prices starting at £31 per person. Experiences last 2 hours, and begin at 5pm – so you can continue with your one day Edinburgh itinerary and return to enjoy some whisky near the end of your day!
Click here to book an amazing Whisky Tasting Experience through Get Your Guide!
As you reach the end of the Royal Mile, the Scottish Parliament will come into view. If you would like to see more than just the outside then click here to arrange a free guided tour of the Scottish Parliament.
It’s also possible to visit Holyrood Palace, which is located at the end of the Royal Mile. Tickets are available through Get Your Guide and cost £18.50 per person during July and August, and £17.50 for the rest of the year.
Click here to book your tickets to Holyrood Palace on the Get Your Guide website!
Dean Village
The charming Dean Village is a brilliant addition to your Edinburgh itinerary. This quaint village is extremely picturesque thanks to its 19th century buildings located by the Water of Leith riverside.
Dean Village was home to a prosperous grain milling industry for over 800 years. There were 11 working mills in the village, and many of the buildings still remain. As you walk around the village you can spot signs of its history in the form of millstones and more.
The village is a lovely spot to walk around, and has a very different feel to the busier city centre. One of the village’s most famous and impressive buildings is Well Court, which in years gone by housed workers from the mills.
Take the time to wander through the streets and enjoy the pleasant viewpoints. The views by the riverside are particularly nice, and we recommend walking around the village to discover the varying views. Some of the buildings even have a bit of colour, which makes it even more picturesque.
Dean Village is around a 40-minute walk from the Scottish Parliament end of the Royal Mile. We suggest walking between the two as it gives you the chance to see more of Edinburgh as you walk.
Arthur’s Seat
A walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat is the perfect final stop on your one day Edinburgh itinerary. From the top you get brilliant panoramic views of the city, making it a wonderful place to visit for sunset.
Arthur’s seat is actually an extinct volcano, which last erupted around 340 million years ago. It’s the main peak in a group of hills in Holyrood Park, located besides the famous Holyrood Palace.
It takes around 45-60 minutes to walk to the peak of Arthur’s Seat, which stands at an elevation of 251 metres. The hike is moderate, so the spectacular views are well worth the climb!
There are great views to be had as you walk up, and once you reach the summit you get one of the best views of the city. In our opinion, there is no better way to finish your one day in Edinburgh than watching the sunset from above the city.
As Arthur’s Seat is located at the end of the Royal Mile, you may prefer to climb it before heading out to Dean Village. We’ve put it at the end of this one day Edinburgh itinerary so that you can visit at sunset, but it does involve retracing your steps.
It’s probably easiest to take a taxi or use public transport to get back to the right area to begin the hike. If you want to avoid taking a taxi then we recommend stopping for some dinner on the way to Arthur’s Seat from Dean Village. That way you give your legs a bit of a rest before the climb, although make sure that you have enough time to eat and still reach the peak before sunset.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Mid-Range
Voco Edinburgh Haymarket
Located just outside the city’s Old Town, the Voco Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel is a brilliant place to stay. It’s around a 20-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle – the start point of this itinerary – as well as being around 15 minutes walk away from Dean Village.
The hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms, complete with a range of facilities and amenities including air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, shared lounge and more.
Click here to book a stay at the lovely Voco Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel on Booking.com!
Treat yourself!
The Edinburgh Grand
The Edinburgh Grand offer a variety of luxury apartments in the city’s New Town. If you want to feel a bit more relaxed and at home, then a stay in one of these luxurious apartments is a great option.
All of the apartments are modern and well-furnished, to ensure a comfortable stay throughout. A number of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance, including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Click here to book a stay at the amazing Edinburgh Grand on Booking.com!
Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!
If you’re looking to visit other cities in the UK then check out our itinerary in Liverpool as well as our weekend itinerary in Manchester.
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