Edinburgh cityscape at dusk with Edinburgh Castle
4 DAYS

Edinburgh City Break

3 nights Edinburgh — Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile – Holyrood Palace & Arthur's Seat – Galleries, New Town & Whisky

Day 1. Arrival & Edinburgh Castle

Arrive in Edinburgh — the extraordinary capital of Scotland, a UNESCO World Heritage City of volcanic geology, medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town. Visit Edinburgh Castle — the magnificent fortress perched on the volcanic crag above the city, home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and the National War Memorial. Spectacular views from the castle ramparts over the city. Evening walk down the Royal Mile. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 2. Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace & Arthur's Seat

Full day in Edinburgh. Royal Mile: St Giles' Cathedral — the mother church of Scottish Presbyterianism; Camera Obscura and World of Illusions; John Knox House. Holyrood Palace — the official Scottish residence of the British monarch, the extraordinary state rooms where Mary Queen of Scots lived. Optional hike to the summit of Arthur's Seat — the extraordinary extinct volcanic peak rising 251 metres from the centre of Edinburgh. Greyfriars Bobby statue. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 3. Scottish National Gallery, New Town & Whisky Experience

Morning at the Scottish National Gallery — one of the greatest art collections in the UK, with extraordinary works by Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Monet and the Scottish masters. Afternoon: Georgian New Town — Charlotte Square, Princes Street, the extraordinary Georgian architecture of Robert Adam. Scottish Whisky Experience at the foot of the Royal Mile — an extraordinary journey through Scotland's national drink. Overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 4. Departure

Final morning at leisure — optional Dean Village or the Scottish National Museum. Transfer to Edinburgh Airport for onward travel.

Must see

ATTRACTIONS

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace
The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
The Royal Mile, Edinburgh
The Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery
St Giles' Cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat

ACCOMMODATIONS

Options

Edinburgh

★★★★★
  • The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh
  • Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian
  • Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh
★★★★
  • Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh
  • Marriott Edinburgh
  • Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
★★★
  • ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile
  • Travelodge Edinburgh Central
  • Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre
Contemporary Edinburgh hotel room with warm timber finishes
Must try

FOOD

Cullen Skink

Cullen Skink

A thick Scottish soup, typically made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions; an authentic Cullen skink will use finnan haddie, but it may be prepared with any other undyed smoked haddock; ocean perch or salmon are also often used in the soup.

Neeps and Tatties

Neeps and Tatties

A traditional Scottish dish of yellow turnips or swedes, which are peeled, boiled, and coarsely mashed with butter, salt, and pepper ('neeps') and potatoes, which are peeled, boiled and smoothly mashed with butter and milk ('tatties'), most famously served alongside haggis.

Stovies

Stovies

A Scottish dish containing potatoes, fat, onions and often pieces of meat; the potatoes are cooked by slow stewing in a closed pot with the fat and often a small amount of water or other liquids, such as milk or stock; served with cold meat, oatcakes and, sometimes, pickled beetroot.

RESTAURANT

Options
Halal Certified

Edinburgh

  1. Mosque Kitchen Edinburgh – Beloved halal canteen next to Edinburgh Central Mosque, legendary value
  2. Kismot – Award-winning Sri Lankan-Indian halal restaurant, Newington, unique regional curries
  3. Khushboo Indian Restaurant – Indian halal restaurant in Haymarket, popular with Muslim visitors
  4. Istanbul Edinburgh – Turkish halal restaurant near the Old Town, grills and meze
  5. Al-Baraka Edinburgh – Middle Eastern halal food near the university, generous portions
Elegant Edinburgh restaurant interior

Destination Partners

Ready-to-sell itineraries with vetted DMCs on the ground.

HC Products

One platform, every ground service. Connect to a complete suite of travel products and build journeys end-to-end with a single point of contact.

Rail

Cruises

Rent a Car

Coach Tour

Attractions

Activities

Car with Chauffeur

Meet & Greet Services