With its vast history and array of sights, it can feel overwhelming knowing which sights to prioritise on your trip to Edinburgh. Luckily for you, Bright Bus Tours knows the city inside out, and we can’t wait to be your partner in adventure when you explore Edinburgh.
Whether you’re short on time or simply want to visit the must-sees of Scotland’s capital city, we’re here to help. Our Edinburgh city tours and Britannia tours are curated to ensure every minute of your stay in the city is full of fun, interesting experiences.
To help you create the perfect list of vacation must-dos and must-sees, we’ve put together a list of the top Edinburgh must-see places that make Edinburgh so unique.
Bright Bus Tours takes you to all the best tourist attractions in Edinburgh on our hop-on, hop-off tour buses. Read on to learn about the most famous landmarks in Edinburgh.
10 Most Iconic Edinburgh Tourist Attractions
Bright Bus Tours takes you through some of the most famous places in Edinburgh, all in 48 hours with our Two Tours, Two Days package. Whether it’s your first time heading to the city or you’re a regular Edinburgh traveller, there’s always something new to see on your visit.
From taking in Scottish history at Edinburgh Castle to seeing work from some of the most famous painters in the world at the national galleries, your itinerary is bound to fill up in minutes. Our Edinburgh experts have taken the time to outline all of the top attractions in Edinburgh that you won’t want to miss on your trip.
Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, there are also plenty of free tourist attractions in Edinburgh to see during your visit.
1. Edinburgh Castle
Perched atop the stunning Castle Rock is Edinburgh Castle, rife with a history dating back to the 12th century. One of the most spectacular sights to see at this castle is the Great Hall, which was built for King James IV. This room in the castle was later turned into a barracks, where you can now view weapons, shields, and the Lochaber Axe on display.
While St Margaret’s Chapel is one of the oldest landmarks to visit in Scotland, the Honours of Scotland crown is certainly one of the most popular historic collections to enjoy, found in the Crown Room. It’s made of some of the rarest jewels in the country and exhibits the crown and sceptre Mary Queen of Scots wore for her coronation.
2. The National War Museum
The National War Museum has been around since 1933, but its rich history traces much farther back than that. It was originally a storehouse in the early 18th century, which was converted into a military hospital and eventually the national museum it is today.
If you’ve made a stop by Edinburgh Castle on our open-top bus tour, you’ll be happy to know that the museum is a part of the castle, right on the Royal Mile!
Here, you can track the lives of soldiers through Scotland’s military history, including the First World War. You’ll find old uniforms, dear letters written by the military men, and even paintings of some of the fiercest battles in Scotland’s history.
3. The Scottish National Gallery
When we say that the Scottish National Gallery has world-class art, we mean it. It’s a wonder that this incredible gallery is free to visit, especially as it showcases some of the most well-known artists of all time.
With Monet, Van Gogh, and Picasso gracing its walls, you’ll discover a new love for art. The gallery features stand-outs like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Madonna of The Yarnwinder from the early 16th century and Edgar Degas’ Woman Drying Herself.
The Scottish National Gallery has been around since 1859, and it’s just a five-minute walk from our Edinburgh City Tour stop near Edinburgh Castle. The gallery constantly has new artwork on display and interesting exhibitions to explore. All four major galleries regularly host new events, from tours and lectures to music concerts.
4. The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
With 70 acres of pure natural beauty, the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Edinburgh’s top attractions to visit on your trip. The garden boasts one of the world’s largest collections of plants in the Rock Garden, with more than 5,000 species on display. There are even glasshouses in the garden, each with its own climate, including a humid rainforest.
You’ll also spot the stunning Victorian Temperate Palm House, which forms part of the garden and boasts an interesting history. This tall Victorian structure was originally built in 1834 and shows off unique architectural properties, like the glistening glass roof and iron columns. If you head to the John Hope Gateway Centre before you start your journey across the garden, you can get a full layout of the area.
5. The Scottish Parliament Building
The Scottish Parliament building is a unique landmark to visit on your adventure and one of the stops on our Edinburgh City Tour. While there used to be an active Scottish Parliament Building on the Royal Mile, the new one replaced it with some incredibly interesting architecture.
The new building in Holyrood was opened by the Queen in 2006 and was designed in order to reflect Scotland’s values of transparency, accessibility, equality, and sharing. You can see these symbolic designs play out in the leafy designs and hemicycle-shaped debate room. You can wander the modern halls and even book a ticket to a debate.
6. Calton Hill
Calton Hill is one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, and not just for the remarkable view at the top of this volcanic hill. Both of our bus tour packages stop at Waterloo Place, which is right by Calton Hill.
The hill, rich with history, features a number of notable monuments, the most famous of which is the incomplete National Monument, which was built to honour the soldiers who died in battle in the 1800s.
There is also a monument to Dugald Stewart, who was a famous philosopher in the early 19th century known for mixing his knowledge of mathematics and human nature to solve complex contemporary issues. Another fantastic national monument to see here is the tribute to Playfair, designed by Willian Henry Playfair to honour his uncle, John Playfair, an important Scottish scientist.
7. The Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia, part of our Britannia Tour, is one of Edinburgh’s famous places that you absolutely have to see during your visit.
Originally built in 1953 as a safe haven for the British Royal Family, it now stands as an important tourist attraction after its final journey in 1996. While it hosted its fair share of honeymoons, like Princess Anne’s, and royal gatherings, it also played a part in saving hundreds of British people by evacuation during the civil war in South Yemen.
Today, you can wander through the Sun Room (Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite room on the ship!), take a picture on the Verandah Deck by the Bell, or even grab a glass of champagne in the Royal Deck Tea Room.
8. The National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is a great spot to explore if you want to learn more about Scotland’s past. The museum has had several purposes over the years; when it was first built in 1854, it was known as the Industrial Museum of Scotland and later largely featured scientific gatherings.
When you walk through the museum today, you’ll find the skull of Moby the Whale, the iconic Lewis Chess Pieces that inspired the near-fatal scene in Harry Potter, and so much more.
The museum doesn’t just offer a look at Scottish history, either. It’s incredibly diverse, with an Ancient Egypt Rediscovered section on the 5th floor — ideal if you’re looking to learn more about the Egyptians. Entry into the museum is completely free, along with other museums in the area, like the Writer’s Museum.
9. The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse is one of the top sights in Edinburgh to visit on our Edinburgh City Tour. Its history on the Royal Mile began in 1671 when it was designed as a residence for the British monarch. King Charles III still makes it his home when he is in the city!
Right from the moment you walk into the Holyrood palace, you’ll be presented with a grand staircase that was designed for King Charles II. As you wander through these ancient walls, you’ll find paintings of some of the royal family in the Throne Room, see the Dining Hall that was used by Queen Elizabeth II, and so much more.
You can even stroll through the iconic Palace Gardens and see the Physic Garden, which may have grown medicinal plants in the 1600s.
10. Scott Monument
Standing proudly at 61m tall is the second-largest monument to a writer in the world. What originally started as a statue to pay tribute to Sir Walter Scott, author of The Lady of the Lake, is now a huge monument with 287 stairs to get to the top. The Scott Monument is one of the top Edinburgh sites.
Completed in 1882, the statue also honours the writer’s dog, Maida, a grand Scottish Deerhound, as well as 64 of Scott’s beloved fictional characters.
The climb can be quite challenging, but there are four levels on the way up, allowing for some rest. Plus, the view of the city is absolutely worth it!
Along with the incredible work by famous sculptors like William Brodie and Amelia Robertson Hill, the monument also has a stunning LED lighting system that creates a sense of solitude and respect among these grand columns.
See all of the famous, iconic sights in Edinburgh in 48 hours with our Two Tours, Two Days package. Start planning your Edinburgh adventure today.
FAQs About the Famous Spots in Edinburgh
What is the oldest landmark in Edinburgh?
The oldest site in Edinburgh is St Margaret’s Chapel, which forms part of Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. This historic chapel was built in the early 12th century and still survives to this day! King David I, son of Queen Margaret, ensured that it was built to commemorate his mother with honour. The castle is one of the most iconic places in Edinburgh.
Was any of Harry Potter filmed in Edinburgh?
There weren’t any Harry Potter scenes filmed in Edinburgh, but the city is well-known for being the inspiration behind many important moments in the books and movies! Tonnes of Potterheads flock to Edinburgh every year to see the inspiration behind Diagon Alley, Tom Riddle’s Grave, the Lewis Chess Pieces, and even take a ride on the Hogwarts Express. In fact, J.K. Rowling wrote a large part of Harry Potter while in Edinburgh.
Which famous Edinburgh landmarks are free?
If you’re visiting Edinburgh on a budget but still want to see the iconic landmarks in the area, you’ll be happy to know that many Edinburgh highlights are free to visit!
The National Monument on Calton Hill is one of the most popular landmarks to see for free in Edinburgh. Many of the city’s museums and galleries, like the National Museum of Scotland and the National Gallery of Scotland, don’t charge entry fees either. For a more historical experience, visit St Giles Cathedral and take a free walking tour.
Are there any family-friendly attractions in Edinburgh?
Yes, there are plenty of landmarks in the city that make for a fantastic family experience. One of the top landmarks to visit as a family is the Royal Mile. Along the road, you can stop at Edinburgh Castle, where the little ones can pretend they’re knights wandering the halls while you take in the historical significance of the castle.
Dynamic Earth is another fun stop on our tour bus. It’s an interactive science centre where you can enjoy 4D simulations of the Big Bang, see the Northern Lights through magical projections and colours, and so much more.
