My boys and I went to Scotland in July, mainly because I was dying to see Bruno Mars’ concert which is happening on a Tuesday night in Glasgow – IKR! Matt and I thought that since it’s in the middle of the week, why not take a short holiday trip to Edinburgh before we head out to Glasgow. We stayed at Jurys Inns Hotel in Edinburgh and I find the location just perfect as it was only few steps away from the Edinburgh Waverley Train Station and the famous Royal Mile.
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and we headed to the Royal Mile because it was a beautiful sunny day that shouldn’t be wasted. We’ve only spent two nights in Edinburgh but those were enough to do a lot of things. Let me share with you the few things you can do to enjoy two days in Edinburgh.
1. Wander down the Royal Mile
The royal mile is perfect for a leisurely stroll. It runs through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, connecting the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a base of volcanic rock, with the splendorous Palace of Holyroodhouse, resting in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat
2. Visit the Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland, is standing at the end of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile.
3. Hike to Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat is one of four hill forts, dating from around 2,000 years ago. Situated within Holyrood Park, as well as its rich cultural heritage, the park offers walks, solace, wildlife, volcanic geology and unparalleled vistas of the city from its many vantage points. The park has several Site of Special Scientific Interest designations due to its exceptional range of grassland habitats and its internationally important volcanic geology.
4. Be amazed of the Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. From the castle, you can have a great view of the breath-taking sight of the city. I’ll leave it there; the rest is for you to discover. 😊
5. See the St Giles’ Cathedral
St Giles’ Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. A pristine cathedral that anyone will appreciate.
6. Look at the Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic memorial to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the second largest dedication to a writer in the world after the José Martí monument in Havana.
7. Boggle your mind with Camera Obscura
Interestingly, Camera Obscura is Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attraction, delighting visitors since 1835.
8. See the Scottish Parliament Building
The Scottish Parliament building is an incredible structure nestled in a magnificent landscape. Unfortunately, we did not get the chance to visit this, but this is something I look forward to seeing next time.
9. Listen to bagpipers
You haven’t visited Edinburgh if you haven’t seen bagpipers perform. In just this trip alone, I was able to watch 4 bagpipers performing on the streets.
10. Take a tour bus
You can see all the main attractions with CitySightseeing Edinburgh. There’s multi-language commentary and a special Horrible Histories section to entertain both children and adults alike!. I would suggest sitting in the top level of the bus and at the front if possible. That way, you will see everything better.
11. Find a beer garden
The sun had made several appearances in Edinburgh recently and the natural response of locals and tourists alike is to find the perfect spot for soaking up the rays while sipping on a cold beverage or two.
12. Edinburgh Festival Wheel
The Festival Wheel (aka Edinburgh Festival Wheel and Big Wheel) is a large mechanical, red and white Ferris Wheel, situated in the centre of Edinburgh, in East Princess Street Garden. The large wheel is a temporary structure, raised during Hogmanay and the summer months during the Edinburgh Festivals. I call ourselves lucky to be able to ride the wheel because it was only open from 30th of June until the 2nd of September 2018.
13. Shop for winter clothes
Shoppers have a wide range of variety from which they can choose. Everything from military-style and tweed to parka and cashmere, people will discover the most coveted coats in Edinburgh.
Overall, Edinburgh is an amazing city that truly deserves more time to explore. But if like me you only had 48 hours then these are a selection of the many options available. I will definitely return in the near future to explore further so follow my site for a further update!
