3-day Edinburgh Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, and whisky in three days.
3 daysFirst-timersBest: May–September; August for festivals
Last updated: 2025-03-15
Day 1 – Castle and Royal Mile
- Edinburgh Castle
- Royal Mile and St Giles
Morning Edinburgh Castle (book ahead). Walk Royal Mile down to Holyrood. St Giles Cathedral. Afternoon closes or whisky tasting. Evening Grassmarket or Victoria Street.
Tips:
Castle: book online. One o'clock gun at 1 pm (except Sunday). Allow 2–3 hours.
Day 2 – Arthur's Seat and museums
- Arthur's Seat hike
- National Museum of Scotland
Morning Arthur's Seat (2–3 hours round trip; wear layers). Afternoon National Museum or Writers' Museum. Evening New Town (Princes Street, dinner).
Tips:
Arthur's Seat: wind can be strong; check weather. Free museums.
Day 3 – Leith or day trip and departure
- Leith waterfront or Rosslyn Chapel
- Last whisky and transfer
Leith for Royal Yacht Britannia or lunch by water. Or Rosslyn Chapel (Da Vinci Code). Transfer to EDI airport (30 min from centre).
Tips:
EDI: bus or tram to airport. Train to Glasgow 1 hour if extending.
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