Planning a 3 day Edinburgh itinerary? Here’s our guide on how to have the best getaway in the Scottish Capital. You can spend 3 days in Edinburgh exploring the beautiful medieval Old town, hiking to impressive viewpoints and trying many local cafes.
Edinburgh is one of our favourite cities in the United Kingdom and we’ll show you exactly why – let’s plan your Edinburgh itinerary!
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Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the UK – cobbled streets around every corner, a famous castle in the heart of the city and the highlands almost on your doorstep!
We’re so excited to show you all the great things to do in Edinburgh in 3 days including beautiful hikes, sunset spots, must-visit streets and some of the best restaurants in the city.
It’s also home to the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe (02 – 26 August 2024) which is one of the largest arts festivals in the world! This makes Edinburgh an incredible city for culture, literary arts and media.
Alongside the festival, Edinburgh is known for its whisky, UNESCO World Heritage sites and is also the birthplace of the Harry Potter books.
After this brief introduction, we’ll now share a few tips on planning your 3 day Edinburgh itinerary with some helpful recommendations at the end!
Quick Tips for your Edinburgh Itinerary
- Currency – British Pounds (compare to your own currency here)
- Transport – Public Transport, Walking, Taxis & Rental Cars
- United Kingdom’s Power Voltage – Plugs G (230 V)
Accommodation in Edinburgh – Booking.com & Hostelworld are the best websites to find hotels or hostels for your 3 day Edinburgh itinerary. Read further to find recommendations on where to stay.
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing is a flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay covered during your 3 days in Edinburgh!
➤ Find out the best things to do in Scotland with our Scottish Highlands Bucket List!
Best time to visit Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is a city you can visit all year round, although, the best time to visit Edinburgh is between May and September. This is the Scottish summertime and there’s a higher chance of good weather with an average temperature of 16°C. This is also the peak time to explore the rest of Scotland so accommodation may cost more than usual.
December is also a great time to visit Edinburgh, as the city turns magical with Christmas lights and festive decorations! We visited in mid-December and even experienced snow, but it was -5°C which is pretty cold for the UK.
How to get to Edinburgh, Scotland
Train – The best way to get to Edinburgh from within the UK is by train. Edinburgh Waverley Station is the main station in the heart of the city, a short walk from the Royal Mile. We highly recommend booking your train tickets in advance on Trainline and don’t forget to use your Railcard if you have one! London to Edinburgh is only a 4.5-hour journey with beautiful scenery passing through Northern cities and the British coast.
Bus – Another way to get to Edinburgh is by bus, arriving at Edinburgh Bus Station. A few companies that will get you to Edinburgh are Megabus, National Express and Flixbus. Book in advance for the best prices.
Flight – If you’re coming from outside of the UK, the best way to get to Edinburgh is by flying! Check prices on Skyscanner. To get to the city centre from Edinburgh Airport is an easy 30-minute tram ride. Alternatively, pre-book a bus ride in advance here.
Car – It’s popular to start a Scottish Highlands trip from Edinburgh or Glasglow. If you’re planning on doing this find your car rental here on Discover Cars or Turo.
We’ve created a guide for a 1 day Scottish Highlands Road Trip from Edinburgh!
How to get around Edinburgh
- Walking – Edinburgh is a very walkable city even in the hilly Old Town. If you’re staying
- Public Transport – If you’re staying further away from the city centre or want to visit Leith. Hop on a bus or tram to get around Edinburgh. The buses are with Lothian Buses and cost around £1.80 for a ride!
- Car – You won’t need a car to get around the city, but you if want to explore further out of Edinburgh (to the highlands) then you may have a car to look after. Parking is tricky in the centre, but you can park for free after 6PM. Find your car rental on Discover Cars or Turo.
Day 1 – Old Town, Edinburgh Castle & Sunset
For the first day on your Edinburgh itinerary, try to arrive before midday. Head straight to your accommodation to drop your bags off or store them whilst you explore the city!
Explore the Royal Mile
A walk down the Royal Mile can’t be missed on this 3 day Edinburgh itinerary. It’s the main street in Old Town leading up towards the castle with many shops to browse in on the way. There is so much history in the Royal Mile and it’s a big part of Edinburgh’s heritage.
Discover the Real Mary Kings Close on a Tour
Learn about Edinburgh’s hidden history with a tour of Real Mary Kings Close – the most preserved 17th-century street in Edinburgh. Find out what life was like for people around 400 years ago! It’s actually underneath the Royal Mile and the tour takes around 1 hour. Find prices for tickets here – Real Mary Kings Close Tour!
Admire St Giles Cathedral
Also on the Royal Mile, you’ll spot the grand medieval St Giles Cathedral. It’s free to go inside to admire the architecture of the cathedral and it’s used as a church by many locals.
Visit Edinburgh Castle
After coming to the end of the street you’ll be greeted by the famous 11th-century Edinburgh Castle! If you want to go inside make sure you buy your tickets in advance as they can sell out on the day – Book your tickets here for a guided tour!
Explore the castle on a guided tour and learn about more the hidden histories of Edinburgh and the castle. The tour takes around 1.5 hours and it’s totally possible to roam freely around the castle afterwards. The castle is home to the Scottish Royal Jewels and a few museums!
Sunset at Calton Hill
Near the end of the day on your 3 days in Edinburgh itinerary, plan to head up to Calton Hill for sunset. It’s only a short 15-20 minute walk up the hill from Old Town and the views from the top are incredible! You can visit any time of day to appreciate the skyline of Edinburgh but sunset is truly our favourite time to visit!
Day 2 – Viewpoints, Hiking & Ghost Tours
Start your day with a filling breakfast as there’s a lot to do on day 2 of your Edinburgh itinerary! You’ll be exploring more of Old Town before a beautiful afternoon hike and a spooky evening!
Wander down Victoria Street
Head back into Old Town and visit the famous Victoria Street. This curved street is filled with vibrant colourful buildings, cobbled stones and quirky shops. Don’t forget to climb up the stairs to see the lookout from Victoria Terrace.
Victoria Street is known to be Edinburgh’s most photographed street and it’s actually the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books (JK Rowling lived in Edinburgh when writing the first book).
Head to The Vennel Steps
Just around the corner is our favourite viewpoint in Edinburgh – The Vennel Steps. It takes about 1 minute to reach the top of the stairs and reach the beautiful viewpoint to see Edinburgh Castle.
We visited when it had snowed and it was totally magical! It can get quite busy here at times, but it’s the perfect place to spend a while admiring the castle.
➤ Check out our The Perfect Isle of Skye Itinerary to plan your trip from Edinburgh!
Admire Dean Village
Next up on your 3 day Edinburgh itinerary is a visit to Dean Village! This picturesque village is only a 30-minute walk away from the Old Town area, nestled between the Water of Leith river.
Dean Village has become a popular spot to visit due to its beautiful houses and perfect photo spots, it’s also lovely to walk along the river. It is a residential area, so be respectful when visiting!
On the way back to Old Town, head to Sora Lella for lunch before an afternoon hike!
Hike Arthurs Seat
Arthurs Seat can’t be missed during your 3 days in Edinburgh and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views! If you’ve seen One Day on Netflix, Arthurs Seat is one of the main filming locations!
It takes around 45 minutes to reach the top and if it’s bad weather, be careful as it can get pretty muddy on the trail.
The hike is located in Holyrood Park alongside other lovely hikes. If you have extra time in your day, it’s another great sunset spot!
Did you know? Arthurs Seat is an extinct volcano! It erupted over 340 million years ago! We’ve also included the hike in our 20 Best Hiking Trails in the UK!
Hop on a Ghost Bus Tour
End your day with a fun activity – a comedy ghost bus tour! Learn about the legend of Burke and Hare with an audio guide touring around the city in the dark.
It’s the perfect activity whatever the weather and the journey will take around 1 hour. You can book your tickets in advance here – Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour!
Day 3 – Harry Potter, Shopping & Museums
On Day 3 of your Edinburgh itinerary, there are still a few more things to do around the city and if you’re a Harry Potter fan you’ll love what we’ve got planned!
Go on a Harry Potter Tour
Did you know? JK Rowling lived here when she wrote the first Harry Potter book and took inspiration from all over the city. Although Harry Potter wasn’t filmed here, there’s some spots (some we’ve already mentioned on this 3 day Edinburgh itinerary) in Edinburgh where you can feel a connection to the books and films.
This Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour is highly rated with one of the best guides to take you around Edinburgh. The tickets cost around £14 and as part of the activity, you’ll be placed in a Hogwarts house! Book your tickets on GetYourGuide here!
For more Harry Potter locations, spend 4 Days in London and explore the capital!
Find Thomas Riddell’s Grave in the Greyfriars Cemetery
Okay, we have to reveal one of the spots on the tour, just in case you want to do a self-guided Harry Potter tour. Take a visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard to find the names of Tom Riddle, McGonagall, the Potters and more! It’s a pretty spooky and cool place to visit on your 3 days in Edinburgh!
Don’t forget to find the statue of Bobby the dog – you can also read about his faithful past!
Shopping on Princes Street and George Street
As Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, it also has some amazing shops! From local boutiques to high street stores, you can find a range of shops on Princes and George Street. There’s also a few malls around!
Princes Street is considered the New Town in Edinburgh and it’s right next to Princes Street Gardens – the lovely garden at the base of Edinburgh Castle!
Walk around Circus Lane
Another residential spot on this 3 day Edinburgh itinerary is Circus Lane! This beautiful curved street is located just north of the Old Town and is worth a visit if you love taking photos. Some of the streets in Edinburgh literally feel like you’re walking through a fairytale – we love finding streets like this!
➤ Planning a trip around Scotland? Here’s our ultimate NC500 Road Trip Itinerary!
Visit the National Museum of Scotland
At this point in the Edinburgh itinerary, you will have already seen so much and not even scratched the surface of museums in Scotland! If you have any time left on your trip, visit the National Museum of Scotland. It’s free to enter and you can learn about Scottish history!
End your 3 days in Edinburgh eating at one of Edinburgh’s many great restaurants – we recommend Nova Pizza or Seeds For The Soul!
Other things to do in Edinburgh
- Browse the Farmers Market (9-2 on Saturdays)
- Visit The Elephant House (where JK Rowling wrote the first book)
- Spend the day on a Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting
- Watching a musical at Edinburgh Playhouse
- See the Scottish Parliament!
- Visit the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Take a tour of the Edinburgh Chocolatarium
- Browse the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh, Scotland
Visiting Edinburgh over the Festive Season?
- Edinburgh Christmas Markets – located in East Princes Street Gardens!
- Ice Skating – get festive with an outdoor skating rink!
- Admire the Christmas decorations around the city
- Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – a new years party!
Day Trips from Edinburgh
- Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour – A day trip from Edinburgh to Loch Ness all in one day without having to rent a car – Check for spaces online!
- Take a self-guided trip from Edinburgh to Glencoe and visit the famous Harry Potter bridge – Here’s our 1 day Highlands Road Trip from Edinburgh!
- Take a short train or bus ride to Glasgow and be impressed by another Scottish city!
- Go on a 3-Day Isle of Skye and The Highlands Tour
➤ Want to see more of Scotland? Check out our 1 Week Scottish Highlands itinerary, so you can plan your trip!
Where to stay in Edinburgh
We recommend staying near Old Town if you have 3 days in Edinburgh. This is the heart of the city and very close to the train station. If you have a suitcase – be prepared to roll it over many cobbled streets!
High Street Hostel $ – The best hostel in Edinburgh! We loved our stay here and it has all the amenities you need for your 3 days in Edinburgh. The beds are comfy, there’s a full kitchen and a cosy living room means you’ll have a great stay! – Find the link on Booking.com here!
Balmore Guest House $-$$ – A lovely guest house with private rooms and bathrooms, a short walk away from Old Town – Find the link on Booking.com here!
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh $$ – In the heart of the Old Town is a beautiful modern hotel for a great stay in Edinburgh – Find the link on Booking.com here!
Best places to eat in Edinburgh
- Sora Lella $$ – A vegan Italian roman restaurant serving fresh pasta & pizza (location)
- Black Rabbit $-$$ – A tasty cafe serving vegan cakes, sandwiches and cruffins (location)
- Maki & Ramen $$ – A chain of cosy Japanese restaurants serving wholesome food (location)
Take a look at our Top Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh!
Switch to sustainable travel products before visiting Edinburgh! Check out our
18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap guide!
What to pack for 3 days in Edinburgh in Winter
In the summer season, you can pack your usual warm clothes along with a bottle of mosquito repellent if you’re planning an adventure to the Highlands. If you’re visiting Edinburgh in the winter season, you’re going to want to wrap up! Here are a few winter clothes to bring for your 3 day Edinburgh itinerary:
- A good winter rain jacket (and umbrella, if you fancy!)
- A hat, scarf & gloves
- Thermals
- Warm shoes, preferably boots (for hiking)
How many days should I spend in Edinburgh?
We recommend spending at least 2 days in the Scottish capital which means Edinburgh is a perfect weekend break. With 3 days in Edinburgh, you won’t have to worry about rushing and can spend an extra day hiking Arthur Seat or visiting Dean Village.
If you have an extra day after your 3 days in Edinburgh, take a trip to the Scottish Highlands and explore the mountainous roads. We took a day trip to Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter bridge) and it was one of the best days! It was pretty long but totally worth making use of having the highlands on your doorstep in Edinburgh!
Check out our 1 day Scottish Highlands Trip from Edinburgh!
Edinburgh itinerary for one day
If you only have one day in Edinburgh, you can still experience the culture and atmosphere the city has to offer. Stick to the Old Town and walk along the Royal Mile, Victoria Street & Princes Street, then take a tour of the castle.
Visit some of the Harry Potter-inspired places and head up to Calton Hill for sunset! One day in Edinburgh isn’t enough time to do everything, but you can still have a great trip!
Planning an Edinburgh Itinerary
Here are some helpful links to plan your Edinburgh itinerary 3 days:
- Check for any public holidays on your date of visit (Find out when the public holidays are)!
- Book your flights – check Skyscanner prices here!
- Get Travel Insurance – Find out more here!
- Book your accommodation on Hostelworld here or on Booking.com here!
Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Yes! Edinburgh is worth visiting – it’s honestly one of our favourite cities in the UK. It’s a very walkable city with lots of things to see and a great place to spend a weekend. Edinburgh has a very old medieval atmosphere and the streets look like they’ve seen so much history.
The Old Town and New Town are separate but blend together perfectly which is something so unique in this modern world!
Don’t forget about Travel Insurance! – SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world, including Edinburgh, Scotland. Find out more here!
Check out more of our UK Travel Guides:
- The Best 1 day Highlands Road Trip from Edinburgh
- North Coast 500 Road Trip Itinerary
- The Perfect Isle of Skye Itinerary
- Top 20 Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh
- Scottish Highlands 1 Week Itineraries
- Scottish Highlands Bucket List
- How to hike in Snowdonia, Wales
- 1 Day York Itinerary & 1 Day Cambridge Itinerary
- Day Trip to Bristol & Free things to do in Bristol
- Browse more Scottish posts!
That’s the end of our The Best 3 Day Edinburgh Itinerary: Things to do in Edinburgh (2024)! Have the best time in Edinburgh, Scotland and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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Beautiful place especially at Christmas. Great photos. Love the streets and Harry Potter links 🙂
And how good did that pizza look!