Taking a day trip to Edinburgh, or visiting for only 24 hours? Then this itinerary is your best friend! While it’s best to spend 2 to 3 days in this city, one day in Edinburgh is enough to do some sight-seeing and appreciate the Old Town. Despite the short stay, Edinburgh is certainly worth the visit!
This one day in Edinburgh itinerary smoothly guides you through the absolute must-sees and dos, foods to try, FAQs, and important travel tips.
Without further ado, let’s make the most of your 24 hours in Edinburgh!👇
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How to Spend the Best 24 Hours in Edinburgh
Are you Preparing for your trip?
- Find the Best Stays in Edinburgh!🏠
- Get Travel Medical Insurance.
- Avoid international charges with an eSim!📱
- Itinerary: 2 Days in Edinburgh 🗺️
- Planning to travel around Scotland? Here are Affordable Car Rentals!🚗
9:00 Breakfast at Loudon’s New Waverley
What better way to start the day than with a delicious breakfast?
Head to Loudon’s, in the New Waverley location – the location is important due to the activity that comes next! Loudon’s is a modern brunch restaurant that offers an ample menu that is capable of suiting everyone – from celiacs to vegans, and so forth.
To dive deeper into Scotland, I recommend ordering the Full Breakfast!😍
10:00 Arthur’s Seat
The first adventure of the day is none other than Arthur’s Seat!
Arthur’s Seat is the highest peak of an ancient volcano and Holyrood Park, and offers phenomenal, panoramic views over all of Edinburgh!
It takes around 40 minutes from the base to the top, and the walk is fairly easy. Adding in time to take pictures and soak in the views, you will spend around 2 hours or less here.
As someone who *rarely hikes*, I can attest to the fact that this is easily one of THE best things to do in Edinburgh. Here is everything you need to know about climbing Arthur’s Seat!
12:00 The Royal Mile and Victoria Street
One of the must-dos in Edinburgh is walking both the Royal Mile and Victoria Street, which are two streets in the Old Town.
The Royal Mile is a mile-long (shocker) street and the “spine” of the Old Town, which connects Edinburgh’s most important landmarks. Due to this, when walking the Royal Mile, pay close attention to the landmarks and statues around you. One place to visit is the St. Giles Cathedral – one of Scotland’s most important churches.
Alongside the landmarks and statues, there are some fun shops and markets. One market to visit on the Royal Mile is the Tron Kirk Market.
Victoria St. is a beautiful street full of colorful buildings and quirky shops.
12:30 Lunch at Haggis Box
When in Scotland, do as the Scotts and eat Haggis!😍
Haggis is the National Dish of Scotland, and is simply a must-try dish. Haggis is a dish made with sheep’s offal, oats, suet, and several spices. This dish has a similar taste to black pudding, and is delicious!
The Haggis Box makes the best gluten free haggis! Don’t eat meat? Try their vegan or vegetarian haggis to still experience Haggis!
1:30 PM Scotch Whisky (Optional)
Now that you’ve had Scotland’s national dish, how about having Scotland’s national drink?
Whisky plays an important role in Scottish culture, with a strong cultural heritage of over 500 years. Scotch Whisky offers an immersive experience that teaches you all about Whisky, while also offering free tastings.
The Scotch Whisky experience has 5 different experiences, ranging from the Silver Tour experience all the way to the Taste of Scotland Experience. If you’re with children (under 18), the Silver Tour is suitable for them.
This experience is one you need to book in advance, as it sells out quickly and far in advance. Save your spot today – you can book up to 3 months in advance!👇
3:00 PM Edinburgh Castle
At this point, after having Haggis and Scotch, you may as well call the Edinburgh Castle your new home! Jokes asides, the Edinburgh Castle is an icon that you simply cannot miss out on.
One of the most iconic views of Edinburgh is that of Edinburgh Castle sitting on top of the Castle Rock. This view gives the most magical and medieval-fairytale vibes.
Being a 12th-century castle, the Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and is also full of wondrous tales. The average visit time is between two to three hours, as there are plenty of things to see.
If you’re wondering whether the Edinburgh Castle is worth visiting, the answer is a mixed yes! The average visit lasts between two to three hours. Given you only have a day in Edinburgh, unless you’re passionate about history, I would advise visiting for less than 2 hours. If you don’t want to visit, definitely go see the castle from outdoors!
If you want to be smoothly guided and learn about the Castle in more depth, save your spot with this experience – the best Edinburgh Castle guided tour!
Post-Castle: Relax
Take this time to wind down and relax in whichever way you prefer. In case you need some inspiration, here are some things you can do to relax and enjoy Edinburgh:
- Go to a cafe or bakery for a snack and a nice sit-down time.
- Walk around the New Town, including Prince Street, and/or visit Calton Hill.
- Go to Prince Street Gardens.
- Go shopping, or window-shopping. I highly recommend vintage stores, like Herman Brown.
6:00 PM Harry Potter Walking Tour (Optional)
Want to see more of Edinburgh with a Harry Potter twist? Then this guided walking tour is perfect for you!
If you didn’t know, J.K. Rowling took endless inspiration for her Harry Potter books from Edinburgh. As a fun fact, the Tom Riddle tombstone is in Edinburgh – which you’ll get to visit on this tour.
This tour will bring you all over The Royal Mile, Victoria Street, Grassmarket, and so forth. It’s important to note that Harry Potter was never filmed in Edinburgh, the areas you will be visiting served as inspiration only.
This is one of Edinburgh’s most beloved tours, and it often sells out. Save your spot now!👇
8:30 PM Dinner at Makars Mash Bar
Now that you’ve had an adventure-filled day, it’s time to slow down and enjoy a Scottish meal at one of Edinburgh’s “best-of-the-best” restaurants!
Makars Mash Bar is a Scottish family-run restaurant whose high-quality produce is all locally sourced from local businesses with proper practices and values.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
If you’re staying the night in Edinburgh, the best areas to stay are either the Old Town or New Town.
Old Town is the most central area and the most popular location. If you want to be as close as possible to all the main attractions, this is the best spot!
New Town is right next to Old Town and is a more affordable option. Here you’ll have the easiest access to public transportation, and to less touristy businesses and shops.
Best Time to Visit Edinburgh
The best time to visit Edinburgh are the spring and summer months. The spring time is perfect for those looking for quieter and more affordable months, and decent weather.
The summer time, on the other hand, is perfect for those who want the best weather and don’t mind peak-tourism months.
Insider Tip: Something important to consider is which day of the week you’ll spend in Edinburgh. This is because businesses here have interesting operating days and hours. All the activities in this itinerary are available for any day of the week (may differ during holidays). If you have an additional activity you’re interested in, or a restaurant, make sure to check their operating hours.
Other Common Questions Regarding Edinburgh
How to Get Around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a fairly small, and very walkable city. You can walk everywhere, and if you’re staying in the Old or New Town, most places will be a quick reach. Edinburgh also has great and easy-to-use public transportation. For this one day in Edinburgh, you will not need public transportation – as every place is near by.
What to do in Edinburgh for Half a day?
If you’re in Edinburgh for only half a day, I highly recommend focusing on staying outdoors and walking around the city. For example, do not visit the Edinburgh Castle, as the average visit is 2 to 3 hours. Here’s a tentative half day itinerary for Edinburgh:
- Arthur’s Seat
- Calton Hill if you want beautiful panoramic views minus the longer walk
- The Royal Mile
- Eat Haggis at The Haggis Box
- If you’re not up for Haggis, Bertie’s Proper Fish and Chips is another great restaurant!
- Victoria Street
- Grassmarket
- Princes Street & Princes Garden
- (optional) add a tour or fun Edinburgh activity👇
More Information on Edinburgh, Scotland
Here are some additional Edinburgh blog posts to help you out with your upcoming travels!👇
- 2 days in Edinburgh
- Climbing Arthur’s Seat: Everything You Need to Know
- The 13 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Edinburgh
- Where to Eat the Best Gluten Free Haggis in Edinburgh
- The 10 Best Walking Tours & Unique Experiences in Edinburgh
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